25 Must-Have Trade Show Giveaways for 2025
Trade shows are back in full swing, and attendees expect more than brochures and business cards. To stand out on the expo floor, your brand needs promotional merchandise that’s portable, useful, and memorable. But it’s not just about what you give, it’s how it reflects your brand, budget, and purpose.
At HighVolve, we evaluated hundreds of items to bring you the 25 best trade show giveaways ideal for high-volume distribution with minimal floor space. These picks are compact, cost-efficient, and customizable for maximum brand visibility.
Each product is ranked using HighVolve’s Ranking System, based on:
Perceived Value: Does it feel like a gift?
Utility: Will it be used after the event?
Portability: Easy to ship, store, and carry?
Customization: Room for your logo, full color imprint, or laser engraving?
Sustainability: Is it reusable, eco-friendly, or made from recycled materials?
1. Wheat Straw Stylus Pen
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This lightweight branded pen is made with recycled wheat fiber. It supports your sustainability messaging while fitting easily into a custom swag box, employee onboarding kit, or desk drawer.
2. Recycled Cotton Tote Bag
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the highest-ROI items on any show floor. This tote bag folds flat for storage, holds swag or brochures during the event, and keeps your logo visible long after. Made with cotton and recycled textile fibers, it’s an environmentally responsible alternative to plastic bags.
3. Next Level 6210 Unisex Tee
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Soft, modern, and perfect for screen printing, this cotton t-shirt offers excellent brand awareness when worn during or after the show. Ideal for team apparel, giveaways, or brand ambassadors walking the floor. Sizes range from Unisex S–3XL.
4. Collapsible Stainless Steel Straw with Case
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A great example of eco-friendly, compact swag. This reusable straw fits in a portable case that makes it easy to tuck into a backpack, purse, or conference lanyard pouch. Pair with a bamboo utensil set for a full sustainability message.
5. CamelBak® Tritan™ Water Bottle
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A compact, branded water bottle is a proven winner. This BPA-free model keeps attendees hydrated and your logo front and center. Ideal for wellness, travel, or fitness brands.
6. Drawstring Bag
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Easy to fold, pack, and fill with other swag, this lightweight drawstring bag offers maximum space for custom logo placement. Great for on-the-go employee engagement or as a reusable shopping bag.
7. reFlex Foldable Eco Phone Stand
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An essential desk accessory for the remote workforce. This low-profile phone stand collapses flat and offers practical value for daily use. Ideal for tech, financial, or healthcare brands.
8. Sugarcane Notebook & Pen Set
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A stylish and sustainable combo, this set is great for onboarding, corporate gifting, or trade show swag bags. The notebook offers generous branding space, and the included pen is refillable and eco-conscious.
9. Stanley/Stella Unisex Creator 2.0 Tee
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For large-scale apparel giveaways, this budget-friendly shirt delivers. It’s perfect for contests, booth staff, or casual brand exposure, and it rolls easily intoa tight packing space.
10. Silicone Phone Wallet
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stick-on wallets attach to any smartphone and hold credit cards, IDs, or event passes. Slim, useful, and a great flat-pack item that puts your brand in every attendee’s hand.
11. Organic Lip Balm
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Personal, useful, and long-lasting. A great choice for personal care products, wellness brands, or outdoor-focused industries. Small enough to add to any custom swag box or employee welcome kit.
12. Stanley/Stella Unisex Crafter Tee
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Made with organic cotton, and recycled polyester, this tee represents everything your sustainable brand stands for. Offer as a premium giveaway or part of your company swag store.
13. AirTag Silicone Case and Carabiner
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hook your brand to something useful. These keychains are practical giveaways that attach to bags or gear; perfect for adventure, outdoor, or lifestyle brands.
14. Desktop Cable Organizer
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great for remote workers or hybrid offices, this compact cable organizer keeps tech tidy and branding visible. Made from ABS plastic and silicone and fits inside a backpack or laptop bag.
15. Richardson 112R Snapback Hat
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A wearable, recognizable option. Ideal for sports, entertainment, or brand ambassador programs. Embroider your logo on the front and hand out for high-impact exposure.
