The primary goal of attending a conference like last week's Benefits Selling Expo 2016 (now renamed BenefitsPRO Broker Expo) is to learn about what's new in employee benefits. A secondary goal is networking with fellow benefits professionals. But never underestimate the power of giveaways (swag) that companies have for attendees at their booths.
Did you stop by the National Underwriter booth, charge your electronic devices on the comfy chairs and pick up a complimentary power bank for your cell phone? Many booths saw great traffic for their swag — some useful, some fun.
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Here's some of our favorite swag from BSE 2016.
Fun and games
Capitalizing on the craze of coloring for adults, InfoArmor provided coloring books and colored pencils—a great alternative to working on the plane ride home.
Purchasing Power handed out decks of cards, also handy for game night, along with mints in a die-shaped tin. Lucky 7 anyone?
More fun and games
Prudential handed out blue plastic "Slinkys," while Ameritas provided golf tees and markers. The Standard gave its booth visitors fabric-covered. Squishy balls, and Unum had mini-tether balls.
Mutual of Omaha had live animals for its visitors, including a snake and an owl. As giveways, the stuffed penguin was very popular, along with Discovery Benefits' splat ball and BigBang Health's dinosaur-shaped stress reliever.
Stuffed mascots
Stuffed animals abounded in the exhibit hall, starting with MetLife's beloved Snoopy and Woodstock.
Aflac had its trademark duck, one dressed as a doctor, complete with stethoscope. Another duck was dressed as an aviator in a leather bombardier jacket wearing goggles. And visitors to the booth had an opportunity to win a 3-foot, stuffed Aflac duck (sans clothing).
Summer fun
Rounding out the offerings, GeoBlue gave attendees an opportunity to test their lung power with a beach ball designed to look like a globe. Perfect for anyone who had time to check out the pool after the conference.
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Rosalie Donlon
Rosalie Donlon is the editor in chief of ALM's insurance and tax publications, including NU Property & Casualty magazine and NU PropertyCasualty360.com. You can contact her at [email protected].
