Sponsorship & Events Intern

Internship: Sponsorship & Events Intern

Organization: Empower Sports & Entertainment -Carolina Ascent FC & Charlotte Independence

Department: Corporate Partnerships & Events

Duration: Internship Term

College Credits, Unpaid

Learning Plan Overview

The Sponsorship & Events Internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in corporate partnerships, sponsorship activation, event management, and professional sports operations. The intern will develop practical skills while supporting the planning, execution, and evaluation of sponsorship and event initiatives.

Learning Objectives

1. Sponsorship Sales & Prospecting

Learning Goal

Develop an understanding of the sponsorship sales process and how organizations identify and engage potential partners.

Activities

· Conduct sponsorship prospect research.

· Identify companies that align with club partnership objectives.

· Assist in maintaining prospect databases and tracking documents.

· Support partnership development efforts through research and outreach preparation.

Expected Outcomes

· Understand sponsorship inventory and partnership opportunities.

· Learn effective prospecting and market research techniques.

· Build professional research and business development skills.

2. Corporate Partnership Account Management

Learning Goal

Gain experience managing sponsor relationships and delivering partnership value.

Activities

· Assist with sponsor fulfillment and account service.

· Track contractual benefits and activation requirements.

· Support communication and coordination with partners.

· Maintain organized partnership records and materials.

Expected Outcomes

· Understand the importance of client relationship management.

· Learn sponsorship fulfillment processes.

· Develop communication and customer service skills.

3. Proposal Development & Presentation Skills

Learning Goal

Learn how sponsorship opportunities are packaged, presented, and evaluated.

Activities

· Assist with sponsorship proposals and presentations.

· Support preparation of partnership recap reports.

· Gather data and content for sponsor-facing materials.

· Contribute ideas for sponsorship activation concepts.

Expected Outcomes

· Improve business writing and presentation skills.

· Understand how sponsorship value is communicated.

· Gain experience creating professional sales materials.

4. Event Operations & Game-Day Execution

Learning Goal

Develop practical event management skills through direct involvement in matchday operations.

Activities

· Support sponsor activation setup and execution.

· Assist with pre-game, halftime, and post-game sponsorship activities.

· Coordinate logistics for matchday and special events.

· Participate in venue setup and breakdown.

Expected Outcomes

· Understand event planning and execution processes.

· Gain experience in logistics management.

· Develop problem-solving skills in a live event environment.

5. Community & Special Event Planning

Learning Goal

Learn how sports organizations engage fans, sponsors, and community stakeholders through events.

Activities

· Assist in planning community programs and club events.

· Support vendor coordination and event logistics.

· Work with multiple departments to execute successful events.

· Help ensure brand standards are maintained throughout activations.

Expected Outcomes

· Develop event coordination skills.

· Learn stakeholder and vendor management practices.

· Understand community engagement strategies in sports.

6. Professional Development

Learning Goal

Strengthen workplace and career-readiness competencies.

Activities

· Use Microsoft Office and Google Workspace tools for daily tasks.

· Participate in team meetings and project discussions.

· Collaborate with staff across departments.

· Complete assigned projects independently and as part of a team.

Expected Outcomes

· Improve organizational and time-management skills.

· Enhance professional communication abilities.

· Develop confidence working in a fast-paced business environment.

· Gain exposure to careers in sports marketing, partnerships, and event management.

Key Competencies Developed

Sponsorship Research & Prospecting

Account Service & Relationship Management

Sports Marketing Fundamentals

Event Planning & Operations

Project Coordination

Business Communication

Presentation Development

Data Tracking & Reporting

Team Collaboration

Customer Service & Fan Engagement

Success Measurement

The internship will be considered successful when the intern can:

Independently complete sponsorship research assignments.

Support sponsor fulfillment and activation efforts effectively.

Assist in the development of proposals and recap presentations.

Execute assigned game-day and event responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Demonstrate professionalism, organization, and teamwork.

Apply sports marketing and sponsorship concepts in real-world situations.

Overall Learning Outcome:

Upon completion of the internship, the intern will have a comprehensive understanding of corporate partnerships, sponsorship activation, and event operations within a professional sports organization, preparing them for future opportunities in sports business, marketing, partnerships, and event management.