Promotional products are more than just giveaways—they’re a smart, memorable way to put your brand front and centre, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impression long after the event ends. With a thoughtful approach to your trade show swag, you can boost engagement, interest potential clients, and send your business home in everyone’s bag (and on their mind!)
With over 30 years of supporting businesses big and small across Melbourne and beyond, our team is here to help you create promo items people genuinely want to keep—and that work hard for your business long after the event ends.
Here’s your guide to the hottest swag trends for 2025—plus practical tips to get the most bang for your marketing buck!
How to Choose the Right Trade Show Swag
Selecting the best promo products isn’t just about following trends—it’s about knowing your audience, reflecting your brand’s unique personality, and thinking practically about what will genuinely be used (and appreciated) by your booth visitors.
Tip: Think simple, but never cheap! A quality item featuring your logo has far more impact than a throwaway trinket. Your swag is your brand ambassador—make it stand out for the right reasons.
At Invicium, we believe in a personal touch. We’ll help you discover items that connect with your target audience and elevate your event marketing—no guesswork required.
Need some help ASAP? We can help you plan your promotions, send out some samples and co-ordinate your promo products.
Call and speak to your own personal account manager to get the ball rolling.
Swag That Stands Out: Top Categories for 2025
We’ve organised our hottest and most requested products into helpful categories, with tip-filled insights for each. Let’s dive in!
1. Eco-Friendly Essentials
With sustainability front and centre, eco-friendly swag is more popular than ever—and for good reason. Items like reusable calico bags, bamboo pens, stainless steel or BPA-free water bottles, and recycled notepads show you care about both your clients and the planet.
Top Tip: “Green is in”—opt for swag that replaces single-use plastics or encourages eco-friendly behaviour. When your giveaway is both practical and planet-friendly, it’s a guaranteed conversation starter.
2. Everyday Desk Staples & Crowd Favourites
Classic doesn’t mean boring! Think high-quality pens, mouse mats, notepads, coffee mugs, rulers, and fridge magnets—items that go straight from the trade show booth to your potential client’s daily routine, keeping your brand front and centre.
Pro Tip: “Visibility matters”—choose branded products that people will actually use, as these will keep your brand in sight (and in mind) all year round.
3. Tech & Travel Smarts
Tech-savvy giveaways are always a crowd-pleaser, appealing to nearly every audience. Branded USB drives, portable chargers, screen cleaners, mini toolkits, keychain torches, and portable luggage scales all make life easier—during the conference and beyond.
Quick Win: Tech gadgets aren’t just practical; they’re often seen as high-value. Your logo on a device someone uses daily? Now that’s marketing power.
4. Sensory & Wellness Swag
Show your booth visitors you care by offering products that soothe and entertain. Stress balls (including aromatherapy varieties), fidget toys, mini puzzles, and wellness items like sunscreen tubes with clips or small packets of jellybeans add fun, relaxation, and self-care to your swag bag.
Stand Out: When people feel good at your booth, they remember you. Sensory and wellness items are rising in popularity because they make the conference experience even better.
5. Wearables: Walking Advertisements
Wearables give you the chance to see your branding in motion! Choose from beanies, sunhats, socks, and classic lanyards or custom-printed ribbon. Apparel and accessories spark conversations—in and out of the venue.
Branding with Style: When adding your logo to wearable items, think about the aesthetics as much as the visibility. A subtle, well-placed logo in complementary colours can turn a quality gift into something people actually want to wear. Avoid overpowering your swag with oversized or clashing branding—consider placement, size, and colourway so your logo enhances, rather than detracts from, the look and feel of the item.
6. Event Essentials & Show Stoppers
Go big or go practical! Items like striking media walls (customisable from 3–5 metres), umbrellas, sporting balls (footballs, golf balls and tees), disposable coffee cups, and stubbie holders can boost your booth’s presence or make memorable gifts.
Show-Stopping Tip: Make sure your event “show stopper” ties in with your brand message and appeals to your target audience. Sometimes, something as straightforward as a sturdy calico bag—branded with your logo—can be the most used and appreciated item at the show.
Extra Tips for Swag That Delivers Results
- Choose items relevant to your industry and client base for a memorable impact.
- Bundle smaller items into a branded calico or gift bag—a “swag kit” guests will love.
- Present your gifts in style with custom-printed ribbon and tags.
- Consider the event’s location. For Melbourne, think items suited to unpredictable weather: umbrellas, beanies, or sunscreen!
- Always prioritise quality—your brand’s reputation depends on it!
Explore Our Most Popular Trade Show Swag
At Invicium, we source, supply, and expertly brand a huge range of promotional products to help your business shine at every event—no matter your style or budget. Here are some of our customer favourites:
Eco-Friendly & Reusable
- Calico bags
- Reusable water bottles (including large Frank Green/Mood-style bottles, as well as classic plastic bottles)
- Eco-notepads
- Bamboo pens
Desktop & Everyday Essentials
- Pens
- Notepads
- Mouse mats
- Rulers
- Coffee mugs
- Fridge magnets
- Screen cleaners
Wearables & Accessories
- Beanies
- Sunhats
- Socks
- Lanyards
- Printed gift ribbons (for wrapping, lanyards, and tags)
Tech & Travel Must-Haves
- USB sticks
- USB chargers
- Keychain lights
- Mini toolkits
- Portable luggage scales
- Torches
Event & Display Items
- Media walls (3–5 metres, tube with fabric sock)
- Disposable coffee cups
- Stubbie holders
- Badges
Wellness, Sensory & Fun
- Squishy stress balls
- Aromatherapy stress balls
- Fidget toys
- Mini puzzles
- Small tubes of sunscreen with clips
- Small packets of jelly beans and other sweets
- Lollipops
Sports & Outdoor
- Footballs and other sporting balls
- Golf balls
- Golf tees
- Umbrellas
Handy Giveaways
- Keyrings
- Portable luggage scales
- Tape measures
Why Work with Invicium?
From finding the perfect promo item to handling printing, logistics, and warehousing, Invicium’s end-to-end personalised service means you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Our dedicated team is ready to help you brainstorm ideas, organise samples, and manage the entire process—and we work with customers from all over the country.
