Get an in-depth understanding and learn about the stories from both the sides involved in Event Sponsorship; why you need sponsorship and what your sponsors are looking for!
2. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Why Event Sponsorship is Necessary?
How Sponsors Pick an Event?
How to Get Sponsors for Your Event?
How to Make a Sponsorship Proposal?
Promote Your Sponsors with These Creative Ideas.
The Ultimate Unification: ROI, Sponsorship & Event App
How to Nurture the Relationship with Sponsors?
About the Author
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3. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
INTRODUCTION
āSponsorship? Because everyone needs a hand
sometimes.ā
According to Statista, the annual spending on event sponsorship in the year 2016 was
60.1 Billion USD and itās going to increase exponentially in the coming years, seeing the
win-win situation it facilitates for both the sponsors and sponsee.
Sponsorship is one of the most integral part of an event. And hence, as an event
professional, it is of utmost importance that you understand this empirical facet of
event planning.
Sponsorship is not only important in fueling the ļ¬nancial needs of your event but also in
getting the exposure you want. It is one of the principle weapons to enhance your event
credibility and partner with companies in your industry.
According to Event Managerās Blog report on sponsorship, 53% of event professionals
struggle to get sponsorship* because of multiple problems faced by the event industry.
Due to this, events itself are threatened sometimes.
But why this struggle and how to solve it?
This is what this ebook is all about. To solve the core problems faced by the event
professionals. Read further to know.
1
4. 1
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
WHY EVENT SPONSORSHIP
IS NECESSARY?
A common conception says that event sponsorship
is all about money and capital.But is it just
about money? Donāt be surprised!
Go ahead to ļ¬nd out why.
2
5. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
Why Event Sponsorship is necessary?
Before getting any further, ask yourself one simple question-
Why do your need Event Sponsorship?
Most people have a very common answer to this question.
Event Sponsorship is necessary for the money.
However, if you are a marketing geek, you know this is not the only thing. Marketing
experts from the world over have started recognising the importance of sponsorship as a
marketing tool. Confused? Well, letās get into the details of it to have a better picture of
the situation.
Benefits of getting an event sponsorship
Getting an event sponsorship is going to help you a lot in many ways. But for understanding it
better, let us divide these benefits into two broad categories.
1. Sponsorship for Capital
2. Sponsorship for Marketing
Sponsorship forĀ Capital
Letās start with the very obvious thing that a sponsorship brings - capital. Now, this may
be in the form of money, venue, logistics or anything at all which fulļ¬ls the ļ¬nancial
requirements of your event.
So if you get good sponsors for your event, the grandeur of your event will automatically
get enhanced. You can afford to bring in not just commodities, but even luxuries for your
event. This capital grandeur is directly proportional to the proļ¬ts earned from the event
(provided other things go well). Thus, it becomes crucial for you to ļ¬nd nifty event
sponsorship.
3
6. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
Why Event Sponsorship is necessary?
Sponsorship forĀ Marketing
Now though capital is the primary goal of getting a sponsorship in most cases, it is
deļ¬nitely not the only beneļ¬t you get. If used efļ¬ciently, sponsorship can act as a great
marketing tool for your event. It doesnāt just become cost efļ¬cient, but it can increase
the success rates of your event exponentially. Hereās how.
1. Higher and Targeted AudienceĀ Reach
Publicizing your event is a deļ¬nite way of bringing in more people to your event. But
random publicity is not going to be any good. You need to reach out to a speciļ¬c audi-
ence group so as to ļ¬nd potential event attendees. The correct demograph can be
procured through online market research or digital analytics of website trafļ¬c sources
and geographical locations.
Event Sponsorship for AudienceĀ Reach
Ideally, the sponsors of your event
belong to the same industry as your
event. For example, if you are hosting a
Tech Conference (Find the best Tech
Conferences in India here), your
sponsor might be a Web Development
Company. Therefore, the target
audience for your event as well as your
sponsor
company is the same. So if you use the
clientele of this sponsor company for
promoting your event, you are
approaching a very targeted audience
which can add up to the list of your
potential attendees.
