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10 Real-Life Event Sponsorship Examples & How to Win Sponsors

Zain Zia
Written by Zain Zia
Published at Mar 21, 2025
Edited by: Unenabasi Ekeruke
Reviewed by: Victoria Taylor
10 Real-Life Event Sponsorship Examples & How to Win Sponsors

Securing event sponsorships can make or break an organization’s ability to host successful events. And with global sponsorship spending expected to reach a whopping $189.5 billion by 2030, it’s clear that sponsorships will continue to play a major role in event planning.

However, many organizers struggle to secure the financial backing needed to bring their visions to life—resulting in missed opportunities and underwhelming events. To overcome these hurdles, businesses need to attract and retain the right sponsors.

In this article, we’ll highlight 10 real-life event sponsorship examples to inspire your own strategies. We’ll also round up 10 event sponsorship templates to help put your strategy into action and maximize your odds of securing valuable partnerships.

If you're short on time, here's a quick step-by-step guide to help you land a sponsorship or partnership. When you're ready, dive in below.

Table of Contents

 

What Does Event Sponsorship Include?

Sponsorships are often associated with financial support or logo placements. While that still holds true, event sponsorship these days goes far beyond these two aspects. It’s a multifaceted partnership that helps both sponsors and event organizers connect with their audience in meaningful ways. When done right, it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

So, what exactly does event sponsorship include? At its core, it typically encompasses:

  • Financial or in-kind support (the backbone of many events)
  • Brand visibility across various touchpoints
  • Opportunities to showcase products or expertise
  • Direct engagement with event attendees
  • Custom experiences aligned with sponsor goals

The specifics can vary based on factors like event type, size and industry. When integrated into a broader event marketing strategy, the best sponsorships align with both the sponsor's goals and the event’s audience and create value for all parties while enhancing the overall event experience.

 

10 Real-Life Event Sponsorship Examples

Curious about what is a great example of event sponsorship?

Sponsorship can take on countless vibrant forms, from major brands backing global sports events to local businesses rallying behind community festivals.

The most successful partnerships do far more than stick a logo on a banner; they craft unforgettable experiences that resonate with audiences.

Let’s dive into ten inspiring examples of sponsorship that truly made waves and left a lasting impact!

1. FX and Comic Con 2024

FX Network’s sponsorship at Comic-Con 2024 showcased the power of immersive brand experiences. They brought 4 of their popular shows to life:

  • The Bear: FX created a pop-up restaurant replicating the show’s atmosphere, where fans enjoyed daily chef’s specials and could purchase exclusive merchandise.

  • American Horror Story: The “FX Fearless Hellevator” took guests through twelve terrifying scenes from the series. It also included a preview of “Grotesquerie,” a new horror series, generating buzz for upcoming FX content.

  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: They recreated the iconic Paddy’s Pub encouraging fans to pose for photos outside The Gang's beloved Irish bar.

  • What We Do in the Shadows: FX built a replica of the vampire’s mansion from the show. Visitors could explore this detailed set with props, providing the perfect backdrop for spooky photo opportunities.

With these interactive, show-specific activations, FX elevated their fans’ experience, generated substantial social media coverage thanks to the branded hashtag #FXSDCC and created buzz for both current and upcoming shows.

2. AT&T and WNBA All-Star 2024

AT&T’s sponsorship of the 2024 WNBA All-Star event is another example of how brands can use sports partnerships to create meaningful impact beyond the game.

They used several initiatives to bring their partnership to life:

  • Beyond the Bleachers: AT&T launched a contest offering fans one-on-one mentorship from WNBA legends A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu.

  • She’s Connected Program: This initiative showcased multi-talented athletes like Kamilla Cardoso, who shared her off-court passions and entrepreneurial spirit.

  • WNBA Live Activations: They held meet-and-greets and organized an immersive multiplayer basketball game—The Splash Court Challenge—where fans could practice their skills like the WNBA stars.

  • WNBA Changemaker Day: The event aimed to empower underrepresented groups by distributing program boxes focused on Life Skills, STEM and Outdoors to 6,000 Girl Scouts. AT&T also supported Jr. WNBA clinics and court renovations to promote skill development and mental wellness for young girls.

This brilliant sponsorship strategy helped AT&T enhance fan experience, drive community engagement and showcase their commitment to women’s sports and empowerment.

3. Foot Locker and Paris Olympics 2024

Foot Locker’s sponsorship of the Paris Olympics 2024 showcases the power of blending digital innovation with physical experiences.

Central to this partnership is “The Heart Experience,” an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) initiative designed to transform the streets of Paris into an interactive playground. Visitors can earn XPoints as part of Foot Locker’s FLX loyalty program and unlock exclusive rewards.

Foot Locker also organized a series of events in partnership with major brands like Jordan, New Balance, Asics, Adidas and Nike to host IRL activations like influencer meet-and-greets, sports and community hub and a 3x3 basketball tournament.

4. Fenty Beauty and Roblox 2024

Fenty Beauty’s sponsorship activation on Roblox, called the “Fenty Beauty + Skin Experience,” highlights the power of virtual brand engagement. The innovative campaign includes:

  • Virtual Beauty Lab: Users create their version of the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer by customizing ingredients, effects and packaging. The community then votes on these creations, with the winning design inspiring a physical product release.

