As we move further away from the virtual-only days of 2020, in-person events are making a strong comeback. In fact, 60% of executives now consider events the most important marketing channel for reaching their business goals, according to a Marketsplash study — and in 2025, those events are happening face to face.
But success isn’t just about showing up. It’s about creating an experience that’s both meaningful and memorable. That’s where thoughtful, well-executed corporate event gifting comes in. Whether you're hosting a major conference or a small offsite, the right gifts can elevate your brand, make attendees feel genuinely appreciated, and stand out in a way that forgettable swag never could. Pair intentional gifting with a great event, and you’ve got something people will remember long after it’s over.
5 Key Trends in Corporate and Event Gifting for 2025
In 2025, say goodbye to the generic, forgettable branded merchandise of years past. Today’s best corporate gifting trends lean toward meaningful, useful, wellness-forward, and sustainably sourced gifts — especially those made in the USA and crafted by artisans. These are the gifts your attendees will actually want to keep after the event is over.
1. Meaningful Gifts with a Personal Touch
Gifting can feel like one more thing on your never-ending to-do list as an event planner or coordinator. However, when it’s done well, it becomes a powerful tool for building connections. Custom gifts that speak to your attendees’ values or interests have a more significant impact than surface-level swag ever could.
A great example? When Crunchy Roll hosted an executive retreat at Carmel Valley Ranch, they chose gifts that reflected their brand’s personality while celebrating California’s artisan culture. From anime-inspired chocolate bars to eco-friendly bags, their selections became a memorable part of the retreat experience. (More on that below.)
2. Practical and Useful Gifts
Attendees appreciate gifts they can actually use — and in 2025, practical corporate gifts are more relevant than ever. With people returning to busy travel schedules and packed agendas, event gift ideas that offer real utility will always win over items that just take up space.
Whether it’s a sleek notebook for jotting down ideas during a training session, a reusable water bottle that keeps drinks cold throughout a full day of panels, or a collection of artisan snacks that provide an energy boost between meetings, useful event giveaways help your brand stay present in attendees’ daily routines.
3. Artisan-Sourced and Made in the USA
There’s a major shift happening toward gifts that are artisan-made and domestically sourced. Choosing Made in the USA gifts not only supports local economies, but also offers a layer of quality, reliability, and safety your recipients can trust.
Best of all, artisan gifting typically results in higher-quality, more meaningful items. It also allows you to align with the values your brand and attendees care about, whether that’s supporting BIPOC-owned businesses, LGBTQ+ makers, or women-led companies.
4. Wellness-Focused Gifting
With rising awareness of mental health and employee wellbeing, wellness-focused gifting is having a big moment. Think herbal teas, calming candles, aromatherapy rollers, and other items that support mindfulness and relaxation. These gifts show attendees you care, and not just about their presence at your event, but about their whole-person wellness.
5. Sustainable and Impactful
Choosing reusable, recyclable, or low-waste gifts (many of which are also artisan-made and locally sourced) shows that your brand is committed to walking the talk when it comes to environmental responsibility.
These kinds of sustainable corporate gifts resonate deeply with eco-conscious attendees, who are increasingly mindful of the impact of what they receive and consume. Whether it’s a reusable snack pouch, a biodegradable journal, or a beautifully packaged product made with natural ingredients, eco-friendly event giveaways speak volumes about your company’s values.
Gifting Platforms: Simplifying Choice, Amplifying Impact
In 2025, one trend is changing the game for corporate event gifting: gifting platforms. These digital tools make it easier than ever to offer personalization and eliminate the guesswork for both planners and recipients.
Personalized Choices for Every Attendee
With gifting platforms like Bestowe’s, event planners can offer curated options tailored to attendees’ interests and demographics, letting each person choose the item that fits them best. That little bit of personalization goes a long way in making your brand feel thoughtful and human.
Creating Ongoing Engagement Opportunities
The event might end, but your relationship with attendees doesn’t have to. Gifting platforms create a perfect post-event touchpoint, keeping your brand top-of-mind and opening the door for future engagement.
Kitting and Fulfillment for Event Gifting Made Easy
Event days can be chaotic. Don’t let gift distribution add to the stress. Bestowe handles kitting and fulfillment for event gifting from start to finish. No need for your team to manage storage, assembly, or delivery. We’ve got it covered so your attendees get a seamless, high-end experience (and your event team can breathe easy).
Reducing Waste, Embracing Sustainability
Let’s be honest: how much-branded swag ends up in the trash? Gifting platforms help eliminate waste by ensuring each gift is truly wanted. Attendees choose their own gift, which means fewer unused items — and a gifting experience that feels intentional and respectful.
A Unique Corporate Event Gifting Experience for Crunchy Roll Executives
When Crunchy Roll planned an executive retreat at Carmel Valley Ranch, they wanted to gift something beyond the ordinary. Something that reflected their innovative spirit and celebrated California's artisan culture.
Partnering with Bestowe, they crafted a gifting solution that merged Crunchy Roll’s iconic branding with handpicked, locally sourced products. The centerpiece was a custom-branded chocolate featuring beloved anime characters. Paired with an elegant, logo-embossed Royce wallet, this gift box struck the perfect balance between personalization and practicality. A travel-sized, eco-friendly gift bag from Out of the Woods added a thoughtful touch of sustainability, aligning with our shared values.
The result? A case study in how smart corporate event gifting can create a lasting emotional connection — and turn a good event into an extraordinary one.
Make Every Corporate Event Unforgettable with Bestowe
At Bestowe, we believe memorable events deserve equally memorable gifts. Whether you're hosting a corporate retreat, conference, offsite, or VIP event, our expert team can help you create a standout gifting experience.
From high-quality curation to seamless kitting and fulfillment, we take the burden off your shoulders and ensure every gift is meaningful, beautifully packaged, and delivered with care. That means less stress for your team — and more delight for your attendees.
Ready to take your conference and event gifting to the next level? Reach out to our gifting concierge and discover how we can help make your next conference or event unforgettable with our unique gifting solutions.