This can be done by putting up blog
posts on the sponsor companyās blog
regarding your event. Your event can be
marketed on the social media channels
of the company. Or you can spread the
word simply by sending e-mail invites to
the clientele.
4
7. Why Event Sponsorship is necessary?
2. Augmented Reliability
Reliability is a key matter of concern when people are planning to attend your event.
Higher the reliability, higher the chances of their attending the event. But if you are a
fresher in the industry, you might need to build upon this factor.
Event Sponsorship for Reliability
Your sponsors donāt just provide you with the ļ¬nances but they also attach their brand
image to your event. This automatically enhances the reliability factor of your event.
Say, for example, if you are a student of a university which is hosting a fest or an event,
there are chances people might not be interested in it. But if the university he is study-
ing in becomes the sponsor of the event, the reputation of the university makes the
event a grander success.
3. Upsurged marketĀ value
The ticketing costs, the signiļ¬cance of the event, the entire market value of it play a
huge role in the eventās success. Now whether you are a fresher or a reputed brand,
there are always ways to enhance your existing market value.
Event Sponsorship for MarketĀ Value
This is very similar to the reliability factor. Just like the brand image, the sponsor
brandās market value also adds up to your eventās market value. This gives your event a
better payoff and better value to your company/brand in general.
4. Enhanced GuestĀ List
Having big names added to the guest list of your
event is always a plus. It has n number of advan-
tages. But unfortunately, you need to make quite
some efforts to get hold of these names.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
Event Sponsorship for a better guestĀ list
The business associates or the clientele of your
sponsors might include a few great names.
These names can be a part of your guest list,
thanks to your sponsors. Their presence will
beneļ¬t the marketing, reputation as well as the
value of your event.
5
8. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
Why Event Sponsorship is necessary?
5. Added MediaĀ Coverage
The marketing of your event doesnāt stop
with the event completion. It goes on after
that as well and adds up to the event image
which ultimately enhances your organisa-
tionās reputation. One very productive way
to do this is to get higher media coverage
Event Sponsorship for added mediaĀ coverage
The amount of media coverage you get is
directly related to the number of big names
attached to your event. This would include
your popular event sponsors as well the
eminent guest list that they have brought
you. Thus, the media coverage of your event
is boosted in both ways.
Once you start recognising event sponsor-
ship as a marketing tool, you will start
understanding the various ways you can
beneļ¬t from it. Donāt just limit your
perspective to ļ¬nances. If you think deeper,
you will ļ¬nd ways to build up your event
reputation with the efļ¬cient help of your
sponsors.
This was all about why you need the sponsors. But in order for you to leverage them,
these aforementioned perks, you need to do your homework ļ¬rst and need to learn the
art of how to attract these sponsors. Before that let's get in the shoes of sponsors to
understand their choices and expectations!
6
9. 2
HOW SPONSORS PICK AN
EVENT?
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
Sponsors donāt choose an event out of a magic hat,
do they? Read in this chapter about 5 questions
that every sponsors ask before sponsoring an
event.
7
10. How Sponsors Picks an Event?
Sponsoring an event is one of the majorly followed mass marketing tactic. Days are gone
when sponsorship was an overlooked marketing channel.
Times have changed and more and more companies are embracing this channel for
increasing their ROI. Moreover, they also want to build goodwill and connect with the
event audience.
But companies are not just displaying a banner and calling it a day. They also want to make
the most out of their event sponsorship and hence the race for getting sponsorship isnāt
easy as it sounds.
Various factors are considered before deciding which event to sponsor. And we want you
to understand how sponsors think.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 8
11. How Sponsors Picks an Event?
So now that you are aware of the thought process of your sponsors,
let's get you prepared for the actual game
5 questions that every sponsor asks themselves before sponsoring
an event.
Is this event is matchingto the target audience?Ā
Is this event
offering
value-driven
sponsorship?
How about other
sponsors?
Is this event a right
mix of value and
exposure?
Is this event just a
one-time
transaction or
more than that?
9
12. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
3
HOW TO GET SPONSORS
FOR YOUR EVENT?