  • Interactive Exploration: The Roblox environment featured scavenger hunts and mazes, aimed at educating users about popular Fenty products.

  • Exclusive Digital Content: The experience also included weekly launches of new avatar accessories and educational brand content to keep users engaged.

Through this metaverse activation, Fenty Beauty offered Gen Z consumers a glimpse into their brand while creating a fun and accessible beauty experience.

5. Method and Coachella 2024

 

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A post shared by method (@methodproducts)

Next on our list of event sponsorship examples is Method’s activation at Coachella 2024 which brought their “Unleash Your Inner Shower” campaign to life through a series of immersive experiences:

  • Inner Shower Lounge: A relaxation space was built—Inner Shower Portal—where attendees could experience the brand's popular scents like “Daily Zen,” “Simply Nourish” and “Pure Peace.”

  • Hair Glam Beauty Station: Visitors could choose from nine different hairstyles inspired by Method scents, offering a personalized style experience that reflected the brand’s identity.

  • AI Aura Photo Experience: Based on participants' responses to an interactive quiz, they were digitally transformed into a colorful digital print inspired by one of Method’s most popular scents.

  • Field of Showers: This activation allowed attendees to paint sculptures like butterflies, flowers and waves, all of which were Method scent designs that festival goers could interact with. They also featured a kaleidoscope selfie booth where visitors could capture vibrant selfies.

  • Shower Power Bubble Cart: The cart distributed Method’s body washes, shampoos, conditioners and shower vouchers across the festival grounds.

In this event sponsorship example, Method successfully integrated its brand into the festival experience. They engaged attendees with multisensory interactions that showcased their products in a fun, memorable way.

6. Cetaphil and New York Fashion Week 2024

 

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A post shared by Cetaphil (@cetaphil)

Cetaphil’s sponsorship activation during the New York Fashion Week 2024 brought their “We Do Skin, You Do You” campaign to life through several initiatives:

  • Global “Face of Cetaphil” Contest: Influencers and consumers from 14 countries were selected to attend NYFW 2024 events as brand correspondents to demonstrate how Cetaphil products perform under fashion industry demands.

  • Alice + Olivia Partnership: As the exclusive skincare sponsor, Cetaphil set up a backstage “skincare prep” area to treat models. Attendees could even experience customized spa appointments with the brand’s Gentle Skin Cleanser, Moisturizing Lotion and Moisturizing Cream.

  • Highsnobiety and Chillhouse Collaboration: Cetaphil hosted a pop-up where attendees received skincare consultations with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian, mini facials and manicures and free coffee and juices.

Thanks to these initiatives, Cetaphil not only integrated its brand into the fashion world but also showcased the importance of skin care in achieving flawless runway looks.

7. Audible and 2024 Sundance Film Festival

 

Audible’s sponsorship activation at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival centered around their innovative Audible Listening Lodge, offering attendees a unique escape:

  • Listening Gondolas: Vibrant orange gondolas provided a cozy space for attendees to enjoy curated Audible content across various themes.

  • Heated Yurt and Outdoor Patio: The lodge featured a warm retreat with complimentary beverages, light bites and s’mores around fireplaces.

  • Variety x Audible Panels: The panel hosted discussions with notable creatives, exploring topics like “The Art of Conversation” and “Breaking Down Genres” in storytelling.

Audible did a wonderful job highlighting its commitment to storytelling and providing all attendees with a memorable, immersive experience.

8. Dunkin and LollaPalooza 2023

 

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Dunkin's sponsorship activation at Lollapalooza 2023 centered around their eye-catching “Dunkin's Rhythm Room,” a two-story structure that offered festival goers a unique, branded experience:

  • Branded Photo Opportunities: The activation featured a pink doughnut-decorated swing, providing a playful, Instagrammable element to attendees’ festival experience​.

  • Exclusive Rooftop Lounge: Visitors who downloaded the Dunkin’ Rewards app gained access to a rooftop area offering complimentary treats like butter pecan iced coffee and blueberry cake Munchkins. The exclusive area also doubled as a comfortable area for guests to relax between musical performances.

Dunkin hit the nail on its head with this vibrant and interactive activation. They showcased their brand’s ability to create an engaging and interactive environment for everyone.

9. TikTok and Rock in Rio 2022

 

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TikTok’s sponsorship of the Rock in Rio 2022 as the official content sponsor marked its first major event in Brazil. Their presence at the festival was highlighted by several innovative activations that combined music, social media and interactive experiences:

  • Route85 Nostalgic Boombox: A giant boombox was installed where attendees could experience how music has evolved from 1985 (the first year of Rock in Rio) to 2022.

  • TikTok Square: This was one of TikTok’s central attractions at the festival that welcomed 200,000+ attendees. It showcased the brand’s innovative products, including the Effect House—an Augmented Reality tool to boost attendee engagement.

  • TikTok Lounge: A three-story space offered TikTok creators and partners a prime view of the main stage, complete with a teddy bear-themed swimming pool and TikTok-themed food and drinks.

