Event season always feels far away—until suddenly it’s not. The good news? A little early planning can save you time, stress, and money.
According to Exhibitor Magazine, businesses that plan events six months ahead save up to 20% on booth costs, travel, and promo. And that doesn’t even include the creative stress you avoid.
Start by mapping out your 2026 calendar. List every major event and note deadlines for booth reservations, promotional orders, and travel. Then build your promotional marketing plan around those dates. Ordering promo early ensures lower pricing, better stock availability, and more custom options. Click here for a Free copy of My Event Planner. I use it for every event we participate in!
Next, bundle your branding. If you’re ordering shirts, signage, lanyards, and giveaways—get them from the same vendor. You’ll ensure a consistent brand look across the board. And, you will likely get a better value by ordering all at once.
Review your 2025 results too: Which items people loved? Which disappeared into drawers forever? Keep what worked and replace what didn’t. And, don’t be afraid to test a new approach or consider that promotional item you have always wanted to try!
Lastly, leave a little wiggle room. Every event brings surprises—new opportunities, new needs, or last-minute additions. A flexible budget means fewer headaches.
Planning now = saving later. And walking into your events with confidence? Priceless.