14/10/2026
In 1893, Heinz got the worst spot at the Chicago World's Fair: the second floor, where nobody went.
They didn't argue with the organizers. They printed little tickets that looked like baggage checks — "Show this upstairs for a free souvenir" — and scattered them all over the fairgrounds.
The souvenir was a tiny pickle pin. They gave away about a million. Police had to be called, and the floor had to be reinforced.
Two rules we still use at every expo:
1. An invitation beats a location.
2. The giveaway should be small, a bit odd, and worth keeping.
What's the best booth giveaway you've ever kept?