Sponsorships
Sponsors of the Minnesota Quilters, Inc. Annual Show and Conference contribute a tax-deductible donation of $500, $1,000 or $1,500. Sponsors' donations fund quilt-show awards, special events and other quilting activities during the event. Sponsors may choose the event they sponsor if they respond before the fee deadline in December for sponsorships.
All sponsors have the opportunity to become vendors at the show to sell, demonstrate and promote their products to over 10,000 enthusiastic quilters. Sponsors have the option to become vendors at the show without completing the vendor's application or going through the selection process. Sponsors' booth spaces rent for $500 for each 10’ wide x 8’ deep booth. Sponsors have the option to choose corner booth spaces without paying an additional fee. Each booth space comes with a back wall and side drape, one topped table, two chairs and a sign that displays the booth ID.
Sponsors who donate $500 can rent one or two booth spaces to exhibit. Sponsors who donate $1,000 can rent one, two or three booth spaces. Sponsors who donate $1,500 can rent one, two, three or four booth spaces. Sponsors who donate $1,000 and $1,500 have the opportunity to choose their booth placement at the show if they respond before the fee deadline in December for sponsorships. All sponsors receive priority placement and priority in choosing load-in times over nonsponsor vendors. Sewing Machine Sponsors provide 25 classroom sewing machines for participants in workshops to use during their classes. Sewing Machine Sponsors also donate one sewing machine to be used as a door prize.
In return for sponsorship, the sponsor's business receives the following:
- A sponsor's acknowledgement letter for your tax deductible donation
- Listing in the 2010 registration book if you make your commitment by October 17, 2009
- Listing in the 2010 show book as a sponsor; 8,000 books are printed
- Sponsor's recognition through signage at the show
- Recognition at the winning quilt site or event for your sponsorship
- Recognition at the Awards Banquet on Friday evening, including a printed listing on each banquet table or in the banquet program if provided
- Two (2) complimentary tickets for the Grand Banquet and Awards Ceremony
- Sponsor's ribbons and name badges for you and your employees to wear throughout the show; MQ provides up to six (6) official name badges and advance notice of the names of your employees.
- Listing, with links to your business' Internet home page, on the MQ show website at http://www/mnquilt.org/mq2010
Sponsors have the opportunity to become vendors at the show without going through the vendors' application process. If you choose to be a vendor at the show, you receive the following benefits:
- Premier placement of your business in the merchant mall. MQ places sponsors who give $1,000 and $1,500 on the floor plan, honoring their preferences if possible. MQ places sponsors on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the date that MQ receives your contract and sponsorship payment are received
- A booth sign showing your business' name, city and booth number as well as a sponsor's recognition banner
- Access to the DECC beginning Tuesday, June 15, 2010, for move-in and set-up in the Merchant Mall; sponsors receive first choice of move-in times on a first-come, first-served basis
- Security for the Merchant Mall during the show, including nonexhibit hours; however, MQ is not responsible for any loss, such as shoplifting, that may occur during the show, including set-up and take-down
- Electricity, telephone and other special items for booths are extra; the Sponsor must make arrangements for these items using forms that Minnesota Quilters provides
For more information, read Sponsorship Information. If you would like to become a sponsor, call or e-mail Linda Lysdahl, MQ Show Coordinator at showcoordinator@mnquilt.org. She will need specific information to create a sponsorship contract for you. Your contract will include a sponsorship agreement as well as a list of awards and events to designate where you want your dollars used. The mailing of the sponsorship contract also will include vending information if you are interested in being a vendor at the show.