Turn January Gloom into Brand Boom: The Impact of Branded Umbrellas for Corporate Events

As we kick off 2025, January in the UK is often characterised by grey skies, cold winds, and the kind of persistent rain that seems to go on forever. It’s the time of year when we all need a little pick-me-up, and for businesses looking to make a lasting impact in the early months of the year, this often gloomy period presents a golden opportunity. If you're looking for a way to boost your brand visibility and stand out at corporate events in the first quarter of the year, branded umbrellas are the perfect solution.

Whether it’s a trade show, a corporate retreat, or a New Year conference, branded umbrellas offer the perfect combination of practicality and visibility, making them a fantastic promotional giveaway for businesses in the UK. Not only do they provide a functional gift for event attendees, but they also offer a unique, long-lasting way to showcase your brand. In this blog, we’ll explore how UK businesses can turn the January gloom into a brand boom by using branded umbrellas at their corporate events.

Why Corporate Events in January Need Branded Umbrellas

Corporate events in the early part of the year come with their own set of challenges, including cold weather, low attendance, and the post-festive slump. However, the first few months of the year also provide a perfect opportunity for businesses to reconnect with clients, colleagues, and potential customers. It’s a fresh start, and what better way to get noticed than by offering a useful, high-quality promotional product?

In the UK, where rain is an almost constant companion, giving out branded umbrellas as part of your event promotions makes perfect sense. Not only are they incredibly practical, but they also serve as a lasting reminder of your brand. With iBrolly’s high-quality branded umbrellas, your business can stand out in the dreariness of January and ensure that your logo is noticed time and time again.

The Practicality of Branded Umbrellas as Corporate Swag

While pens, keychains, and notepads are common corporate giveaways, they don’t always leave a lasting impression. Branded umbrellas, on the other hand, are practical, durable, and likely to be used frequently—especially during the rainy months in the UK. Here’s why iBrolly umbrellas are the perfect promotional product for corporate events:

  • Weather-Proof Your Brand: In the UK, a good umbrella isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s an absolute necessity. With iBrolly umbrellas, you’re providing a high-quality, functional item that attendees can use over and over again. Whether they’re commuting to work, walking the dog, or heading to an event, your branded umbrella will be there to help them weather the storm—and to remind them of your company each time they use it.

  • Brand Exposure: One of the best things about an umbrella as a promotional giveaway is the size and visibility of the branding. With a large surface area, you can create a bold design that stands out from a distance, ensuring that your company’s name and logo are seen by a wide audience. Every time someone opens the umbrella, your brand is visible, giving you ongoing exposure.

  • Durability and Longevity: Unlike cheap giveaways that are quickly discarded, iBrolly umbrellas are made with high-quality materials designed to withstand the unpredictable British weather. These umbrellas are built to last, meaning that recipients will be likely to keep them for years, giving your brand long-term exposure. A durable umbrella won’t just be used at the event—it will continue to promote your business for months, even years, to come.

  • Functionality Equals Value: The more useful a promotional item is, the more likely it is to be appreciated—and used. A branded umbrella is something attendees will actually want, especially when it’s paired with the dreary UK weather. This makes it a thoughtful and highly valued giveaway, which increases the likelihood that recipients will remember your company in a positive light.

Perfect for Corporate Events in January

The first quarter of the year is packed with corporate events: from trade shows to conferences to team retreats, it’s the perfect time to make a strong marketing push. With iBrolly branded umbrellas, you can ensure that your brand makes a memorable impression at any of these events. Let’s look at how they can work in different contexts:

 

Trade Shows and Conferences

January is a prime time for business trade shows and industry conferences across the UK. With so many exhibitors vying for attention, it can be difficult to make your company stand out. By offering branded umbrellas as part of your promotional strategy, you can ensure that your booth or stand captures attention. Instead of the usual pens and flyers, a high-quality umbrella offers something useful and distinctive.

What’s more, umbrellas are a great conversation starter, which can help draw people to your booth and encourage them to engage with your brand. Once they have the umbrella, they’ll continue to use it, giving your business visibility long after the event. At a trade show or conference, branded umbrellas help your company stand out and stay top of mind.

 

Corporate Retreats and Team Events

Corporate retreats and team-building events in January are all about setting the tone for the year ahead. Whether you’re hosting a motivational retreat or a strategy session, giving out branded umbrellas is a great way to show your employees or clients that you care. They’re practical for keeping attendees dry during outdoor activities or breaks, and they also reinforce the idea that your company is thoughtful and well-prepared.

In addition, umbrellas are a wonderful reminder of the event itself. Every time someone uses the umbrella, they’ll be reminded of the values and goals set during the retreat or team-building day, making it a symbol of the positive start to the year ahead.

 

Product Launches or New Year Events

If your business is launching a new product or service in the first quarter of the year, a branded umbrella can be a fantastic giveaway. It creates a buzz around the launch and helps make your product memorable. A branded umbrella, when handed out to event attendees or clients, reinforces the new beginnings theme and keeps your brand visible during the crucial early months of the year.

It’s also worth noting that giving away eco-friendly branded umbrellas can align your brand with growing consumer demand for sustainable products. Many people in the UK are increasingly looking for companies that are environmentally conscious, so this is a perfect way to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability while also providing a useful gift.

How to Maximise the Impact of Branded Umbrellas

To ensure that your branded umbrellas have the greatest possible impact, here are some tips for making the most of this fantastic promotional tool:

  • Create Eye-Catching Designs: The key to effective branding is visibility. Work with iBrolly to design a striking umbrella that prominently features your company logo and colours. The more eye-catching the design, the more likely your brand will be noticed.

  • Offer Umbrellas as Premium Giveaways: To create a sense of exclusivity, offer branded umbrellas as premium giveaways. For example, they could be given to attendees who engage with your brand in some way, such as signing up for your newsletter, attending a seminar, or visiting your booth.

  • Encourage Social Media Sharing: Ask attendees to take photos with their branded umbrellas and share them on social media. You can encourage this by creating a branded hashtag or offering a prize for the best umbrella shot. This helps extend the reach of your brand beyond the event itself and generates user-generated content.

January might be grey and rainy, but it’s also the perfect time to make a strong impression at corporate events in the UK. By giving out iBrolly branded umbrellas, you can turn the January gloom into a brand boom. Not only are you offering something practical and useful, but you’re also positioning your brand as one that values quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Whether you're attending a trade show, hosting a corporate retreat, or launching a new product, branded umbrellas are a great way to ensure your business stands out from the crowd. Let 2025 be the year your brand makes an impact—rain or shine.

Next
Next

How iBrolly Umbrellas Are Helping Your Brand Go Green