Win the Trade Show… Not Just the Free Pen Competition.
Trade Show Success: Swag, Booths & Apparel That Make People Stop, Look, and Remember
Trade shows aren’t about showing up — they’re about standing out. With dozens (or hundreds) of competitors fighting for the same eyeballs, your job is to create a space that makes people stop in their tracks, step in, and stay long enough to start a real conversation.
And the three biggest tools that make that happen are:
- Booth Design.
- Apparel.
- Swag.
Individually powerful — unstoppable when combined.
Your Booth Is Your Stage > First impressions are everything. A booth isn’t just a table and a banner — it’s a brand experience. Great booths balance:
- Visibility (can people find you from across the room?)
- Functionality (is there space to talk comfortably?)
- Flow (can people step in, not just walk by?)
AMP Tools > Trade Show Display
From simple tablecloth + retractable banner packages to full custom walls, lighting, and displays — design determines whether people stop or keep scrolling in real life.
Dress Like You Mean Business > Branded apparel turns your team into walking signage.
Matching polos, jackets, or tees signal professionalism, unity, and confidence — and make it easy for visitors to identify who to talk to. And yes, people absolutely judge booths by appearances. Look sharp, sell more.
Swag: The Take-Home Touchpoint > Trade shows are a blur. Visitors forget names and face within hours — but they don’t forget the item they take home. Great swag should be:
- Useful, not junk
- Branded well, not tiny print
- Strategic, not random
- Tiered, so casual browsers and hot leads don’t get the same thing
Think ideas like these: AMP Tools > Trade Show
- Everyday handouts (pens, stickers, microfiber cloths, lip balm)
- Conversation pieces (tech items, magnets, notebooks, coasters)
- VIP items for real prospects (hoodies, hats, power banks, gift sets)
Swag isn’t a giveaway — it’s a follow-up reminder that keeps you top-of-mind long after the show floor closes. Win More Leads. Build More Relationships. Sell More.
Planning a show, golf tournament, conference, recruitment in 2026? Or panicking about one next month? Either way — AMPLIFY can help. We source over 1.3 million promotional, print, apparel, and display tools — so you don’t have to manage a dozen suppliers. Let’s talk strategy, samples, and budget-friendly ideas that make your booth the one they remember.
Show up differently — and your results will show it.
Tim Thomson, Profit Impact Broker/Owner for AMPLIFY
November 2015
Contact Tim
tim@ampbroker.ca
705-626-TIM-1
