Why Pay-Per-Lead Changes the Conversation
Most event sponsorships charge a flat fee regardless of outcome. That structure leaves all the risk with the sponsor. The host gets paid whether 3 people show up or 30. LunchLeads inverts this by charging a small retainer plus a per-lead price agreed before launch. The sponsor only pays meaningful money when real leads show up.
What a Lead Actually Costs
Per-lead pricing varies based on audience seniority, city, and outreach complexity. A room of plant managers in Milwaukee might run $60 per lead. A room of enterprise CISOs in Austin might run $95. The price is set before launch so you can model the economics against your pipeline value.
Why the Retainer Matters
The $500 retainer covers setup, venue, catering, and the outreach operation that fills the room. It is credited against your first lead invoice, which means if the event produces 20 leads at $75 each, you pay $1,500 — not $2,000. The retainer is real investment from the sponsor, not a fee extraction.