Sponsorship is essential to the success of the 8th Fire Gathering. Sponsorship allows the event to offer meals and refreshments to attendees, keeps the 8th Fire Gathering affordable to attendees. Sponsors also allow for incredible special guests, speakers, and entertainers to be featured. Sponsors will be featured in this space on the website, on the Media Backdrop, in advertising, programs, posters, and will be announced by speakers and MCs throughout the 8th Fire Gathering. If you, your Union, Organization or Business would like to sponsor the 8th Fire Gathering, please contact [email protected] for additional information and details.

Thank you to our 2015 sponsors who made Calgary's 8th Fire Gathering an incredible success.

2015 Platinum Sponsors

$8,000 - $10,000

2015 Gold Sponsors

$4,000 - $7,999

2015 Silver Sponsors

$2,000 - $3,999

2015 Bronze Sponsors

$500 - $1,999

Re: 8^th Fire Gathering – Participation and Sponsorship Request

My name is Chantal Chagnon, and I am Conference Manager and Organizing Committee Chair of the 8^th Fire Gathering, scheduled March 13 - 15, 2015 at MacEwan Conference and Event Centre, University of Calgary. This unique, critically important event will attract new and emerging leaders from Aboriginal communities, unions, businesses, and the non-profit sector who strive for sustainable communities, Aboriginal rights and a better Canada. The goal of 8^th Fire Gathering is to inspire, empower and spark people to build better, more sustainable, equitable communities.

The 8^th Fire Gathering will be three days of inspiring speakers, powerful performances, informative sessions, interactive workshops, and engaging activities. Areas of discussion include Aboriginal Culture & Concerns, Sovereignty, Politics, Environment, Building Sustainable Communities, Worker & Union Rights, Health, Social Justice. Throughout the day, the main conference hall will be the venue for plenary sessions featuring high profile speakers. In the evenings, the hall will be the setting for Friday’s Opening Ceremony, Saturday’s 8^th Fire Concert, and Sunday’s Closing Ceremony and Round Dance.

Your Organization or Union can participate in a number of ways. Information, Vendor and Artisan tables are available throughout the lobby and the main hall. The tables allow you to share information and feature your Organization’s or Union with participants at the 8^th Fire Gathering. There are opportunities for presentations to highlight projects, initiatives and your Organization or Union itself. Donations of In Kind items would also be greatly appreciated and is a great way to feature logos of your Organization or Union at the 8^th Fire Gathering.

Sponsorship is an integral aspect of the 8^th Fire Gathering and will ensure your Organization or Union plays a vital role in the success of this first-of-its-kind event in Canada. Sponsorship can take many forms, as you can choose from four (4) sponsorship options: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.  Sponsors can choose to cover the cost of a meal, a refreshment break, travel and accommodation for speakers, one of the evening events, or registrations for students, seniors or people of low income.

In exchange for your generous contribution, your Organization’s or Union’s logo will be featured on the media backdrop, programs, website, advertising and promotional material. The MC will thank your Union or Organization during the 8^th Fire Gathering opening Ceremony. In addition, for any meals or events your Organization or Union sponsors, speakers or the MC will highlight and thank your Organization or Union and its incredible members.

A detailed information sheet accompanies this letter for your review. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for your sponsorship consideration of the 8^th Fire Gathering. Looking forward to discussing this opportunity at your earliest convenience. Have a wonderful week.

Yours very truly,

 Chantal Chagnon

 Information Sheet for Sponsors

Request for Sponsorship Support:

The goal of the 8th Fire Gathering is to share knowledge, experience, insights, and information; build relationships and expand networks; and inspire, empower and enable people with the tools and knowledge required to take action and make positive change. Collaboration is the driving force behind the 8th Fire Gathering, and your organization is an integral part of that powerful dynamic.

Contributions from corporate and community sponsors range from between $500 - $12,000.  Our sponsorship packages are divided into four categories, with corresponding benefits: 

Platinum         $8,000 – $12,000 – Benefits of the Platinum sponsorship include access to the Idle No More Teach-In, the 8^th Fire Concert, and the Aboriginal Comedy Showcase, programs and tickets for the event will feature your logo, and the MC will thank your organization during the event. Logo featured on placards and in the menu during Meals and Refreshment Breaks. Featured in Program, Poster, Media Backdrop and Website, Thanked by MC during Special Events, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Premium Information booth option. This includes six (6) free conference registrations and four (4) Gala Dinner Tickets.

Gold                $4,000 – $7,999 – Benefits of the Gold sponsorship: Sponsor Featured on placards and in the menu during one Meal and all refreshment Breaks. Featured in Program, Poster, Media Backdrop and Website, Thanked by MC during Meals, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Premium Information booth option. This includes four (4) free conference registrations and two (2) Gala Dinner Tickets.

Silver              $2,000 – $3,999 – Benefits of the Silver sponsorship: Sponsor Featured on placards during one of the refreshment breaks. Featured in Program, Poster, Media Backdrop and Website, Thanked by MC during Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Information booth option. This includes four (4) free conference registrations.

