The Christmas period is all about giving, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service did well to remind people of this during the holidays by using cleverly designed Christmas baubles. Devised in collaboration with Union Direct, they shaped their red baubles to look like droplets of blood. Although, with nice ribbon hangers, they made pretty Christmas tree ornaments, these baubles did the more important job of prompting those who were able to donate their blood to do so, and maybe save a life. The baubles were accompanied by a simple but effective message: 'Every drop can help make this a happy Christmas for someone'.

The baubles themselves didn't contain any branding, and let their distinctive shape get the message across

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Inspired by this sobering campaign? You could do something similar for your charity or social enterprise with promotional seasonal gifts.

If you're hosting an award ceremony, a company sports day or any another kind of business event, promotional medals are a great, fun way to honour prize winners and gain brand exposure. Because medals are used to recognise outstanding achievements, people will love receiving them and will keep them for a long time, creating long-lasting and positive impressions of your brand.

To make sure that recipients are suitably pleased and honoured by their medals, you should choose medals that are in keeping with the tone of the event, the level of the achievement, and the tastes of awardees. Fortunately, there are a range of medal styles and branding options to ensure you get medals that are perfectly suited to your needs! Read on to find out what they are.

Promotional Medal Styles

Medal with Stars Design

This popular style of medal comes in bronze, silver or gold with a glossy dome in the middle for your branding. A simple star design around the outside of the medal gives it a fun, informal feel, ideal for a sports day.

A red, white and blue lanyard accompanies the medal so that it can be worn with pride

Wreath Design Medal

Gold, silver and bronze medals with a classic wreath and torch design look sophisticated and would be in keeping with the tone of a high-end event.

The Olympic torch on this subtle medal gives it an elegant feel

Modern Wreath Design Medal

Medals with a chunky wreath design and a branded dome in the middle offer a healthy balance between modern and classic.This medal combines stars and a wreath for a design that will suit all recipients and a range of events

Domed Decal Medal

A medal with a smaller rim and a large domed decal will give you more space for your logo, so is ideal if you want your branding to take pride of place.

A big, colourful logo will be more eye-catching and gain you greater brand exposure

Chocolate Medal

Chocolate medals obviously won't last long, but they do make a great addition to events with children and will promote your brand in a fun, memorable way.

Kids at community sports events will love getting chocolate medals alongside or instead of real ones!

Branding Promotional Medals

There are a range of branding options for promotional medals so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Doming

Doming uses clear epoxy liquid to create a domed, glossy surface for your logo. It can be done in full colour, capturing all the precise detail in your logo, and gives a modern, high-end finish. It is the perfect branding if you want your logo to be the focal point of the medal.

Doming gives your design a 3D effect, making it stand out more than other branding methods

Engraving

Metal medals can be laser engraved creating clean lines and an understated look. If you want your medals to look refined and elegant, this is the perfect branding method.

Bespoke Shaping

If you want medals that are fully customised to your brand, we offer custom made medals that can be different shapes, with different coloured enamel inlays to display your branding.

Bespoke medals might cost a bit more but can be worth it for medals that are shaped and coloured exactly as you want them

Printed Lanyards

You can add an extra touch of branding to your medals with colourful printed lanyards. You can also choose from a range of fixtures to attach the lanyard to the medal.

Bespoke medals combined with printed lanyards are the perfect way to show off your branding

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If you've decided which type of medal and which branding method are right for you, get in touch and let us know on 01204 577 995. If not, you can browse all of the medals on our website.

Promotional heart shaped chocolate boxes are a common sight around the 14th of February. But Valentine's Day also happens to coincide with International Congenital Heart Disease Day, which inspired some chocolate boxes with a twist. To raise awareness of this widespread condition, France Cardiopathies Congénitales used traditional Valentine's chocolate boxes, but with unusual shapes.

The chocolate boxes were all uniquely shaped to represent the hearts of those with congenital heart disease

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The 'Sweet Hearts' boxes were distributed in Parisian shopping centres and cake shops, which resulted in a 400% increase in website traffic for the foundation and 300,000 euros worth of media impressions. This campaign did brilliantly at raising awareness of congenital heart disease, as well as helping people to celebrate Valentine's Day - if you'd like to promote your charity in a similar way, check out our promotional chocolates or get in touch on 01204 577 995 to tell us your needs.

Sports awards can be used as prizes at sports days, presented at elegant award ceremonies and used to reward loyal, sport-loving customers. And of course they are especially appropriate for sports businesses.

