How to Choose the Best Custom Promotional Items for Events

As an event director, you’ve probably already planned the medals and awards you’ll be giving out. Have you also considered the custom promotional items that can help leave a lasting impression on attendees?

Giving away event promotional products like t-shirts, water bottles, flashlights, hats, or tumblers might seem secondary, but these giveaways can significantly boost your event’s visibility, engagement, and overall success.

People love free stuff, and when that “swag” is useful and branded, it turns into a walking advertisement for your event or organization.

Whether you're organizing a community race, a corporate event, or a school tournament, well-chosen custom promo items can help increase future attendance, promote sponsors, and build buzz. The key is to pick promotional swag that aligns with your audience, timeline, and budget.

Let’s break down how to choose the best event promotional items that actually have an impact.

Consider Budget and Production Time

Your budget is one of the biggest factors when choosing custom promotional items. For example, 500 Yeti tumblers might sound amazing, but if they eat up your entire budget, they may not be the best investment. Fortunately, there are many high-quality, affordable alternatives available.

Also, keep in mind the time it takes to produce and customize your promo products. Some items require longer lead times, especially large quantities. If your event is right around the corner, go with items that are quicker to produce but still feel thoughtful and useful.

We can help recommend event promo items that work within your timeline and still deliver the impact you’re looking for.

Match Items to Your Audience

To make the most of your custom promotional items, think about what your participants will actually use and appreciate. It’s all about audience fit.

T-shirts are always a crowd-pleaser, but you can go further. Hosting an outdoor summer event? Branded sunglasses or mini fans might be a hit. If there’s a beer tent and a brewery sponsor, custom koozies, bottle openers, or stadium cups make perfect company promo items — especially when paired with a t-shirt or hat for a bundled giveaway.

The more useful and relevant the item is to your event, the more likely it is to be used (and seen) over and over again.

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

It’s tempting to order a large volume of cheap promotional items, but this often backfires. Poor quality products tend to get tossed or forgotten, and worse, they reflect poorly on your event and any sponsors featured on the items.

Instead, go for custom promotional items that are durable and practical. A clever flashlight keychain, an insulated water bottle, or a tech-friendly item like a phone stand can make a big impression without costing a fortune.

High-quality, functional promo products demonstrate that you value the experience of your participants and the image of your sponsors.

Boost Your Event With the Right Promotional Products

The right custom promotional products can elevate your event from good to great. By focusing on your budget, production schedule, audience preferences, and quality, you can choose promo items that people will remember and actually use.

Need help finding the perfect awards and custom promotional products for your next big event? Contact our team — we’re here to help you make a lasting impression.