Marshall Yard:

It’s hardly the season now but a good marketer always thinks ahead doesn’t he? What sport is associated almost exclusively with high rollers and money-bags? Almost certainly the answer is golf.  Congratulations if that’s your target audience. Now it’s time to think of this for your next trade show! How do you choose golf related corporate gifts or trade show giveaways? 

Is it really wiser to present golf related promotional products that cannot be really used in the game but they are nice reminders, that this game unites thousands of powerful and wealthy of supporters and players all over the world?Tradeshow gifts for golfers should be selected by someone who is equally as keen on this game as your target audience. The best time for golf giveaways at trade shows is around the beginning of April when the excitement about the looming start of the season is at peak.

Golf gifts  are irreplaceable in the business world today. Other than that, golf helps develop concentration, attention, precision and patience – something that any successful businessman possesses. Top honchos and wannabees – all play it either to keep the success and repute or gain it. Golf items as potential promo gifts at the next trade show are a must – your visitors will absolutely love gold-gilded accessories, golf souvenirs, imprinted golf tees and golf ball sets, golf bags or accessory holders. 

PGA Merchandise Trade Show will be starting January 17th - 19th, 2008 at the Orange County Convention Center

The Golf Industry Trade  Show - January 31st - February 2nd, 2008 - Orlando Florida with close to 1,000 exhibitors last year, covering almost 300,000 square feet of exhibit space.  

Golf seems to be taking on a life of it’s own,  whether you are attending a trade show or manning a trade show booth, it seems these days that these types of items will not be left behind.  

It doesn’t matter what they are called - promotional items, trade show giveaways, chachka or tchotchkes so, ready, set, eat! We are closing in on the Thanksgiving Holiday, and food will be of abundance.  I just saw a trade show giveaway that I thought was a fantastic idea and one that will not be left behind! Cookies! Who doesn’t love cookies?  We all know when we are walking the trade show floors, we get hungry and tired, and a little boost of sugar may be just the ticket!

Chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookes, peanut butter and oatmeal! Put your company logo on a cookie and take a bite out of your competition.  I can say this honesty, I’d be hunting down the exhibit booth that was giving out cookies, but that’s coming from the mouth of a sweet tooth.  A great little piece on The World Almanac Blog shows how much candy per capita we consume! Oh..my! Pass me the dessert tray!

What was that funny word I heard to describe a trade show giveaway? I heard it, I know how to pronounce it, but where did it come from and how do you spell it?  

Chachka - Tchotchke - Giveaways - Trinkets

Definition - A cheap shiny trinket, slang name for trade show giveaways.  I ran across this word several years ago when I went down to Florida with someone attending the Lotus Notes program in Orlando. 

What do you call a trade show giveaway? This question has been ask a few times, and then I realized what it was the people were asking.  This is stated as being a Yiddish word and can also mean an attractive unconventional woman.  Would this be a booth babe? Not likely, but the two do fit well in the world of trade show booths and trade show exhibits. 

So for all of you out there wondering, what is the word for trade show promotional items?  Giveaways, Trinkets - you have come across the world of Chachka - Tchotchke, pronounced CHA-CH-KEY

There are several reasons people give away promotional items in the trade show setting, usually at the top of the list is traffic and visitors.  Remember to keep in mind the type of visitors and traffic you are hoping to draw in.

First off, when trying to decide what types of items to “give-away” do some research first and get a reputable company.  You want your promotional item to be remembered, you want it to convey a message of what your company does and who you are in the market place. 

Does your trade show booth follow any sort of theme? Are you trying to give your booth visitor an education? Each one of those could support a different promotional item.   Do not forget your “brand awareness” in this process, and make sure that the item will send that message. 

Promotional items can be costly, make sure you plan well in advance for any given trade show and order early and follow a strategic plan in order to acquire the give-aways at the best cost, often times in bulk if you are planning on exhibiting at more than one trade show. 

In order to capture your prospective clients make it an item of desire, but do not hand them out freely, or just have them displayed somewhere so they are easy for the taking.  You want to be able to engage the prospective client in conversation so that you can establish a relationship and further the process from prospect to client. 

If the convention center offers any sort of pre-show advertising, this may be a great chance to include a stop at our booth with this certificate.  That way you will get them engaged in a more detailed conversation of your product and services.