Finding out the correct sponsors and getting them
on board sounds like a big task to accomplish,
isnāt it? Not if you follow the tips weāve mentioned
in this chapter.
10
13. How to get sponsors for your
Creating a top team and successfully organising an event will surely give you an accom-
plished feeling. But for that to happen, you need good talent, lot of resources, planning,
preparation and most importantly, sponsors! Yes!
The value of sponsorship is more than the power of traditional advertising that print and
media can buy. Though donāt confuse sponsorship with advertising. It is a marketing
medium which promotes sponsors in association with the event.
But getting sponsors is not an easy task. Youād be having a long list of tasks, from sending
out emails to fruitless calling and dealing with uninterested company employees and what
not!
Getting sponsorship might sound like a tiring task but it doesnāt have to be anymore. Here
we have cooked the perfect recipe on how to get hold of your sponsors. Ingredients are
traditional ways, a pinch of fresh ideas with event technology sprinkled on it.
1. Know your platform.
The ļ¬rst and the foremost thing is to ļ¬nd the people who align with
your core values and whoād support your endeavors. Finding the
people who think just parallel to you, is half work done.
Make a detailed list of companies who sponsor events and activities
similarto yours. Targeting right kind of people is going to save time
and energy both. You know what they say, āknow the sea before you
start drifting in uncertaintyā
2. To whom you are approaching?
Do a thorough research on what sort of organisation youād like to
approach. Or you can use the research that other people have
already done to give you an edge. But how do you do that?
Well, look out which are the organisations that sponsors events like
yours. For example, if youāre looking for a sponsorship for your
technology conference, look out for the other technology
conferences and who were the sponsors.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 11
14. How to get sponsors for your
3. Know different levels.
Any event, big or small, has a different level of sponsorship and you
need to curate them in a detailed manner. If you havenāt already
outlined your budget and what do you expect from your sponsors, do
it.
Make a list of different levels of your event. Once you know which
level has to offer what and what are your expectations from the
sponsors for the same, well, then entice your sponsors accordingly
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
4. Create a potential sponsor list.
Having a good long list of potential sponsors sounds like a good idea.
But the length of the list is of the least importance. We are sure that
you wouldnāt like to go to every company and talk to every other
person. Sounds tedious, right?
Therefore, make a list of sponsors who would be willing to sponsor
your event in actual. Also, sponsorship has different layers. So, make
sure you categorize your sponsors accordingly.
5. Do your revision.
We all know the importance of revision, donāt we? Having done the
revision about the company beforehand will help you in the long run
to gain the conļ¬dence of the sponsors. It will also help in ļ¬nding the
right person to talk to when you approach the company.
Before approaching the company, ask yourself, what does company
want? Look for the reasons why they would be interested in sponsor-
ing your event? If you have this thing clear in mind then youād be able
to offer them better.
12
15. How to get sponsors for your
6. Have a great proposal ready.
One of the fundamental keys to getting sponsored is our ability to
create a winning sponsorship proposal. Just so you know, it can liter-
ally make or break the deal. Start with the story, tell them what do
you do and what are the beneļ¬ts they are going to get.
Well, here you need to connect the bridge. The bridge between what
you have to offer and what they want. Research and make your pro-
posal an insightful document which aligns with their as well as your
objectives. If sponsor and sponsee both stand on the same platform,
chances of a win-win situation are more than ever.
7. Go creative.
Sponsorship is about more than sticking logos on everything. While
your sponsorship agreement might include the use of logos, if thatās
all youāve got to offer you canāt really ask for all that much in return.
Find out new ideas and offer more than just logos. Be it terms of
customized gifts, product endorsements, event naming rights,
establishment of staff volunteer program, organizing contest or
giving coupons. Just do it differently!
8. Promise on the deliverables.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
When youāre courting a sponsor, always do what you say. Sponsors
will test you. If you canāt get information, tell them why. Always be on
time or early for an appointment. Let them know you are a person of
integrity.
