Set Up Guide

Business Banner Sponsorship Program

Program Overview: Street banners add energy and identity to a downtown—welcoming visitors, promoting events, and reinforcing community pride. But printing and maintaining these banners requires ongoing funding. A Business Banner Sponsorship Program creates a direct partnership between your city (or Main Street group) and local businesses. Sponsors fund the banners in exchange for visible recognition on light posts, at special events, or in other high-traffic public spaces. For administrators, this program delivers consistent revenue and a turnkey way to involve the business community in downtown beautification.

Set Up Guide for a Business Banner Sponsorship Program

1. Outline Banner Program Details

Before you can start getting sponsors, you’ll need to determine a few key details that will guide their participation and make it easy for them to get involved.

Determine Sponsorship Options: Offer banner placements on light posts, seasonal banners for holidays or events, or premium locations near key intersections.
Share Locations: Provide a downtown map or list of banner sites so sponsors can select areas with high visibility.
Showcase Example Banners: Share design mockups or photos of previous banners with sponsor logos.
List Sponsorship Benefits: Highlight how banners get sponsors constant exposure.
Set Sponsorship Cost: Price options by location, season, or event to fit different budgets.

Ideas for
Sponsorship Benefits

Banner Display in Downtown: Recognition in highly visible locations
Event Exposure: Highlight if Banners will be featured during parades, festivals, or holiday celebrations.
Digital & Print Acknowledgment: Listing on city, Main Street, or DDA websites and social media.

2. Provide a Smooth Sponsorship Experience

Once you’ve outlined the details, make it simple for sponsors to participate. Sponsors are more likely to commit when the process is simple and professional.

Provide a Digital Sponsorship Packet: Include banner options, locations, costs, and benefits in a simple online format.
Collect Sponsor Details: Gather logos, preferred banner text, and contact details.
Offer Easy Payment Methods: Accept sponsor payments online, or allow manual payments for those who prefer checks.

Did You Know?

Banner sponsorships not only fund beautification—they also strengthen the relationship between local businesses and downtown development efforts.

3. Keep Everything Organized

Street banner programs require coordination across sponsors, printing, and installation. Staying organized ensures sponsors are happy and the program is sustainable.

Track Sponsorship Commitments: Keep a record of which businesses are sponsoring which banners and for how long.
Monitor Payments: Confirm that sponsorship payments are received and properly logged.
Coordinate Banner Design & Printing: Collect and organize sponsor logos and messaging, and ensure banners meet facility standards
Plan for Installation, Removal & Maintenance: Schedule installation and takedown dates in advance to allow smooth transitions between sponsors. Be prepared to handle any banner maintenance needs promptly to keep the program professional and reliable.
Thank Your Sponsors: Recognize contributions with public acknowledgment and renewal invitations.