We've all been to trade shows and conferences, and more times than not we've come back to our hotel rooms with bags full of pamphlets, brochures, and best of all, the "swag". The brochures give us the facts and details that we're looking for, but it's these interesting trade show giveaways that grab our attention.

Now promotional products have been around for a long time, and sure, all business need their calendars, ballpoint pens, and keychains, but really, are these "old school" items going to burn your brand into the clients brain? Probably not.

It's the cool gadgets and innovative promotional items that we remember, and when we remember what the gadget is, we're more than likely to remember whose logo is on it. Most of the trade show giveaways you'll get (the notepads, mousepads, and pencils) just end up in your drawer, or worse, in the trash. But if the promotional "toy" is something "cool", interesting, or different, it's more likely to be talked about and shared.

So if you're planning on giving something away at the next trade show, find a branding solution business like Adcentives West to help you come up with a neat promotional product idea. And unless you're a stuffy old bank, hopefully it will be something more than just a calendar.