At VACEOs, we’re fortunate to have a vibrant and engaged group of sponsors who are truly part of our CEO community. At our events, it is often difficult to distinguish between members and sponsors, except by the color of their lanyards. When members and sponsors gather, what you see are genuine relationships, not sales pitches.
Tom Cricchi, a longtime member and Sponsorship Chairman, and now Forum Facilitator for VACEOs, has seen firsthand the value sponsors bring to our community. He recently shared insights on what makes the sponsor-member relationship thrive. We asked Tom to share how sponsors engage most successfully at VACEOs:
- Trust is foundational. VACEOs members value trust, openness, and vulnerability—qualities rarely found in traditional vendor-customer dynamics.
- Sponsors are part of the culture. The opportunity to engage deeply with CEOs in a trusted environment is what sets VACEOs apart.
- Presence matters. Simply showing up without pushing a sales agenda, goes a long way in building authentic connections.
- Relationships evolve organically. Over time, CEOs come to understand a sponsor’s value. When trust is established and a business need arises, partnerships naturally form.
- Presentations can accelerate trust. One of the most effective ways for sponsors to build credibility is by presenting at a Roundtable or Forum session. The best presentations address universal CEO challenges and are not sales pitches. They offer real insights and spark meaningful discussion.
We limit the number of sponsors and carefully select new ones when an opening occurs. Most organizations that sponsor VACEOs stay with it for many years, even decades. That is because our Safe Haven Culture leads to relationships, and relationships create opportunity.
Learn more about the benefits of sponsorship and how to participate.
