A Buyer's Guide To Events

Looking for a little ROI among the RSVPs? Here's what sponsors pay (and the benefits they receive) at events of all sizes.

By Lauren Cooper | 
 
  1. Marine Corps Marathon
    Washington, D.C.
    Sponsors' names are on the race's website, on signs and posters, and in electronic messages sent to family and friends during the race to help them track a runner's progress.
    Cost:$50,000
  2. Dance Marathon
    State College, Pennsylvania
    This Penn State tradition draws 15,000 people each February. Top-level sponsors can expect loads of signage and access to a VIP hospitality suite.
    Cost: $50,000
  3. Great American Barbecue Festival
    Kansas City, Kansas
    Sponsor an eating contest, and you can enter a team in the barbecue competition. The event draws 60,000 each May.
    Cost: $10,000
  4. Lumberjack Championships
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Your logo appears in ads online, on TV, and in the newspaper; plus, you can be the lone sponsor of a particular event, such as the Jill & Jill sawing competition (pictured).
    Cost: $10,000
  5. Junior Zoo Halloween Party
    Palo Alto, California
    Eager to reach the Silicon Valley elite? This party at the local zoo is marketed to every child in the school district.
    Cost: $5,000
  6. Seattle Opera
    Sponsor an educational lecture preceding a performance, and your signs will appear at the entrance of McCaw Hall, the opera's recently renovated 2,900-seat venue.
    Cost: $5,000
  7. Mini Grand Prix
    Durham, North Carolina
    Teams race mini Nascar-style cars in this Duke Children's Hospital fundraiser. Sponsors get to field a team and keep the car that bears their logo.
    Cost: $3,500
  8. Miss Arkansas Pageant
    Hot Springs, Arkansas
    Sponsors get four tickets to the event and two full-page ads in the program. They also have the right to one appearance by the winner at their office or a company event.
    Cost: $2,000
  9. Eggstravaganza
    Redmond, Washington
    Set up signs and a table at this Easter egg hunt, where you'll mingle with Microsoft moms and dads. There's also a pancake breakfast.
    Cost: $1,000
  10. Maine Lobster Festival
    Rockland, Maine
    Sponsors pay to host individual events like the kids' lobster-eating contest and have permission to use the lobster festival's logo in their marketing literature.
    Cost: $450

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