Glass sports awards look beautiful and have a high-perceived value, so are perfectly matched to sophisticated brands and events. All of the sports glass awards detailled below have a sporting design, which clearly convey their purpose and theme.

Read on to find out all your options for glass sports awards and their distinctive features.

Golf Ball Drinking Glasses

There are different types of engraved drinking glasses, including tankards, tumblers and high ball glasses. Golf ball drinking glasses have a golf ball moulded into the base that gives them a unique and sporty look.

Different styles of drinking glasses come with different price tags, so you have plenty of options

Drinking glasses can be made from crystal as well as glass, and can be engraved with your logo and branding. The glasses come with satin lined presentation boxes, which can be bespoke made to suit your brand.

Engraved Bowls

A crystal footed bowl is a more lavish award that can be used to hold sweets or another gift or prize. Like glasses, bowls can be engraved and presented in refined boxes. They make lovely ornamental items for a mantelpiece or desk.

 Glass and crystal bowls are bulky items so you should consider how you are going to transport them to your venue

Some glass bowls also have a golf ball moulded into the base to show off their sporting theme. These bowls, being versatile items, are appropriate for lots of different recipients, including retiring employees who might have a penchant for golf.

3D Optic Blocks

A perfectly clear crystal block, sub-surface engraved with a sports related design is an ideal award for sports fans. Recipients will be impressed by the detailed design and proud to display it in a trophy cabinet, where the eye-catching design will attract lots of attention.

Optic blocks look even better when presented on a wooden base

Other optic block designs include golf players, horse riders and race cars, giving you a wealth of choices. If you run a horse riding school, present winners with beautiful horse-engraved optic blocks at competitions.

Crystal Decanters

A crystal decanter can be used as an award, or can be a functional item at an event used to pour wine. Decanters are more expensive items which makes them ideal for sophisticated evenings and for rewarding significant achievements.

Decanters can also have a golf ball design in the base to make them more sporty

A decanter with a wooden base makes it more of a decorative item. Engrave your decanter and present it in a leather-look box to make it that bit more special.

Crystal Vases

A crystal vase is just that bit more special than a glass one as it can be host to more ornate designs and has a greater clarity. With or without a wooden base, vases are lovely ornamental items that look great with some subtly engraved branding.

Like many of the sports glass awards, vases can also come with golf balls moulded into the base

You could present your vase with flowers inside if you are hosting a particularly prestigious sporting event or the award itself represents a special achievement.

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If you are still unsure about which sports award to go for, or would simply like to know more about the range, we're happy to answer any of your questions over the phone on 01204 577 995.

How to Create Effective Artwork for Banner Pens?

Banner pens are unique in that they have an exceptional print area that allows for including even the most detailed and elaborate artwork. These clever promotional items are essentially promotional pens that come with a flyer built in.

The leaflet, which can be branded in full colour on both sides, is rolled inside the barrel and can be pulled out comfortably. Once it's seen and let go off, it rolls itself back into the pen, so the tool can be used to make notes, just like any other writing instrument.

Banner pens we've supplied in the past have included timetables, detailed product guides, calendars, awareness campaigns and good old adverts. Whichever way you would like to use it for your business or organisation, we have a few foolproof tips that will help you create a successful campaign.

Branding Area Explained

Most of our banner pens have a print area of approx. 65 mm by 200 mm. The shorter side is the length of the pen's barrel, while the longer one is the length of the flyer when completely pulled out.

A metal strip attached to the barrel is used to pull the banner out. Once pulled out, the flyer has the pen on one side and the metal strip on the other side.

Most right-handed people will pull out the banner to the right with a natural movement, meaning that the metal handle will be on the right. The banner with the strip on the right is therefore the front of the flyer, making the other side the back.

Some banner pens also offer printing on the pen itself - on the clip or on the barrel.

Designing Your Artwork

Our internal graphics department help clients with artwork layout at no extra cost. We can help distribute the content you provide to us to present it clearly, paying attention to your brand consistency. If you're designing your artwork completely by yourself, keep reading for some great pointers.

Print Area Sections

Even though we see both sides of the banner as uninterrupted print areas, the front does in fact consist of two sections.

The first section - taking up most of the space and connected to the pen is the main banner print area.

The second section - about 18 mm wide and next to the metal handle is the second section. We make this distinction because it can be seen through the transparent body of the pen once rolled in, in addition to being visible when the banner is pulled out.

Because the second section is visible along the pen, we advise that the text and logos within are aligned parallel to the handle. It is good to include your logo and most important contact details in here - as if to mimic the print of any other pen.

