GATHERING PARTNERS A CONFERENCE FOR FRIENDS OF MINNESOTA’S NATURAL RESOURCES

Sponsorship Opportunities ABOUT THE CONFERENCE The Gathering Partners annual conference brings together people from all corners of Minnesota to learn about our state's natural resources. The conference is hosted jointly by University of Minnesota Extension program teams for the Minnesota Master Naturalist, Invasive Species, and Citizen Science programs. This year, the conference will be held at Superior Shores Resort in Two Harbors, MN May 15-17, 2020. You can learn more at the conference website: http://gatheringpartners.umn.edu

BENEFITS OF BEING A SPONSOR Your sponsorship helps us deliver high-value natural resources education to hundreds of Minnesotans and supports volunteer programs that contribute thousands of hours to benefit Minnesota’s natural resources annually. Specific benefits for individual sponsor levels are detailed below. All sponsorships can be recorded as tax-deductible charitable contributions through the University of Minnesota Foundation.

10,000 LAKES SPONSOR $5,000 + Receives recognition at banquet/awards program, mention on social media, organization logo and web link on the conference webpage, and complimentary full conference registration for four (4) attendees. Note that $620 of the 10,000 Lakes Sponsor Level is not tax-deductible.

LADY SLIPPER SPONSOR $2,500 - $4,999 Receives recognition prior to conference keynote, mention on social media organization logo and web link on the conference webpage, and complimentary full conference registration for two (2) attendees. Note that $310 of the Lady Slipper Sponsor Level is not tax-deductible.

LOON SPONSOR $2,000 - $2,499 Receives recognition at one of the conference breakout sessions, mention on social media, organization logo and web link on the conference webpage, and complimentary full conference registration for two (2) attendees. Note that $310 of the Loon Sponsor Level is not tax-deductible.

WALLEYE SPONSOR $1,000 - $1,999 Receives mention on social media, organization logo and web link on the conference webpage, and complimentary full conference registration for two (2) attendees. Note that $310 of the Walleye Sponsor Level is not tax-deductible.

MONARCH SPONSOR $500 - $999 Receives mention on social media, organization logo and web link on the conference webpage, and complimentary full conference registration for one (1) attendee. Note that $155 of the Monarch Sponsor Level is not tax-deductible.

WHO ATTENDS THE CONFERENCE? The audience for the conference typically includes Minnesota Master Naturalist and AIS Detectors volunteers, instructors, the Minnesota Phenology Network, woodland owners, citizen science volunteers, and others interested in the outdoors and Minnesota’s natural resources. Our attendees love spending time outdoors and devote their time to enhance and protect Minnesota’s natural resources. We expect to have 200-300 attendees!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS You can learn more about the Extension programs hosting the Gathering Partners conference and the great work they do across the state by visiting the links below.

MINNESOTA MASTER NATURALIST: www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES DETECTORS: www.aisdetectors.org CITIZEN SCIENCE: http://citizenscience.umn.edu

READY TO BE A SPONSOR? HERE’S HOW Sponsorship registration must be received by May 8, 2020 in order to receive complimentary registrations. Just complete the sponsorship form on the following page and submit following the form instructions. If you’re afraid of making the deadline, drop us a line using the contact info below!

FOR MORE INFORMATION If you would like more information about conference sponsorships, would like to sign up to be a sponsor, or have questions about the conference in general, please contact Megan Weber, Aquatic Invasive Species Extension Educator at mmweber@umn.edu or 763-767-3874.

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Gathering Partners Conference Sponsorship Confirmation Form

Sponsor/donor name

Primary contact name Job title

Mailing address City, State, ZIP

Email Phone

Company/sponsor’s website

We are proud to sponsor the Gathering Partners Conference with our gift of: (see sponsorship flyer for details of benefits) 10,000 Lakes Sponsor: $5,000 and up ($620 not tax deductible)

Lady Slipper Sponsor - $2,500 - $4,999 ($310 not tax deductible)

Loon Sponsor - $2,000 - $2,499 ($310 not tax deductible)

Walleye Sponsor - $1,000 - $1,999 ($310 not tax deductible)

Monarch Sponsor $500 - $999 ($155 not tax deductible)

I choose not to receive sponsor benefits and am making a fully tax deductible donation to the Gathering Partners conference in the amount of $______________

Payment options: (please consider this form an invoice)

Check enclosed (payable to “University of Minnesota Foundation”)

Charge my credit card. My credit card information is below.

M M Y Y CARD NUMBER VISA MASTERCARD AMEX DISCOVER EXPIRATION DATE

Name as it appears on the card

Signature (REQUIRED) Date

Please complete this form and return it with payment to: University of Minnesota Extension Attn: Megan Weber UMN Extension 550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW Suite L1 UMF Fund 8067 Extension Natural Resources Andover, MN 5530 Conference Sponsorship Contact: Megan M. Weber – mmweber@umn.edu