Sponsorships

Sponsorships are another way for a chamber to secure non-dues revenue. Forging partnerships that are mutually beneficial can provide more than just a lump sum of cash. Trade agreements can also be reached that provide a chamber with products or services they might not otherwise afford. An organization can sponsor a specific event such as a conference, an awards banquet or a golf tournament. Or, they can become an annual sponsor of the chamber. For chambers that want to succeed in sponsorships, it is crucial that they offer unambiguous benefits and fulfill all contractual obligations. It is important to prove both perceived value and tangible results for the sponsor -- this ensures that the relationship (and funding) continues.

Articles & White Papers

ACCE Chamber Revenue Models Whitepaper - Includes information about sponsorships and events, as well as dues and non-dues revenue streams. (December 2013)
Maximize Sponsorship Revenue - Associations Now article (May 2017) with best practices on working with sponsors.
Five Ways for Getting the Most Out of Your Sponsorship Packages - Associations Now article (April 2017) with 5 tips for creating a successful sponsorship program.

Award-Winning Chamber Examples

JAX Chamber (Fla.) Longest Table 2nd Annual Community Dinner - 60 Sponsorship Ideas Winner, 1st Place, at ACCE's 2018 Convention. The 2nd annual chamber longest table open air dinner was attended by 400-500 attendees to bring community groups together.
Austin Chamber of Commerce (Texas) PowerUp Austin! - 60 Sponsorship Ideas Winner, 2nd Place, at ACCE's 2018 Convention. The PowerUp Austin! Series engages in conversation around "hot topics" to drive member success.
Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce (Idaho) - 60 Sponsorship Ideas Winner, 3rd Place, at ACCE's 2018 Convention. The chamber needed to pay for their new building which ended up at $2.3 million with just $1 million budgeted. They literally sold everything including sponsorships for their chamber office WiFi at $15,000, the bathrooms, chamber staff offices, etc. The total amount raised in this selling campaign was a significant help for the building cost expense.
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County (Ala.) ChamberON - 2017 Chamber of the Year Winner
Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's (Tenn.) Chamber Champions Brochure 2016-2017 - 2017 Chamber of the Year Winner
O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce's (Mo.) Manufacturing Day Sponsorship Opportunities - 2017 Chamber of the Year Winner
O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce's (Mo.) Sponsor and Partner Opportunities - 2015 ACE Award of Excellence
See more Award Winning Sponsorship examples from ACCE's Samples Library

More Sponsorship Samples

Advertising & Sponsorships - Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce (N.C.) offers electronic and print advertising and has a comprehensive Sponsorship Opportunities Guide.
2018 CEO Panel Sponsorship Opportunities - Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce (Fla.)
Room Sponsorships Brochure and Contract - Charlotte Chamber of Commerce (N.C.)
Become a Sponsor - Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce (Mich.) offers numerous "Business Growth Opportunities," including their "Business Exchange Luncheons."
Sponsorship Proposal and Commitment Form for annual sponsorship of a mobile charging station with added benefits at GLI's Annual Meeting - Greater Louisville Inc. (Ky.) - Note: This example was the 1st place winner of the “60 Sponsorship Ideas” contest at ACCE’s 2017 Convention in Nashville."
Bags, Bingo, & Beer 2018 Sponsorship Form - Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce (Minn.)
Rivertown Fall Art Festival 2018 Sponsorship Form - Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce (Minn.)
The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce (Ohio) has several sponsorship opportunities, from supporting the Young Professionals group to the Women in Business program to other chamber events.
2018 Event Marketing Guide - Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce (Va.)
2018 Sponsorship Opportunities - St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce (Fla.)
View all Sponsorship examples from ACCE's Samples Library

Convention & Seminar Resources

60 Sponsorship Ideas in 60 Minutes - Audio recording (mp3) from the 2018 ACCE Annual Convention
Event Success Through Partnerships - Presentation handout by Darby Burkey, Vice President of the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce (Texas), from the 2017 Events Training Conference
60 Sponsorship Ideas in 60 Minutes - Audio recording from the ACCE 2017 Annual Convention in Nashville. Available for purchase in the ACCE Store.
Creative Sponsorship Packages - Session recording from the ACCE 2017 Annual Convention in Nashville is available for purchase in the ACCE Store. Presentation by Lori Mattson, IOM, President & CEO, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce (Wash.) and Presentation by Frank Facchiano, COO & Executive VP of Member Relations, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (Pa.) also available for download.
Beyond the Logo: Taking Sponsorship from Mundane to Monumental - Presentation by Rick Kern, Managing Director, MixIt Marketing; Wendy Watkins, Principal, Wendy Watkins Speaks. From the 2016 ACCE Annual Convention.

Videos, Webinars & ACCE U Resources

Chamber Revenue Programs Survey - by Chris Mead, ACCE University Webinar on 6/9/16 (free). Non-dues revenue programs allow chambers to diversify their revenue streams, and can range from one-time events to long term initiatives that can significantly boost total income. Presentation handout available here.