1 Assess your goals

Before you sign up for any sponsorship package, you need to define your goals and expectations. What are you hoping to achieve by sponsoring the conference? Do you want to increase your visibility, showcase your products or services, or establish your thought leadership? How will you measure your success and return on investment? Having clear and realistic goals will help you narrow down your options and align your budget with your desired outcomes.

3 Compare the benefits

Once you have a shortlist of conferences that match your goals and target market, you need to compare the benefits that each sponsorship level offers. Typically, conferences have different tiers of sponsorship, such as platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, that vary in price and perks. Some of the common benefits that sponsors can receive are logo placement, speaking slots, exhibition booths, attendee lists, social media mentions, and networking opportunities. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each benefit and see how they align with your goals and budget. For example, if your goal is to generate leads, you might prefer a sponsorship level that gives you access to the attendee list and a booth to showcase your offerings. If your goal is to build your authority, you might opt for a sponsorship level that allows you to speak at a keynote or a panel session.

4 Negotiate the terms

After you have decided on the sponsorship level that suits your company best, you need to negotiate the terms with the conference organizer. Don't be afraid to ask for more details, clarifications, or adjustments to the sponsorship package. You might be able to get a better deal or more value for your money by requesting some extra benefits, such as additional tickets, more exposure, or exclusive access to certain events or sessions. You should also discuss the payment terms, cancellation policies, and deliverables with the organizer and make sure everything is clear and agreed upon in writing.

5 Plan your strategy

Finally, you need to plan your strategy for maximizing your sponsorship experience. You need to have a clear and consistent message that showcases your brand value proposition and differentiates you from other sponsors. You also need to have a plan for engaging with the attendees before, during, and after the conference. You can use various channels, such as email, social media, webinars, or podcasts, to create awareness, generate interest, and nurture relationships. You should also have a plan for measuring and evaluating your sponsorship performance and impact. You can use metrics, such as impressions, leads, conversions, referrals, or feedback, to track your progress and identify areas for improvement.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?