Want to stay ahead of the game on sponsorship trends? Tired of the same old branding and sponsored event offerings?
Hello fellow event planner! We all know sponsorship and branding helps to generate revenue, raise brand awareness, and has the power to make your event a memorable, unique, and even fun experience for attendees!
So what are some new trends emerging in the space for 2025? Sponsorship and branding opportunities are evolving, making it more important than ever to form relationships with sponsors and make investments that promote the latest tech solutions, activities, swag, and offerings. Keeping your sponsors happy and staying on top of the latest trends can not only drive more revenue, but also engage your attendees more effectively.
Here are some of the latest sponsorship opportunities to consider:
1. Sustainable Event Sponsorships
Eco-friendly initiatives are in focus again this year for event planners. One way to raise your event’s sustainability profile without increasing your spending is to find sponsorships for green strategies. Sustainability-focused sponsorships have increased by 25% and brands that align with eco-friendly events appeal to conscious consumers. Being associated with the green initiatives at your event can add value beyond a traditional sponsorship package, by linking brands directly with these planet-positive actions — and letting your attendees know they care!
Examples to consider: Sponsor companies can provide or help cover the added costs for biodegradable packaging, reusable water bottles, or eco-friendly swag bags. Branded recycling or compost centers, food and beverage catering made more eco-friendly by sustainable food brands or local restaurants, and environmentally-friendly on-site materials and signage can also be calls to action for companies looking to raise their profile through sponsorships. If you’ve got sustainability on your radar for your next event, having a sponsor step up to support your initiatives can be a win-win for you, your sponsors, and the planet!
2. Sponsored Networking Lounges and VIP Areas
Networking lounges at conferences and events provide a space for much needed relaxation and socialization. And couches. Hey, sometimes we need to get off our feet. But seriously, these are places where attendees can connect with like-minded colleagues both old and new — and these areas are often overlooked when it comes to branding your event. Don’t let these spaces be just another mundane hotel/convention center area with plastic plants and potted art (or vice versa). Instead, consider sponsorship and branding opportunities — think banners, digital screens, Instagram-friendly installations, or even a photo booth or bar cart! (Yes, we are seeing a trend in branded mobile bar carts and are hoping to see a trend in mobile branded ice cream carts, please).
Branded food, drink, and goodie bags are a great way for guests to take home a bit of the sponsor in their pocket or purse. This allows attendees to associate their socialization and positive interactions with the sponsor even after the event.
Depending on your event, and whether you’re offering VIP perks or incentives — offering exclusive sponsorship opportunities around these guests can also be a win for you, your sponsors, and your “very important” attendees! Think VIP-exclusive swag, sponsored areas, and take-home materials.
3. On-site Badge Printing & Branded Conference Check-Ins
Having the capability to do on-site badge printing not only allows late registrations and last-minute attendees to join in the fun, but it also provides a great avenue for featured sponsors that goes beyond the bygone days of alphabetized name badge pickup lines. From on-badge design marketing, to lanyard sponsorships, to signage at the check-in desks and digital ads on kiosks, there are more than a few ways for sponsors to get involved and for you to strengthen your brand presence at your event.
On-site badge printing streamlines the check-in process by having attendees use iPad kiosks to check in or register on-site, and instantly print their badge — making any changes or corrections to their info if needed. This is an easy spot and guaranteed touchpoint to incorporate sponsor logos or branded kiosk interfaces, ensuring your sponsor gets in front of every single attendee at the event.
4. Wellness-Centric Sponsored Event Activities and Goods
These days, people are making a point to prioritize their physical and mental health, but often when they travel for conferences, corporate events, and trade shows, these aspirations go out the window. That’s why your attendees will appreciate events and sponsors that help them help themselves by incorporating wellness into the event planning.
Sell your sponsors on wanting to be part of this positive reinforcement, whether it’s putting on sponsored breakouts or wellness activities, such as guided mindfulness sessions, yoga, or keynotes centered around wellbeing. If these types of sessions don’t fit into your conference or event, consider wellness-centric goods like branded water bottles or healthy snacks. You may also find partnering with nearby business like gyms, spas, or yoga studios can lead to sponsorship opportunities that promote post-event wellness activities by offering discounts to attendees looking for things to do while in town.
5. Tech Sponsorships for the Digital Age
Tech savvy sponsors are hopping on the latest trends for event promotion, from practical to cutting-edge and imaginative. For an easy tech-forward sponsorship win, look no further than a branded charging station. We’ve all dealt with that dreaded battery drain after a long day on the trade show floor (or worse, a forgotten charger in packing for your event travel). Charging stations are a lifesaver and another area where colleagues and professionals congregate and network. But they’re not just a great perk to provide for your attendees — they’re also a great place for prominently-featured sponsor branding!
Another digital-first approach is to go beyond the traditional swag bag (we’ve all collected enough key rings and Koozies to last a lifetime, right?) — and offer sponsored digital swag. Think discount codes, eBooks, gift cards, or subscription services. Both cool and interesting — plus you don’t have to lug it around in a heavy bag all day!
For those ambitious and tech-savvy sponsors, gamified and tech-driven experiences are on the rise — from QR scavenger hunts to unlock virtual prizes, to VR or AR games or interactive exhibits. Leveraging your attendees’ phones (which they’re often already glued to) can provide a fun and memorable experience, while also delivering carefully catered content and sponsored advertising — that’s a win-win!
6. Winning with Games!
Speaking of gamification and winning — harnessing a little competition and fun through games at your event is a fantastic way to engage attendees. We’ve seen year over year growth in experiential sponsorships by as much as 20%. These include “game” experiences for your attendees, like live scavenger hunts or trivia, incentivized surveys, and social media challenges. Take it a step further with team-based challenges and even outdoor activities or games that promote team-building. These fun additions to your event can provide ample opportunities for sponsor logos and messaging.
7. Social Media Shoutouts and Influencer Partnerships
Some of us might cringe at the word “influencer,” but they are here to stay, folks — and they make great sponsors! Studies show that influencer sponsorships have grown by 20% annually, and we expect that trend to continue. From social media shoutouts highlighting their support, to continued live updates throughout the event, to crafted stories that keep their social feed (and yours) going — sponsored posts and influencer video can tremendously boost digital reach and engagement, and give you great content to fuel your marketing.
Pro tip: Sponsors can take advantage of influencers even further by offering branded and customized giveaways, discounts for social proof, likes, and shares, and even contests or polls for engaged audiences.
Looking Ahead at Event Sponsorship Trends in 2025 and Beyond
It’s 2025, and we’re all looking for ways to engage and attract attendees, create memorable and meaningful events, and also provide greater value to our sponsors and supporters. As we search for ways to move beyond the typical event sponsorship packages (Event Stage Branding, Sponsored Keynote Speakers, Live Streaming or Virtual Event Sponsorships, Branded Happy Hours, and of course Sponsored Swag), hopefully this list has provided you with some insight and inspiration into new and unique sponsorship ideas for your next conference or event!
