The right conversations shouldn’t be left to chance – so we’ve rebuilt the Sustainable Packaging Summit’s partnership model to help make them happen. Here’s how we’ve put that thinking into practice.
The Summit already brings together a large, senior international audience of 850+ attendees. That includes packaging professionals from 43+ countries, 80% of whom are involved in final decision-making.
Scale alone isn’t the point. High numbers increase the likelihood of a valuable exchange on paper – but as we’ve discussed at length, assembling the right people in the same room is no longer enough.
Partners need a more intentional way to meet the people most relevant to them. Otherwise, there’s every risk the perfect business contact will walk right past their stand – or spend the whole event on the other side of the building.
That’s why we’ve introduced the Concierge Meeting Programme.
From access to introductions
We’re taking a more active role in helping those connections happen. Depending on their partnership level, our partners will receive up to 15 curated, 1-to-1 meetings, each tailored to suit their specific business needs.
Make no mistake: this isn’t the result of an algorithm. A dedicated Concierge Manager supports the process from end to end, from understanding the client’s targets to overseeing outreach through on-site delivery.
That also means the appointments aren’t random. This service ensures each meeting is pre-qualified, mutually agreed, and arranged in advance – giving both sides a clear reason to have the conversation.
The purpose isn’t to fill diaries with meetings. It’s to start the relevant conversations between people who have a genuine reason to talk.
Rethinking the sponsorship package
This same line of thinking has inspired us to redesign the wider partnership structure around different levels of access, engagement and influence. Now organizations have clearer options, depending on what they want to achieve at the Summit.
Our new packages go beyond presence and visibility. Instead of measuring success primarily through footfall, they put greater emphasis on access, engagement and relevant commercial conversations.
This year, the Summit is embracing a broader definition of value: Who did you meet? What conversations did you start? What relationships could develop from them?
Does this mean the booth is dead?
Far from it. Spontaneous networking and thought leadership are integral parts of the trade show experience – and visibility, including the opportunity to showcase products and services, remains as important as ever.
Here’s the difference: we’re not expecting the booth to do all the work anymore. Our partners get the best of both worlds.
A conversation might start in a pre-arranged meeting and continue at the booth. Someone may hear a partner speak on stage and arrange a conversation afterwards. An introduction might lead to an unexpected connection elsewhere at the event.
We can’t guarantee what happens after two people meet, but we can take much greater responsibility for making sure the right people have the opportunity to sit across the table from one another.
For us, that’s what a modern event partnership should deliver.
Click here to see how we’ve rebuilt the Sustainable Packaging Summit partnership model
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