Outside of the barrel section of the banner, the rest of it can be designed in either portrait or landscape orientation. As banner pens are often used multiple times as a reference to a piece of information, the flyer can include sizable portions of text - as paragraphs, bullet points or tables.

Banner Pen Artwork Specifications

When including text in your artwork, we advise to keep font size at minimum 6 pt (this depends on the font). Don't forget to add suitable amount of space between lines of text so that it's legible. You might be tempted to include as much text as you can fill in the flyer but it's often best to limit text amount so that it's easy to read. In addition, important text shouldn't be placed closed to the edge than 3 mm.

If you're using coloured background, add 2 mm bleed around the print area to ensure your background prints edge-to-edge.

The file should be saved as EPS or PDF, with all fonts converted to outlines. If you're not sure what this means, we are happy to help you along the way.

We’ve always enjoyed celebrating in the UK. As a nation, we’ve never needed an excuse to get together with friends, take some photos, and share a few laughs! However, our reasons to celebrate have changed over the last fifteen years - with the list of holidays, events, and entries on the social calendar undergoing quite a transformation.  

Here at UK Corporate Gifts, we’ve created an animated chart that highlights the winners and losers in this transformation. Our chart reveals many surprising, interesting, and fun facts about some of the most engaging landmark days throughout the year. 

The data used in the chart is based on information from Google Trends between 2005 and 2019. It shows search volumes for exact keywords mentioned. We compared keywords representing different holidays, celebrations and events during the year, presenting only those with the highest search volumes. Each year represents a 12 month period from September the year before to end of August the year mentioned. This article examines the chart, comparing keywords representing different holidays, celebrations, and events during the year.

Embed this chart using the code below. Please attribute to UK Corporate Gifts:

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You might find some changes unexpected and eye-opening, but our animated chart captures the occasions that genuinely excite the British public today. From a marketer’s perspective, our graph also shows significant moments in the year when people are ready and willing to make celebratory purchases to mark these occasions. It also highlights opportunities for businesses to grab the public’s attention with promotions, offers, and gifts that relate to UK celebrations.

Christmas is still winning the race

Over Christmas time, millions of households watch old festive Hollywood films alongside modern Christmas classics. A raft of soulful singers including Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and Louis Armstrong - provide the soundtrack to our festive celebrations. And adverts for Coca Cola, John Lewis and even Aldi are making us nostalgic and emotional.

Celebrations can start as early as October and are a perfect excuse for brands big and small to suggest perfect gifts for loved ones. With ever growing competition over increased demand, events are often the way to capture attention. Branded gifts are one way to build brand awareness during the period – from cute festive decorations to thoughtful corporate gifts for top clients.

Christmas’s top place should be enough to convince you how important it is in the marketing calendar. However, to add weight to our findings, Boxing Day and Christmas Day are, respectively, the fourth and fifth most popular celebrations on our chart in their own right too. No wonder that Christmas, and the run-up to it, is one of the most critical times of the year in terms of marketing, promotional goods, and corporate gifts - with the products as diverse as advent calendars, seasonally-themed chocolates, mugs, tree decorations, and novelty clothing on offer.

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The Special Relationship and our appetite for American celebrations 

We share a unique bond with America. The growth of many traditionally US celebrations across the UK - such as Halloween and Black Friday - reflect the close ties between both countries. Black Friday showed the most significant surge in popularity from being virtually unheard-of to becoming the 5th most popular occasion in the last 15 years. Our chart shows Black Friday is one of the top five UK celebrations today, behind only Easter, Wimbledon and Halloween.

Black Friday has its origins in an official public holiday in 20 US States, and it falls the day after Thanks Giving. There’s no such holiday in the UK, but that doesn't stop big US-based companies like Amazon and Apple targeting the UK market with Black Friday deals. We’ve all seen the news footage of queues down Oxford Street and outside shopping centres across the country. 

The UK’s new Halloween obsession

Halloween in the UK used to be quite a muted affair. Some children went 'Trick or Treating,' and a few people had Halloween parties—maybe you remember apple bobbing and other traditional Halloween games. In some parts of the country, we even celebrated Mischief Night on 30th October. 

The strength of US influence in the UK explains at least part of the reason why Halloween has grown in popularity by over 150%. Our chart shows it is now the fourth most popular celebration in the country. Most kids are out 'Trick or Treating,' and a growing number of adults are getting involved too, with bars and clubs organising Halloween-themed promotions and parties. 

