Meetings Blog May 14, 2019
You’ve already got some amazing ideas to create the ideal event, which will meet all the agreed objectives, and have attendees asking when the next one will be taking place. But have you taken into account the suitable financing to bring the magic to life? If not, or if you’re always on the search for new suggestions, keep reading and see what avenues and tactics are open to you to get the cash flow moving. Here is our three-step plan, which also focuses on encouraging your new sponsors to get involved in your future ventures:
When considering potential sponsors, you need to put yourself in their position to understand what they expect from their investment. How do the attendees align with the objectives of the sponsor? What connections does your event have with those previously sponsored by the company? Where are the links between the sponsor and your plans and how can they be harnessed to suit both parties? How can your event accentuate their brand image? After you have a clear view of these aspects then you will recognize the message you want to deliver to them.
You know your event is going to be a roaring success, but you need to convince your potential sponsor of that. Prepare appropriately and aim to bring to life all the ideas that are excitedly buzzing around your head. Vibrant descriptions of the day’s activities can arise interest, which can be further stimulated with visual, marketing material and, if relevant, images from your past events. Remember to include any mention of interactions before, during and after the event that the sponsor’s brand will experience with your attendees, or a wider audience. Keep it explicit and tailored, relating to the sponsor’s already identified objectives. You want it to feel as a partnership working towards the same goals.
As already stated, you’ll often want the relationship you’ve built up to continue into the future, so there is nothing wrong with making your sponsor feel rather special during the event. Consider who attends as a company representative, what would make them feel comfortable and, at appropriate times, treat them in a prominent way. Maybe you can provide transport to and from the venue, line them up for a one-to-one with the guest speaker, or possibly assign someone to deal with any queries and requests. Even though, the availability of resources will clearly determine your proposals, yet the final offer could be worth it. After all, putting your efforts into pampering your sponsor, enables an advanced starting point for future projects.
So, we know that those that back your venture can often be the lifeblood of the event and something you need to consider carefully ahead of time. Reflect on: how you can best take care of your sponsors leading to an overall success and enjoyable returns.
