FEB 4 // Move from Stuck to Unstoppable and Win the Day!
Special Guest Michael Kithcart // MWK Consulting
You might say to yourself: “Ugh. Stuck. How did I get here, again?” You don’t need a map; you need a compass. With the right mindset, you can get unstuck every time, unite your team, organization, and sales process. Tap into your superpowers!                        

MAR 4 // Go from Prospect to Partner in Record Time
Special Guest Jen Puente // Chief Marketing Officer, Wisconsin State Fair
The sales cycle may seem unpredictable. Sometimes it’s a beautiful ballet, and sometimes it’s a slog. Untangle the mystery with our proven, repeatable 7-step process honed by sponsorship masters over the past two decades. From prospecting and getting in front of new sponsors, to creating a winning proposal and closing the deal, plus flawless execution of a sponsorship program and much more. Master the steps and master sponsorships. 

APR 1 // Ten Biggest Mistakes You Should Never Make If You Want to Close a Deal                   
We all make mistakes. Avoid pitfalls – common and uncommon­– by including vital language in sponsorship proposals and contracts. Hold your pricing integrity and maintain your negotiating strength with deep awareness and the right words.                   

MAY 6 // Cool Sponsor Activation Ideas that WOW Your Audience
Special Guest Scott McNearney // Director of Global Partnerships, SXSW                
This is the session for BIG IDEAS. The best activation ideas put the audience at the center, improve the audience experience, and solve problems. Brands want to be wowed by creative engagement with audiences. They expect events, teams and properties to deliver something fresh.                                

JUN 3 // Deliver Powerful Presentations so You Can Win More Partners
Special Guest Jen Mueller // NFL Sideline Reporter, Talk Sporty to Me
Showing up with your BEST presentation isn’t magic. Virtual presentations are here to stay, so specific guidance and practical ideas about how you tell your story both in-person and on-camera are critical. Jen Mueller and Paula Beadle are sharing their recipe!        

JUL 1 // Do Customized Creative Ideas Really Matter?
Special Guest Gerry Tabio // Founder & CEO of Creative Resources Group
In short, customized creative ideas are the soul of sponsorship. Sometimes, basic ideas are fine, but your cool ideas are what set you apart. The value in sponsorship isn’t in your assets… it’s in your ideas. Learn when a simpler approach is more effective, and when a big idea is the smarter approach. Let’s rethink tiered packages and menus by putting assets first. 

AUG 5 // How to Price Sponsorships Without Losing Your Mind      
Pricing is our #1 challenge. Identifying assets, determining the right pricing strategy, and packaging benefits is both art and science. The current models are complex. In this session, we share our secret sauce and share cutting-edge ways to develop an essential framework for your sponsorship program. 

SEP 2 // Actions to Take that Turn Data Into Deals
There’s a lot of great data and research out there about sponsorships, but how do you use it to better serve your partners better? We share our annual study and explore in-depth ways on how to turn data into deals!                 

OCT 7 // How to Create a Sponsorship Culture Even if No One Cares    
Culture. You either buy into what precedes you, or you influence and shape it. It’s your choice. A key component to success is creating an environment where everyone is invested in overall goals and outcomes. Discover specific steps to implement in every workplace to improve culture and unify sponsorship efforts.

NOV 4 // A Look Behind the Curtain Reveals Sponsor Secrets
Let’s look behind the curtain! What is life like on the other side? Sponsorship decision-makers in sporting and events will share what is really happening behind the scenes. You may be surprised by their day-to-day life!                                  

DEC 2 // How Badass Leaders Will Win the Year Ahead
Our badass panel discussion on BIG and BOLD moves for 2022 will give you an insider track on forward-thinking. This vital conversation will change your game.                                      

 JAN  6 // A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Sales Plan
You need a plan. Clear goals. A proactive approach. We share a concise step-by-step strategy and critical insights on facilitating planning sessions, developing the right plan, and presenting it in a way that connects and ignites action. Everyone leaves this session with a sales plan outline for 2022!