Benefits You Can Still Offer To Virtual Event Sponsors

As we’re transitioning to virtual or hybrid events, I thought it would be good to remind you that you can still charge for events, and you can still charge for sponsorships.

Many of us are trying to figure out how to retain sponsors at their current level while still providing value. I hope that these ideas help.

First, don’t forget that some things haven’t changed for you! Much of this list should sound familiar; we’re just tweaking it to fit your online event.

Using Sponsor Logos

You’re still placing their logo in various places to increase brand awareness for them – some of the locations have just changed slightly.

In addition to your sponsor webpage, think of different places you can stick sponsors. This might be:

• At the bottom of event emails.
• On transition slides in between speakers.
• List all sponsors on a slide at the end of the video.
• Single sponsor logo on video.
• On event ads – depending on ad size + sponsor level.
• Programs (if you’re still mailing or otherwise providing).
• Thank you “ads” – we’ve literally taken out an ad in our newspaper, but it could be in an email, social media cover, post, etc.
• Name mentioned in the press release.
• Name mentioned in the video title or description.

You can also have your event host(s) promote them Nascar-style. This might be wearing a shirt or hat with the sponsor’s logo, or using a Zoom background that has the chamber/event logo and big sponsors’ logo(s).

PA/Emcee Announcements

PA announcements can still be done – you’re just not physically standing on a stage. You can still announce/thank sponsors:

• When transitioning to another speaker.
• At the beginning/end of videos or presentations (example).
• During planned interruptions (think radio or podcast ads).

Activity Naming

You may have been to conferences, and before a scheduled break, they’ll invite a sponsor to speak for 5 minutes. This is a similar idea.

If you have smaller activities that are a part of your event, name them after a sponsor (like “Morning Yoga sponsored by Business”) and let them briefly talk about their business before it.

If it makes sense, you can still include their logo on part of the video, background, activity webpage, etc.

Chamber Ad Spaces

I regularly offer ad spaces on different sponsor tiers. You can keep the ones that are still feasible, and offer new options of similar value to replace other benefits that are no longer possible.

Attendee Interaction

Depending on your software, you might be able to offer face-to-face or chat-based interactions.

• Live video streaming (like YouTube or Facebook) allows attendees to chat with each other or event reps. You can promote scheduled times for speakers and/or sponsors to be ‘available’ in the chat.
• Zoom & similar services now offer break-out rooms. You could set up a limited time frame for people to meet & greet event sponsors at different times.
• Remo has a table-style setup where participants can relocate themselves. Name tables after your sponsors and either set a limited time for them to meet with everyone, or create a speed networking opportunity where you have everyone pick a new table after a few minutes…

Offering Virtual Swag Bags

For some events, some chambers are actually mailing a small box that includes the event program and some logo swag.

However, you can create a “virtual swag bag” by creating a unique webpage that isn’t public (or at least harder to find) that has:

• Lead magnets provided by your sponsors (win-win!)
• Digital downloads like Zoom backgrounds, phone/desktop wallpapers
• Exclusive coupon codes, digital gift cards, sweepstakes and contest entries, plus handouts such as printables and workbooks.

Most of these would be supplied by your sponsors, vendors, speakers, etc. You would compile them onto the “secret” web page and include the link in your email to attendees.

I hope this gave you some good ideas and some confidence to keep moving forward!

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