I'll trade you a pen for some hot sauce...

Trade shows are notorious for freebies. You know, the pens, magnets, chip clips, mints, pencils, and the other miscellaneous items that eventually wind up littering your car floor or landing in the trash can.

These types of incentive items are usually scarfed up by trade show participants--in mass quantities--mainly because they're inexpensive, but also because they're "useful."

I'm not denying that pens are useful. But everybody owns dozens of pens, and honestly, I don't think anyone ever received a free pen at a trade show and thought, "Whew, what a relief, I just saved myself a trip to Staples to replenish my pen supply." And when you're participating in a trade show or Expo, you have a golden opportunity to stand out in a sea of standard booths. So why settle for a givewaway that's ho-hum when you can really make an impression?

Here are some cool give-aways I've picked up at various trade shows; also items that could be called useful, but not necessarily traditional. More significantly, I remember the name of every single company that gave them to me. (Bet you can't say that about the last pen you picked up.)

1. Custom-labeled hot sauce from a graphic design company offering "hot-n-spicy marketing ideas."

2. A refreshing original (non-alcoholic) drink from a printing company that was cleverly named and served in sturdy plastic cups displaying the company's logo. It was a great draw for those wandering the crowded, warm Expo Center.

3. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from a caterer that smelled wonderful and tasted even better.

4. Mousepads from an IT company featuring a striking wildlife photo that also reinforced the company's brand.

Get the idea? A little imagination results in a lot of impact. And these ideas didn't cost a lot, either. So grab a pen and start thinking about what you can do to stand out at the next trade show!