Texas boasts the largest state fair with an estimated annual attendance of 3,000,000. The largest paid state fair is in Minnesota, which drew nearly 1.8 million visitors in 2010.

These attendance numbers add up to one thing for those in the advertising specialty industry: extra eyes on your brand. State fairs represent an extraordinary opportunity for the advertising specialty industry. While Texas and Minnesota win the blue ribbon attendance prizes, state fairs all around the country attract people in droves. Attendees are ripe for a good time — and for free goodies!

Why not consider capitalizing on the throngs of fun-seeking fairgoers with a branded promotional product? Give away highly coveted beads, and you’ll have fairgoers asking each other, “Where did you get that?” Offer branded drawstring backpacks and your logo will be loud, clear and mobile as fairgoers carry your backpack around all day.

Consider these additional “fair-ready” promotional product ideas:

• Spirit stix (perfect for a concert at the fair!)
• Beads with the optional addition of an attached sample cup
• Hats
• Novelty headwear
• Wigs
• Light-up buttons

Why bother? A recent recent report published by ScanLife, estimates that 30-40% of all smart phone users have, at one time, downloaded a bar code scanning application. Another stat for you, there was a 1,600% increase in mobile bar code scanning in 2010. QR is mainstreaming fast and has become a powerful marketing tool.

Many times we think we have a great idea and fail to test. See the Content Marketing Institute article for some great examples of good promotional ideas gone wrong. QR is a powerful tool and can be used really effectively with promotional products – the right promotional products.

1. Flat = Legibility
Make sure the QR code will be displayed flat, not with folds or bumps that can compromise a QR code reader and impact the effectiveness of your campaign.

2. Destination Insurance 
Add a printed message as an alternative for those who need it. While this technology is mainstreaming, it is still new to some.

3. Test, Test, Test!
Make sure the sample works with the widest variety of phones/readers to ensure that the code can be easily read.

Friendly competition has always been a part of the company picnic. Sack and three-legged races, egg drop relays, arm wrestling . . . I have fond memories of these not too serious activities. Why not go all out on the sports taligating theme?

Whether you choose pro or school team colors, company colors, or completely random color association by division, team color themed picnics can underscore friendly rivalry and a sense of team. Bonding is what its all about – right?

How to execute? Try decorated sports promotional products like pom poms, spirit sticks, or cowbells (see our previous post on noisemakers) as a way to get employees on the sidelines to engage.

For the more adventurous, sponsor a corporate facepainting contest. The individual or team who best represents the company logo/colors in their design wins.

Wigs or novelty headwear like logo head boppers, can be used to create a sense of whimsy. Picnics are about relaxation and a break from the boardroom. Silly stuff breaks the ice and can help bridge the gap between divisions.

High value prizes like titanium ionic necklaces in company colors or custom designed titanium ionic necklaces with company logos are great to reward participants.

Small give-aways can be tucked in to custom drawstring jersey backpacks to further underscore the team color theme. The bag itself is useful and will be used outside of the event – further showing solidarity with the company after the main event is over.

Retention rates for promotional products are very high and people do use them in everyday life. See my previous blog post for some real life “open your purse” moments underscoring the power of promotional products.

Welcome to a new series of posts about promotional product trends. It is a series that focuses on unscripted interviews, real people, and thier opinions about promotional products. The short video clips are connected to data points that underscore the conversation. Hopefully this is a more entertaining way to get the point across. The video technique needs work, but I think the concept is sound.

A special thanks to my friends Nancy, Kelly, and Mary who allowed me to torture them with a video camera in a public place, while we were eating.

The data used in this post has been gleaned from the ASI Advertising Specialties Impressions Study, released in November of 2008.

Let me know what you think of the new format.

Linda Whitteaker-Hanson