Post 7 of 15
Defining the target audience
Potential sponsors and exhibitors will most likely be interested in knowing the following about your event:
- How many delegates are expected to attend the event?
- Is that figure based on past events?
- What is the profile of the delegates?
- How is the event a good fit for the company?
Designing sponsorship packages, including pricing
One way to design sponsorship packages is to look at what other conference organisers have done in the past. Our own research showed that the following can be of interest to potential sponsors (in no particular order):
- Special mention during opening Keynote
- Mention in promotional communication
- Swag bag
- Exhibition space
- Signage
- Mention on conference website
- Complimentary conference tickets
- Lanyards
- Speaking opportunities
- Social events
- Catering
- Transportation
Most conferences offer different levels of sponsorship (e.g. platinum, gold, etc.), where the benefits differ based on the amount of money paid by the sponsor.
A sample from the ECIS Technology Conference 2015 can be found here (click on the ‘Sponsors’ tab).
Setting up an exhibition space
From our research, we have found that exhibitors want:
- Table space in high foot traffic areas
- Ideally with table cloth
- One or two chairs
- To be placed in areas where delegates can have tea and coffee
- Space to keep promotional goodies
- Space to show pop-up displays
- Some like to have access to electricity
Conferences with larger exhibition space may wish to look at the standard booth sizes, as some exhibitors have access to larger displays.
Photo credit: Sebastian Stiphout
In the next post, I will discuss employing student helpers when organising a tech conference.