  • Backstage Content Creation: TikTok provided exclusive backstage areas where artists could make TikToks before and after performances. These areas hosted interviews with over 30 international and local artists.

  • Inclusivity and Accessibility: The activation featured gender-neutral bathrooms and elevators, ensuring comfort for all attendees.

TikTok’s innovative activities at Rock in Rio 2022 transformed the festival experience. And their success was evident in the numbers: festival hashtags like #FestivalnoTikTok and #RockinRio generated billions of views, underlying TikTok’s massive influence and reach.

10. LUSH and SXSW 2023

Lush Cosmetics’ sponsorship activation at SXSW 2023 centered around their innovative “Lush House,” showcasing the brand’s commitment to blending cosmetics, technology and social change:

  • Immersive Experiences: The activation featured live demonstrations of Lush’s famous bath bombs, with the highlight being the introduction of Bath Bot—an innovative bath bomb that doubles as a surround-sound speaker. Visitors could add their names to a waitlist for early access to this cutting-edge product.

  • Panel Discussions and Workshops: Lush held discussions on digital ethics and the future of social media with several notable speakers. The panels explored the potential of retail spaces as immersive environments and how brands can push the boundaries of ethical digital engagement.

  • Live Music: The activation culminated with Glitterbox taking over the Lush House, featuring live performances by various artists.

The Lush House at SXSW 2023 not only showcased the brand’s innovative use of technology but also reinforced its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

 

8 Event Sponsorship Templates You’ll Need

Managing event sponsorships is never easy, especially given the work that goes into creating compelling event proposals and the continuous back-and-forth with the sponsors to strike a deal.

Luckily, Visme offers a range of professionally designed templates to help you streamline your sponsorship process and create stunning, professional materials.

Here are eight event sponsorship templates—covering the entire sponsorship lifecycle from initial outreach to post-event reporting—to help you elevate your event sponsorship efforts:

Before the Event

Event Sponsorship Proposal Template

event sponsorship examples - Event Sponsorship Proposal Template
Customize this sponsorship proposal template and make it your own!Edit and Download

Share event sponsorship ideas and highlight unique event sponsorship benefits with potential partners using this colorful proposal template.

It comes with pre-made sections on event overview, sponsorship packages and benefits, terms and conditions and contact information. It features a stunning visual layout that’s brought to life with hi-res stock photos you can quickly edit using Visme AI edit tools—remove or replace objects, unblur and upscale images within minutes.

If you’re unsure of what to write or how to phrase your sponsorship benefits or any other part of the sponsorship proposal, you can use Visme’s AI writer to help you generate compelling first drafts in seconds.

Event Sponsorship Presentation Template

event sponsorship examples - Event Sponsorship Presentation Template
Customize this sponsorship presentation template and make it your own!Edit and Download

Whether you’re pitching your event live or virtually, a professional slide deck can come in handy. Use this sponsorship deck template to highlight event statistics, share benefits for partners and outline sponsorship levels in front of potential sponsors. It also comes with a “Let’s talk!” slide and a dedicated page to highlight different levels of sponsorship for events.

Use Visme’s Dynamic Fields to personalize your presentations for each sponsor, including their name, event sponsorship opportunities or even event sponsorship levels. Not only will this help you save time but also show potential sponsors that you know exactly how they can benefit from your event.

Pro Tip: Looking for a custom presentation design? Use Visme’s AI pitch deck generator to create unique templates. Enter a detailed prompt with content and brand guidelines and let AI do the magic. This is a great way for anyone who’s short on time but wants to ensure their sponsorship presentations stand out with fresh, creative designs.

Event Sponsorship Letter Template

event sponsorship examples - Event Sponsorship Letter Template
Customize this sponsorship letter template and make it your own!Edit and Download

This sponsorship letter for events addresses potential sponsors by outlining key event details and benefits. It features a clean design with a white background and subtle geometric accents in black and light green.

The event sponsorship agreement features well-organized headings and paragraphs for easy readability. There’s even a signature area at the bottom of the letter to formalize the sponsorship for events.

Read more about the key elements of an event sponsorship request letter.

Event Sponsorship Contract Template

event sponsorship examples - Event Sponsorship Contract Template
Customize this sponsorship contract template and make it your own!Edit and Download

Another key milestone that takes place before the event is the signing of the event sponsorship agreement contract.

This sponsorship contract template clearly outlines terms and responsibilities, including sponsorship packages for events, branding and promotions and confidentiality clauses. It has a monochromatic design with plenty of whitespace and purple-colored headings for a polished look.

Once you’ve drafted your contract, share and publish it with your sponsors via a private link, embed it on your website for easy access or download it in various formats like PDF or HTML5. Track analytics such as unique visits, average completion and source of any project you share online using Visme to gauge sponsor engagement with your contract.

During the Event

Event Program Template

event sponsorship example - event program template
Customize this event program template and make it your own!Edit and Download

Showcase your event’s schedule and keep attendees informed with this event program template. It features a clean, two-page layout with a bold cover design with a vibrant yellow-and-white color combination. It also has premade sections to enter event details, schedules and branding elements.

