A Fun, Fresh Guide from Spirit Sox
The best giveaway products for trade shows or conferences in 2025 are items that are both practical and align with the current trends, such as sustainability and tech-focused items. If you’ve ever walked a trade show floor before, you know that free swag is absolutely everywhere. Every booth has something to giveaway so it’s crucial to find a way to stand out from everyone else showcasing around you. But let’s be honest, not all giveaway products are created equal. Some items you get are tossed in the hotel trash can by day’s end, while others go home with you and spark joy or a fun conversation in those you’re sharing with. The latter is the conference swag you want to provide to keep your brand top of mind for months, or even years, to come for potential future customers or clients.
At Spirit Sox, we are no stranger to trade shows or conference promotional products so we have gathered this year’s most popular custom swag items to help your company stand out in 2025! Your trade show giveaways should work as hard as you do and they should be fun, functional, and (most importantly) memorable. Yes, of course, we’re always going to tell you that our custom socks are the best promo items you could ever get, but we understand that you might want more than one type of swag item. That’s why we’ve put together the list below of trade show giveaway products!
Whether you’re planning your 2025 promo strategy or just browsing for new inspiration, here’s our curated guide to the best trade show or conference giveaways that will get people talking and keep them remembering you:
🧦 1. Custom Socks (Of Course!)
We’d be lying if we didn’t lead with our favorite. However, they aren’t just our fav, they’re many people’s favorite if you look up our customer reviews. Custom socks are the ultimate crowd-pleaser because they’re eye-catching, fun, wearable, and totally unique, so you can showcase your brand in a different way. The endless design options allow you to go bold with colors, be clever with your messaging, or heartfelt with a cause, or you can keep it simple with just a logo or mascot to get your point across in a classic manner. Regardless, socks are a walking billboard (literally) that are lightweight, travel-friendly, practical and have a long shelf (or sock drawer) life so your brand can be a conversation starter for years after your conference or event.
🔋 2. Power Banks or Chargers
In our day and age of tech-focused communication, there are very few things that are more panic-inducing than a dying phone or laptop on a business trip. That’s where the practicality of power banks or chargers are fantastic giveaway items since everyone must have them. Portable banks or chargers are a hero item, meaning attendees need them, use them, and thank you for them, so these are always winning swag pieces to add to your company booth. There are some pretty cool new custom designs you can add your logo to on wireless charging pads, compact phone charger sticks, 3-in-1 travel chargers, and many others, so we encourage you to shop for some type of tech item like these!
🕶️ 3. Sunglasses
Custom outdoor promo products and lifestyle swag like sunglasses move your brand beyond the booth and into daily life. Eyewear is perfect for both work and weekend use, maximizing your brand’s exposure to anyone and everyone. Branded shades are also stylish and practical so during trade shows your booth visitors will feel cool (and look cool, too). They’re perfect for outdoor events and offer a large print area for your logo or company mascot or motto. Outdoor accessories can make the perfect trendy impression you’ve always wanted!
💄 4. Lip Balm
Another daily necessity item that every type of person can use is lip balm. Small but mighty, lip balm or chapstick is definitely a fan favorite this year, especially for those outdoor summer conferences. Your company can choose from many different flavors or types of balm while having the entire outside tube available for customization. Go the extra mile with a chapstick to spread some self-care in swag form.
🧊 5. Cool Ice Cubes
For the VIPs on your list (or anyone on your list for that matter) order some stainless steel drink cubes with your logo engraved into them! Steel ice cubes are an elevated, unexpected freebie item that not many have given away but can provide that classy, sophistication you want your potential customers to feel. They keep beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) chilled without watering them down so they’re versatile beyond belief. Plus, they’ll last forever and be one of those household items everyone is thankful to have. Chill down your brand with custom steel ice cubes for your next event.
