Creative activation helps event partners go green while bringing brands to life, with meaning

Bartram Sponsorship Strategies has leveraged sponsorship resources to help several organizations green their events, venues and operations, providing our partners with much-needed sustainability guidance while establishing a clear brand platform for our corporate clients.

The Sustainable Sponsorships developed on behalf of PG&E for partner organizations throughout the service territory have legitimately helped to reduce energy use at events and venues while promoting appropriate energy use and environmental awareness among key audiences.

Our work has led to the deployment of portable solar power to reduce energy drawn from the grid. This portable solar energy, provided by our partners at Sustainable Waves, serves to accomplish the following:

• Reduce power use and greenhouse gas emissions of the sponsored event
• Demonstrate the versatility and reliability of renewable energy
• Allow people to get a sense of how solar technically works
• Provide a conversation-starter to engage people in the idea of going solar
• Position our clients as leaders in the promotion of renewable energy and environmental stewardship
• When accompanied by energy efficiency promotion and access to carbon footprint calculators, provide a comprehensive review of energy greening for consumers and businesses

BSS has played a key role in creating and activating the following sustainable event sponsorships:

California Film Institute/Mill Valley Film Festival
As lead sponsor of the institute’s Green Initiative, PG&E is integrated throughout the year at the Rafael Theater and serves as a lead sponsor of the festival, deploying portable solar panels to power equipment and a hospitality lounge.

Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival
For two years PG&E has been positioned as lead green sponsor of the popular San Francisco festival, with solar power placed throughout to diminish energy draw from the grid.  PG&E’s presence included energy education activities, volunteer program sign-ups with several non-profit partners, and carbon offsets via Climate Smart to make the event carbon neutral.

California State Fair
Under Bartram’s guidance, PG&E integrated green content and solar power into a major new exhibit while maintaining naming sponsorship of the PG&E Center Stage.  This added element greatly enhanced the company’s exposure as compared with past sponsorships of the same event, while helping to green the event and demonstrate the versatility of solar power.

Marin County Fair
As lead green sponsor of the “Greenest County Fair on Earth”, PG&E has deployed solar to power a carousel ride and the community stage.  The sponsorship featured green messaging throughout the fair and exposure onsite and via media.  PG&E received extensive exposure in the months leading up to and following the July event.

Other Events
As lead green sponsor of the Big Fresno Fair, PG&E deployed solar to power the new featured Water Tree exhibit.  In addition, PG&E has performed the role of lead green sponsor at numerous street festivals, fairs, and outdoor movie events, bringing solar to power sound stages, lighting, and film projectors.