These NYC-tested strategies will have sponsors lining up to get in on your next big event.
If you’ve ever sent off a sponsorship pitch and heard… nothing, you’re not alone. Sponsors are getting pickier, and the competition is fierce, especially in a city like New York, where everyone’s pitching something.
The good news? Brands want to say yes. They just need the right reason.
In 2025, it’s not about flashy decks or cold emailing every brand with a logo. It’s about positioning your event as a strategic opportunity, something that aligns with their goals, engages their target audience, and delivers real value.
So how do you do that? These strategies will help you level up your pitch game and get those sponsorship dollars flowing.
1. Start With the Right Targets
The shotgun approach? It doesn’t work anymore.
Before you send anything, research brands that align with your event’s vibe and audience. What are they sponsoring already? Who are they targeting? Do they support causes, communities, or industries tied to your event?
Use tools like LinkedIn, press releases, and social media to figure out who makes sponsorship decisions – and how your event fits into their world.
Pro tip: A mid-size brand with clear values and a smaller marketing team may be easier to connect with (and faster to say yes) than a global brand swimming in red tape.
2. Lead With the Audience
Sure, your event is cool, but your attendees are the real asset. Sponsors want access to people who might buy from them, post about them, or remember their brand long after the event wraps.
So tell them:
- Who’s showing up? (Industry, role, age, interests)
- Why are they there? (Education, networking, product discovery)
- What do they care about? (Sustainability? Innovation? Community?)
Be specific. If you’ve got data from past events like attendance numbers, social engagement, and lead gen stats, this is the place to use it.
3. Offer More Than Logo Placement
A tiny logo on a banner? Not gonna cut it.
Today’s sponsors want experiential exposure. Give them ways to actively connect with your audience, not just “be seen.”
Here’s what sponsors love in 2025:
- Onsite activations (demo booths, lounges, gamified setups)
- Branded swag that’s actually useful
- Co-hosted panels or speaking spots
- Sponsored content before and after the event
- Curated product displays or tasting stations
Think beyond visibility. Aim for engagement, interaction, and memory-making.
4. Ditch the Cookie-Cutter Pitch Deck
We all have templates. But if your deck looks like it could be sent to 50 brands with no changes…it’s a red flag.
Customize the pitch for each brand. Use their tone, reference past campaigns, and make suggestions tailored to their goals.
Example: Instead of “Your logo will appear on signage,” say:
“We’d love to spotlight [Brand Name] with a curated lounge experience, tied to your recent ‘Feel Better, Live Better’ wellness campaign.”
That shows you’ve done your homework – and that you care about the partnership.
5. Make ROI the Hero
Sponsors need to justify their spend. That means you can’t just sell the vibe. You need to sell the results.
Include real numbers wherever possible:
- Past sponsor success stories
- Average engagement rates
- Lead capture numbers
- Social impressions and hashtags used
- Press coverage or post-event content views
Don’t have stats yet? Offer to build in tracking tools or post-event reports that help sponsors measure success.
6. Make It Easy to Say Yes
Don’t make sponsors jump through hoops. The easier you make the process, the faster they’ll greenlight it.
What helps:
- Clear sponsorship tiers with pricing and benefits
- A la carte add-ons for brands who want more customization
- One-pager PDFs for quick decision-making
- Fast follow-up and flexibility if a brand wants to tweak something
The best pitches feel collaborative, not rigid.
7. Keep the Relationship Warm
The pitch doesn’t end when the check clears. If you want repeat sponsors (and referrals,) follow-up is everything.
After the event:
- Send a thank-you with photos and video clips of their brand in action
- Share performance metrics (email open rates, social stats, attendee feedback)
- Tag them in recap content on social media
- Ask for feedback and plant the seed for next year
Brands remember how you made them feel after the event. Don’t let the relationship go cold.
You’re Ready to Pitch Like a Pro
Landing the perfect sponsor isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy, storytelling, and showing brands how your event helps them reach the right people, in the right way.
Do your research. Customize your pitch. And always lead with value.
Want to get in front of sponsors who are already saying yes to major events?
Start by exhibiting at The Event Planner Expo 2025. It’s NYC’s premier event industry showcase. It’s where planners, vendors, and brands meet face-to-face, build real partnerships, and lock in the kind of deals that take events to the next level. Secure your spot and show them what you’ve got.
