Spring is approaching, and warmer temperatures mean more people want to be outside. That's why it's the perfect time to start thinking about hosting or sponsoring an outdoor marketing event that will draw a crowd and boost your brand's visibility.
What Exactly is an Outdoor Marketing Event?
Outdoor marketing events can be any event that can draw a crowd of interested people, with whom you want to learn more about your product or service.
Outdoor marketing events include:
- Concerts
- Street fairs
- Car shows
- Seafood festivals
- Sporting events
- Music festivals
- Golf tournaments
Professional sports teams host season ticket holder appreciation days or carnivals where fans get to mingle with the players and take photos. There are several activity stations with games, auctions for signed memorabilia, and music to attract the crowds. They’re fun, entertaining, and they provide fans with a positive experience. Special perks like this help with retention of the season ticket holders.
Custom outdoor tents and mobile roadshows are great options for creating a unique and memorable experience for attendees. You can also consider custom mobile marketing designs and wraps to make your brand stand out. Trade shows and Charity Awareness events are a great way for businesses to showcase their products and services to a specific audience.
The size of your company (and its budget) will have a direct bearing on the size of the event you participate in. However, there are different levels of engagement, such has hosting versus sponsoring an event.
Outdoor Event Marketing Strategies: Hosting vs. Sponsoring
First you need to decide if you want to host or sponsor an outdoor event.
- Hosting means that your company is responsible for producing the event. You pay for the venue, catering, entertainment, etc.
- Sponsoring means that you pay to have your company name displayed at someone else’s event. You see this a lot in sports. For example: The Progressive Halftime Report or Heinz Field; naming rights for golf tournaments, etc. Obviously those are large, national companies; but you get the idea.
Why Host an Outdoor Marketing Event?
An outdoor marketing event gives your brand the chance to create awareness and improve brand recall with consumers. They provide the opportunities for businesses to make face-to-face contact with both current customers and prospects, in a fun and enjoyable environment. When people associate your brand with a positive experience, their retention level will likely be higher.
No outdoor marketing event is complete without food and drinks. However, this can get pricey. The good news is, there are sponsors out there willing to help out.
Let’s use an example. Your company wants to host a customer appreciation day at a local park, with food, soft drinks and entertainment. For a large corporation, the expense may not be a concern. For medium and small businesses it can be a burden. In that case, why not partner with a local soft drink or beer distributor who can donate products and defer much of the cost, in exchange for some publicity?
Another option is food trucks! The crowd is still getting a free show, they just have to pay for their meals. Do be aware that some food truck operators require a guaranteed payment in advance, while others don’t.
Enhance Your Outdoor Event with Entertainment Options
Live bands are always a hit. It’s not difficult to find local or even regional bands who would be more than happy to perform. If live entertainment isn’t an option, hire a DJ. Music always makes events better and can even help people recall events or places…and brands.
Other entertainment options include:
- Photo booths
- Drone piloting
- Virtual reality
- Games
- Giveaways
- Contests
Apple Rock trade show design offers specifically tailored event marketing strategies and innovative booth ideas for outdoor events near you, with a focus on creating a visually stunning booth design for outdoor events that will make your brand stand out.
As you can see, there are a variety of outdoor marketing events to get your company involved in, either as a host or a sponsor. Remember that the purpose of your involvement is marketing your company, so be choosy about the types of events you consider. Ideally you want to sponsor events that will attract the same demographics that are likely to buy your company’s products and services.
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