The sponsorship request comprises two components:
1. Appointment of a Local Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) Associated Advertising & Promotions (AA&P). Engagement of this local PCO will minimise the risk of details being missed, especially in relation to catering and protocol, that may otherwise cause sponsor and delegate dissatisfaction. Natalie Bell of AA&P, a professional conference organiser located in Darwin, NT. Natalie is well known to the Darwin Convention Centre and to local suppliers including local hotels and exhibition builders.
The role of the PCO includes:
1. Ensure the conference and trade show is comprehensively advertised to potential delegates both within Australia and internally. This includes industry representatives, academics, industry and government scientists, market and industry analysts, government officials, and policy makers.
2. Ensure Opening/Welcome ceremony is well organised, including Welcome to Country, Plenary speaker organised and any entertainment booked.
3. Coordinate with SIA/WAS on VIP/politician invitations, and communicate with guests, WAS and Steering Committee on protocol and logistics;
4. Ensure President’s Reception is well organised, especially entertainment and co-ordinate donations of seafood (e.g. pearl meat) and the caterers.
5. Identify sponsorship options for F&B sponsorship – morning/afternoon tea breaks and happy hours (minimum), and lunches;
6. Ensure adequate on-the-ground support to ensure sufficient lunch packs available onsite for purchase by delegates.
7. Support local government agency and businesses in co-ordinating conference tours and communication with WAS for promotion.
8. Act as local point of contact for associations planning meetings or associated workshops – connecting between businesses and WAS organisers.
9. Make contact with Aust-NZ potential event sponsors (in coordination with WAS/Mario Stael.
10. Support Program Chairs, session chairs and speakers; encouraging early abstract submission, registration and accommodation booking.
11. Minimise no-shows through regular comms between presenters and WAS.
2. The second component of the sponsorship request is to support the conference experience for all attendees and assist attendance and development of industry personnel. Natalie Bell of AA&P will be tasked with coordinating expenditure of funds with SIA to benefit the quality of this conference for attendees.
The final arrangement with WAS is to be finalised, and the draft WAS proposal is that FRDC will receive:
1. FRDC logo as conference sponsor in the program book.
2. FRDC logo as conference sponsor on the event webpage.
3. FRDC logo on the conference bags together with the other conference sponsor logos.
4. Two trade booths in a prominent location.
5. Session sponsorship of one or two half day sessions (to be discussed with the program chairs).
6. Meeting space for half a day for max 150 pp theatre style. (date/time on availability).
7. 10 full conference registrations for staff or customers.
8. FRDC advertisement (A5, Black and white) in the program book.
9. FRDC name and logo on signage/backscreen slide at the plenary and all other session rooms.
11. FRDC logo at locations where supported F&B is provided.
12. FRDC to influence plenary speaker.