The celebration has become a massive commercial operation with food, clothes, toys, make-up, and even alcoholic drinks specially designed for the occasion. The simple, easily-recognized Halloween symbols such as ghosts, witches, cobwebs, and pumpkins help make the night easy to market and capture the public’s imagination. Branded and themed merchandise, gifts, and promotions such as ghoulishly-themed chocolates, sweets, pens and pencils - are readily available to suit a wide range of budgets and opportunities.   

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Some traditional British celebrations face popularity decline

While we have seen an increase in traditionally American celebrations, some long-standing UK celebrations seem to have lost popularity amongst the British public. These include London Fashion Week (which dropped by 69% and is almost at the bottom of our chart), and the Chelsea Flower Show (which fell by 31% and is seventh from bottom). The London Marathon decreased by 33%, but according to our chart, it is still the UK’s thirteenth biggest celebration. Meanwhile, the Notting Hill Carnival dropped by 13% and is now fifth from bottom. Each of these events still gets significant coverage in mainstream media, but, according to our data, that coverage doesn’t convert to online engagement. 

The reasons for this are complex. London Fashion Week and the Chelsea Flower Show have limited public spaces. That means they might not encourage as much interaction on social media. They also have significant perceived social or financial barriers to entry. Chelsea Flower Show 2020 Saturday tickets, for example, start at just below £70.00 and members of the general public can’t show up uninvited at the latest Victoria Beckham event. 

The London Marathon also has restrictions on public participation - but in a different way. With more people than ever entering, the chances of getting your name drawn out of the ballot have risen to one in ten. Although entry fees are around £40.00 per person, the most significant barrier here is fitness!  You can't just turn up and join in - and even walking it in fancy dress requires a decent level of physical health. 

Except for the Chelsea Flower Show, which was attended by the Queen and Kate Middleton last year, each of these events also lack a visible figurehead. In an age of celebrity power, that's got to be a critical factor too. 

A Right Royal Celebration

It’s not all doom and gloom for traditional UK celebrations - talking of The Queen, her birthday celebrations have enjoyed a 50% increase. Wimbledon has also experienced a 29% surge in popularity - and, according to our chart, remains one of the top three UK celebrations each year. No doubt much of this is due to Andy Murray (and Tim Henman before him) as well as a raft of rising UK tennis stars that people can rally behind. 

North of the Border, Burns Night - just a month after Christmas - has seen a surge of 40% in popularity. As the first big celebration after Christmas, this is one to bookmark in your marketing calendar - especially if you are a Scottish brand or have a sizeable Scottish customer base.   

Celebrating family, relationships, and diversity 

Family and relationships are still very much a cause for UK celebrations. Father’s Day has risen twofold, and our chart shows it’s just outside the top ten UK celebrations. Mother’s Day, in comparison, saw an increase of 159% and sits in seventh place on our chart. In modern Britain, we’re not shy of showing our feelings towards our partners either, with Valentine’s Day up 45%.

Eid, Ramadan, and Diwali have all grown in popularity in the last fifteen years too. Eid, in particular, has experienced a 195% increase, making it more popular across the UK than Boxing Day and Father’s Day. With Ramadan up 129% and Diwali showing a rise of 24%, it’s proof that UK celebrations now reflect the true multicultural, diverse nature of our society. Surprisingly, Chinese New Year hasn’t enjoyed the same kind of increase and dropped in popularity as one of the UK celebrations. 

Selfies, food photos, and The Instagram Effect 

We couldn’t talk about changing UK celebration trends without discussing the impact that social media has had. Easter - the second most popular celebration in the UK - together with Halloween and Pancake Day lend themselves to social media posts. The first four, in particular, offer a chance to showcase fantastic food, drinks, fancy dress costumes, and family photos on Facebook, SnapChat and Instagram in particular. 

Like Halloween, Easter, with its easily recognizable iconography - in this case, the egg, chick, and bunny imagery - can make promotional goods social media hits. A relatively low price entry point, also means pretty much everyone can get involved. The same, of course, is true for Christmas, New Year and Valentine's Day - another reason why those particular celebrations continue to capture the public’s consciousness.

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Some celebrations enjoy consistent popularity 

While there have been lots of changes, some UK celebrations have stayed constant - and are in right at the top of our chart. These include Christmas, Easter, and the New Year. As such, each still has a definite place in your marketing calendar. New Year, in particular, with its proximity to Christmas and several bank holidays, makes it one of the most effective times to target customers and clients. 

