Tchotchke (trade show giveaway)

What is a tchotchke?

The literal definition of a tchotchke (pronounced choch-key) is a small miscellaneous item or an object that is more decorative than having any actual or meaningful function.

Where does the word tchotchke come from?

The word tchotchke comes from the Slavic languages of Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus. It can be translated into the English phrase trinket. Over time, people of Jewish ancestry accepted it into the Yiddish language as tshatshke, which has the same meaning as tchotchke.

Tchotchke’s use today

In trade show and exhibitor management, tchotchkes are items given out by exhibitors to trade show, conference, or expo attendees who stop by their booth.

How do you spell tchotchke?

Tchotchke is one of those old-world words that is easily misspelled. The plural of tchotchke is tchotchkes. “He bought 500 tchotchkes to give away at the upcoming business conference.”

I’ve seen the word spelled as tchochke (pretty close), tchotcke, tchotke, tchotski, tchotchke, tchotcha, chochkee, chochsky, chotchki, tchatchki, chotchsky, and even chatchski.

If you’re using the term tchotchke in a marketing report or email to your business colleagues or your boss and you’re unsure whether they know what a tchotchke is, you can use terms like:

• giveaways

• promotional items

• trade show giveaways

• corporate event giveaways

• promotional event giveaways

• or event giveaways

Why do we in the event industry still use the term tchotchke when we could say giveaway? I don’t know exactly. But it’s a term that is well established in the world of trade shows and corporate events.

What’s another word for tchotchke?

As mentioned above, the word tchotchke is well-known among marketing professionals and in conference circles. You may also hear people refer to these items as:

• promotional products

• swag

• knick-knack

• bauble

• or souvenir

Types of promotional event giveaways

Promotional event giveaways can include everything from inexpensive plastic pens that cost a few cents each to name-brand golf supplies, high-end wireless earbuds, or a chef’s knife set given to a select few individuals with whom you hope to close a large sales deal.

Some best-selling promotional event giveaway items include:

It’s common for trade show exhibitors to give away promotional items with different associated values. Inexpensive and easily shippable items like pens or reusable shopping bags are often given to all booth visitors. A more expensive item like wireless earbuds or a smart speaker is given only to a select group of booth visitors who:

• are deemed to be sales qualified

• demonstrate a certain level of interest in the exhibitor’s products

• or set up a formal meeting with the exhibitor

Promotional products companies near me

Companies that sell tchotchkes and other promotional event giveaways have locations across the United States. They vary in size, from small local custom t-shirt shops to large national distributors, with tens of thousands of products for you to choose from.

I hear you saying, “This is great. I need to buy a selection of inexpensive trade show knick-knacks and a few higher-end corporate event giveaways. Where can I get them?”

Well, it would be impossible for me to list all the promotional product companies in your area (especially since I don’t know where you work). So, here’s a suggestion for finding local promotional products businesses that you may want to visit in person and can develop a personal relationship with.

Search online using terms like:

• promotional products companies near me

• promotional products companies in Texas (if you want to search across your state)

• promotional product companies in Los Angeles (if you’re located in a large metropolitan area and want to expand your reach beyond your neighborhood)

Your search engine may automatically display some businesses in your area based upon your location. Try:

• promotional products suppliers

• companies that sell promotional items

• giveaway items for trade shows

• giveaway items for events

Large national promotional products companies

There are also large national promotional products companies that sell across the United States and offer a seemingly unlimited selection of giveaways. Here is a sample of some of the largest companies in the promotional products business.

I’m not endorsing any of these companies. I’m just offering them to you as a starting point. If you’re starting your search for tchotchkes and want to get a feel for the types of products available for branding with your company name, logo, and URL, you may want to consider: