Sponsorship 101: Why Brands Sponsor
30 minute panel discussion
Are you not getting a call back after pitching your program to a marketing director who seemed interested, but is now ghosting you? It’s probably because you offered exposure instead of value. Sponsorship has evolved a lot over the past few years. It's not about brand visibility anymore; it’s about financial results, creating content, forging relationships, B2B, and networking. This session will broaden your understanding of the business of sponsorships by explaining why brands sponsor, what they expect in return, how they measure ROI, and how you can generate value for them, even when you’re not drifting. If you’ve ever sent out a deck or proposal and didn’t get a return call, this session is for you.
ALEX STRILER, Host of SponsorshipSummits.com and MeetTheSponsors.com
JIM LIAW, Co-Founder of Formula Drift and General Manager of PRI
CHRIS FORSBERG, 3X Formula Drift Champion
Personal Branding & Activations
30 minute panel discussion
Getting sponsored means becoming a brand ambassador for a company that compensates you to represent them. How you represent yourself and your sponsors is critical for long-term successful partnerships. To maximize returns on sponsorship marketing, drivers and companies must activate in ways that resonate with participants, fans, and spectators. Proper activation will elevate the returns of sponsorship investments many times more than the actual cost, thereby creating additional value for you and your sponsors. This session will dive deep into personal branding and professional activations.
KANSEI WHEELS - Chris Sempek, Founder & Chief Engineer
SPONSORED ADRENALINE - Gary Reyes, Founder & drifter
Networking and Meeting New Sponsors
30 minute panel discussion
One of the most challenging parts about securing sponsorship is meeting the right person to get a conversation started. But it's not as hard as you think. Being in the right place at the right time is not luck, it's strategy. Learn the do’s and don’ts of networking and discover the best ways to meet executives in motorsports.
AMANDA SORENSEN, NitroCross & Formula Drift driver
ALEX LICHLITER, Formula Drift driver
ANDRE' JACKSON, Digital Marketing & Motorsports, TOYOTA
Decks, Proposals, and POP Reports
30 minute panel discussion
Decks and proposals are different, but most beginners think they’re the same. They’re not! Decks open doors and start conversations. They are used to attract attention and form relationships. Proposals, on the other hand, propose official relationships with specific deliverables at a logical price. Proposals offer sponsorships. Once your deck attracts a potential sponsor and your proposal closes the deal, Proof of Performance (POP) reports ensure that you keep and renew them every season. POP reports are your most important tool for long-term sponsorships. Alex Striler will outline the difference between decks, proposals, and POP reports, and Megan Meyer will explain how to create decks, write proposals, and compile POP reports.
Creating Value thru Social Media
30 minute panel discussion
Unlock the secrets to cultivating a loyal online community with social media coach Megan Meyer and Formula Drift driver, Kelsey Rowlings. Discover proven strategies, explore algorithm insights, learn how to build hype before a race, and uncover updated engagement techniques to amplify your digital presence and elevate your brand, and your sponsors' brands. Whether you're a drifter, promoter, or aftermarket business, this session will empower you to captivate and grow your audience across the most relevant and rapidly evolving social media platforms.
Sponsor Speed Dating
15 minute 1-on-1's with:
ENGINE ICE - Scott Lukaitis, Director of Marketing & Sales
BOXO USA - Rober White, Director of Strategic Partnerships
ENJUKU RACING - Andrew Kublin, General Manager
KENDA TIRES - Ed Koczan, Senior Sales & Marketing Manager
RED LINE OIL - Mark Beatty, Brand Director
