The Merch That Actually Matters.
Would you put your logo on a trash can?
Then don’t put your logo in one.
Branded merch has a bad reputation, and honestly, it’s deserved. Nobody needs another polyester T-shirt, flimsy tote, or stress ball that ends up in the landfill by the end of the week.
But when it’s done right, branded merch becomes more than swag - it becomes part of the experience. It’s a tangible expression of your brand and your event’s story: how you think, how you care, and how you make people feel.
Start with quality and usefulness. Choose items that actually add value to someone’s life - a beautiful reusable bottle, a notebook they’ll keep, a power bank that works when they need it. These are the pieces people use, love, and remember.
Keep the branding subtle. No one wants to be a walking billboard. The goal is to make your employees or customers proud to wear or use something because it feels good, not because it shouts your logo. Simple design, good materials, and small details that nod to your brand always win.
And sustainability isn’t optional. Work with partners who use recycled materials, ethical production, and thoughtful packaging. Nothing undercuts your credibility faster than a “green” company handing out plastic junk at an event.
When we reimagined a financial institution’s 30-year top performer program, we replaced the usual pile of 20 giveaway items with a few thoughtful, premium pieces. Each top performer received a plush bathrobe, a personalized water bottle engraved with their name, and a quality travel charger, all packed in a set of travel cubes - even the packaging was designed to be reused. The finishing touch was a gift card so each person could choose something meaningful. Every detail felt elevated, and every item was gently branded and designed to last.
They didn’t just like the gifts - they loved them. It turned the program from another recognition event into something memorable and deeply personal.
Before you design your next batch of merch, ask yourself:
Is your M&E team and agency aligned with your corporate sustainability goals and working toward zero-emission events?
Do you know your audience - really know them, and are you choosing items that reflect who they are and how they’ll experience your program?
Have you considered a merch opt-out option, giving to charity instead, donating notebooks to schools, or planting trees in their name?
That’s the power of intentional merch: fewer items, higher quality, smarter impact, and a story that lasts. Less really is more.