Event Sponsorship ROI: How Chatarmin closed a €20,000 deal at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026 [case study]
Many brands assume that booking a booth is enough to generate visibility. Chatarmin took a different approach. They didn’t just show up at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026 hoping to be noticed, they created visibility through strategic sponsorships, including the entrance banner and the after-party, and proactive approach before and during the event. The result? A €20,000 deal closed by Day 2.
Year after year, trade show organizers observe the same pattern: brands book a booth, show up at the exhibition, and hope for results. But in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, simply being present is rarely enough. Maximizing event sponsorship ROI requires a deliberate strategy – one that builds visibility before, during, and after the event.
Chatarmin understood this. Rather than relying on standard booth traffic, the WhatsApp marketing platform invested in multiple visibility opportunities at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026 and combined it with a lot of proactive activities from their side, such as an informal pre-networking event or pre-Expo outreach to prospects. The result: enhanced brand credibility, stronger recognition among 14,000 attendees, and a €20,000 deal closed on the second day of the event.
Event sponsorship ROI: key results at a glance
- 14,000 attendees reached through entrance banner placement
- Viral LinkedIn exposure from attendee-generated content featuring Chatarmin’s branding
- A break-even €20,000 deal closed at their booth on Day 2 of the E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026 with a new, high-value customer
Why Chatarmin invested in event sponsorship at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026
Chatarmin realized something many brands struggle with when considering trade show sponsorship opportunities: if you decline opportunities because you’re unsure whether they will pay off, you may never discover their true value.
Instead of limiting themselves to a standard booth package, they invested in two additional visibility opportunities. First, they sponsored the official after-party, gaining access to an exclusive group of attendees and creating opportunities to connect with senior decision-makers in a more relaxed, less competitive environment. Second, they secured placement on the event entrance banner alongside other established industry players.
These additional sponsorship investments helped Chatarmin extend its visibility far beyond the exhibition floor, creating multiple touchpoints with attendees throughout the event. By combining brand exposure with targeted networking opportunities, they were able to maximize the value of their presence and strengthen their position within the e-commerce community.
From visibility to credibility: 7 trade show sponsorship tips from Chatarmin’s CRO
1. Combine email and LinkedIn outreach before the event
Don’t leave meeting bookings to chance. Reach out to target prospects before the event to let them know you’ll be attending and invite them to schedule time at your booth.
“We tried to schedule as many meetings as possible beforehand. The entire funnel guided people from not knowing us as a company to understanding how our product could solve their specific challenges,” said Sebastian Meier, CRO at Chatarmin. “Our main focus was to demonstrate the value of WhatsApp and communicate a clear ROI for adding this channel.”
2. Build social media buzz before the event
Publishing content about your participation before the event serves two purposes: it informs your existing audience where to find you, and it attracts the attention of people who are deciding whether to schedule meetings. Brands that actively communicate their presence stand out. Those that stay silent often get lost in the noise – even when they have a great product.
3. Focus on value, not marketing pitches
Avoid overwhelming prospects with generic marketing promises. Instead, focus on understanding their challenges and demonstrating how your solution can address them.
Listen carefully, tailor your messaging to their needs, and follow up afterward to show genuine interest in helping them succeed.
4. Develop a strong on-site strategy
Pre-event planning matters, but so does what happens on the floor. Equip your team with branded, eye-catching merchandise and encourage them to be proactive – waiting for visitors to approach your booth is one of the most common and costly trade show mistakes.
“The entire team wore our branded merchandise, which was very eye-catching,” said Sebastian Meier. “At the booth, we actively started conversations with people passing by, while other team members held more in-depth discussions in the back.”
5. Maximise event sponsorship visibility
As attendees photographed and shared content from the Expo, Chatarmin’s branding appeared repeatedly in the background – thanks to its placement on the entrance banner. This generated organic reach far beyond the event itself and lent a level of credibility that traditional advertising rarely achieves.