💻 6. Webcam Covers
Regardless of your industry, the majority of businesses do some sort of work on a computer. (Thanks COVID.) With those stats, it’s safe to say that giving away anything that pertains to a desktop or laptop would hit the majority of people at your next event. That’s why branded webcam covers are all the rage right now! Add your brand or logo on a budget-friendly item that literally sits right in front of your potential customer or client’s eyes while they work online. Practical, affordable, and an outside-the-box swag product that will for sure be a popular option in 2025.
📡 7. AirTags or Trackers
Want to align your brand with innovation? Give the gift of peace of mind at your next trade show with custom AirTags or smart trackers. These epic tech products can help users find their keys, bags, or luggage, perfect for frequent travelers, corporate employees, and tech-savvy attendees. Although these swag items may be on the higher end of your promotional budget, they are well worth the cost to obtain a high-quality reputation with your potential customers. Give them a try!
♻️ 8. Stainless Steel Straws
Extending your eco-conscious practices to your promotional products will always be in style. With our current climate of sustainability priorities, your company’s clients will definitely respect your brand when you implement eco-friendly products into your swag bags. Handing out reusable straws at your trade shows illustrates how your brand cares about Mother Nature. Custom stainless steel straws are practical and unique, all while helping reduce plastic waste one sip at a time.
👕 9. T-Shirts
T-shirts are a classic freebie product for a reason. A well-made, well-designed tee becomes a favorite for everyone for weekend wear, the gym, airplane outfits, or even pajama tops. It’s been proven time and time again that unisex shirts fly off booths at any type of corporate conference or trade show. If you have a unique design, a cool logo, or an eye-catching motto printed on premium t-shirts, they will for sure be one of the event attendee’s favorites. Go for more than a shirt, go for a statement.
🏓 10. Pickleball Paddles
Yes, really! Branded Pickleball paddles! With the fun, active, outdoor game of pickleball sweeping the nation right now, handing out this type of sporty swag would be a smash hit. If you’re looking to go for a unique and conversation-starting approach to your booth’s layout, Pickleball paddles with your logo on them are spot on. The design options are endless and the price point has a wide range, making these ideal for fun-loving brands wanting to stand out!
BONUS GIVEAWAY IDEAS!
(Ok so maybe we had way more ideas than just 10, so here’s an extended quick list of alternative promotional swag items to try this year!)
- Custom flying discs
- Custom can koozies
- Branded hats or beanies
- Custom gel beaded hot and cold packs
- Rubber jar openers
- Touchless door-opener key
- Branded deck of cards
- Mini pizza cutters
- Mobile phone LED ring light
- Custom silly putty
- Branded puzzles or mazes
- Custom nail files
- Doggie poop bag dispenser
- Branded stickers
Trade Show Swag Pro Tips:
- Keep it Light – Attendees are juggling bags and brochures, and are most likely traveling too. Lightweight items are going to be your best option.
- Think Long-Term – Will they use it again? If yes, you’ve won. Don’t just give away cheap items that end up in everyone’s junk drawer.
- Stay On-Brand – Every giveaway item should reflect you. Fun? Techy? Sustainable? Choose swag that matches your mission and your brand.
- Think Practicality – The best promo items for a trade show are the ones that your recipients will actually keep and use repeatedly.
- Don’t Cheap Out on Quality – Nothing says “we cut corners” like a pen or drawstring bag that stops working or breaks after two days.
- Plan Ahead (with backup options) – Always keep an inventory of extra swag items, even if they are more on the affordable side.
- Leverage Novelty – While practicality is key, consider adding a unique or fun element to your giveaways to make them stand out.
- Never Forget About Fun – Unique freebies are always greatly appreciated, especially the ones that add the fun factor to life.
There are many wholesalers or supplier companies out there who can provide the exact promotional items you want. We encourage you to shop around to find which options fit your needs and which products fit your budget. At the end of the day, the best trade show giveaways are the ones that leave people smiling and talking about them to friends or family. Spirit Sox is here to help you do just that. Hopefully, our above list will assist your corporate event strategy this year whether you go for our custom socks or not. Stick to our pro tips and see a difference in your trade show leads! (And if you are interested in customizing your own socks in bulk, give us a call to get started!)