āYou get one chance to make an impression, and if you burn the
bridge, you canāt go back.ā
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16. How to get sponsors for your
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
9. Use the magic spell āāEvent-o Analytics-ismā
Use of event technology is that secret ingredient you can use to
attract your sponsors. But, how? Hereās where event analytics come
into play. People these days have resorted to dedicated event web-
sites and apps to create a unique experience for their attendees and
are keeping a track of it with event analytics.
Event analytics are user interactions with content on your website
that can be tracked. This comes very handy in winning the conļ¬dence
of the sponsors. Hence, send them a detailed report of how many
visitors your website are gaining and what exposure it would give to
their brand as well.
Entice them about how you are using event technology to boost and
measure your event performance by providing concrete information
on the real return on their investment. Weāre sure they wonāt say no!
10. Donāt sell yourself short.
According to Linda Hollander from Womenās Small Business Expo,
making a year long sponsorship program is what feasible for spon-
sors and sponsee as well. That means you are asking for sponsorship
for not just a single event but multiple events that you are going to
hold within the speciļ¬c time.
Also, make up your mind about how much amount of money you
want from the sponsors. Asking quite short amount is a big No.
Youāre dealing with a well-paid person in corporation. If youāre seek-
ing low key sponsorship then may be itās not even worth their time.
11. Its not an OTT(One-Time-Transaction) afterall.
Donāt ever think that once youāve got the cheque your job is done. As
with most things in fundraising, sponsorship are all about the rela-
tionship. You need to be in regular contact, you need to give thanks
where itās due, and you need to ensure that youāre always doing what
you said youād do.
But we will get into that in detail later in this book.
14
17. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
4
HOW TO MAKE A
SPONSORSHIP PROPOSAL?
Sponsorship proposal is that magic wand which can
make or break the deal. In this chapter, learn how to
make the proposal which ensures that the deal is
locked.
15
19. How to make a sponsorship proposal?
1. Give Before You Get
Before approaching the potential sponsors, ask yourself what can you offer to them?
Deļ¬ne your eventās target audience. Get yourself clear on the demographics of your visi-
tors.
Please donāt create sponsorship proposal to offer a bunch of banners. Instead, Use some
creative ways like an event app to give visibility to the potential sponsors.
An Event app is an exciting opportunity for the sponsors to get the desired exposure &
create a long lasting impression.
With Event Apps, you can sell in-app sponsorship where the sponsors can get uninterrupt-
ed attention. Additional to standard ads, event app solution offers hot deals section where
the event organizers can display deals from their sponsors helping them to get direct
sales.
āYou can have everything in life you want if
you will just help enough other people get
what they want.ā
Zig Ziglar
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 17
20. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
How to make a sponsorship proposal?
2. Do Research (MAP them)
Now as you understand what you have to offer, ļ¬nd the potential sectors or businesses
that might be interested in your event demographic & offering. Create a list of potential
sponsors.
Visit their websites. Research their social media accounts. Read the latest news and
reports about them. Find ways to passively attract their demo-graph for your event.
Are they planning for a new product launch? Do they have any product that is currently
underperforming? Find their pain points; try to solve them by your offering.
3. Reach Out (AIM)
After the research process, ļ¬nd the people in the
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) department
or marketing department of those companies &
try to reach out to them.
If possible, ļ¬nd some connection with them, the
old fashion networking still works.
Prepare a concise email consist of Introduction,
Opportunity, Event demographics, Beneļ¬ts,
Creative ideas to give them visibility & a strong
Call to Action.
Your goal with this ļ¬rst mail is to get an opportu-
nity to secure a meeting so donāt mess it up by
sending them the full sponsorship proposal.
18
21. How to make a sponsorship proposal?
4. Win them (Take a breath, Shoot the Bullās Eye)
Prepare a precise presentation, conveying your demographic information, marketing
opportunities & creative ideas to provide desired visibility.
Donāt be the pushy sell person that we all hate. The focus of the meeting should be
listening, not selling.
Keep your presentation short & concise. Spend more time in listening & understanding the
needs of the sponsor. Ask them questions about their marketing challenges, their
objectives or goals, and what has & what hasnāt worked in the previous deals.
