Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention Business Exhibit Opportunities This 38 th annual Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention will be celebrating not only lake volunteers, but also other water and environmental citizen scientists. We are teaming up with the Wisconsin Citizen-based Monitoring Network and the Water Action Volunteers (WAV) to celebrate our volunteers in one place at one time (Stevens Point, March 30-April 2). Visit the UW-Extension Lakes Web site for Lakes Convention program details: www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes 2016 will be the 30 th anniversary of Wisconsin's Citizen Lake Monitoring Network and the 20 th anniversary of WAV, so we have put together a diverse program that highlights the tremendous work volunteers have accomplished with state and local partners. This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership, a nationally recognized and successful collaboration of the University of Wisconsin Extension, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Wisconsin Lakes. The Lakes Convention brings together lake enthusiasts from across the state to explore lake policy updates, research advancements, management tools, and educational initiatives. Year after year the Lakes Convention provides the tools and inspiration for citizens to protect and care for Wisconsin s lakes. The Convention is action-oriented and focuses on helping people get things done in their lake community, which includes meeting and selecting businesses that can help them achieve their lake management goals.
Connect with Your Lake Customers at the Convention Making sure your potential customers remember your company s name, logo, professional skills and resources, and your contact information is an important and ongoing part of effectively promoting your business. Exhibiting at the Convention is a great way to increase your company s name recognition year round and to make personal contact with potential customers. Attendees and business representatives alike have found the Convention to be a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, greet old friends, build relationships, and network. Exhibiting at the Wisconsin Lakes Convention is a great way to help lake organizations and waterfront property owners think of you when it comes to making decisions about choosing professional services for their lake or property. The Lakes Convention can help you market to Wisconsin s lake people whether you are in the business of:! helping shoreland owners manage their properties,! helping lake communities manage their lakes,! offering legal advice and legal services,! selling waterfront property,! selling recreational equipment that helps people enjoy our lakes, or! providing the products and services to help get projects done. List Your Firm in our Business Partners Guide Many of our business partners tell us that meeting and making connections with lake people is an enjoyable part of the Convention. But after a handshake, business cards can get lost. Our Business Partners Guide is included in the conference materials provided to all attendees. It s a handy take home reference of lake businesses that serve Wisconsin. We also provide the Guide throughout the year to lake organizations who are searching for consultants for their lake management projects, waterfront property owners who are looking for professional services for their property, and others who are looking for lake-related products and services. Each Convention Exhibitor and Sponsor can include the following information in the Guide:! Company logo. Help increase your brand recognition among Wisconsin lake people!! 200 word description. Describe your business, products, and services.! Contact information. Include your contact person s name, e-mail address, phone number, web address, and your office location. 2
Sponsor a Lakes Convention Networking Event Becoming a Lakes Convention Sponsor is a great way to support the event that keeps lake people coming back year after year while increasing your company s name recognition! We use sponsor funds to support special events at the Lakes Convention. The Convention Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening and Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards Ceremony and Banquet on Thursday evening are great opportunities for attendees and business partners to meet new people, greet old friends, and build relationships in a fun, casual atmosphere. Special thanks and recognition will be given to our generous sponsors throughout the Lakes Convention. Costs Each table is 8 feet long and 30 inches wide, draped and skirted. Exhibit table cost = $165 ($30 each for extra tables) Full convention registration* (Wednesday 9:00 am Friday 5:30 pm) = $215 before March 9 ($265 after March 9) Your Exhibitor Convention Registration Includes: (Agenda subject to change.) Wednesday, March 30 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Morning