AUCD 2014, Sponsors, Advertisers, Exhibitors

“As a first-time attendee, the AUCD Conference provided Amerigroup direct access to over 700 thought leaders, university faculty and staff, federal appointees, advocates, students and other key connections in the disability community and field. The important work being done within the AUCD network and its impact on the larger disability movement is palpable and the AUCD Conference is a great place to learn, network, share ideas and develop critical and innovative partnerships.”

-Merrill Friedman,
Vice President of Advocacy, Amerigroup

Complete and submit the application at right no later than September 30, 2014 to secure your sponsorship, exhibitor space or advertisement!

This completely customizable sponsorship opportunity allows you to tailor your message, visibility, and impact at one of our big conference events. Let's create a package together that puts you front and center!

Platinum Partners enjoy all of the benefits listed above, as well as their logo on the splash page of our Conference App: your company or organization's name will appear every time someone opens the app to view any conference information! This benefit is only offered to one sponsor at this level.

A Gold Partner enjoys unique placement at the AUCD Conference, allowing for maximum visibility and networking with conference attendees. Opportunities are tailored to the desired return on investment of the Gold Partner and the natural opportunities for successful partnership, visibility, and engagement within the Conference structure itself. Gold Partners are expected to have strong ties with the conference theme, "The Power of Engagement," and be committed to sharing industry innovations and best practices with conference attendees both at the meeting and beyond.
Gold Partner benefits include:

• Large corner exhibit booth in a prominent location
• Open an identified event (see listing below) by speaking about your company or organization
• Invitation to privately network with AUCD leadership during the conference
• 4 complimentary meeting registrations (including exhibit booth registrants) plus the "sponsor" ribbon on name badges
• Full page color ad towards the front of the conference program and listing in the conference app
• 3 VIP seats at the opening plenary
• Distribute your items at the AUCD registration desk
• Listed in the conference program as a top sponsor and supporter of the 2014 Conference
• Prominent organizational or corporate signage at the Conference's opening plenary or another selected event
• Acknowledgment throughout the Conference
• Corporate or organization logo prominently on the conference website
• Access to pre- and post-event attendee mailing list
• Mention in promotional emails for the conference
• Published "Sponsor Highlight" piece in the December 2014 AUCDigest, distributed to a mailing list of over 2,000 individuals across the AUCD network and beyond

Gold Partners may also choose ONE of these options to sponsor for maximum visibility:

Welcome Reception

Get name recognition and network with conference attendees at this unique AUCD Conference event. The Welcome Reception and Poster Session takes place on the opening night of the Conference, immediately following the opening plenary, and is one of the premier programmatic events at the Conference. Attended by nearly all conference attendees and special invited prominent DC attendees, this event features some of the great work and innovations of the AUCD network and beyond, allowing presenters to showcase their research and projects as well as providing valuable networking time for all attendees.

Awards Gala

Get your company name in front of AUCD leadership and honorees as we celebrate the accomplishments, innovations, and dedication of those in the disability field at this formal Tuesday evening event. AUCD Awardees often include prominent Federal appointees, experts in the disability field, self-advocates, and more. Awards Gala participants enjoy a relaxed and fun evening with a networking and cocktail hour followed by a sit-down ceremony. Your company information can be placed at each seat for the ceremony or be incorporated into the special "gift" that we leave at each plate setting!

Student and Early Career Professionals Reception

AUCD student trainees and young professionals are the next generation of practitioners, researchers, and leaders in the network and disability field. Sponsor this increasingly popular conference event that allows these emerging leaders to gather with AUCD Board of Directors and invited network- or DC-based leaders in an intimate setting. This private reception gives our emerging leaders time to gather with old friends and forge new relationships while they hear from experienced leaders about training, mentoring, and leadership initiatives in and around the AUCD network. Your attendance, signage, and speaking opportunity at the event will allow you to gain visibility with a specific niche of attendees focused around the next generation of change-makers in the disability field!

Silver Level Partners enjoy a high level of benefits at the AUCD conference:

• 6x6 booth in a prominent location
• Full page color ad in the conference program
• Open a selected event (see listing below) by speaking about your company or organization
• 3 complimentary meeting registrations (including exhibit booth registrants) plus the "sponsor" ribbon on name badges
• 3 VIP seats at your sponsored event
• Distribute your items at the event as well as at the AUCD registration desk
• Prominent signage at the event
• Acknowledgment during the opening plenary of the conference
• Corporate or organization logo prominently on the conference website
• Access to pre- and post-event attendee mailing list
• Mention in promotional emails for the conference
• Organization and logo included in the December 2014 AUCDigest, distributed to the entire AUCD network and beyond

Silver Partners may also choose ONE of these options to sponsor for maximum visibility:

Opening Plenary

The opening plenary of AUCD's 2014 Conference will focus on the theme of engagement that will help shape the future of the disability. How can we engage with current and new partners to have a larger conversation about disability policy, education, research and serviced? This year we welcome Leon Dash, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, as our opening plenary panel moderator. Our panel will include thought leaders from around the country who will speak to how they have engaged national audiences around social issues to further a cause, and how we can spark the disability movement to the do the same. The opening plenary is where attendees get energized about the conference as well as about the great work being done, and is yet to be done, in the disability field. The opening plenary sponsor has the opportunity to help launch the meeting along with AUCD leadership and gain visibility with all attendees!

