Welcome to SPX Global: Elevating the Art of Sponsorship Marketing

In the dynamic world of sponsorship marketing, staying ahead demands being part of a community that's not just in the loop, but actively shaping the future of the industry. This is where SPX Global steps in. Born from the legacy of SponsorshipX, a leader in sponsorship excellence since 2005, SPX Global is your gateway to a world where career growth and global networking intersect. Get ready, as enrollment opens in January 2024!

Our Evolution: From SponsorshipX to SPX Global

Since its inception, SponsorshipX has carved a niche in the sponsorship world, collaborating with industry titans and setting standards in event organization and research. Today, we're taking this legacy forward with SPX Global, offering a more tailored, impactful experience for sponsorship professionals. Join us and be part of a community that's at the forefront of sponsorship innovation.

Why SPX Global? Unmatched Benefits Await

Global Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse, international community of sponsorship professionals and industry leaders.

Tailored Professional Development: Receive resources and guidance to steer your career in the right direction.

Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest industry trends, insights, and case studies.

Exclusive Member Resources: Gain access to a rich library of tools and content, exclusively curated for your professional growth.

Hear From Our Members

Discover the transformative impact of SPX Global through the experiences of our members. Be inspired by stories of career advancement, global connections, and innovative approaches to sponsorship marketing.

Join the Conversation

Engage with thought-provoking articles, be inspired by industry success stories, and participate in vibrant discussions within our forums. SPX Global is more than a membership—it's a journey towards mastering the art of sponsorship marketing.

Step Into a World of Opportunities

As we usher in this new era with SPX Global, we invite you to be part of this exciting journey. Join us and redefine your career in sponsorship marketing. Embrace this opportunity to grow, connect, and gain unparalleled access to the world of sponsorship marketing. Mark your calendars - enrollment opens in January 2024!

SPX Global: Your Passport to Global Sponsorship Excellence!

Our team would like to thank Team Granularity for this fantastic blog detailing their experience at the SPX Academy at the 2023 Grey Cup Festival. 

Who wants to start a beautiful Saturday morning driving to another conference?

SponsorshipX Academy was a buzzing contrast to the sleepy streets outside on this Saturday in Hamilton. SPX Academy is hosted at the Tim Hortons Field - home of the Grey Cup Festival. The event transformed the venue's club rooms into dynamic classrooms for speaking sessions. Participants even had the unique opportunity to tour the field, just a day before the Grey Cup.

At the end of this sunny cold November Saturday every attendee at SponsorshipX Academy in Hamilton would agree that this unique event was worth it. Attending and speaking at SponsorshipX was a memorable experience. Not only because of the really cool venue, but because everyone attending was the perfect balance of engaged and relaxed.

And while the venue was spectacular, it was the speakers that left us with a few key things to think about as we went back into our busy schedules…

What are my takeaways from SponsorshipX?

1. Be Purpose Driven

2. Be Data Driven

3. Be Connection Driven

Be Purpose Driven

Mark Harrison started the morning with inspiration. So while the rest of Hamilton was sleeping in, we started the day contemplating our passion and purpose.

What stuck with me was the story of Ryan Smolkin - founder of Smoke's Poutenerie. One of my first memories with my current partner was going for a late-night poutine at Smokes after the bar…There is something special about Smoke's. Ryan’s memory reminded me that following passion and purpose does lead to profit - and to an ever connected network of people.

Start your next Saturday morning tea meditating on this: What is my purpose?

Having met with multiple members of Mark’s team, what inspires me is his ability and willingness to help those around him to achieve their purpose. He acknowledges those that are living their passion - and will find ways to uplift them further.

A glimpse into Mark’s talk can be found here.

Be Data Driven

From my talk on TrendSpotting, to Yoeri Geerits’ talk on the rise of data in sports, to Hugh Lawson’s talk on negotiation; We all drive value through one key magic wand: using data to uncover insights that others overlook.

We have a magic wand: using data to uncover insights that others overlook

The point of “data driven” has been overused a lot over the past few years, so I don’t want to harp on it more. But, using unique datasets that others aren’t leads to marketing campaign results that are 2x to 4x more powerful.

For example:

• I talked about using TikTok, Instagram and Youtube data to quantify new trends before they peak. I showed how creating a campaign around an uprising trend can lead to a 3X increase in campaign engagement.

• Yoeri from YouGov talked about using that while new Canadians are the main driver of population growth (465K new PRs in 2023), 26% of those watching hockey find it too complicated to understand. Having identified the core barrier, it can be addressed.

• PandoPartner showcased how bring sponsorship assets into one central place enables you to extract meaningful data from your sponsorship inventory.

Be Connection Driven

As the spirit of the Grey Cup loomed large over Tim Hortons Field, it became more than a venue; it was a place for us to energize each other. What I loved about the event, it mostly felt like an opportunity for friends and colleagues to reunite. Not as “director of x,y,z” or “marketer at agency”, but as people first. Finding ways to give each other ideas and to help each other work through challenges.

SponsorshipX Academy is the conference to be at if you’re craving to meet with industry leaders that want to help. It’s the place to be to get inspired. and it’s the place to be to make a mundane weekend into a memorable one.

What was my talk about? TrendSpotting to maximize success

• Trend spotting can feel daunting so where do you start? Simply put - if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. Create space for it in your day-to-day operations by making to part of 1 person's role and dedicating 30 mins of airtime each week. 

• Use existing trends to accelerate the momentum of your brand. Interest in pickleball grew +317% over the last 3 years, Vizzy Hard Seltzer is now sponsoring the Pickleball Tour to grow with the sport.

• LA Chargers saw the cultural increase in the Anime category. They made an Anime 2023 Schedule Release video, which has 4.2x more views than the Dallas Cowboys 2023 Release Schedule video (despite the Cowboys having 30% more subscribers).

Thank you Nora Griffiths at SideKick Consulting for being a great MC, and Julia Allen it such a smooth process for the speakers. 

FAQ

What is SponsorshipX? 

SponsorshipX has been a hub for the sponsorship marketing community for over 15 years, offering curated content, sessions, and immersive experiences. It brings together industry leaders, launches industry research, and partners with major event properties, forming a global center for sponsorship intelligence .

What is the schedule for SponsorshipX?

The schedule for SponsorshipX included a full day of activities at Tim Hortons Field, the site of the 110th Grey Cup, with a mix of keynotes, workshops, classrooms, and seminars. The day transitioned to Downtown Hamilton for the Grey Cup Street Festival, culminating in a team dinner .

What is the SponsorshipX Academy?

The SPX Academy @ 2023 Grey Cup Festival Hamilton was designed as a compact, one-day event packed with SponsorshipX engagement, including educational sessions, networking opportunities, and immersive experiences in collaboration with the Grey Cup Festival .

Who were the speakers for SponsorshipX (SPX Academy in Hamilton)?

Speakers at the SPX Academy included Matt Afinec of Hamilton Sports Group, Demore Barnes of Novus Global, Joanne Battaglia of FirstOntario Credit Union, and several other industry leaders from various sectors including marketing, sports, and entertainment .

Who attends SponsorshipX? 

Attendees of SponsorshipX include industry leaders from agencies, brands and properties. 

Do I recommend SponsorshipX to leaders in sponsorship and marketing?

Absolutely - SponsorshipX Academy is the perfect event to network with industry leaders in sponsorship and marketing. The learning and the connections are impactful. 

About the Author

Tali Remennik is a data scientist working at the intersection of AI, demand forecasting and retail strategy. She is the co-founder of Granularity. Granularity is an AI-powered trends platform leveraging data from Tiktok/Instagram/Google/+ to predict consumer trends as they emerge.