3 Ways to Secure Sponsorship for Your Event Management Projects

Hosting exciting, memorable events is one of the best ways to connect with customers and gain exposure for your brand. However, they are not easy things to achieve. Even the smallest events involve a lot of planning, which is why a skilled team is essential.

Once your event management project has a supervisor, who can delegate and lead, you can turn your attention to the issue of sponsorship. Product launches, gala dinners, award shows, and other events all cost money. Often, their success depends on the support of reliable, generous sponsors who will benefit from being associated with the brand.

Keep reading for some helpful ideas on how to get sponsors interested and willing to take a chance on your events

Always Plan Ahead

It might sound like an obvious piece of advice, but lots of event management experts fall into the trap of putting the more time-consuming tasks to one side. They promise themselves that it is only for a little while, but it is easy to forget when you have a full schedule.

If you want to secure the most enviable sponsors, it is always best to prioritise the task of reaching out and getting on their radar. The best organisations spend quite a long time assessing the different exposure opportunities on offer. It is not a snap decision, and the longer you can chat and liaise with them, the better your chances.

Understand the ROI

Don’t forget that all sponsors have their own agenda. They are not working with you purely out of generosity. They want a return on their investment, just like you do and a guarantee that the project will be a financial success. Event management is built on good relationships, so you have to think about sponsors are going to get out of the affiliation.

Once again, it comes back down to taking the time to talk to sponsors. Show them how passionate you are about the project by explaining its goals, discussing how they connect to your objectives, and where the partnership might lead in the future. In fact, this last point is critical – treat relationships like they are meant to last and they probably will.

Be Inquisitive

You should expect to be fielding lots of questions from prospective sponsors, but asking them is a good idea too. Ask about their budget, what fiscal year they operate on, and how they map out their sponsorship strategies for the year.

The more insight you gain on their internal process, the easier it will be to turn it to your advantage. Remember; the best sponsors are the ones who stick around and take an interest in your event management operation as a whole, rather than just a single event.

by: Antony Hampel