In a landscape crowded with generic swag and disposable promotional products, the brands that stand out are the ones creating memorable event activations and intentional on-site experiences. That’s the thinking behind The Merch Collection, Grossman’s latest lookbook built to help marketers rethink how branded merchandise, tradeshow giveaways, and experiential moments come together.

This isn’t a list of one-size-fits-all items. It’s a curated collection of promotional products inspired by retail trends, corporate gifting insights, and high-impact giveaways designed to live beyond the booth. If your team is preparing for upcoming tradeshows, conferences, pop-ups, or brand activations, this lookbook is a practical starting point for ideas that attract attention and extend engagement long after the event ends.

Why Branded Merchandise Matters More at Events

Today’s audiences expect interaction, not interruption. The most effective branded merchandise supports the experience itself; inviting participation, sparking curiosity, and giving attendees something useful rather than forgettable.

Inside The Merch Collection, you’ll find promotional products selected for real-world use and on-site impact. These are items that elevate event activations, enhance booth traffic, and create touchpoints that feel intentional rather than transactional. When merchandise aligns with audience and purpose, it becomes part of the story, not just a takeaway.

Trending Now in Event-Driven Promotional Products

1. The Return to Analog for Interactive Moments

As digital fatigue increases, tactile and hands-on products are rising in popularity at tradeshows and live events. Journals, puzzles, notebooks, and creative tools encourage attendees to pause, engage, and interact with your brand in a meaningful way. These analog-inspired promotional products help transform booth visits into experiences people remember.

2. Blind Box Gifting for Surprise and Buzz

The “blind box” trend is reshaping how brands approach giveaways at events. Mystery adds energy and anticipation, turning a simple product into a shareable moment. For tradeshow giveaways and on-site promotions, blind box merchandising drives repeat visits, social content, and increased perceived value, all while keeping your booth top of mind.

3. Drinkware That Extends the Experience

Drinkware remains one of the most effective categories in branded merchandise because it transitions seamlessly from event floor to everyday life. Retail-inspired silhouettes, premium finishes, and sustainable materials elevate this category from standard swag to lasting brand visibility. When integrated into event activations, drinkware becomes both functional and memorable.

From Swag to Experiential Strategy

The strongest promotional products programs no longer focus on volume alone; they focus on value and interaction. Whether you’re designing a booth experience, launching a product, or building a multi-city activation, intentional branded merchandise helps your brand rise above the noise of traditional swag.

The Merch Collection was created to support marketers with ideas for every budget and every objective, from subtle brand touches that complement printed materials to bold centerpiece items that anchor an activation. Each product is chosen to align with modern retail expectations while supporting real-world tradeshow and event needs.

Explore The Merch Collection

If you’re planning upcoming event activations, searching for high-impact promotional products, or refreshing your tradeshow giveaways, The Merch Collection offers a curated starting point. Inside, you’ll find branded merchandise shaped by retail inspiration, corporate gifting strategy, and live-event insight, all designed to help your brand create on-site experiences that are remembered, photographed, and talked about long after the doors close.

Because the best swag doesn’t just get handed out.
It gets interacted with, kept, and carried forward.

Let's launch your brand and create breakthrough, innovative gifting this year!