White Label Events - Brand Boost or Budget Drain?

As an event organizer or marketer, you've undoubtedly come across the term "white-label events." But what does it mean? More importantly, is it the secret sauce your event needs, or just another hole in your budget?

What is a White Label Event?

In simple terms, a white-label event means that you, the event planner, use an external provider's platform or service but brand it as your own.

Imagine attending the White Label World Expo; you'd see many products ready to be stamped with your unique brand. In the event space, this concept translates to every digital or physical touchpoint of your event. From mobile app interfaces to event websites, ticketing systems, and webinar splash pages - every platform feature can be branded!

Pro Tip: For an in-depth look at how to brand each element of your event management platform, visit our detailed blog post.

White Label vs. Regular Events: The Core Differences

In standard events, attendees often interact with third-party platforms displaying the provider's logo and branding.

For example, when purchasing a ticket from a popular ticketing site, that company's branding is evident throughout the ticketing journey. In contrast, a white-label event would allow ticket sales through an event ticketing platform that looks entirely yours.

The Pros of White Label Events

1. Branding Consistency: Exhibitors, attendees, and industry leaders see everything in sync with your brand, elevating brand recognition.
2. Customization: White-label solutions usually offer robust API integrations, allowing for bespoke customizations fitting your needs.
3. Elevated Professionalism: Organizing in-person and virtual events like conferences, webinars, seminars, and workshops, all under a cohesive brand banner, generates trust and credibility.

The Cons of White Label Events

1. Pricing Concerns: A tailored event experience might come with a heftier price tag than a regular event.
2. Time Investment: You might need more time to get everything set up. Be sure to choose a flexible event platform with stellar customer support to minimize that time investment!
3. Customer Support Variance: Customer support levels may vary depending on the white label provider. Partnering with a platform that ensures end-to-end white-label support is critical.

What Event Types Are Ideally Suited for White Labeling?

Not all events are ideally suited for white labeling. Sometimes, investing in a white-label package may not be the best use of your money.

Ideal Use Cases for White Label Events:

1. Trade Shows: These are events where goods suppliers interact directly with potential partners. To keep them coming back, you need to invest in branding.
2. Industry Conferences: If your event is the place to be for all industry leaders, a consistent branding experience can set you apart.

Less Ideal Scenarios:

1. Casual Gatherings: The return on investment might not justify the white label costs for informal events - unless you plan an exclusive VIP event, where branding gives a touch of exclusivity!
2. Quick Turnaround Events: If you're pressed for time, setting up a white-label event might be risky unless you rely on a trusted event platform partner.

Brand Boost or Budget Drain: Additional Considerations

A white-labeled event can be the branding elixir you've been looking for, propelling your event to the next level. However, it's essential to weigh the costs.

If you're hoping to offer a branded in-person or hybrid event experience that resonates long after the last check-in, it's worth considering.

On the flip side, if your next event focuses primarily on delivering content with less emphasis on branding, it might be worth directing your budget elsewhere.

Taking the Leap with White Labeling

As you reflect on the future of your events, the allure of white labeling is undeniable. But every great strategy starts with informed decisions.

Before settling on an event platform with white labeling options, initiate a dialogue with potential vendors with robust white labeling solutions.

Some key questions to ask them are:

• How customizable is the white label interface on your platform?
• Which additional costs are associated with white labeling?
• How do you handle updates and changes to the white-labeled interface?
• Can I integrate my existing tools and software with the white-labeled platform?
• Do you offer a white-label app for attendees?
• What kind of support can I expect during the white labeling process and post-event?

Speaking of informed decisions, Accelevents is here to help. As a leading event management platform for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events, we're ready to showcase our white labeling options and answer these and any questions you might have. Book a free consultation to learn more!