It’s trade show season, and if your business has plans to exhibit at an upcoming event, you may be wondering what kinds of giveaways will resonate most with the people who visit your booth or receive your swag bag. It can be a challenge to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression, but fortunately there are a number of creative ways to do just that.

One way to make an impact is by giving away promotional products that meet a need the trade show attendees may have—sunglasses are popular in summer-like conditions while lip balm might do well in colder locales, for example. But another thoughtful way to be responsive to trade show attendees’ needs and concerns is by selecting eco-friendly trade show giveaways that will have a minimal impact on the environment. Here are four examples of eco-friendly swag that can help your brand reach attendees while making a positive difference:

• Eco-friendly notepads – At major industry events, it’s often useful to have a notepad handy for jotting down notes from sessions or quick to-dos. Quality eco-friendly notepads are a great gift for trade show attendees and can make a great, lasting impression.
• Eco-friendly pens – Pens are a perennially popular trade show gift, and eco-friendly pens take the thoughtfulness factor to a new level by presenting visitors to your booth with an option with a reduced environmental impact. Along with the popular ballpoint pens that you often see at conferences and major events, there are elegant bamboo pens available as well.
• Eco-friendly tote bags – Tote bags are also a hot trade show giveaway option, particularly since they can be used to complete thoughtful care packages that attendees can sling on their shoulders and keep with them throughout the day. Eco-friendly tote bags give your brand an environmentally friendly option for reaching out to potential customers at the show.
• Eco-friendly t-shirts – T-shirts are an incredibly popular giveaway item at trade shows. Everybody could use a new t-shirt, and when they wear one—particularly at the event—it provides free advertising for your brand. Now there are eco-friendly organic t-shirts available to help you spread brand awareness in an environmentally friendly way.

If your company is thinking of offering eco-friendly trade show giveaways, there is a broadening range of options available for you to do so in a unique way that will provide value both to the attendees and to your brand. Not everyone is giving away environmentally friendly swag yet, so doing so can also help you distinguish yourself from the competition. It can also send the message that you want to make a positive difference. That’s a sentiment everybody can get behind.

Do you have a trade show on the horizon? We can help advise you on custom branded promotional products that can make a difference for your brand. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 for creative and innovative branding ideas to help your company stand out and make a great impression.