Did you know that the promotional product industry is worth a whopping $23.3 billion?

There is a lot to choose from when considering swag bag ideas for conferences, and you don’t want to hand out another swag bag that is going to be stuffed in the back of a closet somewhere.

A practical yet trendy swag bag will not only be the hit of your conference, but they will also make a great first impression on your guests.

If you want to make a legendary swag bag for your conference attendees, then you are in the right place.

Start With A Plan

The goal of creating memorable swag bags is making them an integral part of the conference. You do not want to shove a handful of random office supplies and stickers in a bag and call it a day. Each item needs to play a specific role within the conference.

You wouldn’t plan an entire conference based on random topics with random speakers, would you? No. You plan each event and speaker within the conference to play a very specific role, which is exactly what you should do with your swag bags.

Think about the purpose of your conference and the type of people that it is going to attract. Now think about how your swag bag can make that conference even better in terms of the items lending a helping hand or assisting in executing a task.

Of course, you can add some fun party favors that everyone loves, but make sure you include a few key items that relate directly to your conference. You can even discover more fun and promotional products to wow your guests.

The Professional Conference

When you think professional conference, think businessmen and businesswomen dressed in sleek clothing. These will be your CEOs, company founders, technology services, reporters, and anyone who is simply trying to benefit or build their company.

When purchasing items for a professional conference swag bag, think about items that can benefit a company or that can benefit the company’s appearance. Sure, a new pen can give them something to write with at their desk, but you can do better than that.

Portable phone chargers

We live in a world that revolves around our smartphones, and what do smartphones need? Chargers.

There is always someone who forgot their phone charger, and this swag bag gift could end up being a lifesaver for one of your conference attendees one day. It can even benefit attendees at the conference because everyone will be draining their battery while snapping pictures and recording videos at the conference.

You can even get this branded with a logo on it, which will be seen for years while people are charging their phones. Plus, think about all of the people that the attendees will lend it to for years to come who will also see that logo.

Price: $6-$20

Complimentary headshots

Every professional can benefit from a headshot, and, chances are, many professionals at your conference have out of date headshots or have been putting them off for quite some time.

All you have to do is hire one photographer for the event, and allow him to set up a station in a specific corner. Then, print out some tickets with designated times, and place them in the swag bag for attendees to redeem on-site. Your professional guests will use these headshots for years to come. Plus, it shows that you care about your guests and their professional well-being, which is rather impressive for a conference event.

While the price might seem steep, think about it in the sense that you are paying a single hourly rate for the entire event as opposed to buying a product for each individual.

Price: $100-$120 an hour

Professional Books

Providing your guests with a professional book shows them that you care about their personal growth. These books can cover anything from finances to mental health to growing a company to company culture. The ideas are limitless.

You can even give them a book that one of your speakers wrote. That way, you are showing your speaker that you appreciate their attendance all the while showing your guests how important your speakers are.

Price: $10-$30

The Creative Conference

For the writers, artists, novelists, painters, architects and any other conference that relates to being creative, this section is for you. Give your guests swag bags that can help your attendees get the blood flowing in their brain and can help them increase their creative productivity.

Of course, you can add items that are more specific to your exact conference, but these are some general creative gifts that can benefit any of your attendees.

Adult coloring books

Because who doesn’t love adult coloring books? The themes range from forests to cuss words to marine life to food and basically anything else you can think of, which is great because you can relate the theme of the coloring book to your exact conference theme.

Not only will your creative attendees enjoy the artistic aspect to this gift, but adult coloring books are known to relieve stress and anxiety and can be perceived as a form of mediation.

And, of course, don’t forget to throw in a pack of color pencils.

Price: $5-$10

Quality Journals

While it is usually a good idea to stay away from office supplies, providing creatives with a quality journal is going to be right up their alley. This does not mean purchase the cheapest, spiral bound notebook you can find.

Instead, show your guests that you care about them by giving them a leather-bound journal that they can jot their conference notes in and carry around with them for months to come.

Price: $15-$20

The All-Female Conference

All-female conferences can cover anything from health and beauty to female empowerment to promoting professional businesswomen. While it is important to stay within the niche of your conference when giving away swag bags, these items can relate to almost any woman no matter what your conference is about.

Face masks

Conferences can be stressful when you incorporate all of the traveling, networking and walking that goes into the event. And what better way to unwind at the end of the day than with a relaxing face maks? It is no secret that many women love skin care and face masks. Opt for a gentle face maks with minimal scents to avoid any allergies.

This is another item that shows you care about your guest’s well-being. A face mask is much more impressive than another paperweight that sits aimlessly on a desk or at the bottom of a trash can.

Price: $2-$5

Wine corkscrew

What are people going to do after the conference is over? They might have every intention to pop open a bottle of wine at their hotel, and the wine corkscrew that they received in their trendy swag bag will be extremely beneficial when it comes to opening that lovely bottle of red wine.

Plus, this is another item that you can have printed with a logo that people will see for years to come.

Price: In bulk for as low as $2

Makeup Samples

If you are hosting a makeup conference or anything that relates to beauty, makeup samples are the perfect way to go. The women who are attending the event will already be interested in beauty products, and seeing a new lipstick or mascara at the bottom of their swag bag can make their hearts light up.

Even if your conference is about something completely different, most women can relate to makeup in some way, shape, or form.

Plus, say hello to social media exposure when your conference attendees are posting photos of their new samples from their trendy swag bags on Facebook and Instagram.

Price: $10-$30

The Athletic Conference

For the conference that relates to athletes, gym owners, supplement companies and athletic Instagram gurus, you have a lot to live up to. There are many athletic conferences that provide some pretty awesome swag bags. Put these items in your swag bags and your conference will be the highlight of the whole year.

Supplement Samples

Almost all athletes use some form of supplements. Whether you provide your attendees with pre-workout, protein, BCAAs, fat burners, vitamins or creatin, your guests will be eager to try some samples.

You can even attempt to partner with a supplement company to attend your event to speak and sponsor your swag bag.

Price: $5-15

Protein Shakers

One can never have too many protein shakers. These also pair well with the supplement samples because attendees can immediately mix their samples in their protein shakers while they are at your conference.

You can even get these printed with your logo on them. How cool would it be to see the majority of your guests walking around and drinking out of the protein shaker you provided them?

Price: $10-$15

Mini Foam Rollers

True athletes will have an exceptional appreciation for this gift. Every time they have sore muscles in the future, the first thing they do will be to reach for the mini foam roller that you gave them during your conference.

Say goodbye to sore muscles and hello to the best athletic conference swag bag.

Price: $20-$30

Swag Bag Ideas

When creating your swag bag ideas for your conference, remember to relate your items to the theme of your conference and to make sure that each item serves a specific purpose in the swag bag. No one wants an extra amount of office supplies that they have to carry around your event all day.

If you need any other gift ideas, check out of gift guides. We have got you covered no matter what the event or celebration is.