With all the celebrations, events, and holidays taking place in modern Britain, it can be hard to know where to invest your marketing money on promotional gifts. We hope this article has given you some ideas and inspiration while also providing you with some key dates and events to drop into your twelve-month marketing cycle.

With a multitude of projects to juggle, organising an event can be time consuming and the day itself can creep up on you quickly! Whether your event is a recruitment fair, industry specific exhibition, or an internal staff day, there’s a lot to think about and it can be easy to forget about the seemingly little things, those special touches, like what promotional products you’re going to giveaway this year?

We know from working with big and small companies across the world, that giveaways can easily drop to the bottom of the to-do-list. But, when the event or trade show is over and done with, it is the best promotional giveaways that your potential customers or employees are left with.

The good news is, with just a week to go before your big event, it’s not too late! And, you needn’t compromise either. Our experts have pulled together 10 effective trade show giveaways that can be printed and delivered in just five working days.

A trade show giveaway to keep delegates feeling fresh

A minty fresh, pocket-sized treat is the perfect giveaway for delegates wanting to freshen their breath after the endless amount of coffee on offer at exhibitions. Our blister pack of mints is the perfect pick-me-up. Easy to slip into a handbag or suit pocket, it won’t get lost amongst the array of other promotional products. And, best of all, with full colour branding across the sleeve there’s lots of space to get your message across.

A useful gift with longevity

We all love a useful gadget and few are as practical as the Hemlo keyboard brush and screen cleaner.  If you’re exhibiting at a trade show then many of your delegates will be carrying laptops, ready to work on the move. Keeping them clean can be tricky. This handy, 2-in-1 compact cleaner can slip easily into a laptop bag and, with frequent use, your brand will be seen time and again for years to come.  

A trade show giveaway that’s a classic for a reason

“I have too many pens” said no-one ever! You’ll have branded pens at home, in your bag, at work – they’re classic promotional items for a reason. They’re one of the most practical gifts you can give away. However, think about today’s user and consider choosing a timeless pen with a modern twist. Our Crystal Soft Stylus Pen is part ball point, part stylus for use on phones and tablets. The transparent barrel filled with twinkling crystals makes this a step beyond your average pen. With your logo printed or engraved, this pen will set you apart from the rest.  

A giveaway that’s destined for the desk

Take a look at your desk, we can almost guarantee there’s a coaster on there, staring back at you. This makes them a promotional giveaway favourite. Cost effective, high quality and fully customisable you can have your company’s message sat on the desk of your potential customer day after day. Our square cork coasters are available to print in full colour, embossed or engraved, and delivered in 5 days.

Putting the FUN in a FUNctional giveaway

We’re all attracted to something that’s bright and original. Colourful sunglasses would certainly bring some sunshine to your stand. A useful giveaway for your delegates to keep in their car and use on a sunny day. With the ability to personalise the arm of the sunglasses with your logo, you’ll always be in the eyeline of your customers.  

The gift of sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep in a hotel room can be challenging, but not for those visiting your exhibition stand. For those attending a trade show over a number of days, a branded sleep mask shows that you care about your delegates and have a sense of humour! If you work in the beauty industry, then a sleep mask is perfect for delegates who need to look good the next day. Available in a variety of colours and with lots of space for your logo and message, delegates will know who to thank for their 8 hours.

The gift for a busy delegate on the move

When you’re running between stands, grabbing food on the go, a portable hand sanitiser is a top, germ-busting giveaway. Our handy credit card sanitiser is the gift delegates will wonder what they ever did without. Personalised with your logo you can give out a squeaky-clean message that keeps your brand in their hand.

A promotional gift that puts your name on their lips

Being in a trade show environment, with air conditioning and heating, can be tough on your skin. A quality lip balm is a thoughtful gift for both men and women alike. Our handy lip balm comes in a variety of colours and can be custom printed with your company logo and designs, reminding your customers that you care. Lip balm giveaways are especially great for winter and healthcare marketing campaigns.

A gift at your finger tips

If you work in the health and beauty industry or dare to be different with a quirky, creative message, a branded nail file is an immensely practical giveaway - sure to grace the wash bags of many delegates. The Tuplet Nail File is a two in one nail file and emery set making it a great little combo and the perfect gift. With a customisable front cover, it’s a sure-fire way to keep your brand at the finger tips of your customers.

