How to Attract Sponsors to your Virtual Event!

09 Jul How to Attract Sponsors to your Virtual Event!

Let’s face it, vendors and sponsors are an integral piece of the puzzle for conference and event organizers. Some organizations need sponsors to help cover the costs of the event. Some like to have them to legitimize the event in their given industry. Securing exhibitors and exhibitors for a virtual event may seem daunting or an impossible task. Let’s think about this for a minute. Costs to exhibit or sponsor a live event likely make participation by some companies impossible. There is travel, lodging, food, elaborate booth sets, and the shipment of the booth and supplies. Let’s not even talk about travel snafus or lost shipments.

If you are starting to think that you might be able to attract even more exhibitors and sponsors, GREAT! Let’s get started on some ideas to get you started.

Start by renaming the online trade show. Call it something more attractive to those you are targeting. After all, we have established that exhibitors and sponsors are a key part of your event. What about calling it one of these:

• Online Content Hub
• Expo Hub
• Content Center
• Expo Center
• Focus Center
• Commercial Session Hub
• Commerce Center

Sponsorship opportunities are going to be different. Here are some ideas:

• Branding, branding and more branding
  • Feature logos on the conference website
  • Include logos in pre-event marketing emails
  • Include logo in social media promotions
  • Logos and videos can be included on the session portals
  • Add pre-recorded videos to be shown before a keynote or breakout session
  • Include a sponsor page on your website
• Networking is key. Get creative in how you can bring your attendees together.
  • Sell a sponsorship to have meal vouchers sent in advance
  • Vouchers to be used for a bottle of wine
  • One-on-one meetings with attendees and sponsors
  • Meet the experts or meet the speakers
  • Host an attendee lounge
• A la Carte items can also be a hit.
  • Send speakers a branded shirt or wearable and have a photo contest on social media
  • Send attendees a branded shirt or wearable and have a photo contest on social media
  • Guest blog posts that can be sent before, during or after the event
  • Vendor sessions
  • Vendor demos
  • Send attendees a gift before their meeting like notepads, water bottles, webcam cover and even a “Do Not Disturb” sign.

Be sure that you are using software designed with the exhibitors and sponsors in mind. It should allow them to upload content, like e-books, pre-recorded videos, links to webinars and podcasts and have chat for one-on-one conversations. YesEvents has all of this for you with even more coming by the end of the year. Please let us know if we can help. nballard@yesevents.com