Combined with after-party sponsorship, Chatarmin achieved consistent brand visibility at every stage of the attendee experience: at the entrance, across LinkedIn posts, on the exhibition floor, and at the exclusive evening networking event.
6. Host a pre-event networking activity
One day before the Expo, Chatarmin invited attendees to an informal networking event featuring bowling and drinks.
The result was additional visibility, stronger relationships, and the opportunity to establish connections before the exhibition officially began. Those conversations then continued naturally throughout the two days of the Expo, helping Chatarmin maximize the value of its participation.
7. Follow up with leads promptly after – or even during the event
The deals you close at a trade show are rarely the whole story. A structured follow-up sequence, converts warm conversations into closed business. Reference something specific from your meeting to show genuine interest, and include a clear next step.
Chatarmin took this approach one step further. Rather than waiting until they were back in the office to process leads, the team acted immediately.
“The interested company visited our booth on Day 1 of E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026. Our colleagues discussed their needs, presented our product, and followed up by email that evening with a contract proposal. The next day, they returned to our booth and signed the contract on-site,” said Sebastian Meier.
By treating follow-up as part of the event rather than something that happens afterwards, they created an opportunity to continue the conversation on Day 2 and thus were able to move the conversation from initial interest to a signed contract within 24 hours.
How visibility builds credibility: The key takeaway
Chatarmin’s experience at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026 illustrates something many brands overlook: visibility doesn’t just create awareness – it creates credibility. When prospects see your brand on the entrance banner, at the after-party, and across their LinkedIn feed, your company feels established and trustworthy before the first conversation even begins.
That credibility is what converts a passing conversation into a €20,000 deal.
Rather than relying solely on booth traffic, Chatarmin invested in becoming visible at every stage of the attendee journey. The outcome was stronger brand recognition, meaningful conversations, and a signed contract that directly validated their trade show sponsorship investment.
| For companies planning their 2027 strategy, E-commerce Berlin Expo sales are now open – and the earlier the preparation begins, the closer the outcome gets to what Chatarmin achieved in 2026. |
About Chatarmin
Chatarmin provides WhatsApp marketing software that helps e-commerce brands engage customers in a more personal and effective way. The platform enables businesses to strengthen customer relationships, improve retention, and drive growth through targeted campaigns and automated post-purchase flows.
See Chatarmin’s profile in the E-commerce Germany News service providers section
FAQ: Event Sponsorship ROI
Q: Is event sponsorship worth it for B2B SaaS companies?
A: Yes, when approached strategically. Event sponsorship delivers the most value when combined with pre-event outreach, on-site visibility, and post-event follow-up. Chatarmin’s €20,000 deal at E-commerce Berlin Expo 2026 is a direct example of what’s possible when all three elements are aligned.
Q: How do you measure trade show sponsorship ROI?
A: Track meetings booked pre-event, conversations held on-site, leads generated, pipeline created, and deals closed within 30–90 days after the event. Also consider brand metrics: LinkedIn impressions, follower growth, and inbound enquiries in the weeks following the event.
Q: What is the best trade show sponsorship for visibility?
A: It depends on the company’s specific goals; however, entrance banners and after-party sponsorships are definitely good options. Entrance placements guarantee that every attendee sees your brand, while after-party sponsorships create relationship-building opportunities with senior decision-makers in a low-pressure environment.
Q: How can I get more meetings at a trade show?
A: Start outreach 2-4 weeks before the event via LinkedIn and email. Let prospects know you’ll be attending, share what you’ll be demonstrating, and offer a specific reason to meet – such as a live product walkthrough or an exclusive offer available only at the event.
Q: Does social media matter for trade show marketing?
A: Absolutely. Pre-event posts build anticipation and attract meeting requests. On-site content, especially photos featuring prominent branding like entrance banners, generates organic reach through attendee sharing. Post-event content extends the lifespan of your investment and keeps your brand visible to those who couldn’t attend.