This event program template can be used on the day of the event for display on digital screens, printed as handouts or even shared via QR codes for easy mobile access. You can also layout your  conference agenda to show sponsors what's in store.

Pro Tip: Instead of manually uploading your brand elements, try out Visme’s brand design tool. Enter your website URL and AI will automatically pull your brand colors, fonts and logos to create beautiful, branded templates—like this event program.

Post-Event Feedback Form Template

event sponsorship examples - Event feedback form
Customize this feedback form template and make it your own!Edit and Download

Gather valuable insights like attendee opinions and sponsor satisfaction to improve your future events using this post-event feedback form template. It features a clean design with a relevant copy on top and pre-set fields for essential information like name and email.

With Visme’s interactive form builder, you can easily customize this template by adding various question types, such as multiple choice, rating scales or open-ended responses. Analyze all responses and quickly identify trends and areas for improvement—all inside the platform.

Pro Tip: Embed the feedback form to your website, event’s mobile app or share it via email with attendees to ensure a higher response rate

After the Event

Thank You for Sponsorship Letter Template

event sponsorship examples - Event Sponsorship Letter Template
Customize this sponsorship letter template and make it your own!Edit and Download

Express your gratitude and strengthen sponsor relationships with this thank you letter for sponsorship of the event template. It features a clean design with ample white space and dedicated space to enter both parties' information.

Whether you’re crafting a letter for sponsorship of event follow-up or acknowledging post-event support, simply replace the placeholder text to make this template your own.

Post Campaign Analysis Report Template

event sponsorship examples - Post Campaign Analysis Report Template
Customize this report template and make it your own!Edit and Download

This report template is specifically designed to help marketers evaluate the effectiveness of their campaigns. It includes dedicated slides on campaign goals, event performance metrics and recommendations for future improvements.

Use Visme’s collaboration and workflow management features to get multiple team members to help you out with creating your report—tag collaborators, assign tasks, resolve/delete comments and more.

 

Best Practices to Land Your Next Event Sponsor

Winning event sponsorships is all about strategy, not just luck. Follow these event sponsorship best practices to land the perfect sponsors for your next event:

  • Research potential sponsors thoroughly

  • Craft a compelling, branded sponsorship deck

  • Share detailed event information

  • Offer enticing event sponsorship package levels

  • Create engaging sponsorship activation opportunities

  • Utilize data visualization to provide clear ROI metrics and data

  • Showcase success stories from previous sponsorships

  • Follow up consistently and professionally

  • Be open to negotiation

 

How to Measure & Prove the ROI of Event Sponsorship

If you’re responsible for showing ROI (return on investment), you need a strategy that goes beyond gut feelings and anecdotal evidence.

Sponsorship ROI isn’t always straightforward. It cuts across a wide range of metrics and outcomes that vary based on the type of event and marketing goals.

Let’s break it down into clear, measurable steps so you can confidently prove the value of your event sponsorships.

Step 1. Set Clear Goals Before the Event

Before the event even kicks off, you need to define what success looks like—for both you and your sponsors.

Every brand has different goals, so work with them to establish key performance indicators (KPIs).

Here are some of the most common goals that may matter to different sponsors

  • Boosting brand awareness
  • Generating leads
  • Driving sales
  • Engaging customers
  • Establishing thought leadership

Each of these goals requires tracking different performance indicators, which leads us to the next step.

"Our 40 years in corporate events have taught us a few tricks about measuring ROI at events. The first thing you need to know is what your goal is for the sponsorship. Is it visibility/brand outreach, direct sales, or networking? From that, you can then gather specific KPIs to measure."- Amanda Masick, Director of Marketing and Digital Solutions Consultant at Event Solutions.

 

Step 2: Set Clear Success Metrics from the Start

Once you’ve set clear objectives, the next step is to define the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help you measure success.

For example, if you are doing brand outreach, using a tool to measure brand mention and traffic to your website with branded keywords is a good KPI. Whereas if you are doing direct sales, the KPI might be the number of sales or the value of sales. For networking, adding tracking codes to QR scans will tell you the number of times your contact information was shared or by emails opened. The KPI for any marketing effort, including event sponsorship, is always dependent on the goal, says Amanda.

The metrics you track should align directly with your sponsorship goals.

Here’s how to measure different sponsorship goals:

Metric Category Key Metrics
Brand Awareness
  • Number of event attendees exposed to your brand (event foot traffic, impressions)
  • Social media reach (mentions, hashtags, shares)
  • Media coverage (press mentions, articles, interviews)
  • Website traffic increases from event-related sources
Lead Generation
  • Number of sign-ups at your booth or online
  • QR code scans and app downloads
  • Email opt-ins and business card collections
  • Attendee inquiries and requests for more information
Customer Engagement
  • Social media interactions (likes, comments, shares)
  • Time spent at your booth or activation
  • Survey responses and audience feedback
  • Event app engagement (polls, live Q&A participation)
Sales Impact
  • On-site sales and special promotions redeemed
  • Post-event conversions tracked via discount codes or UTM links
  • New customer accounts attributed to the event
  • Increase in sales pipeline activity (for B2B sponsors)
Brand Sentiment & Perception
  • Post-event survey responses (Did attendees remember your brand? Would they purchase from you?)
  • Net Promoter Score (NPS) to gauge attendee sentiment
  • Customer reviews and testimonials collected after the event

The best sponsorship measurement strategies use a combination of these metrics rather than relying on just one or two.

