Sponsored Lan Party?

[Raybdbomb]

Every other month or so I have a LAN party for about 20 of my friends in the Portland, Oregon area. I've heard that some LAN parties (like the one that is currently stickied) can get sponsored.

How might I get sponsored, so I can give out some prizes?

 

[Juno]

contact companies and have them to sponsor you.

 

[MisterJackson]

I'd start by looking for some local sponsors so you can go face to face and pitch your idea. After you secure one or two good local sponsors then approach the bigger companies and show that you already have an established track record of having a good lan party with local companies backing you. Your odds of getting a "big" sponsor will increase that way.

 

[Raybdbomb]

via email? what might such an email say...?

thx MisterJackson, i'll do that

 

[amddude]

You might need more people than 20 to do that

 

[EMPshockwave82]

i'll pm you with some details when i get off work

 

[Raybdbomb]

ooh thx EMPshockwave82

 

[Raybdbomb]

Originally posted by: amddude
You might need more people than 20 to do that

problem is i'm running it out of my house, and only have 1 24 port switch, can't handle more than about 23.

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: Raybdbomb

Originally posted by: amddude
You might need more people than 20 to do that

problem is i'm running it out of my house, and only have 1 24 port switch, can't handle more than about 23.

A lot of people from Oregon on this board.

I think if you got sponsored by a local shop they would be willing to help you out with materials in order to attract more people who then promote more business.

 

[Raybdbomb]

yea but what local shops should I pitch to?

this is a great article i just found
http://www.lanparty.com/articles/sponsorship/

 

[Raybdbomb]

i just left a message on the phone of the local pepsi distributor, it sounds promising...

i signed up for bawls and alienware via their web forms.

 

[S Freud]

Originally posted by: Raybdbomb
yea but what local shops should I pitch to?

this is a great article i just found
http://www.lanparty.com/articles/sponsorship/

I would look through the phone book for any local tech shops, computer shops, etc. Local business's that you think would benefit you to have as sponsors.

 

[Eeezee]

I'd be interested in finding this out too, I go to 10-man LANs pretty frequently.

But I hate most of the local places. They're overpriced and are unlikely to sponsor a LAN party.

 

[eits]

heh... i'm actually LITERALLY calling sponsors right now. i'm on hold.

basically, talk up your lan and get money/prizes from companies.

www.lacledeslan.com

 

[James Bond]

You guys do realize that 10-20 people lan parties are really small, right?

Companies don't want to waste resources on a 10 person lan party, it doesn't benefit them at all.

Try using a large area, or renting out a place to have your lan parties. A single switch isn't going to cut it, so consider getting a tech shop sponsor who could supply some high quality switches. You need to think big.

 

[bcterps]

You need to be big, well run, and organized. 20 people is a start, but you can't be running this out of your house, find a fire hall or community center or something in the area and rent that place out. Get some publicity going. Once you get 1 or 2 good size ones under your belt you'll be in good shape for sponsorship imo.

 

[waggy]

hmm they sponser small groups like that? seems a waste for the business.

 

[James Bond]

By the way, advertising is going to be key.

There are tons of websites which list all of the upcoming local LAN parties, contact them.

 

[EMPshockwave82]

YGPM

 

[HybridSquirrel]

call customer support, ask to talk to the marketing manager. tell the marketing manager your story. more than 50 ppl will get smaller big companies. like pizza hut or bawls. 100+ will get you gfx cards 200+ will get you amd/intel sponsors normally they will give you a price quote which you have to fulfill after the lan, so plan your entrance fee accordingly