Conference Prospectus

THE 35TH ANNUAL
AMERICA’S SBDC
CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 8-11, 2015 • MARRIOTT MARQUIS • SAN FRANCISCO, CA
DEADLINES:
July 13, 2015
Sponsor/Exhibitor
Application, Payment &
Company Information Due
EXHIBITOR PROSPECTUS
August 6, 2015
Hotel Reservation
Cut-Off Date
AMERICA’S SBDC 2015 CONFERENCE
GATEWAY TO SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS
Small businesses find the help they need at America’s SBDC Network. Whether they’re just starting out,
experiencing growing pains, or ready to take their business to the next level, America’s SBDCs are there.
Millions of entrepreneurs have overcome challenges, discovered new opportunities and unlocked their
potential with America’s SBDCs.
Welcome to the America’s SBDC
Annual Conference.
It is an absolute pleasure to announce this year’s conference will take
place in one of the nation’s leading innovative cities, San Francisco
at the Marriott Marquis. Every year our conference attracts around
1,300 SBDC professionals from all over the nation. These Advisors
and Directors come together for professional development and
networking. Their passion for small business can be seen in the
140+ workshops that overflow into the hallways and in the exhibit hall
where they eagerly mingle with each other and over 50 exhibitors.
TENTATIVE
CONFERENCE
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, September 8
Registration Opens
Freight Move-In Contractor Set-up
Booth Set-up
State Star Reception
Wednesday, September 9
Exhibitor Booth Set-up
Exhibitor Booth Photo Shoot
8:00-9:30am
General Session
Exhibit Hall Open
Trade Show Floor Buffet Luncheon
Trade Show Happy Hour
Pop-Up Photo Studio
Thursday, September 10
Exhibit Hall Open
Continental Breakfast
General Session
Trade Show Floor Buffet Luncheon
Pop-Up Photo Studio
Trade Show Happy Hour
This year marks our 35th Anniversary and to celebrate we will be
“Looking Forward.” Celebrating 35 years to us doesn’t mean looking
back, it means looking at the next 35 years and where our network
is going and what we are doing that is changing and revolutionizing
the small business world. You will notice we are moving towards a
more innovative and Green conference. We have also put together
new sponsorship opportunities that will broaden and deepen SBDC
network exposure.
• A
t the Trade Show’s Happy Hours, the sponsor can host a oneof-a-kind event, such as a beer garden or wine bar.
• The new App Kiosks will allow attendees using a tablet to access
our conference app to find workshop info, maps and more.
• The new pop-up studio allows a sponsor to brand EVERY
professional headshot taken at our conference. Attendees will
get a free headshot to share on their social media networks,
website and more.
• And last, but certainly not least, we are excited about the Media
Wall, a pivotal sponsorship because the multi-media wall is the
largest information hub at conference.
Thank you for your interest in the America’s SBDC Annual Conference.
We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco this September.
Sincerely,
America’s SBDC
Friday, September 11
Exhibit Hall Open Continental
Breakfast
General Session
Trade Show Floor Buffet Luncheon
Exhibit Hall Breakdown
35th Anniversary Closing Reception
Pop-Up Photo Studio
E X H I B ITOR P ROS P ECTUS
Learn more at www.AmericasSBDC.org/conference
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ROOM RATES:
Single/Double:
$199.00 plus taxes
Room block opens
June 1, 2015
SPONSORS
Who Should Sponsor?
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Companies that are interested in working with America’s small businesses.
Companies looking to connect with the nation’s largest and most trusted small business
development network.
Companies interested in networking with other leading small business focused companies.
Why Sponsor?
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You’ll reach our network of 4,000+ consultants and trainers, and over one million small
business clients through the 1,300+ SBDC center representatives who attend this event.
Plain and simple, street cred. You are supporting the largest professional development
conference for America’s number one small business advisor network.
All sponsorships include exhibit booth space and multiple full conference registrations for you
and your team to attend workshops and all meal functions.
All sponsors are recognized in the conference newsletter, conference app, program and in
onsite signage.
CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
PAT R ON $ 6,5 00
Continental Breakfasts: All patron sponsorships
are applied towards the conference continental
breakfasts. Sponsorships include coffee, tea,
juices, pastries and fruit for over 800 people. The
Patron sponsors will all be included in onsite event
signage. The breakfasts are Thursday & Friday.
S I LV E R $1 5,5 00 – S O L D
Badge Lanyards: This is a fantastic opportunity
to get your brand on a product that attendees will
have closest to them all week long. $15,500
G O L D $ 2 0 , 5 00
Conference App Co-sponsor: This is a
wonderful opportunity to get your product/service
in the hands of the conference attendees. The app
co-sponsor will only share real estate with the main
app-sponsor so it’s a great opportunity to stand
out in the crowd. Get noticed with a highlighted
company name on the exhibit hall map, a landing
page and banner ad. $20,500
Keycards: Get your brand on a product that
attendees will have closest to them all week long.
$20,500
Pop-Up Photo Studio: For three days attendees
will have the opportunity to get their headshot
taken on the exhibit floor in a pop-up studio.
These free headshots will be instantly available
to share via social media and by email. The new
pop-up studio allows a sponsor to brand EVERY
professional headshot taken at our conference.