Federal Plenary

The 2014 AUCD Tuesday morning plenary session features prominent news journalist Judy Woodruff of PBS NewsHour. This plenary provides a forum for Conference attendees to learn about up and coming policy initiatives from key federal representatives. AUCD has invited US Secretary of Labor Tom Perez and US Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell to keynote and "interview" with Judy about key policy issues impacting the disability community and field. Typically attended by all conference attendees, this event provides a great start to a day of learning and networking. Provide a brief introduction at the event and get your materials on every chair at this major conference event!

Closing Plenary

This year we are taking our closing plenary to Capitol Hill! Conference attendees walk away at the end of three days with many memories, new information, and new partnerships, but the closing plenary serves as a way to solidify the message and theme and leave attendees with a renewed sense of commitment and energy. The morning starts with a light breakfast at the hotel and then attendees head to the Hill for a plenary session addressing engagement in policy and highlighting the disability priorities for the new Congress. This is a great opportunity to say good-bye and share your information as attendees take the excitement and momentum from the meeting back home.

Enjoy numerous benefits as a Bronze Level Partner at the AUCD conference:

• 6x6 booth at a prominent location
• 2 complimentary meeting registrations (including exhibit booth registrants) plus a "sponsor" ribbon on name badges
• ½ page color ad in the conference program
• 2 VIP seats at your sponsored event of choice (see listing below)
• Distribute your items at your sponsored event
• Prominent signage at your sponsored event
• Acknowledgment during the Conference
• Corporate or organization logo prominently the conference website
• Access to pre- and post-event attendee mailing list
• Mention in promotional emails for the Conference

Bronze Partners may choose ONE of these options to sponsor for maximum visibility:

Conference Program

Sponsor the 2014 Conference program and your full page, color ad will be featured on the back cover for all to see! Participants carry this guide with them throughout the conference and reference it long afterward. The Conference program contains all of the information that attendees need, including daily schedules, concurrent and poster session descriptions, bios, sponsor ads, and information on other upcoming meetings. Every attendee receives a Conference program when they check in at the registration desk and it is also published on the AUCD 2014 Conference website!

Assistive Technology - CART

Accessibility at the AUCD Conference is a top priority. Every plenary session as well as the awards gala utilizes Community Assisted Real-Time Technology to ensure that all attendees are able to fully engage and enjoy the main conference events. AUCD has a standing contract with a company to provide CART as well as requested ASL services at the meeting. Sponsor this important technological feature of the conference and enjoy prominent signage as well as a thank you at the start of each event where CART is offered!

General Breakfast

Get name recognition and network with conference attendees at Tuesday morning's continental breakfast. All conference attendees enjoy a healthy breakfast and coffee before attending the Federal Plenary session and your company or organization can gain added visibility with signage at the breakfast and a thank you from our Board President at the start of the plenary!

• 6x6 booth
• 2 complimentary meeting registrations
• ¼ page color ad in the conference program
• On-site verbal recognition and signage
• Corporate or organization logo prominently on the conference website
• Access to pre- and post-event attendee mailing list

Display your materials and products in a prominent location on Monday and Tuesday of the Conference and enjoy valuable one-on-one time with conference attendees. Located in the Grand Ballroom Foyer where attendees will spend the entire conference, the exhibitor space allows for maximum exposure and return on your investment. Come share your innovative and promising practices with over 700 disability leaders, practitioners, students, and self-advocates. Spaces are limited so submit your exhibitor application today!

AUCD is now pleased to offer a full page advertising opportunity on the front inside cover or back inside cover of the conference program.

• Full page, color, glossy inside front cover $1,200 - 8.5"x11"
• Full Page, color inside program $800 - 8.5" x 11"
• Half Page, color $500 - 6.5" wide 3.25" high
• Quarter Page, color $300 - 3.5" wide 3.5" high

All advertising artwork must be received by September 30. Artwork should be submitted in full color and in only PDF, TIFF, or JPG format. Bleeds are allowed on full page ads; no bleeds on half or quarter page ads.

• Quarter page color ad in the conference program
• On-site verbal recognition and signage
• Corporate or organization logo prominently on the conference website

Health and wellness is an important part of all our lives. Be an AUCDStrong sponsor and support one of two conference fitness events - Monday and Tuesday morning run/walk/roll. Conference participants enjoy a healthy start to their day leaving them energized and ready to network and learn! Sponsors receive thank you signage at the event.

This year AUCD is providing an opportunity for an in-kind sponsor to provide giveaways for registration that each participant will receive when they come to the registration desk at the meeting. We are limited to two in-kind sponsors for this year's Conference. If you are interested, please contact Laura to discuss options. In-kind donors will receive a verbal thank-you at the conference along with other sponsors as well as their logo on the Conference website.