Preparing Your Financial Institution for a Successful Community Event

Community events are a great setting for banks, credit unions and other financial institutions to get out and engage with current and potential customers. From county fairs, baseball games, festivals, school activities or races, there are often sponsorship opportunities that you can take advantage of. This is a great opportunity to show that your institution is invested in the community. These events provide the perfect avenue to network with members of your community and learn more about them.

Once you sign up for one of these events it’s important to prepare so that you can create a lasting impression. Here are some of our tips to have a successful event.

Determine your Objectives

Prior to the event, take some time to think about your objective for choosing to participate. Is it solely for brand awareness, to promote a specific service or both? It’s important to develop some key talking points for your staff, this will ensure everyone is confident and delivering a consistent message.

Decide prior to the event if you want to follow-up with those who visit your table after the event. If so, determine how you will be capturing their contact information and how you want to follow up. If you have customers fill out contact information, consider providing them with a logoed pen they can then take with them. 

No matter the reason the event is chosen, your institution is helping make an impact in your community by sponsoring an event and that itself is a great reason to participate in something.

Plan your Set-Up

Planning on how you will present your booth or table goes a long way. Be sure to check with the organizers to understand how much space you will be allocated, what items you are allowed to use in your display and what they will provide for you. All elements of your display should be consistently branded for a cohesive look. Your display should also be easy to transport and quick to set-up. If you are setting up outdoors and the space allows it, pop-up canopies are a great way to get your institution’s brand noticed, plus they will provide some protection from the elements. Branded tablecloths are easy to transport and will make a big impact at any set-up.

When planning your set-up, also think about items you will need for the day such as tape, scissors, pens, or an extension cord. It’s helpful to pack a small kit or toolbox with these items to ensure you have a smooth set-up process. Finally, make sure to add water or drinks for your team, with all the talking they will be doing, having water nearby will be appreciated.

Offer Meaningful Take-Aways

One of the best ways to make sure those who stop by remember you is by giving them something to take with them. This includes both print pieces and promotional items. Branded promotional items can make a big impact. When selecting an item be sure to choose ones that are relevant to the event and target audience.

Having printed materials for visitors as takeaways ensures they will be able to contact you once they leave the event. Again, take into consideration the type of event and audience you will be interacting with when choosing a print piece. Including QR codes in your print piece will allow potential customers to easily access more information once they leave the event.

Dress to Impress

Make sure your whole team’s attire reflects your institution. It’s an easy way for those visiting your booth to know the name of your institution as well as who is working at the booth. When selecting apparel for your team, consider the nature of the event, should your team be dressed in more business attire like dress shirts and polos or is it a more casual event where a bold graphic tee would make a great impression. Also be sure to check the weather for your event. For summer we can help you select items made from lightweight, cooling fabric to optimize comfort. If you will be outdoors during cooler weather logoed jackets are always a great pick.

Above all, remember to HAVE FUN!

Encourage your team to interact positively with attendees. Your team’s genuine engagement and enjoyment of the event will help it be successful.

When you are ready to start planning your next community event, we are here to help. Our knowledgeable sales representatives are ready to help you with an overall strategy to create a standout presence.  

To learn more about American Solutions for Business visit http://www.americanbus.com.