Event branding promotional items can generate an enduring, positive impression of your company that last well after the event itself. Event attendees wear branded t-shirts, use branded pens, drink out of branded mugs, continually promoting your event...free advertising!

Promotion of your event with specialty marketing items will build anticipation of the event and happy memories of the event for months afterwards.

Pre-Event Planning
Anyone who has planned an event knows one of the most difficult task is "getting the word out", to your target demographic. That's the reason to start event planning promotion to insure all are aware of upcoming events.

Timing is everything. It is important to ramp up the advertising of an event, too early and your message may "die off", too late and you miss many of those who want to attend. A continual stream of promotional products distribution is one of the best plans for optimal brand or message saturation.

Enduring TOMA
TOMA, Top Of Mind Awareness. Logoed products can serve as reminders, keeping the event in the minds of your target group. Signs and posters are a great way of doing this.  If signs or posters are designed with appealing artwork, they will be welcomed in most offices and buildings.
Another method is the linked items, some items announce the coming event, some promotional products can be distributed at the event, and then items that are used as rewards or recognition go away from the event to further promote the event. A sequenced promotional products distribution can multiply the effect of promotion.

Community or Organizational Causes
Planning a community based event requires coordination of many. Don't forget to secure the cooperation or at least inform the local fire and police departments, county government and other officials. 

If the event is for a charitable cause, vendors who participate will enjoy the goodwill produced with their association with the event. Folks will remember where they got that handy window cleaner or nifty back scratcher or that magnet on the refrigerator. It is important to understand the demographic of the event, if it is a children's fair, child-oriented items would be best, for general community events a wide variety of items would best serve you.

A Plan of Action
Planning for  special events, careful planning and detail schedules can make or break your marketing strategies.  A few things to consider:

What is it that you want to accomplish? Understand what the reason is for the events. Are you farming for new customers? Are you wanting to brand your company? Determining what you want to gain is the first step in promotional product use.

What do you want to or can spend on the event?  What is the per person expenditures? Let the marketing consultant know much you have to spend on an event. They then can determine the mix and quantity of items to produce. Ask for any potential cost overages.

What is the schedule of events leading up to the event?  Advance planning, setup requirements, out of stock items all play into the successful event promotion.

Regardless of the event size your company is planning, promotional products and specialty marketing items are a critical part in how the event is viewed and remembered. By working closely with a event planner or promotional consultant, you can be sure that the products used represent your company or organization in the manner you wish and the desired message you want to convey is received by the event attendees.