It’s that time of year — festivals and conferences are just around the corner. As the weather starts to warm up so do the marketing activations. From the start of the festival season to tech conferences, the coming months are some of the biggest opportunities for marketers to engage consumers and build brand recognition. This year, events like SXSW and Coachella will feature even more interactive opportunities for brands to connect with consumers.

Here are a few items I would have jumped at the chance to take at a festival:

Neon Sunglasses

You’d think that people would bring their own sunglasses to an outdoor festival or event, but that’s not always the case. And what happens if their pair breaks? Or what if they lose them?  What do you know; you’ll have a spare pair to hand out to that poor squinting human being! Not only are sunglasses useful, but they’re stylish as well. My advice would be to hand out brightly-colored sunglasses like the neon variety pictured to the right, so they’ll stand out in the crowd. This sets them apart from being just another boring pair of sunglasses.

Water Bottles

What happens when people stand outside in hot weather for a long period of time? They get thirsty and dehydrated. Sure, there are water fountains around, but people get tired of walking back and forth when they could be enjoying a show in the front row or playing a game with friends. Keep them from missing out on anything important simply by handing out a water bottle with your logo, which is sure to get a lot of use. Saving people from dehydration and promoting your company at the same time is a definite win-win.

Drawstring Backpacks

This is one item that will come in handy without a doubt! You’re bound to get some kind of merchandise at concerts, and you’re bound to win trinkets and prizes at fairs. Whether it’s a t-shirt, a poster, or CD l, attendees probably won’t want to carry it around in their arms the entire day. A personalized backpack takes care of that problem so that people have free arms to walk with food and beverages while holding all of their treasures. This promo item is also useful to hold the other giveaways you may have distributed, so they don’t end up on the ground next to half-eaten pizza and empty beer cans!

Sweat Bands

I don’t know why the sweat band has made a comeback at festivals, but it has. You’ll see these on the heads of many, many people if you hand them out in hot temperatures. Sweat bands are kind of like the sunglasses; they’re stylish and actually useful! If you’re going to be standing out in 90-degree weather and moving around, you’re going to be working up a sweat. So hand out a customized sweatband and create a human billboard for your company all over the venue!

Handheld Fans

Out of all of the promo items I mentioned in this post, the handheld fan would be my first choice. When I’m taking a break from the sun and trying to find a nice shaded area, a handheld fan is just what I need to help get me pumped back up.  With a handheld fan, you’ll be able to display your brand to many people who are extremely happy you were thinking logically when deciding which kind of promotional products you were going to hand out! Or, for a less expensive option, try a handheld paper fan instead.

You have to be smart about your giveaways if you’re choosing an outlet like SXW or Lollapalooza. When it comes to concerts, festivals, and fairs, you have to think about who you’re trying to reach. Do your research! Will the crowd consist of mixed age groups, or one in particular? Check that your findings are consistent with your promotional goals. Think about the weather, too, and find ways to benefit crowds of people while promoting your company.

These are just a few promotional products you could hand out at a festival or major outdoor event, whether it’s as huge as SXSW, Lollapalooza or not. For more giveaway ideas for fairs and concerts, think of things that would benefit your company and your target audience, and keep rocking!

Elvia Hurtado