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The Best and Worst Merch at TEAM Conference 2026

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About this episode

Recorded live at TEAM Conference 2026, Nitin Sharma is joined by Sunjay and Jahisha to review supplier merchandise from across the event. The trio discusses the good, bad and questionable items on display, from branded bottles and notebooks to chocolate, biltong, cupcakes, sunglasses, seeds, hats and stress cubes, evaluating what worked and what missed the mark.

The conversation covers why cheap pens and boring leaflets are no longer sufficient, which suppliers made genuine effort with their giveaways, and what makes merch actually useful. The episode provides honest feedback on event stand merchandise, highlighting the importance of story, quality and functionality, with the hosts announcing their official RecTalk merch winners.

Key takeaways

  • Suppliers must move beyond generic pens and leaflets to create memorable, functional merchandise that attendees genuinely value.
  • Quality, story and functionality are the key factors that determine whether event merchandise succeeds or fails.
  • The best merch reflects effort and brand alignment, whilst poorly chosen items damage supplier perception at events.

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