A giveaway for after the event…

A trade show can be lots of fun but also exhausting! Which is why the hotel bar is often a busy place after an exhibition. So, why not consider a promotional gift that they can use at the end of a long day? Our Boston Bottle Opener is certain to find its way into delegates’ cutlery drawers. With its stylish design and subtle embossing of your logo, it will mean your company is remembered at a time when they’re happy and relaxed.

A week to go… Let us help!

All these examples have a standard delivery time of 5 days, meaning that even with a few days to go, you can still produce a successful promotional item that’s original, useful, portable and maximises the branding opportunities of the product.  

There are so many more UK Corporate Gifts products that have short lead times, are simple to order and delivered within one week. Take a look at our full range online. Or, (given you’re short of time!) speak to one of our expert advisors on 01204 577 995 who will be able to help you find the product you need quickly and efficiently.

A final reminder… give something that will be appreciated and that reinforces your brand and you’ll be remembered long after the event is over, helping you secure those all-important leads. If you need more inspiration, and dare to be different, then take look at our blog 5 surprising exhibition gifts to delight delegates.

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When exhibiting at a trade show you want to be remembered for the right reasons. Well thought out exhibition gifts could be just the thing to separate you from your competitors. A successful promotional item is something that’s original, useful and portable!

Pens and mugs certainly have their place, but are you a company that dares to be different? If so, you’ll love the 5 surprising gift ideas we’ve selected as examples of how you can impress delegates visiting your exhibition stand.

Give them something valuable that reinforces your brand and you’ll be remembered long after the event is over.

Useful and reusable exhibition gifts

It’s important to think about what your customers may find useful so your exhibition gift has longevity. In a room full of auto repair specialists, like at the MECHANEX Trade Show, the Dearman Screwdriver Set would be well received, appealing to the delegates’ practical skills. Incredibly useful and original for the recipient but also a great opportunity for you to brand the case, reminding them who this handy gift came from every time they use it.

Fun and practical exhibition gifts

Everyone is drawn to eye-catching exhibition stands and promotional gifts are no different. Think about putting the FUN in functional.  A Poncho in a Ball for example is a bright, original and a highly practical giveaway. This would be the perfect gift for someone attending the Childcare Expo - appealing to big kids and little kids alike. With some great opportunities for branding, it’s a product that your attendees can carry with them wherever they go – taking your brand on the move, ready to encourage outdoor play, whatever the weather.

Exhibition gifts that turn heads

Why not choose something that will get your brand heard as well as seen! Show your sense of humour with an exhibition gift that makes some noise about your brand...literally!  Our flat whistle for example, is available in three colours and can be personalised with your logo.  Playfully appealing to those working in the rail industry, this promotional gift would show off your wittiness at Railtex. Or, perhaps you’re a sporting goods company exhibiting at an exhibition such as Elite Sports Expo  and need a quirky way to alert delegates to your stand? A whistle would certainly turn heads.

Exhibition gifts that tap into the world of tech

With the average Briton checking their mobile every 12 minutes, there’s a real opportunity to use your exhibition gifts as a way to ensure delegates always have your details to hand. The Shield RFID Cardholder does just that.  A perceived high-value product, it protects bank cards or ID’s from fraudulent activities and, with handy adhesive tape on the back, it easily fixes to the back of smartphones.  With your branding on the cardholder itself, your delegates will always be reminded of your company keeping them safe. It’s the perfect giveaway for a technology conference, or perhaps someone advertising technology services at the upcoming British Franchise Expo.

Playful and creative exhibition gifts

Who wouldn’t love to make their smartphone photography more creative? And it’s so easy with our Prisma Smartphone Lenses Set. The lens simply clips over smartphones to take pictures with fisheye, wide-angle and macro effects. Delegates will be queuing at your stall for the opportunity to see the world differently through your branded giveaway. This gift would have huge appeal to creatives and could be a real crowd pleaser at exhibitions such as the Media Production Show.

Let us inspire you with more exciting exhibition gifts

At UK Corporate Gifts we have a wide range of exhibition gifts, from classic pens, sweets and lanyards to the more unusual and surprising gifts that can help showcase your uniqueness. You can browse our huge range of gifts online. Or, if you’d like some expert advice on which gifts will get you noticed and appeal to your target market, give us a call to speak to one of expert advisors on 01204 577 995.

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Coasters are a popular promotional item as they have a large flat surface area, ideal for displaying a logo or message. Plus they can be easily shaped and printed in all kinds of different designs to suit any brand, which you can read more about in our guide on how to brand coasters effectively. But there are lots of different types of coasters, from cheap re-usable foam to luxury glass varieties, and choosing which one is right for your needs can be tricky. Here is a list of the different ways coasters can be used to promote businesses, and an explanation of which types of coaster are suited to which purpose. Coasters can be used...