Use this data to reļ¬ne your offering & tailoring your
sponsorship offer to meet their needs.
Now based on the offer decide a sponsorship
amount, keep it 20 % higher to leave room for
negotiation. If your potential sponsorās budget
is below your amount then go back to the offer
& review what you can offer the sponsor. In the
context of all the new information what can you
realistically do within the budget to meet the
sponsorās marketing objectives? How can you
customize your approach to provide the great-
est value?
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 19
22. How to make a sponsorship proposal?
5. How the success will be measured?
Once understanding their marketing objective,
you need to agree with the sponsor how the
success will be measured. The success can be
quantitative like 1000 page views of sponsorās
ad in the event app or qualitative like positive
social media talking about the brand.
6. Full proposal
It is primarily about documenting what youāve already discussed and agreed to.
The sponsorship proposal should be comprised of two parts: One-page offer letter & a
supporting document listing other supporting data (demographics numbers,
previous sponsorās testimonials & case studies, terms & conditions and other relevant
information).
The offer letter should include a summary of the event sponsorship opportunity,
tailored beneļ¬ts list, the sponsorship amount and a call to action.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 20
23. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
How to make a sponsorship proposal?
7. Follow-Up
A few days later write a follow-up email or call the sponsor to review the status of your
sponsorship proposal.
If the sponsorās request changes, then review it once again and if needed change the
price accordingly.
But unfortunately, if your sponsorship proposal gets rejected then politely ask why, by
ļ¬nding the reason behind their rejection you can improve your offering.
Thank them for taking their time to meet you. Most importantly, keep in touch with
them. Build a relationship with them. Event sponsorship is not a one-time transaction.
A good relationship with the potential sponsors can help you to get the sponsorship for
the years to come.
21
24. 5
PROMOTE YOUR SPONSORS
WITH THESE CREATIVE
IDEAS
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
Donāt promote your sponsors with just logo
placement and banners. We have some innovative
anecdotes from events across the globe, for you to
take inspiration and add value to your event.
22
25. Promote your sponsors with these creative ideas.
For a long time now, event sponsoring hasnāt just been a mere accessory. Many events live
from offering an attractive environment for sponsors and partners.
Exhibitions, conferences and events offer excellent opportunities to reach target
audiences personally. Such decision makers are often unable to reach via classic media
and only insufļ¬ciently and one-dimensionally via online advertising.
Event sponsoring is therefore a great opportunity for brands to present themselves live.
But pure logo placement is not so interesting, as sponsors are looking for something
special, they are looking for exclusivity.
The best alternative is a win-win-win situation: the sponsor wins, the event organizer
wins and the attendees win, as they get the added value.
Here is the list of 10 creative ideas which organisers implemented and it was a huge
success. Want to imitate them? Sure, go ahead.
1. Sponsored Power Packs
Visitors to the European Pirate Summit were able to, in exchange for a returnable
security deposit, borrow a portable power pack from Simyo to load their mobiles.
Nice idea!
2. Mobile hotspots
Using the motto āMoobileā, mobile
network provider EE offered 4G
hotspots at the Glastonbury
Festivalāin the shape of cows!
A very eye-catching and unusual
alternative!
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 23
26. Promote your sponsors with these creative ideas.
3. No WiFi zones
The exact opposite for Kit Kat: āHave a break,
have a Kit Katā, whereby Kit Kat set up No Wi-Fi
Zones. All mobile and Wi-Fi signals were blocked
in a radius of 5m, allowing people to chat in com-
plete peace and quiet. More like a Cut-Cut,
instead of a Kit-Kat !!
4. Ice Logos
Logos made of ice are ļ¬eetingāthe impression
they make at an evening event however lasts much
longer. As for example at the Consumer Electronic
Show in Las Vegas.
5. Apple Logos
Tasty: Apples with the sponsorās logo on them!
They donāt need to be grown especially.
6. Projection on wall
You can simply project the sponsorās logo onto a
white wallāor you use a wall of white orchids!
