Is 2020 the year that you resolve to improve your organization’s exhibition and sponsorship sales? Whether you’re on pace to exceed last years’ revenue levels or struggling to find new vendors, The Profitable Association has some helpful suggestions so you can kick-start your sales and start the new decade off on a high note!
New Year, New Offerings
These days, nearly every aspect of a conference is sponsorable – from the coffee collars used on the cups during snack breaks to the opening night welcome reception. The trick is to make sure you are not only maximizing your offerings but also choosing opportunities that will benefit both you as the host and your potential sponsor.
Why not offer sponsors the opportunity to sponsor a morning yoga session for attendees? Or what about a selfie spot or photo booth so they can memorialize their time at the conference? Even those water and coffee kiosks planted throughout your event can be branded with a sponsor’s logo! You can also have your exhibitors pay for spots on a BINGO card that attendees would then fill out to be eligible for a door prize.
Larger conferences that take over most of all of the host building might also want to look into escalator wraps and floor signs that can be covered with logos. And last but not least, don’t forget about all the ways you can use your conference’s mobile app and social media accounts as opportunities to charge for sponsorships!
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
Chances are you’re probably already offering some sort of retention perk to your repeat sponsors and exhibitors – but is it enough to keep them coming back year after year? Perhaps 2020 is the year your organization adds an extra bonus for its longtime vendors that isn’t just a discounted rate.
Maybe create a “Circle of Excellence” banner featuring the logos of all vendors who’ve sponsored or exhibited at your event over the last 5+ years, 10+ years, etc.? Or ensure that these groups have priority slot and perk selection when the time comes? Either way, the more you keep these groups happy, the less you have to do to market to new sponsors.
(You can also read more about how PAI can help you boost your retention sales here).
Amp Up Your Marketing Efforts
Sometimes, finding new sponsors and exhibitors involves a little bit of prospecting. Spending just a few bucks daily on targeted digital advertising (Google and Facebook ads) can go a long way toward bringing in new leads for both attendees and vendors.
Do you have any additional tips for how associations like yours can boost their sponsorship and exhibitor sales in 2020? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below!
