Are you still nursing a hangover from your last event? Well, don’t get too comfy because it’s time to start your follow-up game! Showing appreciation to sponsors, vendors, and volunteers is like sending a thank-you note after a successful date – it keeps the door open for future engagements. And let’s be real, we want everyone to remember our events for all the right reasons – the good times, the great people, and the even greater swag!
Post-event etiquette is essential in maintaining a positive image for your organization and building lasting relationships with those who supported your event. Proper post-event etiquette includes thanking everyone involved, sharing event highlights and feedback, and following up on any promises or commitments made during the event.
This blog post will give you fresh “thank you” gift ideas that include a price range so event planners like you can plan and budget accordingly.
Are Gifts Required for Event Sponsors?
While gifts are not required and not included in the contract, it is generally considered customary to express appreciation to them with some sort of gift or token. It does not necessarily need to be expensive and can be as simple as a thank you note or card.
The Power of Reciprocity in Marketing and Sales
As event organizers, our attendees and the people involved in the event are our potential customers, community, and brand ambassadors that will help with your product or brand’s image.
Your thoughtful gesture of appreciation can go a long way. Aside from building stronger relationships, there are other benefits of gift-giving. For one, it can help to increase the visibility and exposure of your brand.
The happier they feel about your relationship with them, the more likely they are to talk about you to their network. By offering branded merchandise as a gift, you also increase your brand’s retention with them.
Giving gifts also triggers a sense of reciprocity among the stakeholders. In marketing, this concept is one of the main principles that work. The book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini talks about this concept.
Reciprocity is a powerful tool in marketing that involves giving something of value to a customer in exchange for their loyalty or business. By providing customers with something they want or need, whether it’s a discount, a free sample, or some other type of incentive, businesses can increase the chances of those customers making a purchase or engaging with their brand.
The principle of reciprocity is based on the idea that people are more likely to reciprocate when they receive something of value. When a business provides something of value to its customers, it creates a sense of obligation and gratitude that can increase the likelihood of repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
In this way, reciprocity can be a powerful tool for increasing sales and building customer loyalty in the competitive world of marketing.
Now that we’ve established the value of gift-giving, here are 25 unique gift ideas you can take inspiration from for your next post-event activities.
26 Thank You Gift Ideas to Give Event Sponsors, Vendors, and Volunteers
Common Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Event Sponsors
- Customized plaques or trophies
Plaques or trophies with the sponsor’s name, event name, date, and place are the most common token of appreciation during events. It creates a sense of professionalism and a personal touch with the recipient of the token.
– Price: Starts at $10-$20
- Branded company merchandise (Coffee cups, notebooks, etc)
Another common gift to give would be company merchandise like coffee mugs, notebooks, lanyards, etc. These types of swag or items can usually be bought at a discounted price when ordered in bulk.
– Price: Starts at $2-$5 per piece if ordered in bulk. Premium and complex mugs will cost $15-$20 per piece.
- Gift Baskets filled with snacks and goodies
Nothing beats the classic goodie basket filled with classic snacks or wine for your special guests. Gift baskets can be customized, do-it-yourself, or bought as a set in grocery stores.
– Price: Starts at $30-$50, depending on the snacks inside the basket
- Premium Chocolates
End your event on a sweet note with a delightful bar of chocolate. Add in a special message to make it extra special.
– Price: Starts at $20 per chocolate, depending on the brand
- Scented candles or essential oils
One can never go wrong with home improvement accessories like scented candles or essential oils. Just note that each one has its own personal preferences in terms of scent so pick out the classic ones. There is a list of best-selling candles to choose from. A famous candle for men to try is Craft and Kin and the classic Yankee candle brand for women.
– Price: Ranges from $10 to $50, depending on the size, scent, and brand. Essential oils can range from $5 to $50, depending on different factors like the rarity of the oil, brand, etc.
- Bluetooth Speakers or Headphones
Professionals would surely appreciate something useful for work meetings like speakers and headphones. These items can be costly so pick out a brand or vendor that would suit your budget.
– Price: Starts at $20 to $30, with branded ones costing $50 to $300.
More Small Token Gift Ideas for Event Sponsors
- Personalized thank you cards
Never underestimate the power of personalized cards. Old souls would sure appreciate a thank you note that comes from the heart. You can attach photos of the event (with their faces, if possible) to make it extra and more personal.
– Price: Free or very low cost.
- Personalized keychains, notepads, or pens
– Price: Keychain starts at $3-$5 per piece, depending on the minimum order quantity. Personalized notepads start at $10 per piece.
- Desk plant
Give them the fulfillment of nurturing something to grow. Desk plants also add a relaxing vibe to any workspace. Choose plants that are low-maintenance since not all have the experience of growing plants.
– Price: Starts at $5-$15 at a local nursery store
- Personalized nameplates
This is ideal for conferences, seminars, or corporate gatherings.
– Price: A simple plastic or acrylic nameplate with basic engraving could cost anywhere from $5-$20 per unit.