 

Step 3: Track Data Before, During & After the Event

Collecting data at multiple stages before, during and after the event gives you a complete picture of how your sponsorship performed.

Before the event:

Before attendees walk through the doors (or log in virtually), set a benchmark to compare your sponsorship impact using these tactics:

  • Website & Digital Traffic: Use Google Analytics to track website visits from event-related sources. Look for spikes in traffic from referral links, social media or paid ads tied to the event.
  • Social Media Insights: Monitor event hashtags, brand mentions and engagement using tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite. Compare activity before, during and after the event to measure impact.

During the event:

Collect real-time data during the event to track performance as it unfolds and make quick adjustments if needed.

  • Lead Capture Tools: Use CRM platforms like HubSpot or Salesforce to track leads collected at the event and monitor how many convert into customers.
  • Event Apps & QR Codes: If the event has an app, track how many attendees download it, interact with sponsored content, or engage with polls and Q&A sessions—especially if you're using an event ticketing platform that integrates these features for better insights.
  • Social Media Monitoring: Use tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite to measure reach and engagement (hashtags, mentions and branded content).
  • Foot Traffic & On-Site Engagement: If you have a booth, track the number of visitors, interactions and dwell time. Are people just grabbing swag and walking away, or are they engaging with your team? Use heat maps, NFC tags, or simple headcounts to gauge booth performance.
  • Photo & Video Content: Capture high-quality images and videos of attendees interacting with your brand. Not only does this help with post-event reporting, but it also provides valuable content for future marketing.

After the event:

Once the event wraps up, it’s time to measure impact using these tactics below:

  • Surveys & Polls: Create post-event surveys with Visme forms to measure brand recall and attendee satisfaction.
  • Website Traffic & Conversions: Compare post-event traffic against your pre-event benchmarks. Look for spikes in referral traffic from event-related sources. Did attendees visit your website after the event? Did they sign up for your newsletter or download a resource?
  • Sales & Lead Conversion: If lead generation was a goal, track how many event-collected leads converted into actual customers. This could take weeks or months, so use your CRM to follow the customer journey.
  • Social Media Growth & Engagement: Did your sponsorship drive more followers, mentions, or user-generated content? Compare your pre-event social stats with post-event results to measure visibility gains.
  • Brand Sentiment & PR Impact: If media exposure was part of your sponsorship package, track press mentions, article features and brand sentiment across different channels.

 

Step 4. Calculate Return on Investment

At the end of the day, ROI is all about one big question: Was your sponsorship worth it? You want to know whether the money, time and effort you put in translated into tangible returns.

While sponsorship success can be measured in many ways (leads, engagement, media exposure), the most straightforward way to calculate ROI is by looking at your financial return.

1. The basic formula for ROI is:

ROI = ((Revenue−Investment)/(Investment))X 100

For example, if you spent $10,000 on a sponsorship and generated $30,000 in revenue, your ROI would be: ROI ((30,000−10,000)/(10,000))X 100 = 200%

A 200% ROI means you made twice the amount you invested.

Sounds simple, right? But here’s the catch: not all sponsorship benefits are immediately tied to revenue.

2. The Revenue-Based Model is the most straightforward way to measure ROI. It compares total revenue to total expenses and gives a quick snapshot of profitability. It’s calculated as:

ROI =  ((Revenue−Expenses)/(Expenses))X 100

Unfortunately, it doesn't account for costs beyond the event budget, such as cost of goods sold (COGS).

3. The Advanced ROI Model (Incremental Margin) incorporates gross margin instead of just revenue.

It’s calculated as Incremental Margin ROI = (Gross Margin - Event Expenses)/Event Expenses

Where Gross Margin= Revenue−Cost of Goods Sold(COGS)

Since COGS includes production costs, materials and services required to generate revenue, this model gives a more realistic profitability measurement. However, it requires a clear breakdown of COGS, which can be tricky for some businesses.

What if your ROI isn’t about revenue? If your primary goal was brand awareness, media exposure or lead generation, you may need a Weighted Scorecard approach. This assigns value to various metrics like:

  • Social media reach (e.g., impressions, engagement, hashtag mentions)
  • New leads collected (e.g., email signups, QR code scans)
  • Media coverage (e.g., press mentions, backlinks)

By assigning a weighted value to each factor, you can quantify the impact of sponsorship beyond revenue alone.

 

Step 5 Use Attribution Models to Measure Impact

It’s rarely a straight path from event sponsorship to a sale.

Attribution models help you connect the dots between your sponsorship efforts and actual results. This way, you’re not just looking at the last action before a sale but considering the full journey.

To properly measure ROI, here are different attribution models you can use:

  • First-Touch Attribution: Credits the sponsorship if it was the first interaction that brought a customer into the funnel.
  • Last-Touch Attribution: Gives credit to the final interaction before the customer took action (e.g., purchased or signed up).
  • Multi-Touch Attribution: Distributes credit across all touchpoints in the customer journey. If someone visited your booth, followed your brand on social media, received an email and later made a purchase, this model weighs each step’s influence in the decision-making process. For example, if someone saw your booth, followed you on social media and then purchased weeks later, multi-touch attribution helps assign proper credit.

