Your sponsorship means so much more than selling products.
Goal: Building Relationships, Conversations, Engagement and Networking
An ACPE sponsorship is so much more than attending a trade show. We want our sponsors to fully participate in our conference. ACPE is using the event to bridge the gaps between key decision makers and those who provide products and services. The ACPE Board builds the annual conference and its program of activities, sessions and events in a very intentional manner, so our sponsors can begin to build long-lasting relationships with our members or deepen existing ones.
For sponsors to fully realize this incredible benefit, you must do more than staff a booth; you must engage in the conference's activities, events and sessions for all three days. All of these aspects of our conference are essential to your success. Yes, you must actually attend the conference! If you come with the intent to just "sell" your products, you will be disappointed. But If you come prepared to have meaningful conversations and listen to our membership over the three days, sponsorship will yield huge benefits for you.
Any scheduled meetings, events or activities proposed by sponsors require approval from the Board. We will be happy to let our attendees know about them if they do not conflict with the conference's scheduled events. Note that the Board does not approve of our sponsors or corporate vendors scheduling meetings with members to take place during conference sessions; we feel this is counterproductive and distracts from the conference.
Of course, if spontaneous conversations happen at the conference among sponsors, members and vendors, that's great and is what we would hope for. We even have a hangout room to support those ongoing conversations!
Wednesday Activities, Sessions and Events
Morning Social Activities
Social activities are structured to maximize networking between conference attendees and sponsors. The activities run concurrently. We encourage sponsor representatives to participate in different activities in order to broaden your networking possibilities. Times for all activities are provided during the sponsor registration process, which opens the first week of April. These activities include, but are not limited to, a Golf Tournament, Croquet, Putt-Putt Golf, Lawn Bowling, and a Nature Walk. All events are free of charge.
Pre-Conference Sponsor Sessions
These hour-long sessions enable sponsors to dive deeply into a customer solution, new product offering, or other content. They are the only opportunity for sponsors to present information about their company and there are only 10 slots, so this is always very competitive. Applications for the sessions are scored using a published rubric, with additional points given for substantial, active school district participation and for sponsorship level.
The deadline for proposals will be posted on this site. The web form usually is available by March 15. The ACPE Board will make its selections by the third week of April and post them to the conference website. Additional information on these sessions will be sent to registrants by the end of April.
ACPE Members Power Sessions
ACPE attendees and members present at our Power Sessions. They are designed to be longer, more in depth and as hands-on as possible, so be sure to bring your own devices to get the most out of the sessions. They are specifically selected to meet our members' most pressing needs, so sponsors attending these sessions will be able to listen, learn and engage in conversations on the topics most important to the ACPE membership.
Evening Activities: Gold, Platinum and Diamond Sponsor Showcase and Events
ACPE calls the evening event a showcase, and we provide everything needed for you to fully engage and participate: Tables, chairs, Internet, food and drinks are all included in your sponsorship! Sponsors are encouraged to incorporate other fun activities to gain attention and enhance our annual theme. ACPE provides drawings and other entertainment incentives to encourage attendees to make many visits to your booth.
The Gold Sponsor Showcase will include dinner, soft drinks, beer and wine. It is usually scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Times may change depending on the will of the Board and the schedule, but it will be a minimum of 2 hours.
The Platinum and Diamond Sponsor Showcase is usually scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m. A variety of desserts, drinks, late evening snacks, music and other activities are offered throughout the evening. Times may change depending on the will of the Board and the schedule, but it will be a minimum of 2 hours. The showcase space remains open until 1 a.m. while ACPE provides entertainment to the membership. That means late-night conversations, networking and relationship building continue until the last groups leave.
Thursday Activities, Sessions and Events
Conference Keynote and Concurrent Sessions
ACPE prides itself on bringing in the very best in keynote speakers. It's always a powerful learning moment for all. Plus, all day long sponsors are encouraged to network, collaborate and learn from the very best, our members. ACPE's uniqueness is rooted in practitioners sharing best practices. We bring you the very best among us to lead our sessions in a way that keeps it both practical and visionary. There's no better place to continue conversations and build relationships!
Another Platinum and Diamond Sponsor Showcase is usually scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m., right after after dinner. A variety of desserts, drinks, late evening snacks, music and other activities are offered throughout the evening. Times may change depending on the will of the Board and the schedule, but it will be a minimum of 2 hours. Whenever possible, there will be slight changes in entertainment offered from the previous night. Sponsors are encouraged to provide a different focus the second night in order to draw attendees to their booth again. The showcase space is open until midnight, so late-night conversations are also a possibility.
Friday Activities, Sessions and Events
Closing Keynote and Concurrent Sessions
Ice Cream Social
This popular event closes the conference.
