Whistles and mustaches on a stick.
QFTAnyone who goes to an event for prizes or recognition is not doing it right. Save your chapter/event savings account for things that benefit the entire group and just hand out paper awards, titles, and accolades liberally.
That is to say, I've given out a lot of free crap to a lot of noobs over the years. I've also acted like a stinky butthole to a lot of noobs. In my experience, both strategies yield the same results - people that stick around do it because they love the game, they love the people, and they love to compete. Not because they got a free cloak and a handjob on their first day.
What are the best event prizes that you have received or seen?
Didn't Best Kobold at Chaos Wars get a bag of hair this year? That was pretty sweet.
Big Plus for responding with items that would tip the scales to bring you to an event.
No prize or token would tip the scales in making me go to an event. I like to fight and drink. That's the best prize.