While transitioning from in-person to virtual events, the world has understood the importance of Hybrid events in between. Keeping in mind the reality of the Covid-19 pandemic and the requirement of organizing events, hosting a Hybrid event is like bringing together the best of both worlds. However, while things are constantly evolving in both the event and technological spheres, the value of sponsorship remains the same.
The practice of event sponsorship has not changed much over time. It is not only the most effective and commonly beneficial way to provide your events with a great return on investment but also a positive work culture. A well-planned sponsorship can raise brand value for both the crowds through its profitable attributes. But the question is, how to execute these beneficial sponsorships in a Hybrid event? No worries! Dreamcast is here with all the answers to help you bring the most out of your Hybrid event with the best sponsorship ideas.
Let’s begin by comprehending the meaning of Event Sponsorships and how they’re significant for your Hybrid Event.
What is an Event Sponsorship?
It is when an organization renders financial support to an event with the aim to gain promotional benefits. Event sponsorship can involve the exchange of products and services, assets, or just cash.
How are Event Sponsorships Significant for Your Hybrid Event?
The primary aim behind organizing an event is to gain long-term connections and bring value to your organization. It’s important to acknowledge the fact that attendees are the most vital part of your Hybrid Events, as their satisfaction is what brings success to your event. Connecting sponsors to your attendees will not only provide benefits to both these parties, but this connection will also fulfill your ultimate goal of bringing value to your organization. Keeping this in mind, it’s significant to connect your sponsors with the attendees, just like you would in a live event, as the ultimate goal doesn’t change with this virtual shift in the event sphere.
Following are the best sponsorship ideas for your Hybrid Event.
1) Branded Hybrid Networking Lounge
Generating leads and networks are the two main expectations of your attendees. The Hybrid Event provides this unique opportunity to set up an integrated networking lounge for both your virtual and in-person audiences. How does it work? Your live audience and virtual attendees can visit a physical lounge and a virtual lounge to interact, respectively. This idea is the best way to make sure that both audiences get the opportunity to network. However, sponsorship comes into play by branding these lounges with the logo and details of the sponsors.
2) Sponsored Swag
This idea is one of the most common ways to include sponsorship elements in your Hybrid Event. You can gift branded promotional items to your in-person audience and send a swag bag/box to your virtual attendees beforehand. This will not only fulfill the promotional goal of your sponsors but also your engagement goal by making your attendees feel motivated and involved in the event. Sponsored swag is a great idea to integrate both your audiences while effectively achieving Hybrid Sponsorship.
3) Sponsored Meal
You can also let your sponsors help you with the meal break. While hosting a Hybrid event, take a step further and host a sponsored hybrid lunch. You can provide sponsored catering to your in-person attendees and send your virtual attendees the same or gift vouchers that they can use anytime they like. Again, this not only promotes the concerned sponsors but also motivates your attendees.
4) Sponsored Entertainment Sessions
Isn’t it nice to have enthralling entertainment breaks in between long work-related educational or informational sessions? Well, this idea can not only be a great promotional activity for your sponsors but also work as an engagement break for your Hybrid event attendees. Think outside the box and plan an interesting entertainment session that can include anyone from comedian or singer to dancer and hula hooper. All you have to do is add a branded banner in the background of both physical and virtual viewing panels.
5) Printed Agendas or Programs
Your attendees most likely will not expect to receive printed schedules when they’re attending the event virtually. You can highlight sponsors in the printed agenda of your Hybrid Event and provide the same to both your virtual as well as live attendees. Another excellent idea is to use recycled paper to print your event’s schedule. This way, it gets more attention than all the other papers piled up near your attendees.
6) Sponsored Games
Sponsored games will help your attendees be engaged in your Hybrid Event. You can offer engrossing quizzes, contests, challenges, trivia, and games to all your attendees in between the sessions. Sponsors can provide prizes and rewards to the ones who win in these games. In the case of virtual attendees, branded logos and videos can be put up on the virtual event platforms.
7) Floor Decals
Floor decal is a great idea that can not only promote the sponsors but also engage your attendees. They can lead your attendees to booths or lounges with branded banners of your sponsors, providing a better insight into their products and services. Also, you don’t have to keep these decals limited to floors. They can also be present at the tabletops with a personalized creative design to catch your attendee’s attention.
8) Sponsored Coffee
Just like sponsored lunch, you can also offer sponsored coffee or a coffee break to your attendees. It will help your sponsors gain better brand visibility as the participants are always up for a quick or complimentary coffee. This idea can be executed by providing a coffee bar on-site and gifting cards to your virtual attendees. A better creative way is offering coffee cups with branded wraps, napkins, or giveaways, and the virtual attendees can be gifted these as goodies post the event.
9) Sponsored Photo Booths
A branded photo booth is a great engagement idea as everybody likes to capture moments and pictures while attending an event. While in-person attendees can click pictures in the physical photo booths, remote attendees can also be provided with similar branded virtual booths and share their experiences directly on social media.
10) Hybrid Happy Hour
This idea is another effective and interactive way to promote your sponsors. A hybrid happy hour is a perfect opportunity to engage both your live and virtual attendees by offering them a fun setting to network and connect. The sponsored drinks are on us is also a great idea that delights your audience and keeps them engaged. But most importantly, make sure that there’s no alcohol involved.
Planning a Hybrid Event? Get onboard with Dreamcast and make it a successful one! Book a demo now.
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