We started the conference business because ticket prices were too high for the value you received.  We deliver quite a bargain with over 40 sessions over 4 days for around $500 (give or take a bit).  Therefore, we can officially check that off our list as done.  It is possible to deliver quality at a low price and it’s time that you start demanding it of other shows.  If not, shame on you for being ripped off.

Now that we’ve been in the business for a few years, we’ve noticed another facet to the conference business that we don’t like.  I personally dislike it more than John, and I’m not afraid to admit that.  I’m talking about sponsors.

You see, I’m a numbers man and I love to play with ideas and formulas.  My goal has always been to get us profitable without sponsors.  Yet, still maintain registration prices lower than the competition.  It’s ambitious, I know, but hear me out.  I’m not saying doing away with sponsors because they’re pointless.  In fact, I’m saying the opposite.  Sponsors are really more like partnerships; However, in the conference space , they’re really not.  It’s a lopsided love affair, where they pay to be a one time “partner”.

Historically, there is tiered sponsorship pricing: You pay us X for these prepackaged set of items.  It sorta like a fireworks stand.  You get the cheapy, ghetto 3 piece box or there’s the highest priced everything-we-have mega-box.  To me, that just never sat right.  Does someone who’s looking for employees have the same need as someone selling a product/solution? No.  Is it fair that they have to pick from the same levels? No. But that’s how it is and that’s how it’s always been done.  John and I think it’s time to put an end to that.

Today we’re announcing the base price for sponsoring 360|Flex (or any show of ours for that matter) is $1,000.  Yup, a thousand clams gets you on the website, gets your materials into people’s hands, gets you mentioned during the Wednesday keynote, helps pay speaker hotels, helps pay for food, helps us donate money to charity, and lastly helps pay salary for John and I.  From there, you get to pick what else you want: lanyards, a booth, a party, etc.  Those will cost you extra, but you will own them. More importantly though, you get only what you need, kind of like an All Stuff, no fluff approach.

See, the key here is this: We want you to succeed at whatever it is you do.  We can help you get access to over 400 developers at our show. We’re still not going to sell you their info (name, email, eye color, etc), because that’s not our style, wrong and just plain illegal (or should be if it isn’t).  But you can talk to them at the show either in person or via printed collateral, etc.  You can tell us what will help you succeed and grow your business, and we’ll try our hardest to make that happen for you. Need something not in the a la carte list? ask us. We’ll make something and get it on the list as an offering for other folks like you.

Now, don’t go expecting miracles, as you still need a viable/needed product.  We can get you the audience, but you need to make it appealing for them to listen or they’ll walk.  So far we cookie cut sponsors into the same mold, which some turned into a success and others did not.

What it boils down to is we’ll become partners: true partners.  You help make our show a success and we help make your biz a success.  Hopefully, that will develop into a long lasting relationship for both of us.  The old way, you’d give us $5K and maybe never come back because it wasn’t productive for you.  What we’re hoping for is that you find this more attractive and reach out to your customers to get them to the show.  If you referred 10 sales, that would be the same $5K for us and everyone would be a lot happier.

Our attendees love our shows.  There’s no reason why our sponsors shouldn’t feel the same way.

Wanna be a sponsor?  Drop us an email at info@360conferences.com and we’ll hook you up. Or take a look at the new and improved Sponsor Packet.