Top 10 Merchandise Ideas for Victorian Careers & Employment Expo 2026

The Victorian Careers & Employment Expo 2026 is one of the most important events for organizations looking to connect with students, job seekers, graduates, and career changers. With hundreds of exhibitors competing for attention, your booth design matters, but your merchandise often makes the lasting impression.

The right promotional items don’t just attract visitors. They help start conversations, reinforce your employer brand, and keep your organization top of mind long after the expo ends.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top 10 merchandise ideas that work best for careers and employment expos. More importantly, we’ll explain why each item works, who it’s best for, and how to use it strategically, so your investment delivers real results.

Table of Contents:

• Why Merchandise Matters at a Careers & Employment Expo
• 1. Branded Notebooks and Journals
• 2. Custom Printed Pens (That Don’t Feel Cheap)
• 3. Tote Bags for Carrying the Expo (and Your Brand)
• 4. USB Flash Drives (Pre-Loaded with Career Resources)
• 5. Reusable Water Bottles
• 6. Lanyards with Practical Add-Ons
• 7. Tech Accessories (Phone-First Audience)
• 8. Resume Folders and Document Holders
• 9. Sticky Notes and Desk Essentials
• 10. Eco-Friendly Merchandise with Purpose
• How to Choose the Right Merchandise for Your Booth
• Final Thoughts: Make Your Brand Memorable

Why Merchandise Matters at a Careers & Employment Expo

Before choosing products, it’s important to understand your audience. At the Victorian Careers & Employment Expo, you’ll likely meet:

• High school and university students

• Graduates and early career professionals

• Job seekers exploring new industries

• Parents, educators, and career advisors

This audience values items that are useful, practical, and relevant to career development. Flashy giveaways rarely work here. Instead, successful exhibitors focus on products that fit naturally into daily study, work, or job-search routines.

When done right, your merchandise becomes a branding tool, conversation starter, and reminder of your organization, all in one.

1. Branded Notebooks and Journals

Notebooks remain one of the most effective giveaways at careers expos, and for good reason.

Students and job seekers constantly take notes, whether they’re attending talks, updating resumes, or preparing for interviews. A high-quality notebook offers immediate value and long-term brand exposure.

Why it works:

• Used daily at uni, TAFE, or work

• Large branding area for your logo and message

• Affordable for bulk orders

Pro tip:

Add a short message inside the cover, such as “Your career starts here” or “Take notes, take action.” This small detail adds meaning without extra cost.

2. Custom Printed Pens (That Don’t Feel Cheap)

Pens are everywhere at expos, but not all pens are equal.

Low quality pens often end up in the bin. However, smooth writing, comfortable pens stay on desks for months. When your brand is printed on something people use daily, you win repeated exposure.

Why it works:

• Essential for resumes, applications, and interviews

• Budget friendly with high ROI

• Easy to pair with notebooks or flyers

Best choice:

Soft touch pens or metal pens feel more premium and reflect professionalism, ideal for employer branding.

3. Tote Bags for Carrying the Expo (and Your Brand)

Career expos generate a lot of paper, brochures, course guides, flyers, and freebies. That’s why tote bags are one of the most powerful promotional items at these events.

If attendees receive your tote bag early, they’ll carry it all day, turning your logo into a walking advertisement.

Why it works:

• High visibility throughout the event

• Reusable long after the expo

• Appeals to eco-conscious audiences

Best approach:

Choose neutral colors with clean branding so people actually reuse the bag for uni, shopping, or work.

4. USB Flash Drives (Pre-Loaded with Career Resources)

Digital resources matter at careers expos, and USB flash drives offer a smart way to deliver them.

You can pre-load USBs with:

• Company profiles

• Graduate program details

• Application links

• Internship guides

• QR codes to your careers page

Why it works:

• Combines physical and digital marketing

• Feels valuable and tech-savvy

• Keeps your content easily accessible

Important note:

Make sure the USB design is clean and professional, this reflects your organization’s credibility.

5. Reusable Water Bottles

Career expos are busy and often run all day. As a result, reusable water bottles are highly appreciated by attendees.

They also align well with sustainability values, which resonate strongly with students and younger job seekers.

Why it works:

• High perceived value

• Long-term brand exposure

• Supports health and sustainability messaging

Branding tip:

Keep branding subtle and modern. Minimalist designs increase the chance of daily use.

6. Lanyards with Practical Add-Ons

Lanyards might seem simple, but at careers expos, they’re extremely practical, especially when paired with ID holders or card sleeves.

Attendees often collect name tags, passes, or notes, making lanyards useful throughout the day.

Why it works:

• Worn all day at the event

• Highly visible branding

• Cost-effective for bulk distribution

Extra value:

Add a QR code linking to your careers page or LinkedIn profile to bridge offline and online engagement.

7. Tech Accessories (Phone-First Audience)

Students and job seekers rely heavily on their phones. That’s why branded tech accessories consistently perform well at careers expos.

Top options include:

• Phone stands

• Charging cables

• Cable organizers

• Webcam covers

Why it works:

• Fits naturally into daily routines

• Appeals across all age groups

• Reinforces a modern, innovative brand image

Best use:

Choose one high-quality tech item rather than several low-quality ones. Quality always wins.

8. Resume Folders and Document Holders

Job seekers often carry printed resumes, certificates, and notes. A branded resume folder helps keep these documents organized, and keeps your brand visible during interviews.

Why it works:

• Directly relevant to job searching

• Professional and practical

• Positions your organization as career-focused

Ideal for:

Employers, recruitment agencies, universities, training providers, and government organizations.

9. Sticky Notes and Desk Essentials

Small desk items may seem minor, but they offer surprising longevity.

Sticky notes, rulers, mouse pads, and desk calendars stay in view for months, reinforcing brand recall over time.

Why it works:

• Used daily

• Low cost per unit

• Strong brand reinforcement

Smart branding:

Use subtle colors and clean layouts to avoid visual clutter.

10. Eco-Friendly Merchandise with Purpose

Sustainability matters, especially to students and younger professionals. Eco-friendly merchandise sends a strong message about your values.

Popular options include:

• Recycled notebooks

• Bamboo pens

• Cotton tote bags

• Wheat-straw stationery

Why it works:

• Aligns with social responsibility values

• Enhances employer brand perception

• Encourages positive brand associations

Key takeaway:

Eco products work best when paired with a short message explaining their sustainable impact.

How to Choose the Right Merchandise for Your Booth

To maximize impact at the Victorian Careers & Employment Expo 2026, ask yourself:

1. Who is my primary audience?

2. Will this item be used after the event?

3. Does it reflect our employer brand and values?

4. Is the quality aligned with how we want to be perceived?

Rather than ordering everything, choose 2 - 4 strong items that support your recruitment goals.

Final Thoughts: Make Your Brand Memorable

At a careers expo, conversations are short, but impressions last. The right merchandise helps your organization stay visible, relevant, and remembered.

By choosing useful, professional, and audience-focused promotional items, you don’t just attract visitors to your booth. You build familiarity, trust, and interest that can lead to applications, interviews, and future hires.

If you’re preparing for the Victorian Careers & Employment Expo 2026, now is the perfect time to plan your merchandise strategy early, and make every item work harder for your brand.