Some unusual ideas for Premiums at your company sponsored event or for a Tradeshow

When you walk over to a booth at just about any trade show you get the standard, booth decor, demos running on computers, bowls of treats, brochures and other collateral, and of course some kind of premium (see my other blog post about redundant premiums).

So I thought I would look out there to see what other kinds of premiums that are out there that have an interesting twist to them. There are some very creative, crazy and weird ideas out there, but all worthwhile to consider if it helps you blue sky a great idea for a premium for your event.

Rent an Oxygen bar and offer a free massage

Advantages:
+ Get the customer to stay longer at your booth
+ Give the customer a positive experience at your booth and a free plastic massage tool
+ Be perceived as ultra hip and future tech
+ Be a positive, relaxing and fun gathering place - an oasis in the intensity of the tradeshow
+ Reach innovators, youth driven market segments, and holistic health minded
+ Make your booth stand out from the rest

Disadvantages:
- Stick tubes in your nose to receive the oxygen
- Bad association of hospital stay with oxygen to the nose, if your product is health insurance
- People have short term memories and may not remember you provided a massage and free oxygen
- May not use the plastic massage tool - ever


Give away prizes every day of event

Advantages:
+ Great lead generator
+ Great database builder
+ Maximize your marketing dollar spend
By offering a few large prizes (company product, trip, gift card, invitation to an exclusive event, etc -) , it can actually be a cheaper marketing cost than if you were to purchase thousands of t-shirts or other premiums.
_ Reduce your cost to ship, store and organize all premiums at events

Disadvantages:
- If you don't select the correct prizes for your prize giveaway, it could be a bust
- Need bandwidth and proper format to follow up on all the leads - otherwise this will be a wasted effort



Overall: For any of these premiums to work, you have to make sure it matches your target audience and doesn't conflict with your marketing goals.

If you have had any premium ideas that have been highly effective, feel free to share with me what those are!