The Official Meetup HQ Blog

Nutro NYC Meetup Party!

by Cindy

On September 16th, Nutro Natural Choice Dog Food hosted a super cool Meetup party to kick-off their sponsorship and invited all their sponsored members in the NYC area to attend. They had Dr. Becker, renown veterinarian on-hand answering questions about pet health, gave goodie bags to everyone that came, and even had a raffle to win a year supply of Nutro Natural Choice! Check out one of the winners below from the NYC Italian Greyhound Meetup.

Nutro is sponsoring 60 Meetups across the US and Canada for 3 months. Not only is Nutro giving the sponsored Meetups money to support all the great stuff they do, they are also giving them coupons, giveaways, and an opportunity to have a pet nutritionist come to their Meetup! Check out more information on the partnership here: http://www.nutroproducts.com/meetup/

Cindy is an Account Manager for Meetup Sponsors.

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Meetup Sponsor: Matchmaking for the Matchmakers

by Carrie

This month 100 Singles Meetup Groups got a new sponsor: eHarmony.

Julie, the Organizer of the Triangle Meetup Singles Meetup Group, was kind enough to share her thoughts about their new sponsor. Of course it was it great to get some revenue to pay for the Group expenses, but she was particularly glad that it was a sponsor whose product was such a good fit for what her Group is all about. It made it easy to throw her support behind the sponsorship program.

And Deepak, the Organizer of the San Diego's Real People Having Real Fun Meetup Group, understood eHarmony’s efforts to get as close as possible to his Group: “We’re all their target customers!” He mentioned that the shared revenue from the sponsorship helped to get his Group talking about eHarmony, but it was special subscription offer eHarmony provided his Meetup Group's members that is getting them to try it out. 

If all goes well, some local Couples’ Night Meetup Groups can expect some new members.

Carrie is Director of Sales for Meetup Sponsorships.

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Meetup Sponsors Get the Word Out

by Cindy

Did you know that Meetup HQ helps find sponsors for hundreds of Meetup Groups? Some sponsors give products to sample, or money to support their next event, and some sponsor Meetup Groups to get the word out about a fun new entertainment spot in their area.

For the past 2 months, Sands Casino and Resorts Bethlehem has been sponsoring social Meetups in the Tri-State area. "NEW JERSEY BLACK NIGHTLIFE" one of the groups participating, has wide variety of Meetups ranging from barbeques to plays, book club meetings to fishing trips, and of course nights out on the town.  And now they are planning to have a Meetup at Sands in the next few months where members will get the VIP treatment!

 

 

Cindy is an Account Executive for Meetup Sponsors.

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FreshPet supports Dog Lovers!

by Cindy

FreshPet understands what it's like to want the best for your furry friend and is supporting dog related Meetup Groups on that very same mission. They distributed coupons for their pet food product which is a healthy, simple and natural alternative to conventional dry and canned foods. For the past month, they have been supporting 50 pet Meetups in the Chicago, Minnesota, and New York areas.

 

Groups such as the MN Bully Lovers are participating in the sponsorship and have also enjoyed the financial support from FreshPet.  “Jersey gives these treats 4 paws up!” -Jen Schmidt, Member, MN Bully Lovers. Check out the tasting they had below after their hike.

 

 

 

 

Cindy is an Account Executive for Meetup Sponsors.

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Helping start-ups grow up

by Cindy

Ever heard of coworking?  If you're drawing a blank...don't rush to Google just yet.  Coworking is a really great concept where people who would normally work in isolation can come together to collaboratively work in a shared common space.  Just like your Meetups, coworking brings community to those that don't normally have it during those long work days.

That's where Sunshine Suites comes in.  Sunshine Suites, is a coworking space that offers affordable on-demand office space in New York City.  Until June 13th, they are supporting Meetup Groups that would benefit from their professional workspace, office amenities, and of course talented community :).

The Web 2.0 Female Entrepreneurs Network is a Meetup Group composed of female entrepreneurs that is one of the Groups participating in this sponsorship and enjoying free office space for 1 full week courtesy of Sunshine Suites!

