A now regular feature and attendee favorite of the NVNR Conference, the Store Swag Swap invites bookstores to bring some of their store-branded merchandise to put on a display table in the conference lobby. Stores are encouraged to show off their creative (and clever, and funny) side: from bookmarks and book totes to puzzles, ball caps, candles, t-shirts, coffee cups, buttons, pins, and shot glasses. Stickers and pins have been surprisingly popular and often fine their way onto attendee badges.
Stores that want to participate in the 2025 Swag Swap should check their inventory levels now, and make sure there is enough stock to bring some to the show. Here are some FAQs about participating:
Do stores have to sign up to participate?
No! Just bring the items they want to add to the swap.
Does it have to be store-branded merchandise?
The items have to be store-branded or store-created. Stores that sell their own lines of candles, soap, or other gift lines can include them. But NVNR recommends that anything added to the swap has a card or sticker saying where it came from.
How many items should stores bring?
As many or as few as they would like and is within their budget. The point of the swag swap is to give bookstores a chance to have a few people walking around the show wearing their merchandise, while returning the favor by doing the same. Table space does fill up, so booksellers often bring enough items to replenish their display if needed.
What happens to the merchandise when the show is over?
Stores can reclaim any leftover items from the table when they leave. Leftover items that are not reclaimed are given away or recycled.