Forget-me-nots
Finding the perfect pillow gift for that special someone--your attendee--isn't easy

Suzie Amer

MAY 01, 2004 -- Call them tchotchkes, souvenirs, or pillow gifts; they're becoming more popular at meetings--from trade shows to incentives. "People are focusing more than ever on these gifts as part of their programs," says Mark Bernstein, merchandiser in the recognition and promotion products division of Minneapolis, MN-based Carlson Marketing Group. A March survey of 160 Successful Meetings readers found that approximately 70 percent of all planners use pillow gifts and promotional teasers at their events.

"One of the most well-received gifts we gave at an incentive trip last year was a high quality silver frame with a photo of each couple taken just a few hours earlier as they arrived at an off-site location," says Zwart. "The attendees were blown away by our ability to take, print, and frame the photo and place it in their rooms before they returned." Although this gift was relatively inexpensive, Zwart says, it was by far the most talked about one during the trip. And attendees always have the option to change the photo in the frame when they return from the trip.