 

Step 6: Create a Powerful Post-Event ROI Report

All the data in the world won’t matter if you don’t present it the right way. After the event, put together a sponsorship impact report that makes the results impossible to ignore.

Here’s what to include in your report:

  • A snapshot of key wins (e.g., "The sponsorship generated 10,000 social media mentions, 3,500 leads and $75,000 in direct sales.")
  • Visual data like heat maps, graphs and charts that make the numbers easy to digest.
  • Case studies or testimonials from engaged attendees or industry influencers.
  • Recommendations for future sponsorships based on what worked well.

Instead of overwhelming stakeholders with spreadsheets, put together a compelling report that highlights key wins and makes insights actionable with Visme’s report maker.

Incorporate graphs, charts and other types of data visualization to transform your event data into an engaging, persuasive story that:

  • Resonates with stakeholders
  • Justify future sponsorship investments and
  • Ultimately proves your ROI in the most effective way possible.

 

How to Write a Sponsorship Proposal for an Event?

You’ve got a brilliant event idea, a solid plan and a vision that could make a real impact. Now, all you need is the right sponsor to back you up.

But before you fire off emails or send out generic proposals, let’s talk about how to write a sponsorship proposal that actually gets a “yes.”

Follow these steps and you’ll have one that persuades, excites and secures the sponsorship deal.

If you’re buzzing to create one quickly, Visme has dozens of event sponsorship proposal examples and templates to give you a creative headstart.

 

Step 1: Start with a Strong Introduction

Your introduction is more like an elevator pitch. You’ve got to treat it like it’s your only shot to capture attention and make your sponsor lean in. Sponsors get countless proposals and if yours doesn’t hook them in the first few lines, it’s game over.

The best sponsorship proposals do more than just state facts—they create a connection.

So don’t just introduce yourself or rattle off event details. Tell a story. Evoke emotion. Make it personal.

Start by tapping into something that matters to them. Is there a key challenge in their industry? A growing trend they need to be a part of? A problem your event helps solve?

In her article about creating sponsorship proposals, Victoria Taylor, Content Manager at Visme, breaks down a few powerful ways to make your introduction pop:

  • Use the Problem-Agitate-Solution (PAS) Method: Open with a challenge your event addresses, emphasize why it matters and position your event as the ultimate solution.
  • Start with a Quote: A compelling quote from an industry leader or past sponsor can instantly set the tone.
  • Show Immediate Value: Lead with the impact: What does your event bring to the table? More brand exposure? Access to a niche audience? Competitive differentiation?
  • Make It Mission-Driven: Passion is contagious. Why does this event matter to you? What’s the bigger vision behind it?
  • Leverage Past Success: If this isn’t your first rodeo, flex a little. Share key wins, testimonials, or case studies that prove your event delivers real value.

 

Step 2: Lay Out Your Event Details

Sponsors don’t just throw money at random events—they invest in sponsorship opportunities that align with their goals, audience and brand image.

And like any savvy investor, they want to know exactly where their money is going.

The goal here is simple: Give sponsors a strong reason to care.

Make them see why your event is worth their time, money and resources. If they can clearly visualize the experience and potential ROI, you’re already one step closer to securing that deal.

Your event overview should answer the key questions:

  • What is the event about? Is it a conference, festival, networking event, or something entirely unique?
  • When is it happening? Provide specific dates and times.
  • Where is it taking place? Will it be in-person, virtual, or hybrid? Include venue details if available.
  • Who is attending? Define your audience—demographics, industry, interests and estimated attendance.
  • How will the event be structured? Share an agenda or a rundown of key activities.

To go beyond the basics, add elements that make your event stand out:

  • Featured speakers, performers, or influencers
  • Past event success stories
  • Notable partners or collaborators
  • Unique selling points
Music Event Sponsorship Proposal
Create your Sponsorship Proposal with this easy-to-edit template Edit and Download

If you’re pitching a sponsorship for a team, podcast or product instead of an event, swap this section for a “Why Sponsor Us?” page. Highlight your audience reach, engagement metrics and credibility to show sponsors exactly why partnering with you is a smart move.

 

Step 3: Define Your Audience

Sponsors care about one thing: ROI and that starts with reaching the right audience.

If your audience matches the sponsor’s target audience, the sponsorship becomes a no-brainer. But if there’s a disconnect, they’ll pass without a second thought.

That’s why you need to go beyond surface-level data to prove why your audience is the perfect fit. Don’t just say, “Our audience is 70% millennials.” That doesn’t mean much on its own. Instead, paint a detailed picture:

  • What are their interests and buying habits? Are they decision-makers, trendsetters, or loyal consumers?
  • How engaged are they with your brand? Do they actively interact with your content, attend past events, or share your updates?
  • What industries do they work in? Can they influence purchasing decisions or drive business growth?
  • Where are they located? Are they a local, national, or international audience?
  • What social media platforms do they use? Can the sponsor reach them through influencer collaborations or paid ads?
  • What challenges do they face that your event helps address? Does your event solve problems that align with the sponsor’s product or service?

