A brave soul once said you should never mix business with pleasure. Obviously the art of tailgating never crossed his mind while creating this age-old proverb.

This fall, throw tailgating into your mix of how to build a better relationship with your prospects in hopes of getting new business.

Play Ball
Let’s face it—Fall is a major time of the year for athletics. College and professional football are in full swing and thousands of people are glued to their seats—in front of and not in front of the television. If they’re already watching the game, you might as well give them a great atmosphere to do so.

To Grill or Not to Grill
When hosting your prospects and clients, you should realize that not all tailgating has to be done outside. Consider renting out a nice space fairly close to where the game is being held. Having a bar and a catered meal or assortment of appetizers can go a long way.

Have a sweet spot near the stadium? Great. Take advantage of that and enjoy the great outdoors. Depending on your seasons, you might want to keep an eye on the winter months and hosting outside with the elements.

It’s Not All About the Pigskin
Obviously, different sports will reign supreme depending on your location and time of the year. Be open to hosting events for different sports—baseball, soccer and basketball could be good alternatives for your business. Get a feel for what your prospects prefer and try to cater to them.

Meet and Greet
Hosting a tailgating event on behalf of your business is a great way for your prospects to get a feel for your company’s culture and how your employees interact. Remember that your prospects and employees aren’t the only ones that should be showing up to these events. Be sure to invite your current customers to show them how much you appreciate their business.

These tailgate events give you a new way to get business, keep your current customers and all in all have a good time.

Alright, sports fans. Go out there and have fun with the people that make running your company possible.