Sponsors

This chapter is intended to help you, the Club Fat Ass Event Host, identify sponsors for your event. 

Sponsors are the people and businesses who support your event with their money, their product or their services.  You would be amazed at how many people and businesses out there would be happy to help you with something as kooky as a Club Fat Ass event!

Please note

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Why Bother to Seek Sponsors?

Sponsors allow you to add value to your Club Fat Ass event without increasing your costs.

Awards and Draw prizes

If your guest pays nothing for your event, but comes away with a great experience and a prize of any value, do you think they will want to come back next year?  Most merchants are happy to provide you with something of theirs for the exposure.  Company logo t-shirts or umbrellas, a gift voucher or other products and services are typical examples of what you can get for the asking and a good statement of return on investment.

Return on investment (ROI)

What does the sponsor get in return for their donation?  The better you are able to show a merchant their donation is a good business investment, the better your chances of getting a lot of donations!  It is truly amazing how this works.  Make sure a potential sponsor is aware that his business/name will be listed on the Thank You page of your website.

Sales document

We recommend you create a one-page informational brochure to present to a merchant.  It should outline the following:

  • all event details (date, location, estimated numbers of guests, media coverage, etc.)
  • some good reasons why sponsorship is a good investment
  • specify items you want and quantities
  • any follow-up the merchant can expect

Target local businesses

Which businesses in your area are looking for new business?  Which would benefit from some free media exposure?  Right…every one!  Start with businesses you deal with on a regular basis.  You already support them.  Chances are, they will support you if you ask them.

Exclusivity

Merchants like exclusivity.  If you get support from one running shoe store, it’s not considered good form to ask their competitors.  If you’re turned down by one running shoe store and their competitor supports you, however, be sure to let the one that turned you down know it!

Post Event Party 

When selecting the venue for your post event party, shop the deal around.  Pick the top 3-4 restaurants or pubs where you would like to hold the finisher event.  Meet the managers of each.  Discuss your requirements.  Estimate the total food and bar tab.  Share your sales document.  Ask for a free beer and appetizer for each participant and volunteer and some gift certificates for draw prizes.  When it comes to selecting the venue for your finisher party, consider taking your business to the person who provides the best value for your guests and your event!

 

Sharing your comments.  If you have any comments, criticisms or other thoughts on what is written here, please share them with your fellow Event Hosts.  To add a comment, go to the bottom of the page and click on "add new comment".

Printing this chapter. To print off a nicely formatted page for your records, go to the bottom of the page and clink on "printer-friendly version".