If you have a social media following or an email list, share those numbers—follower counts, engagement rates and email open rates. If you’ve hosted events before, provide past attendance stats and testimonials. If this is a new event, describe your ideal audience and your strategy for attracting them.

 

Step 4: Outline Sponsorship Tiers & Benefits

Now, let’s break down the numbers in a way that makes sense for your sponsors. Your sponsorship packages should clearly outline what each level offers and how it aligns with the sponsor’s business goals.

In his article about securing sponsorships, David Hobson, former head of marketing at Foundr, puts it bluntly—having a great product or idea isn’t enough. If you’re not communicating its value, you’re pushing people away.

“So if you want to get people to give you money, whether that’s sponsorship or backing on Kickstarter, what’s the exchange? What are you going to do for them? It’s also a far more powerful position to come from. You have something of value. When it’s limited or scarce you can use “prizing” to your benefit. Something I learned from Oren Klaff. It’s going to be much easier to generate interest and get sponsors and money if you have an attractive offer.”

A well-structured sponsorship package should include:

  • Multiple tiers with clear distinctions: Structure your packages into levels like Gold, Silver and Bronze, ensuring each level offers increasing value.
  • Customizable sponsorship options: Give them the flexibility to tailor their sponsorship perks based on their goals—whether it’s brand visibility, audience engagement, or direct sales.
  • Tangible and measurable benefits: Include perks like:
    • Prime logo placement on event materials, websites and merchandise
    • Speaking opportunities to showcase their expertise and connect with the audience
    • Featured social media shoutouts and dedicated promotional content
    • VIP event access and networking with high-profile attendees
    • Product integration or sampling opportunities for direct customer engagement
  • Exclusive sponsorship rights: Want to make your offer even more enticing? Offer exclusivity in their industry category. Being the only financial service, beverage brand, or tech sponsor at your event gives them an edge over competitors.
Workshop Sponsorship Proposal
Create your Sponsorship Proposal with this easy-to-edit template Edit and Download

Sponsors have different budgets, so give them options. A $50K premium package might be out of reach for some brands, but a $5K or $10K entry-level package could be the perfect way to get them on board.

 

Step 5: Provide the Budget Breakdown

Besides the ROI, sponsors also want to know where their money is going. A well-structured budget breakdown gives them that clarity.

It reassures them that their funds will be allocated strategically and used to create an impactful experience that benefits both parties. On top of that, they’ll feel more confident about coming on board.

Start by outlining the total estimated cost of the event, then break it down into key categories. Some of the main expense areas include:

  • Venue rental
  • Production & logistics
  • Marketing & promotions
  • Guest speakers & entertainment
  • Attendee experience
  • Sponsorship activations
Music Event Budget Proposal
Create your Sponsorship Proposal with this easy-to-edit template Edit and Download

Make it crystal clear how sponsorship funds will be used to boost brand visibility. Will a sponsor’s logo be featured on stage banners, digital ads, or email campaigns? Will they get a prime placement at the venue? Show them exactly what their investment buys.

Numbers alone can feel dry—so bring your budget to life with visuals. A pie chart or infographic makes it easier for sponsors to grasp the financial picture at a glance.

 

Step 6: Share Your Timeline

If you’re requesting sponsorship for an event, you need a structured timeline to show key dates and milestones.

Start by breaking down your event preparation into major phases. Key milestones might include event planning kickoff, securing the venue, marketing launch, speaker/entertainment confirmation, ticket sales and registration and event day preparations.

Assign tentative or confirmed dates to each milestone. This helps sponsors understand your event’s timeline and when their brand will be featured.

Even if exact dates are not available, provide an estimated timeline like this one below:

  • 3–6 months before: Sponsorship outreach and early event marketing activities.
  • 2–3 months before: Sponsor branding integration in promotions.
  • 1 month before: Final logistics, sponsor spotlights and PR push.
  • Event day(s): Sponsor activations, live mentions and engagement.
  • Post-event (1–2 weeks after): Sponsorship reports and follow-ups.
Music Event Budget Proposal
Create your Sponsorship Proposal with this easy-to-edit template Edit and Download

Mention that sponsors will receive ongoing updates as milestones are reached. This keeps them engaged, reinforces your commitment to transparency and allows them to align their own marketing efforts with your schedule.

 

Step 7: Add Testimonials or Case Studies

When it comes to winning over potential sponsors, nothing speaks louder than results.

Brands want proof that sponsoring your event will be worth their investment. That’s where testimonials and case studies come in.

If you’ve hosted events before, tap into your past sponsors for testimonials. The best testimonials aren’t just generic praise—they highlight real, tangible outcomes.

Did a sponsor gain thousands of impressions on social media? See a spike in website traffic? Generate high-quality leads? Those are the kinds of results that grab attention.

And if the testimonial comes from a well-known company, even better. Big-name endorsements add credibility and make other brands more likely to jump on board.

