Lightkeeper tool

Decide whether a local event is worth the spend.

Estimate the real cost, set the minimum useful outcome, and see what needs to be fixed before the event can turn attention into action.

Built for Maine operators Useful for chamber sponsorships, town events, festival booths, fundraiser ads, open houses, markets, and local partnerships.

Step 1

Run the event through real-world numbers

Use this on one event you are considering. If you do not know your margin or close rate, choose your business type and use the starting estimates.

Event or sponsorship name Business type

Starting point: service businesses usually need fewer, higher-value conversations.

Event fee or sponsorship cost ($) Extra time, staff, travel, or materials ($) Optional, but include it if the event pulls real labor from the business. Average customer value ($) Use revenue from one typical new customer, booking, project, or order. Gross margin (%) Rough is fine. This is what is left after direct delivery cost. Conversation-to-customer rate (%) Use the share of qualified conversations that usually become customers. Primary reason for doing this

Customer path check

Use this to see whether the event has enough structure to be worth doing.

Right audience Clear next step Tracking Follow-up

Ready to review

Owner decision

Customer path readiness

Fix first

Track this

Do this before and after

Where Lightkeeper can help

What this tool should help you decide

Whether to say yes, negotiate the spend, or skip it.
What outcome would make the event worth repeating.
What to track so the result is not just a gut feeling.
Where the follow-up needs to happen after the event.

Good first tests

A chamber sponsorship you are unsure about renewing.
A festival booth that takes owner or staff time.
A fundraiser ad where the next step is vague.
A market or open house you want to improve before repeating.

Where Lightkeeper fits

This free planner should give enough clarity to act. Paid help should start when the event needs a better path from attention to action.

Best paid next step: Event Path Setup when the issue is one event. Customer Journey Review when the event exposes a bigger website, offer, contact, or follow-up problem.