CREATE THE FUTURE

Grand Chief Littlechild of Treaty 6 Nations, kicks off Opening Night of the 2017 Environmental Gathering in Edmonton

Alberta Ecotrust Environmental Gathering 2018On March 8-10, 2018 250+ participants representing environmental non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, academia, youth, indus-try and government will attend Create the Future, Alberta Ecotrust’s third annual Environmental Gathering at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

At previous Gatherings, participants came together to share priorities, build connections and develop strategies on changing the climate of how we work together, and breaking through barriers that hold us back. This year, we will build on these connections and breakthroughs to catalyze action for the future.

We invite you to another exciting and strategic opportunity to connect with nonprofit, Indigenous, youth, industry and government leaders and demonstrate your support of creating a common future.

Join us in this important initiative to collaboratively create Alberta’s environmental future.

ABOUT ALBERTA ECOTRUSTAlberta Ecotrust is guided by a vision of healthy ecosystems for all Albertans and our mission is to inspire and mobilize those who champion and protect the environment.

We were founded on the principles of fostering collaboration and trust between industry and nonprofit environmental organizations. Our programs build bridges, support collaborative leadership and invest in high impact organizations and environmental initiatives that benefit communities across the province.

Our Environmental Gathering was started to offer an opportunity to nurture meaningful relationships, share important lessons and support organizations and individuals that are making a real difference in:

Conserving and protecting the quantity and quality of water in lakes and streams to ensure healthy aquatic habitat and human use

Protecting or enhancing the ecological function of native and developed landscapes to improve bio diversity, wildlife habitat and connectivity and land use management

Protecting the atmosphere by reducing pollution and emissions, conserving energy and promoting

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renewable energy

CREATE THE FUTURE WITH ALBERTA ECOTRUST’S DIVERSE NETWORK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPIONSWe need a fundamental shift in the way Alberta’s citizens and organiza-tions think about environmental issues and solutions. Rather than simply fight against what we don’t want, we have to design and build what we collectively do want – a just, prosperous and sustainable future. An Alberta that celebrates the critical value of healthy communities and ecosystems, social and technical innovation, and includes all people, organizations and governments embracing truly sustainable practices for decades to come.

Building on the previous themes of, “Change the Climate”, and “Breaking Through”, our third Environmental Gathering will focus on creating the strategic path to a positive environmental future. Like previous years, par-ticipants will be challenged to consider new ways to undertake environ-mental action and how to overcome personal, organizational, and systemic obstacles. We want to move from a mindset of ‘this is what we do’, to ‘this is what we need to do differently or better’ to get to a brighter, more sus-tainable future. Additionally, we anticipate more Indigenous delegates and the program will continue to consider the elements of reconciliation and trust-building.

CONNECT WITH SECTOR LEADERS, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND YOUTHOur first two Gatherings garnered great respect. With support from cor-porate and Foundation leaders, more than 220 participants attended both years. Our 2016 Environmental Gathering brought leaders, staff and volun-teers of nonprofit groups, as well as representatives of municipalities and corporations from across the province. Through collaboration with sector leaders, we substantially enhanced youth and Indigenous participation and representation in our 2017 Gathering and we look forward to building on this success in 2018.

2017 GATHERING HIGHLIGHTSOpening address by Dr. Wilton Littlechild, Grand Chief of Treaty 6

First Nations and Indigenous perspectives throughout

Keynote from Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips

Over 40 speakers, most from Alberta, presenting workshops on a variety of important topics

Breakthrough Moments from Environmental NGOs from across Alberta

Panel presentations representing diverse perspectives on Alberta in Transition

Closing Plenary with Shaun Loney author of An Army of Problem Solvers

Event details for previous Gatherings are found here: http://albertaecotrust.com/gathering2016 http://albertaecotrust.com/gathering2017/See Appendix A for a report of outcomes of the 2017 Environmental Gathering.

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Alberta Ecotrust’s Gathering attracts a diverse audience from across the province, inspired by a common purpose

Central Memorial High School students address close to 200 participants at 2017 Environmental Gathering

OBJECTIVES OF THE 2018 ENVIRONMENTAL GATHERINGCollectively identify current opportunities and leverage points for environmental action, andcultivate these ideas with others

Learn new tools, approaches, and frameworks to inspire ingenuity that addresses social-environmental problems

Nurture relationships among attendees to build a more effective, resilient, and cohesive environmental community in Alberta

Share recent environmental successes from across Alberta

KEY EVENT AUDIENCESAlberta’s environmental community: people who work for environmental NGOs, Indigenous persons, and engaged citizens.

Corporate Donors and Sponsors: Alberta based businesses who have a passion for supporting positive environ-mental action and authentically engaging with Alberta’s environmental nonprofit champions. Last year’s sponsors include Suncor, ConocoPhillips, The Calgary Foundation, Capital Power, and Edmonton Community Foundation.

Industry and Government: Employees from businesses and municipal/provincial governments whose work focuses on the environment.