Coasters as giveaways

Coasters made from solid plastic are durable and long-lasting

Inexpensive coasters, such as plastic or cork backed varieties are great for giving away to customers alongside of other purchases. For example, a drinks retailer might like to include a free coaster with any purchase over £10. Getting something extra for free will make the customer feel appreciated so they will be more likely to want to come back. The promotional coaster will also work as a reminder of your brand when they are at home. Once they have finished the bottle of wine or whisky and thrown away the packaging, they will still have the coaster to jog their memory of the great service you provided. Plastic and cork backed coasters are ideal for these types of promotions, as they are cheap to produce and can be easily shaped and printed in all sorts of eye-catching styles. Yet they will feel like a quality product to your client, as they are solid and non-disposable. Give-away coasters will encourage people to come back to your business by making them feel appreciated, and continuing to remind them of your brand.

Coasters at events

Any business that organises events for clients can make use of coasters to re-enforce its brand at these occasions. For example, a business that is having a special promotional night could place branded coasters on every surface to remind customers of where they are and why they are there, each time they take a drink! Different coasters could contain different images and messages. A drinks retailer or bar might like to include slogans or images relating to the qualities it takes particular pride in - if it has a cosy atmosphere and stocks an especially good brand of local beer, these qualities could feature on different coasters. A type of coaster suited to this purpose would be an insert coaster. The actual coaster is made from clear plastic, whilst printed paper inserts display the brand logo and message. Full colour printing on these inserts will look eye-catching, and let you get across your message in a detailed, and vibrant way. Plus they can be used again and again at multiple events. Coasters at events will increase awareness and understanding of your brand identity.

Coasters in pubs, restaurants and bars

Bars and restaurants will benefit from disposable, branded foam coasters

Cheaper branded coasters, such as foam coasters, can be used to promote short-term deals and offers in restaurant or pub. Whilst customers are ordering at the bar or eating their meal, opportunely situated coasters can be used to promote a particular deal that is currently running on a certain food or drink item. Or they could feature information about loyalty schemes - "Get a free roast dinner once you have five loyalty card stamps" for example. Coasters can even feature games, such as crosswords, to entertain customers whilst they are waiting for their order. Foam coasters are ideal for this type of up-selling, as they are very cheap, and can simply be replaced if they are spilled on, or when a particular deal or offer comes to an end. Coasters in pubs and restaurants are great for encouraging repeat and add-on purchases.

Coasters as corporate gifts

Glass coasters look stylish and luxurious when engraved with your logo

More expensive crystal or glass coasters, or coaster sets, make thoughtful and much appreciated personal gifts to thank customers for their loyalty. For example, a bank whose clients have trusted them with their money for ten years, might like to remind those people why they decided to bank with them in the first place. A high-end, sophisticated gift like a glass coaster will tell customers not only that they are valued, but that their bank is generous towards and looks after its loyal customers. These clients will be more likely to continue to trust you, and give you their custom for many more years to come. Glass coasters can even be engraved with individual people's names, so that they are even more special. Elegant coasters given as personal gifts will maintain, and could even improve, customers' perception of your brand.

Coasters in company offices

Coasters can be used in offices to instil a sense of brand identity and loyalty among employees. During coffee breaks, and in the staff room, employees will need somewhere to rest their glasses and mugs. Coasters will therefore get repeat daily views from everyone in your office. This offers the opportunity to subtly remind workers of their company and its values throughout the working day. These coasters could contain just the brand logo, or a slogan to further re-enforce your business's principles. Workers that have a strong sense of the company's vision and values will have clearer goals and objective, and thus be more productive. Coasters that have positive, friendly messages on them will also work to keep your employees motivated, reminding them of what a great place they are working in! Any type of coaster can serve this purpose, but a lenticular coaster with a fun, colourful image that changes when you tilt it, is guaranteed to catch employees' attention and keep morale high. These branded coasters will ensure that your workers remain focused and motivated, by keeping the business and its brand identity in their mind at all times.

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So now that you know the different uses that promotional coasters can have, and which varieties are best for these purposes, why not take a look a the wide range we offer on our website. Find all of the types of coaster mentioned above, and many more.

Creating a positive trade show experience can be challenging for any business. So, to help ensure you maximise every opportunity within your exhibition stand, we’re sharing our 4 key strategies for success. Our tips and advice offer sure-fire ways you can make your stand a big hit with delegates.