- Engraved Wine Glass
Be top of mind in every celebration with this gift suggestion.
– Price: Starts at $10 to $20 per glass
Digital Gift Ideas for Event Sponsors
- Subscription gift cards for food
Giving a snack subscription gift card to one of your partners is a delicious way of showing appreciation. Gift cards allow flexibility so that recipients can choose according to their preferences.
– Price: A grocery delivery subscription can start at $10 to $15 per person
- 1-month Subscription to streaming services like Netflix or Spotify
This gift can be done via a code or gift card.
– Price: Basic streaming subscription plan for Netflix starts at $8.99 while Spotify costs $4.99 per month.
- Gift certificates for online courses
Purchase an online course that’s related to the theme of the event for continuous retention.
– Price: the average cost for a short online course starts at $50 but averages at $100 per course.
- 1 month’s membership to an online service or club
If your brand is all about wellness or fitness, then enrollment in an online class or service is on point.
– Price: On average, a subscription to an online fitness service ranges from $20 to $50.
- Coffee QR code they can redeem at any specific coffee shop
Treat them to coffee as a way of saying thanks. Just set a fixed price via a QR code that they can present to the store.
– Price: This type of gift is in your control. The average price for a cup of coffee now is $4 to $6.
Organizational Gift Ideas
- Promotions or Discount cards to restaurants
Give a gift card for the whole department or team to enjoy together.
– Price: This can be customized depending on your budget.
- Branded tablet or laptop sleeves
Choose a generic size and color for the general receiver.
– Price: Personalized laptop sleeves start at $20.
- Branded USB drives or Hard drives
Everyone would appreciate extra storage, especially professionals on the go.
– Price: Depends on the storage size of the USB or hard drive. A 4GB Hard drive starts at $5 while a 500GB hard drive starts at $50.
- Customized portfolio bags or backpacks
If you have a bigger budget, you can customize a branded bag for your special guests. You can adjust the material you want from leather, cloth, etc.
– Price: The average of a customized portfolio leather bag can range up to $100. You can opt for customized tote bags or other more affordable alternatives if you prefer.
- Personalized or branded mouse pads
Increase your brand’s retention by gifting your attendees with things that they will see daily like a branded mouse pad.
– Price: $4 to $8 per piece, depending on order quantity
Thank you gift ideas for Volunteers
- Customized T-shirt
Create a cool statement shirt related to the cause or mission of the event. You can print some witty and funny statements on your customized shirt. For example, you can include this funny statement for fundraiser attendees: “I may be broke, but my heart is full.”
– Price: Starts at $10 to $20 per piece
- Personalized photo albums or photo souvenirs
Photo souvenirs are one of the best ways to eternalize the memories of your event. Give a sense of fulfillment to volunteers by compiling photos and highlights of the event.
-Price range: $10 to $20 (includes printing and frame)
- Sponsor’s products merch or giveaway
Giving away product merchandise or giveaway is a win-win situation both for the sponsor and the volunteer. The brand gets promoted while the volunteer gets to enjoy the products or services provided for free.
– Price: Free, depending on the number of sponsor goods you receive
- An invitation to a special volunteer appreciation event or dinner
End a special event with a celebratory dinner with your volunteers. Create a program to appreciate each volunteer or discuss what went well during the event.
– Price: Dependent on the location, menu, or program if any.
Where To Buy Gifts For Event Sponsors?
Buying gifts shouldn’t be a hassle these days. With everything accessible online, you can easily compare prices, read reviews, and check suggested alternatives.
The most common places you can consider are:
- Amazon: It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need. You can buy in bulk and have it conveniently delivered to your address in just a few days.
- Etsy: Etsy is the place to buy personalized or DIY giveaways or products. You’ll see lots of inspirations and thoughtful crafts here plus you get to support local sellers too.
- Target: If you’re the type of person who wants to see the items in person, then a visit to the nearest Target shop would be the best option for you.
- Instagram Shops: This is one of the ways to discover startups or new shops selling their products. You can usually find what you’re looking for based on the algorithm or targeted ads.
How to Keep Sponsors Happy?
At the end of the day, event organizers just want a successful event where every stakeholder is happy. From event planning to post-event, we want to create a smooth experience for them to keep coming back and build a relationship with us.
While giving a creative gift to event sponsors is one way to keep them delighted, there are other ways you can do it for an overall positive impact.
- Know your sponsors: This should be clear from the beginning of your partnership. See yourself from their perspective and understand their goals and motivation in joining the event in the first place. Getting to know this enables you to provide the best possible service for them.
- Provide value: More than the gift of appreciation, sponsors ultimately want to get value out of their investment in your event or organization. Have you accomplished this and is this measurable? This is one of the best gifts you can give them after an event.
- Communicate effectively: Clear communication helps avoid future conflicts and misunderstandings that could rise from unclear expectations. Make an effort to maintain this throughout the relationship.
- Show appreciation, especially post-event: Last but not the least, seal your event with a sweet and thoughtful appreciation with the gift suggestions mentioned above.
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