13.5. Sponsor Recognition

When planning an event, sponsor recognition needs to be built into several aspects of your event. Sometimes, it may be appropriate to simply mention your sponsors during a closing speech at the event or to note their donation beside a prize or in-kind item that they donated – other times, larger gestures are required.

Some simple yet effective ways to recognize sponsors include (but are not limited to):

1. Website – providing links to the sponsor’s website, providing a company bio, highlighting their sponsorship or donation, including business logo
2. Program – Provide an advertisement for the sponsor’s company in your program, including their logo, and have a page that lists and acknowledges sponsors within the program.
3. T-shirts – placing the sponsor’s logo on event T-shirts
4. Preferred seating – having a special table for sponsors during dinners and events
5. Free tickets – let sponsors attend your event for free
6. Podium address – thank your sponsor during a large podium address and mention their donation
7. After the event, gift and follow-up letter – formally thank your sponsor and send them a token of your appreciation.