ENHANCE YOUR REPUTATION AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION.Create the Future offers a premier opportunity to showcase your commitment to environmental stewardship and the opportunity to:

Authentically engage with important stakeholders from all sectors

Build new Alberta-wide community relationships Contribute to increased efficiency, effectiveness and

cooperation of environmental organizations

Gathering panelists address diverse perspectives on Alberta in Transition

Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks was a keynote presenter at both 2016 and2017 Gatherings

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Opportunities for Engagement in 2018PRESENTING SPONSORS – GAME CHANGERS “Game Changers” Co-presenting Sponsors have premier opportunity to showcase their leadership on environ-mental stewardship and authentic community engagement. Our Game Changers will have their logos on stage and banners at the event, as well as first opportunity to choose where and when to address the participants. Name and logo on all event related materials.

CHANGE AGENTS Change Agents will also have prime opportunity to showcase their commitment to collaborative community solutions. Change Agents can bring signage to the event and choose the best time for addressing participants. Name and logo on all event related materials.

CHANGE BUILDERSChange Builders have an excellent opportunity to showcase their commitment to environmental steward-ship, skill development and community capacity. Change Builders will be recognized electronically and verbally at the event, have the opportunity to address participants and receive name and logo on all event related materials.

CATALYSTSCatalysts will also have an excellent opportunity to showcase their commit-ment to collaborative environmental solutions. Catalysts will be recognized electronically and verbally at the event, have the opportunity to introduce a speaker and receive name and logo on all event related materials.

SUPPORTERS Supporters will be recognized as valuable contributors to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Supporters will receive name and logo recognition on select promotional materials and onsite. Select benefits may be exchanged for a tax receipt.

SnapshoT oF enGaGemenT opporTuniTiesSPONSORSHIP BENEFITS IN MORE DETAIL PROVIDED UPON REQUEST.We value your support on any level and are open to your ideas regarding recognition and engagement. Please contact us to discuss your interest.

Many of our sponsors are able to provide us with great products and services in exchange for sponsorship recognition! If you are interested in adding in-kind value to your cash sponsorship or providing a full in-kind sponsorship, please contact w.spooner@albertaecotrust.com. Some in-kind items received in the past include locally brewed refreshments, supplies, ad space, participant or speaker gifts, and graphic design.

“GAME CHANGERS”Co-presenting SponsorsCONFIRMED: Suncor Energy 1 Confirmed, 1 Available

“CHANGE AGENTS” Platinum Sponsor CONFIRMED: 1 Pending2 Available

“CAPACITY BUILDER”Gold SponsorsCONFIRMED: 1 Pending3 Available

“CATALYSTS”Silver SponsorsCONFIRMED: 1 Confirmed5 Available

“SUPPORTER”Bronze SponsorsCONFIRMED: 2 Confirmed10 Available

SPONSORSHIP TITLE VALUE

$25,000

$15,000

$10,000

$5,000

$2,500

On Stage

At Event

Opening or Closing or first opportunity to choose time: 5-10 minutes, potential for presenter or panel member

Second Opportunity to choose time: 3-5 minutes, potential for presenter or panel member

Third Opportunity to choose time: 2-3 minutes

First Opportunity to Introduce a Keynote Speaker or Presenter

Second Opportunity

to Introduce a Keynote Speaker or Presenter

Third Opportunity to Introduce a Keynote Speaker or Presenter

Fourth Opportunity to introduce speaker or workshop presenter

Fifth Opportunity to introduce a workshop presenter

On website, all pre and post event materials, name tags, on-site posters, electronic projections and social media

On website, all pre and post event materials, on-site posters, elec-tronic projections and social media

On website, all pre and post event materials, on-site posters, elec-tronic projections and social media

On website, select pre and post event mate-rials, on-site poster and electronic projections and social media

On website and at event on electronic projections

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COMPANY SIGNAGE

ADDRESS THE CROWD

INTRODUCE ASPEAKER

LOGO

ALL SPONSORS RECEIVE: Invitation(s) to attend the Thursday Opening Night Networking Reception

Recognition of support in select event promotion and electronically at the event

Recognition of support on Environmental Gathering mini-site and Alberta Ecotrust website

A general receipt issued for business expense purposes

First right of refusal for respective sponsorship level of the 2018 Gathering

We value your support at any level. Please contact Wanda Spooner, Partner Development & Sponsorships w.spooner@albertaecotrust.com or 403-209-2245, ext. 106 for more information.

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TICKETS

How we plan To promoTe “CreaTe The FuTure” and your parTicipaTionSponsors will be recognized in all event promotions, on our website and onsite at the venue through verbal announcements and electronic projections.

PRE-EVENT PROMOTIONAlberta Ecotrust website will host all 2018 Gathering information on a dedicated page that features event sponsors, see last year’s at (http://albertaecotrust.com/gathering2017/). Website analytics from last year’s event:

Alberta Ecotrust website hosted all 2017 Gathering information on a dedicated page at (http://albertaecotrust.com/gathering2017/). Website analytics:

5,859 overall pageviews, 4,690 unique pageviews,13% growth over 2016 4:48 minutes average time on page!