Workshops and Tours (pre-registration required) 12:00 1:30 pm Lunch on your own, or pre-register to purchase lunch on-site for $15 12:00 6:00 pm Exhibits open 1:30-4:30 pm Afternoon Workshops and Tours (pre-registration required) 4:45 5:45 pm Special Technical Sessions (concurrent choices) 5:45 7:00 pm Networking time, and dinner is on your own 7:00-11:00 pm Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention Welcome Reception Thursday, March 31 8:00 am 6:00 pm Exhibits open 8:00-8:50 am Concurrent Sessions 1 9:00-10:45 Welcome, Digital Production, and Kickoff Plenary Speakers 11:00-12:00 pm Concurrent Sessions 2 12:15-1:30 pm Luncheon 1:45 3:15 Concurrent Sessions 3-4 3:15-3:45 Refreshment break 3:30-5:00 Poster Session Presentations. Visit the Exhibitors and educational displays 5:00-6:00 Networking time 6:00-8:00 pm Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards Banquet and Awards Ceremony 8:00-11:00 Lakes Partnership After Hours Gathering 3
Friday, April 1 8:00 am - 1:30 pm Exhibits open 8:00 9:50 am Concurrent Sessions 5-6 10:00 10:30 Refreshment break 10:30-11:30 Concurrent Sessions 7 11:45-1:15 pm Luncheon and Keynote Speaker 1:30 4:00 Concurrent Sessions 8 9 or Afternoon Workshops 4:00-5:30 pm Poster Presentations for Citizen-based Monitoring and Water Action Volunteers See the Lakes Convention agenda online for session descriptions and other program details: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/uwexlakes/pages/programs/convention 2016 Lakes Convention Costs Date Before March 9 After March 9 Wednesday, March 30 $55 $65 Thursday, March 31 $100 $125 Friday, April 1 $60 $75 Totals $215 $265 Exhibit Set-up and Take-down Exhibit tables and sponsor signage are located in high traffic areas, maximizing visibility and face time. Exhibit table space will be assigned on a first come first serve basis, in order of payment received. Exhibitors may begin setting up in the Convention Center on Wednesday, March 30, at 8:00 AM. Exhibitors may move out on Friday, March 31, at 1:30 PM. All exhibitor materials must be removed from the Convention Center by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 1. Hotel Information Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center 1001 Amber Ave. Stevens Point, WI 54482 Hotel Front Desk: 715-344-0200 http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/stevens-point/steaa/hoteldetail Exhibitors attending the Convention are responsible for making their own lodging reservations. Please refer to the Wisconsin Lakes Convention when making reservations. For hotel options, visit: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/uwexlakes/pages/programs/convention 4
Right to manage Wisconsin Lakes reserves the right to manage the exhibit area, exhibitors, and attendees to preserve the safety, well-being, and comfort of all. Wisconsin Lakes reserves the right to refuse exhibit space to any business. It is understood that the fact that a person or company is allowed to exhibit at or to be a sponsor of the Wisconsin Lakes Convention does not constitute an endorsement of that person's or company's products or services by the Wisconsin Lakes, University of Wisconsin Extension, nor the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Insurance and Liability Exhibitors shall be responsible for any insurance on their property. We cannot assure that the exhibit areas will be secure at all times. Wisconsin Lakes does not assume any responsibility, nor undertake any duty to exercise care for the protection and safety of exhibitors, exhibitor representatives or property used in the exhibit areas from theft or from damage or destruction by fire, water, smoke, accident or other cause. Each exhibitor agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Wisconsin Lakes and its officers, agents, and employees against any and all claim or liability of any sort arising in connection with their participation in this convention. Wisconsin Lakes shall not be liable for the fulfillment of the agreement if exhibit space cannot be provided due to damage to the building or exhibit area by fire, water, smoke, accident or other cause, strikes, including failure to perform on the part of the set-up company, the authority of law, or any other cause beyond its control. Wisconsin Lakes will, in the event of cancellation due to one of these causes, reimburse exhibitors for the registration fees less all actual expenses incurred by Wisconsin Lakes in connection with the exhibits. Questions? Please contact Susan Tesarik at the Wisconsin Lakes office at 608-661-4313, or e-mail info@wisconsinlakes.org * The deadline for all exhibitor and sponsor information (company description, logo, and contact information) to be included in the Business Partners Guide is March 18, 2016. We cannot guarantee placement of your information in the Guide if it s received after the deadline. Email your firm s description and logo (as a.jpg or.tif file) to: info@wisconsinlakes.org Thank you! 5