Free swag draws the crowds at promotional convention

Dawn Shurmaitis, public relations manager for the Advertising Specialty Institute, covered this Mazda Protege with logoed magnets, Slinkys, dolls, pens and other promotional items. It left Monday on a 2,700-mile journey across 12 states.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

The convention was an opportunity for suppliers to pitch products to distributors, to sell them on freebies that people will snatch up, remember and, ideally, keep.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Omar Khalid of RP & Associates explains a back bar piece to a merchant at the Advertising Specialty Institute show at the Long Beach Convention Center.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

The “Hitch,” a shot glass that attaches to a mug designed by RP & Associates, is on display at the Advertising Specialty Institute convention in Long Beach.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Have you hugged a brand today? Stuffed bears were among the items on display at the promotional products convention.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

BP Brighter Promotions featured plastic ice cubes that blink in neon blue, green or pink.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Lots of goodies were being handed out at the Advertising Specialty Institute’s promotional products convention in Long Beach. But the event wasn’t open to the public.   (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)