Alberta Ecotrust has active accounts on Facebook and Twitter, using organic and paid posts, for pre-event promotion. All social media posts direct users to our dedicated event webpage that features sponsors. 2017 Analytics:

19 posts on Facebook over 4 months before the Gathering, promoting the event, program, and featured speakers.

Total reach: 17,571; Total clicks: 628; Total shares/comments/reactions: 242

Alberta Ecotrust promotes the event directly to our audiences multiple times in advance of the Gathering. Mailing analytics from 2017:

8 emails to Alberta Ecotrust mailing list containing 1,688 individuals. Average open rate: 22%. Emails and phone calls to 200+ organizations and individuals who attended 2016 Environmental Gathering

Alberta Ecotrust works with local media and our network of partners, associations and community organizations to pro-mote the event in advance and encourage registrations, some examples include:

Full page advertisement on page two of the January/February 2017 edition of Alberta Views – 15,000 copies printed Banner ads on TheTyee.ca targeted at Alberta based readers – 40,000 impressions, 91 clicksEvent postings on Alberta Environmental Network, ESAA, Recycling Council of Alberta and many other websites

SOCIAL BUZZIn 2017, we used two integrated technology platforms to engage participants at the event: Slido and Twitter. Slido is an interactive app that allows participants to question speakers in real time, with the audience voting on which questions get presented. On Twitter we used #EcoGather17 to share event learnings and connect participants. Analytics:

Slido: 143 users actively participated, submitting 124 questions in total. See the report on audience preferences. Twitter: #EcoGather17 was used to promote the event and for delegates to use while in attendance. Alberta

Ecotrust tweets directly earned 44,700 impressions during the event and featured 1,022 engagements (retweets, replies, likes). Tweets thanking sponsors were posted during the event.

EARNED MEDIAWe aim to achieve media partnerships and coverage throughout the province and nation-wide with a minimum of three major news stories (estimated reach is over 1,000,000). Our 2017 Gathering attracted media from across the province to the event. Both Global TV and CBC sent reporters to the event, however no television coverage is known. We were successful in attracting coverage from The Edmonton Journal, CBC Radio Canada, and AM 770.

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OUTCOMES AND IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY OF OUR 2017 GATHERINGThe objectives and expected outcomes of the Environmental Gathering align with the long-term strategic goals of Alberta Ecotrust. Over 40 questions were asked of participants in a post-event survey to gather detail and opinions on the initiative including detailed feedback on each session, keynote and workshop.

LONG-TERM IMPACT #1 A more cohesive and aligned nonprofit sector leading to greater success protecting our environment.

New relationships were fostered, personal connectivity increased, and opportunities for knowledge exchange were created within the environmental NGO sector and across sector boundaries.

Success indicators and highlights from post-event survey: New relationships made at Environmental Gathering: 11% said 10+, 38% said 5-10, 38% said 3-5. Participant highlight: “I am new to this community as I am currently shifting my career from academia

(ecology research) to a conservation/advocacy focus. I really enjoyed meeting people and realizing what a supportive and vibrant environmental community there is in Alberta. I have attended many scientific confer ences in my career and this “gathering” was by far the most interesting and inspiring meeting I have attended.

LONG-TERM IMPACT #2 Environmental community is equipped with the relevant skills and tools needed to be more effective in protecting the environment.

Attendees had access to 30 different workshops led by their peers that provided new tools, ideas, and frameworks to im-prove their effectiveness.

Success indicators and highlights from post-event survey: 27 of the 30 workshops received high quality of experience ratings (7+ out of 10 experience score) Participant highlight from Futuring and Gamifying Participation workshop: “I absolutely loved the result of

your work and the game at the end. I took SO much away from it. Probably the best knowledge I’ve gained in a long time and I have already applied it in my entrepreneurial activity.” Participant highlight from Can Participatory Science Open the Door to Better Conservation workshop:

“Learning about citizen science, the possibility of community based volunteer monitoring, and that we have a resource to enable this in our own province.

LONG-TERM IMPACT #3: The Environmental Gathering becomes an annual space to undertake collective problem solving and give Albertans a renewed sense of urgency and purpose to protect the environment.

Attendees were provided with a broad picture of the landscape from government, industry, and NGO speakers. Different touch points were created throughout the event to expand the dialogue about current challenges – breakfast roundtable discussions, environmental challenges spaces, networking lab, and more.

Success indicators and highlights from post-event survey: Overall quality of experience at the event was very high (Aggregate rating: 7.94 out of 10) Post-event, participants rated their personal confidence to contribute to positive environmental change in

Alberta as very high (Aggregate rating: 8.18 out of 10) Participant highlight: “Realization that my organization is not addressing social issues in its work as much as we need

to. Our stakeholder engagement is biased towards those that can participate and we need to do more to engage the full spectrum of our communities. Also we haven’t addressed First Nations reconciliation and cannot expect mean-

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