7. Live vogue cover
No participant expects a live Vogue cover. This is
of course possible with a large amount of other
partner publications.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 24
27. Promote your sponsors with these creative ideas.
8. Sponsored props
For some reason it always
goes down well when
people take pictures of
themselves with huge bow
ties, glasses, beards or
similar objects in front of
their faces. Why not
integrate the sponsorās logo
too.
9. Floating Logos
Does your event venue have a pool?
Then why not try a ļ¬oating logo
on the water?
10. Goody Bags
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
A goody bag for participants is of course always a good idea. If you link these with
getting participants to Tweet or post something on Facebook to get one, then this
generates a lot of attention for the event too.
25
28. THE ULTIMATE UNIFICATION:
ROI, SPONSORSHIP &
EVENT APP
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
6
Use event app to show real time return on
investment of sponsors and exhibitors. Donāt
worry! Weāve covered everything in a simpliļ¬ed
manner for you to get started with event app.
26
29. The Ultimate Unification: ROI, Sponsorship & Event App
Sponsors and exhibitors play a pivotal role in the revenue that drives events. In order to
retain and grow that revenue, your ability to assist your sponsors in demonstrating the
value of their continued partnership is critical.
It can be a challenging assignment. Nearly a quarter of event sponsors want a better way
to measure the ROI of sponsored event. And all sponsors and exhibitors would beneļ¬t
from increasing their return, even if theyāve mastered the art of measuring ROI.
Event tech tools such as event app can help your sponsors and exhibitors measure and
boost their event performance by providing concrete information on the real return on
their investment.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 27
30. The Ultimate Unification: ROI, Sponsorship & Event App
Shine a Digital Spotlight on Your Sponsors and Exhibitors
Your sponsors and exhibitors attend events to cultivate relationships, increase brand
awareness, and generate sales. An Event App provides a digital toolāconnecting your
partners with attendees who can easily access information from anywhere, anytime. By
creating a digital presence within the app, sponsors accelerate their ability to meet
potential prospects, customers, or partners.
Create in-app profiles.
Ensure sponsors and exhibitors have a
digital proļ¬le within the app. Sponsors and
exhibitors can showcase company
information, social media proļ¬les, booth
staff members, collateral, and logos. A
digital proļ¬le allows attendees to become
familiar with an exhibitorās company,
products and team, enabling a more
engaging conversation at the booth.
Build an interactive map
Creating an interactive map gives attendees
the ability to easily locate sponsors and
exhibitors during the event. Directly from
the in-app map, attendees can click through
to each corresponding proļ¬le where they
can learn more about the companies, which
team members are stafļ¬ng the booth, and
schedule meetings.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 28
31. The Ultimate Unification: ROI, Sponsorship & Event App
Help Sponsors and Exhibitors Engage with the Right Prospects
Engaging strong prospects and maintaining existing relationships are key priorities for
your eventās sponsors and exhibitors. Events are one of the best ways to create a
meaningful one-on-one interaction with a prospect or customer.Ā
Make it personal
Exhibitors can focus their event outreach strategy by searching the list of event goers
and identifying who their target prospects and customers are. After theyāve narrowed
their focus, they can identify who they want to contact and request meetings with,
directly from within the app.
Build targeted campaings
Exhibitors and sponsors can create targeted campaigns that appear within the activity
feeds of their priority attendees. The campaign can include special offers, discounts, or
meeting requests for those targeted attendees to encourage them to go to the booth
during the event or schedule a one-on-one meeting.
Capture leads
Finally, exhibitors and sponsors can use the names and contact information of people
who visit their booths by scanning their QR code, allowing them to follow up their
conversations at the event.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 29
32. The Ultimate Unification: ROI, Sponsorship & Event App
Track Brand Sentiment in RealĀ Time
Sponsors and exhibitors are able to keep tabs on leads and sales, but they donāt have abili-
ty to measure the performance of their brand at the event. This sentiment is fundamental
to their strategy. In-app surveys and attendee reviews can allow them to gauge opinion of
their brand and its products or services.
Encourage ratings
Allow your attendees to provide reviews of exhibitor or sponsor proļ¬les that they
visit. The rating involves a quick, ļ¬ve-star scale that provides your exhibitors and spon-
sors.