16. Mini COB Flashlight with Strap
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Functional and compact, this LED flashlight fits in a pocket or lanyard loop. Great for construction, automotive, or safety-focused brands.
17. Wheat Fiber Mug
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
An eco-forward take on the classic branded mug. Lightweight, stylish, and perfect for trade shows focused on sustainability, coffee culture, or corporate social responsibility.
18. Gel Pen
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Still a staple in marketing strategy. Budget-friendly and ideal for mass giveaways, this pen has great color space and logo readability.
19. Microfiber Lens Cloth
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perfect for glasses, phones, and tablets. This small but practical item keeps your brand top of mind with every screen wipe.
20. Cotton Canvas Tote
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A stylish and compact tote. Holds brochures, swag, or snacks. Ideal for sustainability-conscious brands.
21. Recycled Spiral Notebook
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Compact, durable, and made from recycled paper. Use for workshops, roundtables, or employee kits. Pair with a branded pen for a complete giveaway.
22. Clip-On Hand Sanitizer
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Still a top choice for healthcare, hospitality, and travel events. The carabiner clip attaches to backpacks, lanyards, or keychains.
23. Bamboo Phone & Tablet Stand
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flat, practical, and reusable. Ideal for booth giveaways in real estate, finance, or beverage industries.
24. Bottle Opener Key Tag
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Slim and functional. A great pairing for canned drinks, beer brands, or hospitality swag kits.
25. Next Level Santa Barbara Hoodie
HighVolve’s Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Compact, stylish, and useful for layering. Perfect for employee giveaways, VIP lounge perks, or onboarding kits. Sizes S–3XL.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trade Show Giveaways
What are the best items to give away at a trade show?
High-performing giveaways include tote bags, custom pens with logo, branded mugs, reusable water bottles, notebooks, hoodies, and lanyards. Items that serve a real purpose—like USB drives, lip balm, desk accessories, or personal care products—offer better brand visibility, employee engagement, and long-term use. When these items are thoughtfully branded, they create memorable touchpoints with your audience.
How do I choose the right promotional products for my brand?
Start by aligning your swag with your company’s marketing strategy, target audience, and brand purpose. If sustainability is part of your corporate social responsibility, consider giveaways like bamboo straws, cotton tote bags, recycled polyester jackets, or eco-friendly notebooks. Your trade show giveaways should reflect your internal culture, product offering, and the experience you want people to associate with your brand.
Are cheap trade show giveaways worth it?
Yes—if you pick wisely. Items like branded pens, wristbands, bottle openers, stress balls, and drawstring bags can deliver great return on investment when paired with clean design, useful function, and strategic distribution. A low-cost USB, magnet, or lip balm might outperform a more expensive item if it solves a real problem or gets daily use. Think in terms of visibility and reusability, not just cost.
What promotional items are trending in 2025?
The biggest trends in 2025 trade show swag include:
Custom swag boxes curated by theme or audience type
Eco swag like recycled cotton, bioplastic drinkware, and polyester totes
Tech-forward items like webcam covers, wireless chargers, and stylus pens
Wellness gear such as snacks, hand sanitizer, lip balm, yoga mats, and cooler bags
These items not only appeal to the modern workforce but also reflect your investment in thoughtful brand moments.
Where can I buy trade show promotional items?
You can buy trade show giveaways and promotional merchandise full-service vendor like us at HighVolve to manage design, decoration, screen printing, laser engraving, packaging, and delivery. Whether you’re creating a branded notebook, custom swag box, or a full employee welcome kit, the right partner helps you scale impact and stay on budget.
Final Thought: Trade Show Swag that Converts
When your booth is buzzing and your swag is strategic, the return on investment is real. From branded mugs to recycled tote bags, each item here was chosen to reflect what modern attendees value: usefulness, sustainability, personalization, and smart design.
Want help selecting the best promotional items with logo that work for your budget, team, and booth size?
Contact HighVolve to build your next trade show swag strategy.
