We Turned 20!

We Turned 20!

Wow! Yesterday (September 6, 2021) the Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists® turned 20 years old. That is about a third of my life dedicated to this company, our staff, clients, and partners. Heck, that’s a long time!

Typically, I don’t jump up and down or take notice of such milestones. In fact, the last time I wrote about a company milestone, we were entering our 10th year. That TMC can be found here. A lot has changed since then. I began looking back when I decided to write about our 20th birthday, but I also looked forward. Here are some insights and highlights from the past 20 years (trying not to duplicate anything from the TMC 11 years ago) and then some thoughts about the future.

Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists® Notables

  • We have continuously operated under a single brand name for over 20 years.
  • We have had about 25 different team members and advisors over the years.
  • Our longest continuously serving team members still with us (other than myself at 20 years) are at 13, 12, and 10 years.
  • We have provided services to hundreds of properties helping them to generate more money and better ROI for their partners.
  • We have continued to provide customized services to our brand/sponsor clients and this part of our business has doubled in the past 10 years.
  • Municipalities were not on our radar 11 years ago, but now account for about 1/3 of our business.
  • We have also entered to serve sponsorship agencies—a new sector. We work with start- ups and competitors to help them become more successful.
  • Over the last six years, we have introduced and now deliver customized one-on-one training and mentoring programs for industry professionals.
  • We own/host the longest continuously running sponsorship marketing conference in Canada – The WSC® – Western Sponsorship Congress®.
  • The TMC–Tuesday Morning Commentary has been continuously published every week for over 12 years and the prior product (newsletter) started prior to us back in 1998.
  • We are grateful and thankful to all our staff, clients, and partners who have made our success and their success possible.

I also looked at where we’re going and what’s in store for the next 5, 10, or 20 years.

  • In the next 6-12 months, you will see more digital training/mentoring content available, both live and accessible at your leisure.
  • There will be continued updating of our products and services with expansion in these areas:
    • One-on-one mentoring programs
    • Enhanced tools and products for our corporate/sponsor clients
    • Superior valuation program development and delivery beyond typical “eyeball” valuations
  • Updated software for access by our clients to build and value their own inventories or brands to determine market value of assets
  • A comprehensive software program for properties with start-to-finish products and services available form prospecting to discovery, valuation to contact reports, proposals to fulfilment
  • Expansion into the USA
  • A branding update/refresh
  • A unique new professional development/networking/“membership style” product for all levels of experience in the sector
  • Partnership-based training program modules with certification for industry professionals

I am thrilled to celebrate our 20th birthday, but even more excited to look toward what the future has in store for our clients, staff, and industry. I am also excited to have you along this continued journey with me and our team! Thanks for reading and thanks for helping us make it to 20!

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6 Comments

  1. CONGRATULATIONS! 20 years and going strong. Does this mean you’re older than you look?

    Reply
  2. CONGRATULATIONS! 20 years and going strong. Brent does this mean you’re older than you look?

    Reply
    • Lol… that depend on how old you think I look. I am going to say “yes… Ia m older than I look”. Thanks again for all the support over the years. Looking forward to breakfast at Over Easy soon. Please also tell Dana congratulations on the HUGE success of Women’s IIHF last month. It was amazing… I was in Calgary at the time and only wish I could have attended (like so many others wished) All good… 500+ days in the making. We will fill stands again soon.

      Reply
  3. Bonjour/hello Brent. Life after FCM has certainly been eventful and wonderful all at once. My husband & I both quit our jobs and relocated to Potsdam NY to establish a new business. I often describe it as a “roller coaster ride – very scary, exhilirating and fun all at once”. It’s been on my “to do” list to sign up for your Tuesday morning weekly which I’ve always thoroughly. You’ve got a great way of seeing the world with a clear lens, upbeat sense of humour sprinkled with kindness.
    Now that our new business venture is ready for take off, I’m looking forward to your weekly read, insight and thought provoking reads. Congratulations on your 20 years!

    Reply
  4. Belated CONGRATS Brent!!!! Love reading the TMC every week and learning from you!
    There is obviously a reason why The Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists has done so well and thrives as an industry leader. Thank you, as always for providing sponsorship professionals with guidance, know-how, and insights!
    A few comments about the future:
    – Really excited and interested to see the development of a digital platform for asset valuation (genius in my opinion!)
    – Software to help with every aspect of the sponsorship process – do you fear losing some of the relationship-building, personal aspect of the consultation process?
    – Training with certification – would LOVE this! Such a great addition to a sponsorship resume!

    Cheers

    PS – You don’t look a day over 35! Best of luck to your daughter on her season between the pipes!

    Reply
    • Lol… thanks Josh… let’s go with 35 with 25 years experience!!! We too are excited about the new products and program we hope to bring to market. Stay safe and healthy my friend.

      Reply

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