Music Event Sponsorship Proposal
Create your Sponsorship Proposal with this easy-to-edit template Edit and Download

Want to take it a step further? Build a full-fledged case study. Walk potential sponsors through the journey of a past sponsor: who they are, what they wanted to achieve and how your event helped them reach their goals.

Maybe they sponsored a VIP lounge, launched an interactive brand activation, or had their logo on event swag that thousands of attendees took home. Spell out the impact with hard numbers—whether it’s new leads, engagement rate or direct sales.

But what if this is your first event? You can still use social proof to your advantage. Get testimonials from key industry figures, event partners, or even past attendees of similar events who can vouch for the experience you’re promising to deliver.

 

Step 8: Add a Call-to-Action (CTA)

A compelling call-to-action (CTA) is the final nudge that turns interest into commitment.

If it’s weak, vague or buried at the bottom of your proposal, you risk losing sponsors who are on the fence.

Remember, the best CTAs aren’t passive suggestions like “Let us know if you’re interested.” They’re clear, direct and action-driven. Instead of leaving room for hesitation, create a sense of urgency and excitement.

For example, “Secure your sponsorship today and gain exposure to 10,000+ engaged industry professionals!” or “Only three premium sponsorship slots remain—reserve yours before [deadline]!”

The lesson? Urgency drives decisions and sponsors are more likely to commit when they know opportunities are limited.

Beyond the wording, accessibility is key. If a sponsor has to jump through hoops to express interest, they might abandon the process altogether. Make it as easy as possible for them to take the next step. Include multiple contact options—a direct email, a phone number, a clickable meeting link, or even a bold CTA button that leads them straight to a sign-up form.

 

Event Sponsorship FAQs

Event sponsorship is a partnership where a sponsor provides financial or in-kind support to event organizers in exchange for promotional benefits. The benefits include brand exposure, access to a targeted audience and networking opportunities.

Sponsors provide funds, products or services to support an event and get promotional and networking opportunities in return. This mutually beneficial arrangement helps events offset costs while giving sponsors access to a relevant audience.

There are four main types of sponsorships, each with their own benefits:

  • Financial event sponsorships

  • Media event sponsorships

  • In-kind sponsorships

  • Promotional partners

Here’s a list of creative sponsorship ideas that you can use for your next event:

  • Event applications

  • Branded merchandise giveaways

  • Branded photo booths

  • Sponsored WiFi

  • Interactive product demonstrations

  • VIP lounges or experiences

  • Sponsored live streams

  • Sponsored contests

  • Free charging station

There’s no strict limit to the number of sponsors for an event, but balance is crucial. Too many sponsors can compromise event quality and reduce individual sponsor visibility. Small events typically work well with 1-5 sponsors, while large conferences might accommodate 20+ sponsors.

Win event sponsors by conducting thorough research on potential partners. Shortlist the ones you like and send them a personalized event sponsorship proposal that highlights mutual benefits and includes multiple sponsorship levels to cater to different budgets and goals.

You’ll also need to follow up with potential sponsors to answer queries, negotiate terms and demonstrate your event’s value to their brand.

A sponsorship proposal typically looks like a professional, well-designed document that outlines the event details, sponsorship opportunities and benefits. It usually includes the following:

  • Event overview

  • Audience demographics

  • Sponsorship packages with pricing

  • Potential exposure and benefits for sponsors

  • Past event success metrics

  • Contact information

Ideally, the proposal should feature the event’s branding and may include images or graphics to illustrate key points. It’s designed to be clear, concise and persuasive, to showcase the value of partnering with the event.

To price your event sponsorship packages:

  • Assess your audience size, demographics and engagement levels as larger and more engaged audiences justify higher prices
  • Ensure pricing covers all costs related to delivering each tier’s benefits
  • Demonstrate potential ROI for each tier using data and past success stories
  • Research market rates for similar events to set competitive prices
  • Create tiered packages to attract a variety of sponsors and maximize revenue

 

 

Simplify Your Event Sponsorships with Visme

Securing sponsorship for your event can help cover most of the costs while providing mutual benefits to all parties involved—including your event’s audience.

But landing the perfect sponsor means you need to properly articulate the value of partnering with your event and presenting it in an engaging format. This is where Visme can help.

Visme’s content creation platform helps you streamline every step of your sponsorship journey. From sending proposals to finalizing contracts to creating event programs to creating post-event reports, you’ll find a template for everything.

Customize and share beautiful presentations, documents, agreements and promotional materials. Apply your branding across every project you create and add animation and interactivity to take your sponsorship materials to the next level, especially when sharing them online.

Finally, with AI-powered tools like the AI Document Generator and the AI Writer, you can whip up custom designs, fit them with tailored AI-generated text and get your material ready in minutes instead of hours or days.

Find out more about how Visme can help your sales team land sponsors and even win clients. Or, sign up for a free account and take it for a test drive yourself.

Zain Zia
Written by Zain Zia

Meet Zain: freelance writer for B2B SaaS by day and YouTube content creator by night. He specializes in transforming complex, technical ideas into simple, engaging and actionable content. When he’s not working, he’s busy being a dad, playing soccer or planning his next family trip around the world. He’s currently based in Antalya where he lives right next to the beach. Connect with him on LinkedIn or check out his portfolio.

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