10 alternatives to swag at conferences

By Megan Johnson|5 min read|Updated Jul 12, 2024

Conference and event swag is often used as a tool to familiarize event attendees with your brand and attract more foot traffic to your booth.

But there’s a downside to swag: It's bad for the environment, and often ends up in the trash. The truth is, most people don't want a pair of socks with your company logo on it.

Luckily, there are better options available: gifts attendees actually want, are more likely to use, and that won't end up in a landfill. Below, we take a look at the variety of alternatives to traditional conference swag that can start a conversation and enhance attendee engagement.

Instead of plastic tchotchkes that inevitably end up in the trash, consider using high-quality, edible gifts as conference swag. Remember, lots of conference attendees are traveling, and that means dealing with airplane food and airport prices. Anything individually wrapped that can be thrown in a carry-on bag is generally a win.

Also, if you’re looking to leave your mark (literally) on snacks and beverages, there are a variety of options for distributing edible swag that’s branded with your organization’s logo.

From bags of chips and small containers of candy to tea bags and packets of coffee, you can provide swag that reminds attendees that you’re the source of these coveted items.

At Tremendous, we've experimented with handing out Crumbl Cookies to attendees who visit our event booths. The cookies were a big hit, and because we ordered large boxes of cookies rather than individual portions, we were able to reduce the amount of trash we left behind in the event space trashcans.

Every year, around 55 million Americans enter some kind of sweepstakes. If you’re looking to gather business emails and other information from attendees, giveaway entries can be incredibly successful incentives.

Plus, spending your event budget on one large prize is often less expensive than giving away a smaller gift to every single attendee.

Even better: if your grand prize is a $500 money transfer or gift card, attendees don't have to lug anything home with them.

Starbucks, DoorDash, or Amazon gift cards are another flexible event gift option much more likely to appeal to conference attendees than a plushie in the shape of your company's logo.

When picking a gift card to hand out, consider the experience of being at a conference: Starbucks gift cards are a great option because trade show coffee isn't always top-quality, and attendees may want a more gourmet coffee to help them power through the day.

DoorDash is also a safe bet: when lunch rolls around and the lines at the food trucks are around the block, attendees may want the option to order their favorite food to the event space.

Amazon gift cards, of course, give recipients thousands of options to choose from. And rather than having to stuff additional items into their luggage, recipients can have the gift delivered right to their door.

However, it's hard to pick a gift card that appeals to virtually everyone. It's best to give attendees the option to select a gift card they can redeem at whatever retailer they like best.

Tremendous gives recipients more than 2,000+ ways to redeem their gift, from Uber and Amazon gift cards to Visa prepaid cards and Venmo payouts.

The average American has 4.5 subscriptions, and for good reason.

Across the board, almost every industry makes their products available through a subscription program.

From food delivery services and Book of the Month clubs to mindfulness apps and streaming services, subscription programs are quick and easy to sign up for and often come with initial discounts.

If you’re looking to express your appreciation to people who attended a conference, a digital offer to try a new subscription program for a month or two is fun and easy. Some options include educational apps, streaming services, or meditation apps.

Three in four people (74%) rely on small businesses because they have products or services that are difficult to find elsewhere, a 2022 survey by AT&T showed. Plus, they're more sustainable and benefit the local economy.

When you support a small business, you’re stimulating the local economy, demonstrating a commitment to the community, and minimizing unnecessary shipping. Somehow, these gifts feel a little bit more special than something simply ordered from an online mega-retailer.

Memories outweigh materials. During the pandemic, people felt starved for human connection. In fact, 58% of people felt that they had missed the experience of being “out” during the pandemic, Retail Connections found.

In response, the “experience” industry is currently thriving. Consider gifting conference attendees an experience rather than a tangible item. Maybe it’s a 30-minute yoga class hosted by an industry leader, or a fun cocktail-making class at the end of the conference day.

Think beyond the reusable tote bag.

Corporate events are known for creating waste. When organizations think from an environmentally-friendly perspective, they not only minimize their carbon footprint; they also make a statement that they aren’t comfortable with perpetuating practices that negatively affect the environment.

Not only do studies show that consumer satisfaction and loyalty is higher with green practices, but giving eco-friendly items sheds a positive light on your brand values. A grow-your-own plant kit or solar-powered phone charger are always appreciated.

Gifts that give back are always a hit.

If you’re looking to use your company’s influence for good, providing charitable donations as conference swag is a no-brainer.

Maybe provide attendees with an option of a few partner organizations to digitally provide their donation to, or tell them that if they scan their badge, a donation is made to a local organization.

Or, if you have more traditional conference swag bags, consider providing attendees with the option to re-donate those items back to the community, maybe through a donation box that’s located at the conference doors.

Here’s a strong example: Tech company Okta skipped conference swag and gave out more than 13,000 school supply items instead.

With business travel booming and the events industry in full swing, companies understand how important it is to leave their mark with conference attendees.

But that doesn’t mean they have to embrace the same old swag that every organization doles out, and ultimately ends up in a landfill.

There are tons of exciting swag alternatives, ranging from digital incentives like gift cards and charitable donations to eco-friendly options.

If you’re interested in learning how to expand your reach and boost attendee engagement with crowd-pleasing incentives, sign up or take a demo with us.