Collect information
Before the event, create an in-app survey that gathers useful attendee information for
your exhibitors and sponsors. Consider including demographic information, industry
products they use, job responsibilities, and the services they want to learn more about
during the event. Then, you can share the survey results so that your partners can have
more meaningful conversations with attendees during their meetings.
Embrace polls
Use polls to quickly gather data about your attendees. Similar to surveys, these polls
ask a single question during the event thatās quick and fun for your attendees to
answer, and that help your exhibitors and sponsors gauge the room. For example, try a
broad prompt like āI have used _____ products to assist me with my job responsibilities,ā
or āIād beneļ¬t most from meeting people who are experts in ______ industry.ā If theyāre
logged into the app, your exhibitors and sponsors can monitor the responses in real
time so that they can adjust their strategy accordingly.
Shoot notifications
You can practice hit and trial marketing with short term marketing offers through
event app.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 30
33. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
HOW TO NURTURE THE
SPONSORSHIP RELATION?
7
Do not underestimate the value of nurtured
relationship with your sponsors. In this chapter,
learn how to foster relationship and why is it
important.
31
34. How to nurture the Sponsorship relation?
Youāve done the hard work of identifying and signing up sponsors that align with your
mission. Youāve created a great package that provides valuable beneļ¬ts to your sponsors.
They sponsored your event which was a huge success.
Now, how do you foster these relationships so they last?
Here are 8 ways to nurture your relationships with your sponsors so you both
beneļ¬t for years to come:
1. Consistent communication.
Follow up with your sponsors via phone calls, emails, face-to-face
meetings and newsletters. Ask for feedback. Check in with them to
make sure they are getting what they need. Donāt always ask for
funds; forward useful information to them, deliver status reports and
request business advice.Ā
2. Leverage your sponsors
Serve as a selļ¬ess liaison to connect sponsors with each other. Invite
sponsors to other events throughout the year so they
understand your mission.
3. Manage conflict with grace
Set clear expectations regarding sponsor beneļ¬ts in your sponsor-
ship contract. If a sponsorās behavior has a negative effect on an
event, take them aside and gently but ļ¬rmly explain your
expectations.
4. Get theālittle thingsāright
Make sure to pronounce peopleās names correctly, both publicly and
privately. Obtain the appropriate logo ļ¬le (for print, website, etc.)
and apply the logo with respect.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 32
35. How to nurture the Sponsorship relation?
5. Ask for feedback
Send a formal survey after the event. Make āhow are we doingā
phone calls throughout the year.
6. Rethink sponsorship
Recognize in-kind service providers as sponsors. Offer a menu of
opportunities for a year-long sponsorship. Let sponsors ātagā your
event in their media ads in exchange for moving up in sponsor level.Ā
7. Get creative about sponsor bene-
Offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Provide exclusive access to
your events: a special table at the auction or a pre-event party.
Personally deliver special event commemorations, such as a framed
photo, event memorabilia or a photo album.
8. Be fair
Have a ļ¬rm framework for your sponsor program. Donāt play favor-
itesāmake sure all sponsors at each level receive the same beneļ¬ts.
Have a strategy for approaching competitors equally.
Event Sponsors & Sponsorship 33
36. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jay Sitapara is an engineer having an inclination towards innova-
tion in technology. Currently, associated with Hubilo, an
event-tech startup which aims to change the way how events are
organised and people network at events.
Jay is particularly passionate about crafting stimulating, re-
sourceful and in-depth guides for Event Planners to keep them
updated and acknowledged about latest event industry trends.
He is speciļ¬cally interested in effective use of event technology
and social media for greater ROI through innovative thinking
and skills.
Jay is also a Digital Marketer, Editor, Community Manager and a
regular contributor to Hubilo Blog.
His philic nature is prone to dogs, poetry, coffee, friends and
coffee with friends. If you're on Twitter, say Hello to him
@jsitapara and follow his articles on blog.hubilo.com.
And Jay says, do not forget to share this Ebook!
34
37. Event Sponsors & Sponsorship
With a vision of building a one-stop solution for any type of
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