How To Design Merchandise For Your Next Corporate Event

Hosting a corporate event can be a significant investment, so making the most of every opportunity to promote your brand is essential. Branded merchandise is a great way to do just that. But, the key to success is designing items people will use and appreciate. While simple items like pens with your company’s logo are beneficial, other high-quality items like tote bags or tumblers can be used more frequently, potentially making a stronger impact. 

When designing merchandise for your corporate event, keeping your target audience in mind is important. What are their interests and needs? What types of items are they likely to use on a daily basis? By answering these questions, you can tailor your merchandise to fit your audience, ensuring it resonates with them and makes a lasting impression.

Embrace creativity and innovation—unique and valuable items are more likely to be remembered and talked about. To add, here are some tips on how to design merchandise for your next corporate event: 

• Determine Your Budget And Goals

Without a clear understanding of how much you’re willing to spend and what you want to achieve, it’s easy to get lost in the process. So, take a moment to sit down and map out your budget and goals. Are you looking to create brand awareness, generate leads, or reward employees? Once you’ve established your goals, you can start brainstorming merchandise ideas to help you achieve them. 

For instance, if you’re hosting a conference to generate leads, you might want to invest in high-quality business cards, branded pens, notebooks, or even a unique and memorable promotional item like a branded water bottle.

On the other hand, if you’re hosting an employee appreciation event, you might focus on creating branded gifts that your staff can use in their day-to-day work, such as personalized coffee mugs or desk accessories. In such cases, investing in a bespoke mug maker is a wise strategy.  

• Know Your Audience

When designing merchandise for your next corporate event, keeping your audience in mind is essential. After all, the goal is to create something that resonates with them and leaves a lasting impression. You want your merchandise to be something your attendees will use and appreciate long after the event. 

For example, you’re hosting a tech conference, and your attendees are primarily software developers. You could design T-shirts with coding puns or inside jokes that only programmers would understand. Also, consider creating branded water bottles, as staying hydrated during long coding sessions is crucial. 

• Choose High-Quality Materials

When designing merchandise for a corporate event, it’s easy to get caught up in creating something flashy and eye-catching. But it’s important not to overlook the quality of your merchandise. After all, you want your recipients to use and enjoy what you give them, right? Choosing high-quality materials ensures your merchandise lasts longer and reflects positively on your brand. 

One way to achieve this is by opting for functional and durable materials appropriate for your merchandise. For example, if you’re creating branded water bottles, choose a leak-proof material that is easy to clean. If you’re making branded t-shirts, choose a material that is comfortable to wear and doesn’t shrink after washing.

By choosing high-quality materials that are both functional and appealing, you’ll create merchandise that recipients will use and appreciate long after the event is over. And by opting for eco-friendly materials, you can also show your commitment to sustainability, which can leave a positive impression on your audience. 

• Keep It Simple And Consistent

You want to create a design that is easy on the eyes and sends a clear message about your brand. Consistency is also crucial. Your merchandise should be consistent with your brand’s visual identity, including the color scheme, font, and logo. By maintaining consistency in branding, attendees will remember and associate the brand image with the company long after the event. 

Consider the event’s theme and purpose when creating merchandise designs. For example, if your corporate event is centered around sustainability, you might create reusable water bottles or tote bags made from eco-friendly materials. Or, if the event is focused on employee recognition, you could design branded jackets or t-shirts for your team. 

• Consider The Distribution Method

If you’re hosting a virtual event, you may need to consider shipping items to attendees ahead of time to ensure they receive them in time for the event. On the other hand, if you’re hosting an in-person event, set up a merchandise table where attendees can browse and select items of their choice.

Alternatively, you could include items in a swag bag that attendees receive upon check-in. By thinking about how to distribute your merchandise in advance, you can ensure that attendees receive your branded items in a way that’s convenient and accessible. 

Another thing to remember when planning your distribution strategy is to offer items at different prices. Some people have different budgets or preferences, so by providing a variety of merchandise at various price points, you can appeal to a broader audience and increase the chances of people taking home a branded item. For example, you could offer budget-friendly items like keychains or stickers alongside more premium options, such as tech accessories or apparel. 

• Make It Useful And Memorable

If you want your merchandise to stand out and leave a lasting impression on attendees, you need to get creative with your designs. Think outside the box and develop unique ideas that align with your brand and event theme. For example, if you’re hosting a music festival, you might consider creating branded bandanas or sunglasses. Or, if you’re hosting a charity event, you might create merchandise that supports the cause, such as T-shirts or wristbands. 

Another way to make your merchandise more memorable is by incorporating interactive elements. For instance, you might consider creating a scavenger hunt or social media challenge that involves attendees using or sharing your merchandise. This can create a buzz around your brand and event and increase engagement with your merchandise beyond the event itself. 

Wrapping Up 

Designing merchandise for your next corporate event can be a fun and effective way to showcase your brand and connect with attendees. By following these tips and considering your budget, audience, and goals, you can create useful and memorable merchandise that reinforces your brand’s messaging and visual identity.