Cindy is an Account Executive for Meetup Sponsors.

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Nintendo's Rhythm Heaven

by Cindy

A few weeks ago, some New York City Meetup Groups were invited to participate in a sponsorship brought by Meetup HQ for Nintendo's new game Rhythm Heaven.  Nintendo hosted an exclusive launch party where sponsored groups were invited to mix it up at Rhythm Heaven's DJ School with free food and drinks, lessons taught my world renowned DJs, and a chance to win Nintendo systems and games.  The New York City House Music Group below, composed of 489 House Music DJ Fans, were able to pursue one of their Meetup goals--learn more about DJ techniques, by taking free DJ lessons.  Check them out spinnin' and scratchin'!

  

Cindy is an Account Executive for Meetup Sponsors.

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Pledge Fabric Sweeper to the Rescue!

by Cindy

Promoting their Show Off Your Shedder Contest, Pledge Fabric Sweeper sponsored 50 Pet related Meetup Groups this past month.  Some groups, like the The Denver Great Dane Meetup Group got free samples of this nifty gadget.  "It's purrrfect" one member told us :)

Cindy is an Account Executive for Meetup Sponsors.

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A Wacky Urban Adventure!

by Cindy

The Great Urban Race, a sponsorship brought by Meetup HQ, has been sponsoring Meetup Groups in various cities across the country.  The event consists of teams of two solving twelve clues, completing fun challenges while discovering their city in a fresh way during a fun day.  Valley Vibe  in Phoenix was one of the sponsored groups, looks like they had a blast!

"We're tired, sweaty and sore, but we had SO MUCH FUN! Hope everyone else did too!"

Cindy is an Account Executive for Meetup Sponsors.

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Guest Blogger Series - Nestor: How to find sponsors

We reached out to one of our most experienced Organizers, Nestor Masckauchan, of The New York Spanish Language Meetup, to share his thoughts and experiences about finding sponsors. - Meetup HQ

In my experience, there are several types of sponsors: those who want to promote their business, those who are committed to supporting your mission and your topic, and those who want a bit of both things.  The best sponsors are those who love what I do and want to support my Meetup but, at the same time also get some benefits.  I always try to look for situations in which I see a mutual benefit and not simply a contributor to our cause.

A sponsor doesn't have to be a company who is willing to give you money.  A sponsor could be any business or institution that is related to your Meetup topic.  They may provide a venue for your events, either for free or at a reduced price, in exchange for distributing printed advertising, promoting discounts or their products to your members.

If you have a Hiking Meetup, you may find a store or factory that is willing to give you a quick tour or lecture on hiking shoes.  The business gets advertised and your members get a lot of new information.  You might even get some money if you charge your members for the tour!  Extend this idea to recording companies if you run a Music Fans Meetup, restaurants if you run a Dining Out or Cooking and Recipes Meetup, movie makers/collectors or dealers if you run a Movie Fans Meetup, etc.  Get creative!

If you have a hard time figuring out how or where to find a sponsor, remember that you have a fantastic resource of knowledge at the tip of your fingers: your members.

Giving your members the chance to contribute ideas creates a higher sense of community within your group, which is something every single Meetup Group needs to survive and grow.  Use this tremendous brain power!  Email all of your members and ask if they know of a sponsor.  I am sure some will respond either via email or talk to you during an event.

There will be one member who will have that great idea you were not lucky enough to have for yourself!

- Nestor Masckauchan, Organizer of The New York Spanish Language Meetup

A Pugfect Achievement!

by Cindy

Chris Baldwin of the New York City Pug Meetup recently won the PetPlan Story contest (a sponsorship brought by Meetup HQ) with his story about his pug entitled “Bugsy and the Chewing Gum”.  Chris will receive a free photo shoot with acclaimed pet photographer Amanda Jones, and also a $500 puppy party for his Meetup group. 

Great job Chris, and Congrats NYC Pug Meetup!

Cindy is an Account Executive for Meetup Sponsors.

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