The further we get away from the events of 2020 and almost all events happening virtually, the more we’re seeing the push for in-person corporate events to make their return. A whopping 60% of executives now view events as the most crucial marketing channel for achieving their corporate goals according to a Marketsplash study, and in 2024, those events are taking place in person.
But it’s not just about the event itself — it’s about how you make it meaningful and, most importantly, memorable. What better way to do that than through thoughtful, impactful corporate event gifting? Whether you're planning a large conference or an intimate team gathering, we’re here to help your company or industry event a success with the right corporate gifting selections that will leave your recipients feeling seen and appreciated in a way that corporate swag simply can’t in 2024. With the right corporate gifting along with your in-person event, you’ll throw the conference, seminar, or expo that they’ll never forget.
4 Upcoming Trends in Modern Corporate Event Gifting
This year, say goodbye to those generic, forgettable branded event merchandise swag items. In 2024, the trends in corporate and event gifting are leaning heavily toward gifts that are as useful and personal as they are sustainable. We're talking about meaningful, eco-friendly, artisan-sourced items that attendees will actually want to keep. When everyone seems to be doing the same t-shirt, sunglasses, or branded tumblers, your corporate event can stand out with thoughtful artisan gifts that will impress and delight your recipients and attendees.
1. Meaningful Gifts
In 2024, gifting can sometimes feel like a burden when you’re tasked with a mile-long to-do list and also need to make sure that your event gifts hit the mark with your attendees. When swag and junky gift items are the norm, meaningful connections are more important than ever. As a corporate event planner, consider gifts that speak to your attendees' values, interests, and ethics. Customized event presents that tell a story or resonate with the personal experiences of your recipients can transform a simple gesture into thoughtful event giveaways. This approach not only delights the recipients but also fosters long-term relationships, making your event a talking point for all the right reasons.
2. Practical and Useful Gifts
Gone are the days when corporate gifts were mere showpieces. In 2024, practicality takes center stage. Choose items that your attendees will find useful in their daily lives. Maybe it’s a selection of artisan snacks and treats to enjoy over a conference, or custom stationery for note-taking at a training session. Whatever gift you choose, practicality ensures that your gift remains a part of their routine without adding clutter to their lives.
3. Artisan-Sourced Gifts
The trend of artisan-sourced gifts is soaring, and for good reason. These unique, handcrafted items stand out in a sea of mass-produced goods. Incorporating small-batch artisan gifts into your event demonstrates your commitment to quality and originality, and also supports causes that matter to your organization and that of your attendees. Maybe you want to showcase support for LGBTQ+ businesses or woman-owned organizations. Maybe you’d like to support small businesses in your local area or show love to BIPOC businesses. Choosing corporate gifts from these small companies is a small way to make a big impact. Not to mention, with artisan gifting, you’re typically getting a much higher-quality product for your recipients to enjoy, all while supporting causes that matter to your organization.
4. Sustainable Gifts
To us, sustainability has always been way more than a corporate buzzword. Sustainability is a responsibility and a commitment that we are passionate about upholding alongside our network of partners and supplies around the globe. Opting for eco-friendly and sustainably sourced gifts is a powerful statement about your brand's values and commitment to the planet. This conscious choice not only resonates with environmentally aware attendees but also sets a standard for future corporate events.
Incorporating these trends into your corporate event gifting strategy not only enhances the attendee experience but also positions your brand as thoughtful, innovative, and conscientious. Remember, in 2024, the most impactful gifts are those that are meaningful, useful, uniquely sourced, and sustainably created. With these trends in mind, your corporate event gifting is set to leave a lasting impression that extends far beyond the event itself.
Gifting Platforms: Simplifying Choice, Amplifying Impact
In 2024, one major trend is reshaping how we think about conference and event gifting: Gifting platforms. For event organizers, these platforms are much more than a trend — they’re a transformative tool, offering a range of benefits that align with the needs of both the organizer and the attendee.
Personalized Choices for Every Attendee
Imagine a scenario where each event participant gets to choose a gift that resonates with them personally. Gifting platforms like ours can make this a reality. Event organizers can pre-curate a selection of gifts and brand company merchandise, tailored to the specific demographics of their audience. This personalization adds a touch of thoughtfulness to your event, allowing each participant to feel individually valued and connected to your brand.
Creating Ongoing Engagement Opportunities
The end of an event doesn’t have to mean the end of the engagement. With gifting platforms, the gift selection process becomes a post-event touchpoint. This continued interaction keeps your brand in the minds of the attendees long after the event concludes, opening doors for further engagement and strengthening the relationships you’ve worked so hard to build.
Streamlining Event Day Management
Event days can be hectic, and managing the distribution of gifts adds to the chaos. By utilizing a gifting platform for your conference and event gifting, you eliminate this hassle. There’s no need to worry about the logistics of storing and distributing physical gifts at the event. Bestowe handles all of that for you, ensuring that each attendee receives their chosen gift without any burden falling on your event team.
Reducing Waste and Embracing Sustainability
In a world increasingly aware of sustainability issues, the traditional approach of handing out generic swag items is outdated. Often, these items end up unused and discarded, contributing to the large-scale waste of gifted items. A quality gifting platform addresses this challenge head-on. By allowing attendees to choose their own gifts, the platform drastically reduces the likelihood of unwanted items ending up in the trash.
Crafting the Perfect Event Gifting Experience with Bestowe
When it comes to creating unforgettable event experiences, Bestowe is the name to remember. Whether you need fabulous on-site gifting or a streamlined gifting platform, we've got you covered. Imagine the delight of your attendees as they're welcomed with a carefully chosen gift, and then the excitement as they choose their own custom-branded souvenir post-event.
Curating A Tailored Gifting Experience for Crunchy Roll Executives
When Crunchy Roll planned an executive retreat at Carmel Valley Ranch, they wanted to gift something beyond the ordinary—something that reflected their innovative spirit and celebrated California's artisan culture. Partnering with Bestowe, they aimed for gifts that would not only commemorate the event but also resonate with their brand's unique personality and the local artisan community's aesthetic.
Together, we crafted a tailored gifting solution that perfectly blended Crunchy Roll’s iconic branding with handpicked, locally-sourced products. The centerpiece—a custom-branded chocolate featuring beloved anime characters—paired with an elegant, logo-embossed Royce wallet, struck the perfect balance between personalization and practicality. A travel-sized, eco-friendly gift bag from Out of the Woods added a thoughtful touch of sustainability, aligning with our shared values of meaningful and conscientious gifting.
This collaboration with Crunchy Roll showcased how smart conference and event gifting can turn your event into a delightful experience, delivering a collection of gift boxes that not only captivated the executives but also left a lasting impression on all attendees. With Bestowe, elevating your corporate gatherings with meaningful gifts is not just easy—it's a guaranteed way to leave a lasting mark.
Make Every Event Unforgettable with Bestowe
In the evolving world of corporate events, thoughtful corporate event gifting is key to creating memorable experiences. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a great gift? Especially one that's been chosen just for them. With Bestowe, your event gifting goes from mundane to extraordinary, leaving a lasting impression on every attendee.
Ready to take your conference and event gifting to the next level? Reach out to Bestowe and discover how we can help make your next conference or event unforgettable with our unique gifting solutions.
