Branded merchandise for events and company off-sites

At a trade show, think about moving between stands

Trade show visitors carry brochures, personal belongings and items collected along the way. For a bag handed out at registration, compare custom tote bags against the documents people need to carry, the opening and the handle length. A larger format holds more, but also takes up more space during the visit and on the journey home.

At a stand, a single item given after a conversation may be enough. At a conference where everyone receives the same set, use the programme and printed materials to decide what belongs in it. The number of items should follow their purpose, without a need to fill the bag.

For a company off-site, start with the day’s programme

For working sessions, pair a branded notebook with a pen so participants can keep their notes and action points together. A smaller notebook is easy to carry; a larger format leaves more room for diagrams. If discussions take place without tables, look at the cover’s rigidity and how the chosen model opens.

A branded water bottle can accompany breaks and movement between sessions. Before planning one for every participant, check where bottles can be refilled at the venue. Consider the weight when full, the closure and the cleaning requirements too: these affect use during the off-site and back at the office.

Clothing and branding: identify the team and mark the occasion

Branded T-shirts can help attendees recognise the welcome team or bring team-building participants together around a shared design. Decide who will wear them and for which activity. Collect sizes using the chosen model’s size guide: a relaxed cut and a larger size do not create the same fit.

For a convention or launch, the event name and date make a specific keepsake; a design centred on your brand may be easier to wear or use afterwards. Adjust the amount of text to the branding area. A logo preview helps communicate your idea; the artwork proof for approval before production sets out the proposed design. Check names, the date, colours and placement for each item.

Plan the handout before participants arrive

Giving items out at registration, placing them on tables and handing over a parting gift each require different arrangements. If you combine several items, decide who will put them together, where they will be kept and how they will be handed out. Clothing in different sizes also needs clear sorting for the team on site.

To discuss your project with Today Merch, gather the following details:

• The programme, audience and planned quantities for each item, colour and size.
• The event date and the delivery date needed to prepare the handout.
• The delivery location, access restrictions and any receiving hours set by the venue.
• Your logo, the text to include and the person responsible for coordinating artwork approval.

These details help the team assess the selection and branding with you. Feasibility, timing and any packing or delivery services need to be confirmed for your project.

Tell us about your event