Are you seeing a trend of fewer repeat exhibitors and sponsors year after year? It might be time to rethink your sponsorship offerings.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Offer only ala carte options. List each benefit individually with it’s own price tag and let your vendors create a package that fits their budget and marketing goals. You can recognize the sponsors in terms of their total dollars spent if you still want to list them as “Platinum, Gold…”

Create packages that offer both branding and something tangible. For example: specialty signage and other visibility plus event tickets (they can give away or use for themselves). Ideas are: sports games, concerts, theater shows, entry into one of your more exclusive events.

Offer a virtual sponsorship for companies that are unable to exhibit due to their schedule of commitments and staffing or budget reasons. A virtual sponsorship can include signage and logo listing in various places, a promo item or handout in the welcome bag, and an email shoutout in your pre-conference marketing. Use the message “Can’t exhibit but still want to have a presence?”

Rename your sponsorship packages to suit your vendor’s goals. Consider:

• • “Brand Visibility Package” focused on creative signage and logo displays;
  • “Tech Lover’s Package” with charging stations and branded promo items;
  • “Presentation Opportunity Package” with a sponsor message during a meal time;
  • “Social Media Package” with a live social media wall, hashtag, promotion on social media and email marketing

You get the idea.

Eliminate the thought “We’ve always done it this way” and start getting creative! Be sure your sponsorships offer both value and awareness.

The information provided by Clover Conferences, LLC or Ann Dosen on www.cloverconferences.com or via email is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information we provide. Basically, we are not responsible if you take our advice and it doesn’t go well for you.