RIMS swag 2015: Highlights from the exhibit floor's free offerings

The exhibit floor at RIMS is one of the most exciting parts of the conference. It gives attendees the chance to meet with specific companies and learn firsthand what each one is all about. Speaking to individuals from other companies in person forges stronger relationships and helps risk professional get a better understanding of the industry and its many facets.

Also, you get free stuff.

"Swag," as it's known, is a fun way to stand out at such a large conference. If your swag is memorable, you're doing RIMS networking right.

Here are some examples of our favorite RIMS 2015 swag. Is there something we missed? Let us know your favorite swag from RIMS 2015 in the comments below or @PC_360.

Well, first of all, you need a bag to carry all that swag in. This year's collectible Bermuda bag came in black and gold, the color of the New Orleans Saints football team. Vericlaim's New Orleans jazz-themed bags came in a variety of colors and with different handles. Which bag from the show was your favorite?

Maurice "Hank" Greenberg's Starr Companies gave away these cool chalkboard mugs with chalk sticks inside that you could use to write on the mugs (see picture on first page).

Lip balms are common conference giveaways, but FM Global stepped it up a notch by giving away the popular egg-shaped eos brand lip balm. Yes, this went into my purse immediately.

Pie Consulting & Engineering went with a fun and different tool fitting to the company's name: A pizza and pie cutter.

Zurich's giant canes filled with candy were seen all over the exhibit hall.

Arthur J. Gallagher allowed attendees to take a taste of Louisiana home by giving out bottles of Louisiana hot sauce.

New Orleans is a party city, and Argo Group came prepared with these handy hangover -- or headache! -- kits.

In lieu of giving out swag, Interstate Restoration made a donation to charity every time the QR code on attendees' RIMS badges were scanned. At the company's booth, an artist used LEGOs to create a scene of Bourbon Street being restored after Hurricane Katrina.

Blast from the past: Affiliated FM gave out Pocket Etch A Sketch toys at its booth.

SC Captive Insurance's golf balls and tees were a great piece of swag for those of us in the insurance industry who love golf.

Care to take a risk? If you picked up a pack of playing cards from Towers Watson, you can press your luck in a game of blackjack. Or, stay on the safe side and play solitaire. You're a risk professional; you know best!

Power banks are always a great giveaway, since the more the phones are capable of doing the less their batteries are able to provide enough power. Did you stop by the National Underwriter/PC360 booth for one of ours?

A few companies, including Munich Re, gave out handy card holders that adhere to the back of cell phones. Perfect for storing business cards in while walking around the exhibit hall at RIMS!

Companies like Skopenow and Frasco Investigative Services gave out hand sanitizer spray, good for use before all the hand-shaking at RIMS.

It could be the writers in us, but we loved these sturdy and attractive notebooks from BrokersLink.

What was your favorite swag from RIMS 2015? Let us know in the comments below or @PC_360.

See you next year!