20 Top Event Promotion & Merchandise Ideas
updated
September 9, 2025
You’re a few months away from your organization’s next big event, and your goals are simple: spread the word near and far and be stocked with must-have merchandise. But what are the best ways to promote an event these days? And what type of branded merchandise do attendees really want?
Keep reading, because we’ll share the best event promotion ideas for 2025 and through 2026. We’ll also let you in on the most-wanted event merchandise ideas to make your gathering one for the books!
What Does Event Promotion Involve?
Promoting an event for your company involves creating a strategic marketing plan to spread the word and ultimately reach interested attendees who will become loyal customers.
Event promotion can vary depending on the event you’re planning and your goals for the event. For smaller events involving 20 people or fewer, you may not need to invest in an email marketing campaign or a separate website to advertise it.
However, promotional outreach is critical for larger events that aim to acquire new customers. That means leveraging in-person and targeted online advertising to reach the most people.
Should I Hire a Marketing or Event Promoter?
Your decision to hire an event marketing guru or promoter will depend on several factors, including:
- How much time you have to plan the event
- Your comfort level in promoting your company
- Budget restrictions
- The size of the event and the number of expected attendees
- Familiarity with email marketing and other online promotional tools
5 Best Event Promotion Ideas in 2025 & 2026
1. Create a Promotional Strategy
Creating a game plan anytime you take on a major endeavor is a must, and event promotion is no exception. To get you on the ground running, consider the following when creating a promotional strategy for your next event:
- What type of event do you plan to throw? (B2B, B2C, etc.)
- Is the event online or in-person?
- Create an attendee/audience profile so that you can customize the event.
- Determine the marketing tools you plan to use (email, flyers, paid ads, etc.).
- Set a marketing budget.
- Brainstorm outreach ideas with your team.
2. Recruit Your Best Brand Ambassadors
When promoting any event, you need all hands on deck. Recruit staff members and loyal customers who will hype up your event and positively represent your brand before, during, and after the big day.
3. Create a Website or Webpage for the Event
A designated website or webpage for your event serves as a one-stop shop for attendees to register as well as learn about the event and the logistics they’ll need to know before the big day. Consider including the following information on your event’s website:
- The name of the event and its purpose
- Itinerary or schedule of events
- The date and time of the event
- Where the event will occur and directions to get there
- Who the event is for (e.g., new customers, loyal patrons, etc.)
- A menu if you plan to serve food and drink
- A registration page
- Links to your social media accounts
- Photos and testimonies from past events
- A list of sponsors (if applicable)
4. Plan a Pre-Event Party
Who doesn’t love a pre-party? Consider throwing a smaller pre-event party as a test run soiree for a limited number of existing and new customers and influencers who will spread the word for you.
5. Take Advantage of Online & In-Person Event Promotion
Event promotion can take on many forms, depending on the type of gathering you’re planning and the best ways to reach your target audience/potential attendees. In general, leverage in-person and online promotion methods.
In-Person Event Promotion
- Attend other local events and network. Word of mouth is a tried and true promotion strategy.
- Offer your existing customers incentives to spread the word about the event.
- Advertise with flyers or newspaper advertisements.
- Hold an informational session at your business and invite the public.
- Contact your local media outlets (news or radio) to spread the word.
- Reach out to potential partners and tap into their networking capabilities.
Online Event Promotion
- Create a designated webpage or website for the event.
- Use the best email marketing strategies to reach event goers.
- Spread the word on social media and encourage followers to share.
- Create pay-per-click (PPC) ads to expand your reach.
- Contact influencers to generate interest and advertise your event.
Should I Sell Branded Merchandise at my Event?
Offering branded merchandise is a great way to put your logo on useful items that event attendees will want to purchase and use well after the event concludes, helping your company to be noticed even after the event is over. Branded merchandise is commonly sold at a wide variety of events, including:
- Concerts
- Festivals
- Theatre/plays/shows
- Sporting events
- Fundraisers
For other events, advertising swag and logo printed giveaways are a better choice. These fun custom freebies are appropriate for:
- Seminars
- Product Launches
- Job Fairs
- Conferences
- Trade Shows
- Campus Tours
- Corporate Events
15 Branded Event Merchandise Ideas
One of the best ways to keep the excitement of your event going is to offer branded event merchandise that participants can purchase as souvenirs, or custom swag to give away. Give them an event they’ll never forget with these top event merchandise ideas from Crestline.
