Corporate Gift Ideas for Event Planners

Group of six corporate employees receiving gift box from employer

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Promotional products are perhaps some of the most popular corporate gifts. It probably wouldn’t surprise many to learn that the branded pen is the most relied upon business gift in the corporate world. While a pen is certainly practical and useful, so are some other more interesting or creative business and corporate gifts.

When it comes to giving promotional items as a corporate gift, it’s important to keep them simple and conventional. At the same time, simple and conventional can still break the mold and become more creative and artistic. J.S. Rangi, founder of Monsoon Corporate Business Gifts in Montreal, Canada, offered some of the following tips for event planners and others who are searching for creative corporate business gifts that will make an impression.

Give Business Gifts That People Will Use

A tote bag, an umbrella, a scarf, a blanket...these are all everyday items that people use regularly and generally cannot get enough of. Make these everyday items beautiful, and they will be much more appreciated as a business that is more of the same. While a less practical item like an ornate vase may seem like a more standout gift, it is more likely to sit forgotten at the back of a cupboard.

Imprint Designs and Themes Relevant to the Event

When you're looking for gifts to give to the guests at your corporate event, you should be looking for gift options that you can customize with the company's logo, the event name, or even something symbolic of the overarching theme of the event. The key is to get a design that accomplishes that goal without being overly promotional. Designs with relevant logos, paintings, or symbols are a great way to evoke a concept without spelling it out. A corporate business gift design for a lawyer’s association, for instance, might feature justice scales. You might even consider featuring a cityscape of the conference location.

Limit the Use of Brand Messages and Corporate Logos

Whether you go with full-out promotional branding will depend on the corporate business gift you select. Depending on the item, branding can compromise the appeal of the gift. Tote bags are a great opportunity to promote future events, for instance, but branding is not a good idea for a print that people will put on their wall.

Balance Corporate Gifts With Originality and Taste

When it comes to creative corporate gifts, it is important to be original, but the design should also appeal to a wide variety of people. It is best to get something that is not too unusual, but still unique. For example, if you were to choose a wild art deco style print for a blanket, it might not match everyone's décor. That said, you don't have to be too safe. Stay away from too much black, brown, and gray. Don’t be afraid of a little color.

Hire a Specialty Promotional Products Supplier

Some promotional product suppliers are mainly focused on traditional branding techniques and will be less equipped to assist you with brainstorming unique or creative corporate gift designs and ideas. If you're hoping for a really interesting corporate gift, be sure to find a supplier that is qualified and equipped to work with you. When planning a unique gift design, also be sure to consider minor additions that can add value, such as the artist's signature.

Offer Different Variations

Feature the gift in different prints or colors, for instance, so that guests can specify their preference for a particular color or design.

Corporate Gift Ideas for All Budgets

In the end, your creativity in choosing or designing a creative corporate gift will always be limited by the number of event guests you are planning for and your event budget. Before starting your gift search, be sure that you know the quantity you need of each type of gift and the total budget you're working with. Here are some corporate and business gift ideas that can fit every budget.

Low-cost Corporate Gift Ideas (Under $5)

Low cost does not have to mean low impact. What's important is to think outside of the box. That is, if you're going to give out a pen, make it different than every other promotional pen. For example, choose a pen with an out-of-the-ordinary ergonomic design. Or consider something unusual with an artistic design relevant to the event—like a crafted mug that features a beautiful painting.

Mid-priced Corporate Gift Ideas ($5 to $25)

Many organizations cap client gifts that they may accept at $25 maximum. At that price point, it's still quite reasonable to find creative gift ideas that are original and memorable. Consider gifts like umbrellas, blankets, scarves, and tote bags. What's important is that the design of each item is unique and attractive. Buying in bulk with a custom design is a great way to drive down prices while retaining originality as opposed to generic corporate business gifts that are bought ready-made.

High-priced Corporate Gift Ideas ($25 to $100)

For special events, it's worth going the extra mile to get a special corporate business gift that people will cherish. One of the best gestures would be a limited-edition print. With the stamp of originality and aesthetic value, a beautiful and creative print will last a lifetime.