Let’s rewind back for a second… to the world of 2019, which, according to the event report from Excel London was “a landmark year for the events industry – seeing a direct spend of £70 billion, accounting for over 50% of spend in the UK visitor economy, providing over 700,000 jobs and generating in excess of £165 billion in trade facilitated at business events”.

The statistics from the report don’t stop there…

• There were over 5 million visits to the UK to attend a business event, with a spend of £3.5 billion.
• In 2018 exhibitions in the UK alone generated £11 billion and contributed £5.4 billion in value-added to the UK economy.
• Plus, it supported 114,000 jobs in the UK.

What do these stats mean? Well, they highlight just how vital the UK events market is to our economy.

But then the world stopped.

Over the past year, the world has changed dramatically which has meant the UK events market has had to change with it. So, what does that mean for promotional merchandise that sits at the very heart of every event, exhibition, show, and conference? Is it still relevant?

Businesses who run and manage events have, no doubt, been hugely up against it over the past year and had to adapt at an unbelievable speed to keep up. When it comes to events and promotional merchandise the question shouldn’t be about its relevance, it will always be relevant. In a landscape where everything looks and feels so different, is it more important than ever to maintain something familiar, tactile and personal amidst this virtual and ever-changing world?

It’s what’s on the inside that counts

It’s time to think outside the box, or rather to think about what’s on the inside of the branded box.  Now is a time to delve deeper and focus on what you can deliver to your attendees, visitors, and delegates that connects whilst you can’t physically be face-to-face.

With events moving online it’s more important than ever that the look and feel that would usually be present in a conference room, exhibition centre, or office, be with your visitors in their home office. From online concerts and virtual product launches to trade shows, expos, and even virtual summits, it’s time to bring a personal, branded experience directly to the door of your virtual visitors.

Virtual visitors

For paid events why not consider creating branded packs that will see them through the event and give you a chance to deliver a more bespoke package for your virtual visitors? You could make these tiered, based on the event package that people purchase.

For really small events you could cater to each individual and even give them an all-senses experience; a true taste for your event through visuals, sounds, smells, and even flavours! Your branded merchandise for online events counts for so much more these days.

Special treatment for speakers

Just because your keynote speakers may be presenting from a different space or country, it doesn’t mean you can’t give them the VIP treatment. They will be promoting your event from the moment they get announced, on the day and beyond. So a gift to say “thanks” while promoting your event is only going to reap rewards.

Sponsors getting in on the action

Part of the reason sponsors get involved in events is for the PR. By having an event Swagpack™ you are adding value to the sponsors – giving them the option to get their brand delivered to the visitors/speakers/other sponsors front door. Something that previously may have been a throwaway flyer that never left the exhibition or conference building.

Bring your virtual event to life through the power of direct mail and deliver serious value to your attendees. Loss of physical contact through a virtual event doesn’t mean you have to lose that personal touch – in fact, we believe it enables you to go that extra mile. You have a new opportunity to truly wow them and take your event experience to another level.