Bronze           $500 – $1,999 – Benefits of the Bronze sponsorship: Sponsor Featured in Program, Poster, Media Backdrop and Website, Thanked by MC during Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Information booth option. This includes three (3) free conference registrations.

Sponsorship logos and information will be reflected in the programs, posters, table placards, the website, and on the media backdrop will be distributed according to the percentage of the sponsorship. Banners and flags of sponsors will also be featured on the multiple presentation stages.

Sponsorships will cover the costs of meals, refreshments, special guests, marketing, the evening events, and all essential aspects to ensure the success of the 8^th Fire Gathering. In exchange your generous contribution, your organization’s logo will be featured on the media backdrop, banners, programs, website, advertising and promotional material. The MC will also thank your organization during The 8^th Fire Gathering Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

The 8^th Fire Gathering will also be the first conference to Live Stream the event in its entirety. Live Streaming is a unique and innovative way to reach and interact with a more diverse and previously untapped audience. Live Stream will allow people from around the globe to not only observe, but also participate in presentations, ask questions, share live and archived presentations, and be directly involved in the conference from anywhere on the planet. This also allows 8^th Fire Gathering participants to view presentations which may be running simultaneously. Sponsorship allows you to be part of this unique feature and reach a wider audience to share your messages and to promote your organization, union or business locally, provincially, federally and internationally to ensure  maximum exposure.

Alternately, organizations have the option of sponsoring tickets for students, seniors, and limited income community members to attend. This offers the opportunity to those who may not have otherwise been able to attend the 8^th Fire Gathering. All sponsored tickets will display the name of the sponsor. Organizations or individuals sponsoring ten or more tickets will be highlighted and thanked in the program.

Information tables will be available to display literature, sell items and accept donations. This Display tables may be requested separately and include admission for two people to attend the conference to facilitate the table. You may also purchase multiple tickets for your organization at a discounted rate. Basic tables are located outside of the main hall and must set up/torn down daily. Premium tables are available to Platinum and Gold sponsorship and are located in the main conference hall. These displays will be present throughout the conference and during all public evening events and will be secured within the main hall, which eliminates the need to set up/tear down each day. Please visit http://www.8thfiregathering.ca/8fgtables for additional details.

Thank you for your consideration of the 8^th Fire Gathering. Outlined below is a schedule of costs as well as In-Kind Donations required for the 8^th Fire Gathering. Please contact Chantal Chagnon, [email protected] / 403-404-7664 for additional information or to sponsor the 8^th Fire Gathering. Thank you for your generous support.

Schedule of Fees, Costs and Charges

Meal & Refreshment Sponsorship

Refreshments (Individual Service) – 200 Guests = $600

Refreshment Total Cost – 5 x $600 = $3000 – Friday PM, Saturday AM/PM, Sunday AM/PM

Saturday Continental Breakfast – 200 Guests = $3500

Saturday Lunch – 200 Guests = $5000

Brunch – Sunday – 200 Guests = $5000

Gala Dinner – 150 Guests = $8000

Public Event Sponsorship

Friday Opening Ceremony - $6000

Saturday Concert - $9000

Sunday Closing Ceremony and Round Dance - $6000

Information & Vendor Tables

Not For Profit/Information Tables – $150/ Table – Includes two full conference admissions

For Profit Information Tables – $250/Table – Includes two full conference admissions

Hand Crafted / Artisan / Artists – $150/ Table – Includes two full conference admissions

Retail Vendors – $250/Table – Includes two full conference admissions

Electrical Outlet Access - $50/Table

Premium Tables – Additional $100/Table (Remains set up whole event and secured overnight)

Additional Staff tickets may be purchased at the Student/Senior/Low Income Rate of $100

8^th Fire Gathering - Conference Fees
General Admission = $200/Standard Rate
Low-Income/Student/Senior Admission = $100/Person

Sponsorship Rate = $100/Low-Income/Student/Senior Sponsorship

Per Day Rate Saturday - $125/Standard Rate - $75/Low-Income/Student/Senior Rate

Per Day Rate Sunday - $100/Standard Rate - $50/Low-Income/Student/Senior Rate

8^th Fire Gathering – Public Events

Friday Opening Ceremony - $30/Standard Rate - $15/Low-Income/Student/Senior Rate

Saturday Concert - $30/Standard Rate - $15/Low-Income/Student/Senior Rate

Sunday Closing Ceremony and Round Dance - $30/Standard Rate - $15/Low-Income/Student/Senior Rate

8^th Fire Gala Dinner - $75/Person - Plated Dinner

In-Kind Donations

High Profile Speakers

The following speakers are coming from outside of Calgary. Accommodation, Travel and food attrition are required for these presenters. Your Organization or Union may choose to sponsor one or more of the featured guests for the 8^th Fire Gathering.

Alternately, if you have a speaker you would like to bring in for the 8^th Fire Gathering, we have additional allocation in the schedule and multiple rooms to accommodate your presenters.