Agenda, Sunday March 16
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday
Head Start Workshops | Opening Reception and Registration
11 AM–4 PM Pre-conference Seminar: Optimizing Digital–New and Better Strategies to Exploit Interactive Media
$499, $399 for Making Sensory attendees
Today’s broadband-empowered, always-on consumers are fueling the growth of digital media. But successfully marrying the reach, relevance and granularity of digital media with sponsorship requires new skills and the understanding that, just as in off-line sponsorship, the goal is not mere awareness but affinity. We’ll show you how to access the power of pull by using enhancements and interactive features such as widgets, and how to effectively promote sponsorships in social media worlds. Plus, turning blogs, vodcasts, films, etc. into online content with longevity that extends well beyond your event and how to give your customers niche, on-demand, mobile entertainment experiences on their own terms. For details, click here.
11 AM–4 PM Pre-conference Seminar: Strategic Philanthropy–Building Social and Financial Capital
$499, $399 for Making Sensory attendees
The number of “conscientious consumers” is passing the double-digit mark, and in the next two years the number of these consumers—who make purchasing decisions according to social or environmental ideals—is expected to double. IEG, the thought leader on how sponsors and nonprofits can harness each other’s assets in new ways for mutual value creation, gives you the quickest, most in-depth download on the insights, research, case studies and practices to make strategic philanthropy work for you and your organization. For details, click here.
5–6:30 PM Head Start Workshops
Sophisticated, real-world training by IEG senior executives. Up-to-the-minute content, impeccably prepared, the right start to your conference experience
Key: Session recommended for: 
= sponsors 
= sponsees 
= all
Turning Up the Heat: Strategic Activation
Rebecca Joslin and Diane Knoepke, IEG Advisory and Valuation Services
While most sponsors recognize that the two-way medium of sponsorship—where rather than interrupting experiences, you have the opportunity to enhance them—can deepen bonds with clients and engage prospects in ways other media cannot, few sponsors actually take full advantage of this. Using real-life examples from a cross-section of business categories and property types, Joslin and Knoepke will show you how, like the most powerful local and global brands, you can match leveraging programs to business objectives and consistently discern what will have the highest degree of relevance to your audience.
Growth Solutions
Dan Kowitz, IEG Advisory and Valuation Services
Sponsor needs have shifted and growth requires that rightsholders quickly and effectively close the gap between what they have to sell and what companies want. Kowitz has helped nonprofits, rodeos, concert promoters, park districts, sports teams, casinos, associations, fairs and dozens of other rightsholders revamp their offers to generate tens of millions of dollars in new revenue. He now shares IEG’s systematic approach of recalibrating offers to speak directly to the changing priorities of partners and prospects. From optimizing existing inventory and competencies and who’s-not-on-your-radar-but-should-be to sales strategies that facilitate the buy, he’ll help you lock in bigger, better and longer deals and renewals.
The New Next
Laren Ukman, IEG Advisory and Valuation Services, and Jim Andrews, IEG Sponsorship Report
In the Sensory Economy, where changes are coming from all directions and sponsorship is moving from the periphery to the very core of corporate and brand positioning, it’s not enough to see what’s next, you need to know what’s important. Combining research with client experience, Ukman and Andrews—who’ve been at the forefront of analyzing and forecasting sports, event, entertainment and cause marketing, product placement and Web sponsorship for more than 15 years—will identify what steps to take now so that you’re poised for success as sponsorship is being transformed and increasingly fulfills a significant role in driving business performance.
6:30–8:30 PM Opening Reception and Registration
This is where the buzz starts building. The Hilton’s opulent Grand Ballroom provides a spectacular backdrop as the industry gets down to business. A great opportunity to scope out who is here and catch up with colleagues and contacts as you enjoy a lavish buffet.
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday
Schedule subject to change. Detailed agenda and Conference materials will be sent to each delegate upon registration.