As a planner, you have decisions to make that you know will impact organizational relationships, and it’s your mission to make the right choice in the gifting process.

Here are our suggestions of the essentials to consider when selecting your gift experiences. Not only will these factors help secure positive memories for the recipients, but they will also make your job easier.

1. A true brand experience

Attendees who are expertly guided by employees of a quality brand are getting personal attention from highly trained individuals who give expert advice — not only the product itself, but also the repair and warranty information. It is important to have a positive experience and for the vendor to help take responsibility for executing everything for your gift process from start to finish. 

2. Broad and lasting appeal

It’s true that highly personalized incentive gifts can leave great impressions. Consider what your recipients will use in their day-to-day life; can reach all age ranges, lifestyle choices and demographics; and will solidify a positive memory of your event.  

3. Time vs. money

Ask yourself “how much is my time worth?” Quality gift vendors make your event planning and execution a smooth and streamlined process. More than likely, you want a vendor that is easy to work with and has extensive knowledge about what information is needed in advance to execute things in a timely and organized manner.

4. Calculating true costs

Consider a few factors when calculating your expenses for an event, including travel costs for staff, shipping duties and tax estimates, cancellation fees, processing, and billing for drop shipments and add-on orders. These are important factors to look at, as every vendor may have different stipulations.

5. Inventory considerations

As you are seeking a rewarding, memorable experience for your event, product and inventory can play a strong role. It’s important to be aware of how vendors manage inventory for events. Some gift vendors are the manufacturer themselves and handle their products. Other vendors order from a manufacturer or another supplier and then manage their own inventory levels. In these situations, it’s common that they won’t have access to the latest styles and are tasked with clearing overstock or discontinued items.

6. International destinations

Exciting destinations can often come with complicated logistics. Reputable vendors will have close relationships with local brokers to give you reliable estimates for shipping, duties, and taxes. An experienced gift vendor will know how to properly supply the event with the right amount of product to avoid shipping excessive product and wasting your dollars.

7. Minimums & maximums

Your experience shouldn’t be limited by suppliers’ requirements. A true partner will be flexible to meet your needs with an outstanding experience. A gift vendor that is the manufacturer has the inventory and can accurately predict or make future orders as necessary. A vendor that must work with a fulfillment house may have troubles accessing that amount of inventory without asking for a substantial deposit to cover their costs.

Maui Jim Corporate Gifts https://mauijimcorporategifts.com/