Need ideas for a COOL tradeshow 'raffle' prize

[UNCjigga]

Okay we're gonna be doing this tradeshow/conference in Dallas in April, and the deadline to submit our booth contest prize for publication in show materials is tomorrow. I've been racking my brain to think of something cool but I'm fresh out of ideas (i've got too much 'serious' work to handle!) In the past we've pretty much done PDA giveaways but EVERYONE has a PDA now. I will need the help of the TECH-SAVVY anandtech crowd--I know you are full of unique prize ideas and you may have some suggestions from your own personal wishlist. This item doesn't have to be a tech gadget: it could be tickets to some event, a vacation package, etc. I would prefer that it NOT be something completely techy (like motherboards, CPUs or other PC components.)

Here are the details:

BUDGET: $300
AUDIENCE: Bankers, Corporate finance executives, treasurers consultants, analysts, IS Managers, CxOs (ages 30-60)
LOCATION: Dallas, TX
TIME: April 7-9, 2002

Have fun thinking up ideas!

 

[Saltin]

I could autograph and frame a picture.












Hey, at least it would be free!

 

[GSOYF]

These are things that would be good for a variety of age groups:

1)DVD player

2)MP3 player

3)X-Box or PS2

4)Tickets to Blue man group or a good concert.


-This is difficult considering I do not know who your target audience is...

 

[OgreShade]

The last trade show I went to there was a company giving away a really nice golf putter. It seemed to draw a lot of attention from the executive crowd if that's what you're looking to do.

 

[iamwiz82]

<< These are things that would be good for a variety of age groups:

1)DVD player

2)MP3 player

3)X-Box or PS2

4)Tickets to Blue man group or a good concert.


-This is difficult considering I do not know who your target audience is... >>



he mentioned:

<< AUDIENCE: Bankers, Corporate finance executives, treasurers consultants, analysts, IS Managers, CxOs (ages 30-60) >>

 

[kranky]

Vacation package is an option? What's your budget?

A lot of people here seem to be in love with fancy cell phones, can you give one of those (not including the service)? Or what the heck, include a year's service with a boatload of minutes including long distance.

I don't think tickets are a good idea since I imagine the audience is from all over the country - it would be hard to know what would be convenient (unless you're giving Super Bowl tickets including the travel)

 

[aphex]

Yea, go with a NICE ASS Taylor Made club

 

[OgreShade]

<< Vacation package is an option? What's your budget? >>



In his first post he says his budget was $300. Not really enough to do a real vacation package.



<< A lot of people here seem to be in love with fancy cell phones, can you give one of those (not including the service)? Or what the heck, include a year's service with a boatload of minutes including long distance. >>


The cell phone is a good idea. Maybe he can look into that. Of course, if everyone at the conference has a PDA, they probably all have top of the line cell phones.



<< I don't think tickets are a good idea since I imagine the audience is from all over the country - it would be hard to know what would be convenient (unless you're giving Super Bowl tickets including the travel) >>


Agreed. Tickets are generally not an attractive giveaway at trade shows.

Another idea, I'll throw out is a briefcase. Not a great gift, but since I'm not familiar with the crowd it's a possibility.

 

[Sugadaddy]

<< Yea, go with a NICE ASS Taylor Made club >>




I vote for that too... A big ass driver!!

 

[UNCjigga]

Okay, so far the hot item seems to be golf clubs or personal entertainment devices.

Our budget isn't firm, it could be anywhere from $300 to $500 or maybe even more, I'm not sure. In the past we haven't spent any more than $300 though (but some of the items were worth more--AT Hot Deals is the shiznit!)

As far as tickets are concerned, I was thinking of tickets to an evening event in Dallas during the conference timeframe. The problem with this is that it will have to be a minimum of four tickets because people will want to use it to network (gotta invite some potential clients along.) Also, we would have to do the drawing early in order to let them use these tickets (what's the point if after they've won they've got to board a flight?) We could definately do an early drawing, but this would hurt our booth attendance (people will stop coming after we've given away our prize.) I dunno, it was just an idea...(we did U2 tickets in Chicago before, but it was a longer conference.)

One of the COOLEST giveaways I've seen was this one company that had a real professional tobacconist at the booth HAND ROLLING fresh new cigars for attendees (they could choose the filler, wrapper etc. to their taste!) We don't have budget for that!

On the gadget front, some of the things I've been thinking of:

- cellphone/PDA combos (kyocera smartphone, new Samsung I300, Visorphone etc.)
- digital cameras (PowerShot 110)
- MP3 players
- DV camcorder

Please keep the ideas coming guys! Thanks!

 

[Doggiedog]

Yeah a nice Callaway ERC driver would attract alot of attention, especially if there was a place to hit golf balls from.

 

[kranky]

DOH! You clearly said a budget of $300, I even read it twice but still missed it.

How about those noise-cancelling headphones they sell? I'd love to have those but wouldn't buy them for myself. That's within the $300. Bose makes them, possibly others. Would be great for frequent flyers.

 

[BigSmooth]

A portable DVD player? I just posted a Hot Deal for a Panasonic for $389...

 

[UNCjigga]

I just remembered that one of the sponsored networking events is: AN OUTING AT THE COWBOYS GOLF CLUB!!! Unfortunately, this is scheduled for the morning BEFORE the conference offically opens. Doh!

 

[OgreShade]

Well I don't know how much space you have in your booth but considering the crowd is a little older (30-60) I would set up one of the nice little putter practice greens and have people "put in" to register for a chance to win a nice quality club. Those kinds of things usually attracts a lot of attention and people will stand around watching drawing more attention to the booth.
Another problem with tickets is the winner might actually have other plans for the night of the show, which would really suck.

 

[911paramedic]

Give them one of the portable dvd players so when they travel back and forth to these things they can watch movies on the plane.