1. Customized Event T-Shirts
This is one of the few items where your guests will be disappointed if you don’t offer it. High-quality branded t-shirts are an effective way to let participants advertise the event (and your organization) for you during and long after it ends. Consider the following styles:
2. Branded Notebooks & Journals
If you are hosting a conference or seminar, rather than selling souvenir merchandise, focus on giving away practical swag for use on the day and beyond. Branded notebooks and journals are always useful, like the following:
3. Customized Travel Accessories
Does your team travel routinely for the company? Punch up your corporate event with the most popular personalized travel accessories on the market.
4. Event Branded Snacks and Treats
You can’t go wrong with branded snacks when researching which promotional merchandise to choose. From event-branded chocolate and customized cookies and brownies to promotional beverages and personalized mints and gum, event goers will enjoy the taste of a well-planned event!
5. Promotional Stress Relievers
While event planning and promotion can be stressful, you want your attendees to relax on the big day. Consider giving away these affordable and popular branded stress relievers as fun, free swag:
6. Event Branded Drinkware
Nothing screams a reminder of a great time than a customized cup or glass from an event. Here are some of our most in-demand branded drinkware merchandise items your attendees will love:
7. Promotional Event Bags & Totes
Promotional event bags are one of the best event merchandise items you could sell or give away. Not only are they practical during and after the event, but your recipients will advertise your event (and company) every time they use them—a small upfront investment for a larger ROI.
You could keep it simple with these affordable, branded reusable shopping bags or durable, customized tote bags. Or, you could always sell a selection of personalized lunch bags with your event logo or custom drawstring backpacks that they can use anywhere.
8. Branded Event Accessories
Branded event accessories are a practical and popular souvenir that come in a range of prices for your event goers, especially the following:
9. Custom Event Self-Care Merch
For health and wellness fairs, offering promotional, branded self-care items reflects what your organization values the most - taking care of your audience and community. You can keep it simple with customized hot and cold plush eye masks and a Gravity Neck and Shoulder Relaxer, or take care of your target attendees after the event by offering a self-care experience with a personalized Pamper Me Set or a Rest and Relax Gift Set.
10. Personalized Tech Accessories
You can’t go wrong with popular tech accessories. Not only are they practical, but they’re especially valuable as a backup when users wear out their current models. Make your event one they’ll remember with these must-have tech merchandise ideas:
11. Promotional Event Umbrellas
Being stuck in bad weather without an umbrella at an event would be a frustrating experience for anyone. Keep a supply of customized umbrellas on hand if attendees need to purchase one. You could opt for a travel umbrella or a Spotlight RPET Open 50” Arc Umbrella, both handy in any weather.
If a more classic, vintage style would appeal to your event goers, the 48” Fisher Custom Printed Umbrella or the Cabin Umbrella with a curved wooden handle fit the bill, keeping them dry the whole time.
12. Custom Eco-Friendly Merchandise
Interested in throwing an eco-friendly event? It’s only natural to choose branded, eco-friendly merch for your guests, such as:
13. Promotional Hats and Caps
Popular in hot and cold months, promotional hats and caps are not only practical merchandise but also an effective way to let your guests advertise your event and represent your brand long after it ends.
Choose from customized trucker hats, branded baseball caps, or personalized winter hats and beanies for the colder months. If you’re on a budget, opt for one of these affordable branded hat styles.
14. Custom Giveaways for Non-Profits
On a limited budget? Not sure what to choose? Why not set up a giveaway table at your event with various nonprofit giveaways that guests can choose from? Consider loading up your table with the following:
15. Personalized Merchandise for Any Event
The trick to choosing the right event merchandise for your event boils down to selecting a variety of personalized merchandise that they’ll be willing to open their wallets for. Your attendees will enjoy these in-demand personalized event merchandise items, ideal for any event:
Ready to Choose Your Customized Merchandise from Crestline?
With these event promotion ideas, you’ll put on a crowd-pleasing event. But choosing the right promotional merchandise for your guests will ensure you make the gathering one they’ll always remember.
Crestline’s wide range of customizable merchandise is practical and affordable, ideal for all events. Contact us today and discover how just the right branded promotional merchandise can make your event unforgettable.