With 1,400 attendees that means that thousands
of branded headshots will be taken and distributed
with your company’s logo on each one. Learn more
at twodudesphoto.com. $20,500 per day
P LATI N U M $25,5 00 – S OLD
Tote Bags: A coveted sponsorship because your
brand makes it all over town. Become the tote bag
sponsor and your logo will be placed on the 1,300
bags distributed at conference for attendees to
use throughout the week. Last year we used cooler
totes so attendees could take them home to use all
year long. $25,500
E X H I B ITOR P ROS P ECTUS
Learn more at www.AmericasSBDC.org/conference
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Internet Sponsorship:
This is a fantastic sponsorship
for any company looking to
provide a very valuable service
to all attendees. Once an
attendee uses the special wi-fi
access code to get internet access they will instantly
see your company ad or logo. The sponsorship
includes multiple online ads and access to the
1,300+ attendees’ fingertips! $25,500
Trade Show Floor Happy Hours: These happy
hours will take place on Wednesday and Thursday
nights on the Trade Show Floor. This is a great
opportunity to foster a fun feel-good event that will
have everyone talking. Local SBDC clients will
be invited to serve their products and share their
success stories. Be the reason and the support
behind these events and you are guaranteed a
captive audience. $25,500 each
D I A M ON D
Conference Media Wall:
This premiere sponsorship puts
your company front and center
all week long! The conference
multi-media wall center features
an 80 inch plasma screen
with multiple feeds from social
media tweets to a photo display,
daily workshop info, a special sponsor screen and
much more! The center is prominently displayed in
the conference function space so attendees can
reference the wall all day and week-long. This is a
great opportunity to demo your product, share ads,
videos and graphics. $35,500
Conference App Main Sponsor:
This sponsorship not only gets you
into the hands of every conference
attendee but it lasts for an entire
year! Sponsor the America’s SBDC
conference app and your logo or
ad will be the first thing attendees
see when they open the app.
Additional branding opportunities
are available such as a watermarked pages, videos
and banner ads on the dozens of pages attendees
will be searching to comment, connect with other
attendees, set-up appointments, navigate and
more. $35,500
State Star Reception: This is excellent
opportunity to mix and mingle with the network’s
state star’s selected each year by their state for
their exemplary performances. Join the America’s
SBDC State Directors in honoring them and the
work they did. This is always a fun event with live
entertainment, food and cocktails. The sponsorship
includes the reception (for 150+ people), the
State Star trophies & gifts, a speaking opportunity,
branded photos and attribution in all the press
releases and signage onsite. The event is Tuesday
night. $35,500
TITA N I U M
Tradeshow Buffet Luncheons: Meal functions
are some of the most important events at our
conference because they are always heavily
attended and greatly enjoyed. Host one of the
3 buffet luncheons on the exhibit hall floor. The
lunches serve over 1,000 attendees. Mix & mingle
with attendees during the luncheon while your
company messaging is displayed throughout the
hall via video and static signage. This sponsorship
includes lunch for 1,000+, signage, video
opportunities and branding. The luncheons will be
on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. $50,500 each
35th Anniversary Reception: It’s time to
celebrate our network’s 35th Anniversary with
500+ attendees. This is a great opportunity to
show the network your support and help them
wrap-up an incredible week of professional
development. Cocktails and appetizers are served.
This event is Friday night. $50,500
General Sessions: Interested in reaching the
entire network in one sit-down event? Last year,
Intuit brought us American Apprentice alum and
Entrepreneur, Bill Rancic who captivated over
1,000 people with his many stories of how he
overcame the challenges he dealt with as a small
business person. Bring your story or a speaker and
get your message heard. $50,500 (3 available)
E X H I B ITOR P ROS P ECTUS
Learn more at www.AmericasSBDC.org/conference
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TITANIUM
$50,500
General Session (3)
Tradeshow Buffet Luncheon (3)
35th Anniversary Closing Reception
DIAMOND
$35,500
App Main Sponsor
Conference Media Wall
State Star Reception
PLATINUM
$25,500
Internet Sponsor
Trade Show Happy Hour (2)
Tote Bag
GOLD
$20,500
App Co-Sponsor
Hotel Keycards
Pop-up Studio (3)
SILVER
$15,500
Badge Lanyards
PATRON
$6,500
Continental Breakfasts
EXHIBITOR
$4,000
Full Conference Attendee Registrations
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Exhibition Booth
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Wi-Fi & Electrical Drop at Booth
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Exhibit Booth Signage
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Company Listing in Conference Materials
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Signage at Conference
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Banner Ad on Conference Webpage
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Pre- and Post-conference mailing lists
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Option to purchase items outside packages
available at an additional fee
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Entry in America’s SBDC Online
Marketplace
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1/2 page
1/2 page
Full Page
(interior)
Call Donna
Ad in Conference Progam
$300
$300
$300
(business card) (business card) (business card)
Entry in America’s SBDC Blog
$250
$250
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Ad Conference Newsletter
$250
$250
$250
$250
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up to 2
up to 2
up to 3
up to 3
up to 3
Workshops/Seminars (1.5 hours each)
NOTE: Items highlighted in gold are included in coressponding sponsorship packages.
Option to purchase items outside packages available at an additional fee.
Co-sponsorships are only available when the entire package cost is covered.
Thank you for your interest in the America’s SBDC Annual Conference. For more information or questions
please visit our Conference webpage www.AmericasSBDC.org/conference or contact Donna Ettenson
at [email protected] or (703) 764-9850.
E X H I B ITOR P ROS P ECTUS
Learn more at www.AmericasSBDC.org/conference
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