Get your brand in the game with these summer sponsorship ideas

By Mae Strehlow

Sponsoring an outdoor event, sports team or summer activity helps improve your community while getting your name in front of countless people. Sponsorships can enhance public relations, increase brand awareness and improve brand image opens in new window. From providing logoed sports team uniforms to sponsoring fun activities the whole family can enjoy, we offer sponsorship ideas to ensure your brand is part of the summer fun.

Virtual runs

Virtual runs let people decide how far they want to run (or walk) and choose their own destination. They also offer lots of sponsorship opportunities. You can sponsor the entire event or offer a prize at the end. Here are some ideas:

• Create a Facebook^® group that connects your business with the event. Ask participants to share their location and run/walk destination. As for photos and be sure to comment on every post to keep your name in front of as many people as possible.
• Put together a branded swag bag filled with goodies for participants. Items like a baseball cap and a water bottle are ideal. You can also include some logoed performance gear. Have the event host ask for sizes when people sign up.
• Make your name part of the finish line by giving out ribbons to those who complete the event.

Outdoor movies

Help provide an unforgettable experience when you sponsor an outdoor movie screening. Offer to sponsor the projector, generator and other necessary items. Or offer your parking lot as a screening location. Before the movie starts, ask the organizer to announce your name as one of the sponsors. To amp up the fun, sponsor a pre-movie raffle. Movie snacks make great prizes. Make sure to have lots of options, like kettle corn, candy and nuts.

BBQs and picnics

If your community is hosting a socially distanced BBQ dinner or picnic, put up a branded banner or sponsor a tent with your brand colors and logo. Add a little spice by sponsoring a cook-off competition between local restaurants. Put everyone who stops by your tent into a prize drawing for BBQ-related gifts like an apron or a tool set.

Sports teams

Expose your brand to countless eyes and build a positive reputation in the community by sponsoring a local sports team. Sports sponsorships are expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2019 to almost $20 billion by 2024 opens in new window. Get your brand in the game by providing equipment, uniform shirts and fun sunglasses. You could also sponsor a concession stand or make a donation so your banner can be placed in the home team’s field. Make the crowd cheer by giving out free giveaways like sunscreen or peanuts.

Golf tournaments

A classic hole-in-one idea is to sponsor a hole—or two or three—in a golf tournament. Place signage at the hole you’re sponsoring, with your brand showcased for everyone to see. Offer swag, like a Nike^® polo shirt or a dozen Bridgestone^® golf balls, to registered participants. Providing high-quality giveaways can leave a positive impression of your brand’s value. You can also help with safety precautions by providing branded hand sanitizer to everyone at the event.

Sponsorship for the win

Gain more brand exposure and build a positive reputation for your business with a summer sponsorship. Using these ideas, your brand can become better known in your community, gain more impressions and make more sales.

Mae Strehlow

Mae Strehlow has 23 years of importing and merchandising experience at 4imprint—and 15 years in international and domestic retail before that—bringing nearly four decades of expertise to the promotional products industry. Over the years, she’s worked across a wide range of product categories, but drinkware is where her true passion lies. Mae thrives on product development, whether it’s creating exclusive private label lines or collaborating with suppliers to turn market trends into practical, successful solutions. She loves the challenge of refining shapes and styles to meet the unique demands of the promotional products industry. She believes that transparency, collaboration and a shared commitment to success—both internally and with 4imprint’s vendor partners—are what truly sets 4imprint apart.

All marks are the property of 4imprint or their respective owners.

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