Brandtoberfest returned to Green Bay Distillery for year two, and this year’s event gave us plenty to celebrate.
One of the biggest highlights was the number of new faces in the room. We saw a strong mix of returning attendees and people experiencing Brandtoberfest for the first time, which gave the afternoon a fresh energy from the start. That is exactly what we hoped to create: an event where local business professionals could step away from the usual workday, meet people they might not normally cross paths with and come away with new ideas for their own organizations.
Between the supplier displays, free professional headshots, food, drinks, music, swag bags and plenty of branded merchandise, there was a lot happening throughout the afternoon. The free Brandtoberfest T-shirts were especially popular, but some of the best parts of the event came from the conversations happening around all of it.
Brandtoberfest is ultimately about creating an environment where people can discover new promotional ideas, talk directly with suppliers, network with other local business professionals, and leave with something useful to bring back to their own company. Based on the turnout, conversations and energy in the room, year two delivered on that goal.
A Strong Turnout with Plenty of New Attendees
Seeing so many first-time Brandtoberfest attendees was one of the most encouraging parts of year two.
The event has grown quickly from the inaugural Brandtoberfest in 2025, and it was great to see more local business professionals, marketers and organizational leaders come through the doors this time around. Some people arrived with specific promotional product ideas in mind. Others came to see what was out there, meet people and spend a Friday afternoon outside the normal office routine.
That variety created exactly the kind of atmosphere we wanted.
There was no shortage of people asking questions, comparing ideas and talking through upcoming marketing needs. Attendees had the chance to meet suppliers directly, talk with the BPM team and spend time with other local professionals who are working through many of the same branding and marketing challenges.
A good business event should leave you with more than a stack of business cards, and Brandtoberfest gave attendees plenty of opportunities to walk away with useful ideas, new professional relationships and plenty of creative giveaways along the way.
The Conversations Were One of the Best Parts
Promotional merchandise may have been the visual centerpiece of Brandtoberfest, but the conversations happening around the room were just as valuable.
When you put suppliers, marketers, business owners and other professionals in the same space, ideas tend to move pretty quickly. One conversation about an apparel item can turn into a discussion about an employee recognition program. A piece of drinkware can spark an idea for a customer gift. Seeing what another company is considering may give you a completely different angle for your next campaign.
That kind of back-and-forth is difficult to recreate through email or an online catalog.
Attendees could ask suppliers about product quality, decoration methods, apparel fit, trending merchandise and other considerations that can make a big difference when it is time to place an order. They could also talk directly with the BPM team about where different products might fit into a broader campaign or event strategy.
Some of the best ideas come from getting people in the same room and giving them enough space to talk through possibilities. Brandtoberfest delivered plenty of that.
Promotional Products You Could Actually Experience
One of the main reasons we started Brandtoberfest was to give people a chance to see promotional merchandise in person.
There is only so much you can learn from a small product image on a screen. Seeing an item firsthand lets you evaluate the material, weight, fit and overall quality before deciding whether it represents your company the way you want it to.
Our suppliers brought a wide range of promotional products for attendees to explore, giving people the chance to compare different options and discover merchandise they may not have come across on their own.
That hands-on experience can be especially helpful when you are planning customer gifts, company apparel, trade show giveaways, employee programs or other larger orders where quality matters.
The products also gave everyone something easy to talk about. Pick something up, ask a question and suddenly you are discussing an idea for your next event or campaign.
That is exactly the kind of marketing inspiration we hoped Brandtoberfest would create.
Jake Kept Busy with Professional Headshots
Another popular feature this year was the free professional headshot station.
Jake spent a good portion of the afternoon behind the camera helping attendees update their professional photos. For anyone still using a LinkedIn picture from several jobs, haircuts or glasses prescriptions ago, the timing was pretty good.
Professional headshots are one of those things people know they should update but often keep pushing down the to-do list. Brandtoberfest made it easy to take care of that while attendees were already out meeting people and representing their companies.
A polished, current photo can be used across LinkedIn, company websites, email signatures, speaker bios and plenty of other professional materials. It was great to see so many people take advantage of the opportunity.
And Jake deserves credit for keeping the headshot station moving while still making sure people walked away with something they were excited to use.
Apparently Everyone Likes a Free T-Shirt
We knew the free Brandtoberfest T-shirts would be popular. After all, this particular tee is one of our personal favorites, so we already knew how good it looks and feels.
Even so, we may have underestimated just how popular they would be.
People seemed genuinely jazzed about getting their hands on one, which is always a good reminder of what the right promotional product can accomplish. A useful, wearable item with a good design has a much better chance of sticking around than something destined for the back of a desk drawer.
The shirts also reinforced one of the ideas we talk about with clients all the time. Promotional merchandise works best when people actually want the product.
A logo alone does not make an item valuable. The product itself still needs to look good, feel good and make sense for the people receiving it.
Based on the reaction at Brandtoberfest, the shirts passed the test.
The Swag Bags Were a Hit Too
Of course, the T-shirts were not the only things leaving Green Bay Distillery with attendees.
Our Brandtoberfest swag bags were another popular part of the afternoon and gave everyone a few more examples of what thoughtful promotional merchandise can look like.
A good swag bag should feel like someone actually considered what went into it. The products should be useful, relevant and worth taking home. That is the same approach we encourage clients to take when planning their own events, employee programs or customer giveaways.
Throwing a bunch of random branded items into a bag is easy. Curating products that people will remember and continue using takes more thought.
The reaction to this year’s swag was another reminder that attendees notice the difference.
Thank You to Everyone Who Made Year Two a Success
Brandtoberfest would not happen without the people who show up and make the afternoon what it is.
A special thank you goes to Green Bay Distillery for welcoming Brandtoberfest back for a second year. With views of Lambeau Field, plenty of room to gather and a food spread that fit right in with our Oktoberfest-inspired theme, it was the perfect setting for the event. Their team is always wonderful to work with, and their hospitality helped make Brandtoberfest such an enjoyable experience for everyone who joined us.
Our suppliers also played a big part in making the day a success, bringing great products, answering questions and helping attendees explore new ideas. And, of course, we’re thankful for everyone who came through the doors, especially the many first-time attendees who gave year two such a strong turnout.
We also appreciate everyone who stopped to talk with the BPM team, got a headshot, grabbed a shirt, picked up a swag bag and spent some time exploring the displays.
The goal of Brandtoberfest has always been to create an event where people can discover something new and enjoy themselves while doing it. Based on what we saw this year, we think we are onto something.
Keep the Momentum Going with a Special T-Shirt Offer
Brandtoberfest may be over for this year, but if the event got you thinking about your own company apparel, employee appreciation program or upcoming event, we have a special offer worth considering.
Separate from the shirts handed out at Brandtoberfest, BPM is currently offering special pricing on Port & Company Easy Cotton Tees from a different supplier. The offer is 144 shirts for $6.50 each, available in sizes S through XL with a one-color print in one location. These are 4.3-ounce, 100% cotton tees with a tear-away label and other comfort-focused features.
This offer is a practical option for businesses that need branded shirts in quantity for company outings, employee appreciation events, customer giveaways, volunteer programs, trade shows or other promotional needs. Ordering a larger run gives you an easy way to keep branded apparel on hand while taking advantage of the special pricing.
If your company has an event coming up or you have been thinking about refreshing your branded shirts, now is a good time to get the order moving. Orders must be placed by October 31 to take advantage of the special pricing.
For details or to place an order, contact Gail Cheney at 203-577-9279 or gail@baerpm.com.