To bring our strategies to life, we’re using MECHANEX 2019 – the regional trade show for auto repair professionals - as our example conference. MECHANEX Manchester 2019 is taking place on 14-15 May 2019 at EventCity and MECHANEX Sandown 2019 is 05-06 Nov 2019 at Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher. It is the only regional trade show dedicated to automotive businesses. With this example, we will demonstrate some of the creative and effective ways you can engage an audience at a specialist event.

Ultimately, our advice is simple. Read on to find out how to make the most of your stand!

Attract - Let your trade show stand and your hosts make an impact

Attracting delegates is vital to the success of your stand. You may have amazing giveaways and interesting literature but how do you ensure delegates notice you?

Time to put yourself in the shoes of a delegate; the wary attendee with eyes glued to the floor in fear of being pounced on by exhibitors. What would make someone like this stop and notice your exhibition stand? How about partnering with a local, independent café to set up a coffee machine on your stall? You will be a welcome sight and you could even brand the takeaway mugs you provide.

Think about timings. When the exhibition opens, everyone is raring to go, and energy is high. But attendees will be orientating themselves before engaging in any meaningful conversations. So, don’t swoop in, be patient, but don’t stand back either. Help them with the map, offer them a printed sticker for the map so they can remember the location of your stand, or give them a token they can use to play a game at your stand later.

At lunchtime, everyone will be swarming around the seating and catering facilities. Why not leave the safety net of your stand, wander over and offer them branded coasters for their drinks… with details of where they can find your stand!

Later in the day, there will be a definite lull, so branded energy drinks or sweets could provide a much-needed sugar rush and some soft seating will be sure to attract tired feet.

And don’t forget to use live social media throughout your event! Perhaps run a limited time giveaway – “first person to get to our stand in the next 30 seconds and shout wins a high value prize”, like a super-useful laptop bag.

Engage - continue the winning strategy through the day

Now you’ve attracted delegates to your stand, how do you keep them there?

Add an interactive element to your stand. It could be a challenge, a game or a quiz. Offer progressively higher value items as prizes to really get delegates competitive nature buzzing. For example, a car sticker for taking part, a mug for getting to stage 1, a cool gadget for getting to stage 2 and perhaps some champagne with branded glasses for any winners!

Introduce a hashtag. Reward those that use it, either on the day - ‘thanks Ben, come and collect your free polo shirt at stand 10’ - or after - ‘thanks Reg, drop us a message to receive your thank-you gift for spreading the word’.

Be Remembered - link in with MECHANEX 2019 or your unique trade show theme

In a sea of exhibitors and an abundance of giveaways and goody bags, you need to find something that will help you be retained and remembered, long after the event.

Don’t hold back on the freebies. Attendees love a generous stand! Even if they don’t particularly engage with you on the day, don’t dismiss them as time wasters. They may be time constrained, distracted or even a little shy. But if they take something branded and useful away with them, they have every opportunity to remember you in the future.

Everyone exhibiting will have some form of giveaway so make sure yours is memorable like a power bank, valuable like a wireless charge pad or useful like an umbrella - perfect for a conference like Mechanex that takes place in Manchester!

Be relevant. Quirky is good and humour is always a winner, but being relevant is vital. Ice scrapers for windscreen technology, tools for diagnostic companies, thread checkers for tyre specialists! All perfect for automotive professionals.

Follow up - make the most of your trade show investment

The end of the conference doesn’t mean the end of the conversation.

Make sure you use the badge scanner, this way you can follow up with everyone you spoke to. Most people accept that this happens at a conference, but a small freebie such as a branded pen or keyring can often sweeten the deal.

Help jog the memory of attendees by including a picture of your stand, your sales team or your merchandise in your follow up email. Attendees see so many people in a day it’s a great way to re-connect with them.

Why limit your follow-up correspondence to an email? For your most valuable prospects or hot leads, do your research and send them something in the post like one of these air fresheners. You will certainly stand out!

Get the help you need for a successful trade show

We chose an auto professional trade show such as MECHANEX 2019 as our example for this blog, but whichever group of professionals your company is trying to reach, we have a wide range of customisable stock to help you do it.

Every UK Corporate Gifts client has a dedicated account manager ready to support you every step of the way. From advice about which products would appeal to your audience, to bespoke presentations with different product ideas to help get your team or boss onboard.

You can find our full range in our trade show page or, for more information, you can speak with a UK Corporate Gifts advisor on 01204 577 955.