Getting Sponsored?

[Mermaid Crystal Shimmer]

Not sure if this is in the right section, but I'd really could use some idea's.
Like many others here, performing in a tank is really a dream of mine. Now I have this crazy idea of having a tank at one of the biggest fantasy/medieval events of Europe. But renting something like that would cost a lot of money (as in, thousands of dollars) for 3 days. So I was thinking maybe a company like that could sponsor a tank on such an event, but how to convince them?
I've already tried contacting one company and asked for the dimensions of the tank and such, got a reply a week later. When I asked about sponsoring I never got a reply back =(
So before I try contacting other companies I thought I could ask for some advice on how to approach this.

Some important info: the event itself has 35.000 visitors. (Still growing each year) Here in the Netherlands I'm one of the very few mermaids, (I think there's only.. 5? of us, 3 of us being pro's/turning pro) and something like this has never been done/seen before. So it would really be something unique to see.

[teeth4u]

That's tough. Tanks are really expensive and it would be really helpful if a company would be willing to help out. Maybe when contacting businesses, ask them if they would be interested in sponsoring you at your events. They would provide the tank or give you a discounted price and you would advertise for the company during events. This way, the both you and the company benefit from you using their tank.

I guess it depends on what company you are contacting. If I were you, I would research each company and try to think of ways that having a mermaid in one of their tanks would benefit them.

[Mermaid Crystal Shimmer]

Sponsoring, that's the word haha Yeah, I meant I contacted one company and asked about sponsoring, and in exchange I would promote their dive school/rent possibilities etc.. that was over a month ago, but never got a reply (send another email about two weeks after, still nothing)
There aren't a lot of companies that have such a thing (and I'm a tad bit picky, the one I'm after now has fairly large windows.. other companies have really, tiny windows.. so not much to see =( )

(edited the first post to sponsoring instead of promoting ;) )

[AniaR]

A tank company wont sponsor you. But you can try and get local businesses to sponsor you. Do some research and see which business are often sponsoring cultural, tourism, and art events. Sometimes if you go on their corporate website you can actually download a template for an application. If there's no application you need to create a package unique to their company. Honestly, there's so much to it I could do a whole workshop on it... but there are great articles online, in business magazines, and if you hit your library it's a topic covered in many books. We get sponsorship sometimes. It's like applying for scholarships in that you'll probably apply for like 20 and be lucky to get one. But it's worth it when it pans out. Many big businesses will sponsor things like that but get you to put their name in the title, so "Scotiabank presents, the Halifax Mermaids Tank Show!" type deal. Or "brought to you by ____"

[Mermaid Crystal Shimmer]

Well, the thing is, one company does sponsor a big event that is held each year. (Serieus Request) But that has way more visitors (700.000) and is for charity.
I've been over thinking this for about two months now, to find out what the best way is to approach this. If there isn't an other option, well then I'll have to save up a looooot of money =/

[AniaR]

Sponsorship on a large scale tends to take a year of prep. You typically apply for something with the intent of it happening the following year. This is how we finance our tank. You're in the Netherlands so I'm not sure of your typical laws and regulations but try some of my earlier suggestions on gathering information on the process. It's a lot like writing a business plan

[Mermaid Crystal Shimmer]

well the event is in august 2015 ;) But I just came up with a different plan. Every year Greenpeace is at the event to raise awareness for nature. So I just send them an email so maybe we could work together to raise awareness for the ocean. That would be a win-win situation. :D