Partnership Support: Major Cultural Event

"Pathfinder East provided valuable advice and support." - Head of Public Engagement, Imperial College London. The Brief Imperial College London is a world-leading University specialising in science, engineering, medicine and business. It leads on the development of the Great Exhibition Road Festival. The Festival, which will attract 70,000 visitors in 2021, brings together science and the arts in a unique, exciting programme of creative workshops, exhibitions, talks and performances working with Festival partners including the V & A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum, amongst many other global institutions based in South Kensington, London. Pathfinder East was brought on board to provide expert advice and support, to identify potential sponsors and generate leads for the event. Delivery The work undertook included: Drafting compelling proposals, clearly showcasing a range of exciting, tailored benefits for partners. Drafting a proposal and benefits offer which resulted in increasing the sponsorship income from one partner - a global technology company - by more than100%. Creating a hierarchy of benefits, tailored to the level of sponsorship income. Undertaking extensive research and providing in-depth briefings to identify 75 businesses and organisations to approach as Festival partners. Approaching businesses and organisations to generate interest and new leads for Imperial College, resulting in strong interest from a significant number of potential partners. Imperial College London now has a lead partner which has almost doubled their sponsorship investment and strong interest from a range of prestigious potential partners interested in supporting the 2021 Festival. Testimonial "Pathfinder East supported us though the development of a sponsorship approach for our new Great Exhibition Road Festival, providing valuable advice and support. The project was not straightforward. With many Festival partners and other stakeholders to consider as part of any new sponsorship relationships, Emma helped us to navigate this landscape. She also tirelessly made approaches on our behalf and successfully generated new leads in what is a challenging and competitive area of fundraising." Vicky Brightman, Head of Public Engagement, Imperial College London and Great Exhibition Road Festival Director