6 Ways Our Clients Reuse Leftover Event Merch

If you’ve hosted or exhibited at a trade show, leftover merch is likely one of the things you have to pack up after the event ends. That doesn’t mean you ordered too much. If you order too little, you could run out before the event is over, and nobody wants that. In this blog, we’ll share six ways to reuse the giveaways, based on what worked for our clients and us.

First, Sort What You Have

Before deciding what to do with leftovers, sort them by branding. This makes it easier to see how to reuse each item.

That’s why I always suggest to clients I’ve worked with to print only their logos on the merch because it’s easier to stock and reuse them for upcoming events.

Staff Welcome Packs

If you are left with 50 notebooks or bottles after an event, put them in welcome packs. This saves you from ordering separate onboarding items and helps use up leftover stock during the year.

• Best for: evergreen desk items and drinkware
• Tip: Add a handwritten welcome card so the pack feels thoughtful, not just like leftover items.

Sales Meeting Leave-Behinds

If you’re pitching a proposal to a client or have client meetings in your office, having a few notebooks ready to hand out is helpful. For Katherine Durham, one of our account managers, aside from the typical meeting essentials, having sweets like chocolates or mint tins ready during meetings helps.

• Best for: mid-range products with a premium feel
• Tip: Tell your team which items work best for different client types.

Donations to Charities and Community Groups

Many clients donate extra items to local charities, schools, sports clubs, and shelters. Useful items like drink bottles, caps, umbrellas, and clothing are usually the most appreciated. I always suggest products that will still be useful to a community group afterwards, not just on the day. Before donating, it’s worth checking a few things:

• Cover or remove any event dates or branding that could confuse recipients.
• Ask the organisation what it really needs before you deliver any boxes.
• Keep a list of what you donate for your own records.

Customer Thank-You Gifts

Bundle evergreen merchandise into small thank-you gifts for recent customers, referrers, or long-term clients. Pair a drink bottle with a coffee voucher, or a notebook with a handwritten note, and leftover stock becomes a way to connect.

• Best for: items that feel personal and practical
• Tip: Send thank-you gifts in batches after big projects, rather than all at once.

Your Next Event

Sometimes the simplest option is best. If your leftover items are evergreen and still in good condition, use them at your next trade show, community event, or open house. This lets you place a smaller order next time.

Mary Aguirre Cruz, one of our account managers who works with many conference and corporate event clients, suggests keeping a running tally. “If we know what’s left from the last event, we can recommend a smaller top-up and put more of the budget into one standout item,” she says.

Internal Recognition and Team Days

Extra clothing, outdoor gear, and higher-value items make great prizes for staff milestones, wellness days, team trivia, or end-of-year parties. Employees appreciate them, and your brand stays visible both at work and on weekends.

• Best for: higher-value items and apparel in available sizes
• Tip: Use unusual sizes and colours for these prizes, since exact matches aren’t as important.

Matching Leftovers to the Right Reuse

The table below sums it up, showing where common leftover items are usually put to best use.

Plan for Leftovers Before You Order

When you talk to your account manager, share:

• Your expected attendance, with a realistic low and high estimate
• Whether part of the range can carry evergreen branding
• Known future uses, such as onboarding or client gifting
• Organisations you already support that could take any surplus.

Leftovers aren’t wasted money if you already know where they’ll go. With a little planning, the box you bring back from the expo can become next quarter’s welcome packs, a thank-you for a sponsor, or a donation to a local club.