SponsorshipOpportunities

DOWNTOWNITHACA

2014

Downtown Ithaca is the economic, social, and cultural heart of Tompkins County. The

Downtown Ithaca Alliance strives to preserve and develop the central downtown core

as the region’s center for banking and finance, business and professional offices, gov-

ernment and community services, downtown residences, and as a retail destination

highlighted by specialty shops, restaurants, arts and entertainment. Downtown serves

people who live and work downtown, city and county residents, college communities,

area visitors and tourists.

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance hosts the most diverse and attended events in Tompkins

County. From annual favorites including the Chili Cook-off, Apple Harvest Festival, and

Winter Festival, to our weekly Summer Concert series and our art events, there is an

event for every demographic, with year-round entertainment for locals and tourists

alike. Special events accounted for over 130,000 visits to Downtown Ithaca in 2013.

When you invest in one or more Downtown Ithaca events, you are investing in the

DIA’s mission and gaining valuable community recognition. Being a Downtown Ithaca

Events Sponsor lets attendees and area residents know that you and your business are

committed to supporting your community by enabling fun, diverse, and family friendly

events. We encourage you to consider sponsoring a Downtown Ithaca event in the

2014/2015 menu of options.

Sponsorships can be customized for your individual needs and addi-

tional demographic information is available. Discounts can be negoti-

ated if you are interested in multiple event or multi-year sponsorships.

We look forward to working with you to create the best opportunity

for your business and to creating the best events in the area.

Shop, Dine, Play;

Live, Work, Stay!DOWNTOWNITHACA

WELCO

ME

For more information or to discuss these opportunities, please contact Vicki Taylor Brous, Associate Director at

607-277-8679 or vickit@downtownithaca.com.

HIGH

LIGHTS

Downtown Ithaca

An estimated 2.4 million

annual visits to Downtown

3,000 Downtown Employees

678 housing units (and more on the way)

with over 1,000 Downtown residents

Over 130,000 visitors to events in

Downtown

50,000 Downtown Seasonal Guides

distributed at area attractions

180,000 visitors to DowntownIthaca.com8,000 Facebook Likes

4,000 Followers on Twitter 5,000 Email subscribers

Ithaca has been named one of America’s Foodiest Towns, Best College Town, Smartest City, Best Place to

Retire, and one of America’s Most Livable Cities.

Over 350,000 people visit downtown

annually from out of the area

Downtown Ithaca is the third greatest motivator for visitors to the area – only after gorges and the

universities. Dining is the 4th.

Highlights

EVENT DATEFirst Friday (First Friday of the MonthGallery Night unless otherwise noted)

Spring Fashion Night April 25

Downtown Living Tour & Open House April 26

Ithaca Festival Spring Craft Show May 29 – June 1

Summer Restaurant Week May 31 - June 8

Downtown Summer Concert Series June 19 – Sept. 4

Art in the Heart of the City July to November

Downtown Employee Appreciation Days July 28 – August 1

Summer Sale/Winter Sale August 1-3/Jan. 30–Feb. 1

Welcome Back Students Party September 5

Apple Harvest Festival October 3-5

Ithaca Oktoberfest October 25

Halloween in Downtown October 30

Small Business Saturday & Light up the Holidays November 29

Buy Local Week November 29 – Dec. 7

Santa’s Arrival to Downtown & Holidays Around the World December 6 & 7

Winter Restaurant Week December 6 – 14

Ice Wars Ice Carving Competition December 11 -14

Chowder Cook-off & Wine and Cheese Expo December 13

Downtown Ithaca Annual Dinner January 27, 2015

Downtown Chili Cook-off February 7, 2015

Ithaca Commons Grand Opening

Weekly E-News Sponsorship

SCHED

ULEEvent & Exhibit Schedule

OPPO

RTUNITIES

Event Sponsorship Opportunities

This section describes the Downtown Ithaca Event sponsorship opportunities taking place in Downtown

Ithaca from April 2014 to March 2015. Some Downtown events, such as Apple Harvest Festival – going into

its 32nd year – are well established. Other events, such as Chowder Cook-off – going into its 5th year – are

more recent additions to the Downtown events calendar.

Presenting, Major, and Event Sponsorships will receive the benefits listed below. Certain events have ad-

ditional benefits that are affiliated with these three sponsor levels; those additional benefits are listed under

each event. Of course, if you don’t see the opportunity that you are looking for, please let us know. We can

tailor a sponsorship to meet your business needs.

PRESENTING SPONSORSHIP• Top billing on the event’s radio, print and social media advertising

• Featured advertising space – with company logo included – on the DIA website homepage for two weeks prior to the event

• Name and logo recognition on event banners as title sponsor

• Banner placement at event

• Prominent Recognition on Event Map or Program as presenting sponsor

• Company driven promotions and giveaways during event

• A 10x10 booth space (tent can be provided by DIA) as close to the event epicenter as possible

• Depending on the event, company employees will have the opportunity to present awards or talk about your company’s history and mission at the microphone

• Event tickets provided for your company (where applicable)

• Downtown Ithaca Quarterly Guide Advertisement – ½ page

MAJOR SPONSORSHIP• Logo in print advertising and mentioned in radio and social media advertising

• Advertising space – with company logo included – on the Event’s individual webpage on the DIA website

• Logo recognition on event banners

• Banner placement at event

• Recognition on Event Map or Program

• A 10x10 booth space (tent can be provided by DIA) for the duration of the event

• Event tickets for your company (where applicable)

• Downtown Ithaca Quarterly Guide Advertisement – ¼ page

EVENT SPONSORSHIP• Name recognition in print, radio, and social media advertising as an Event Sponsor

• Advertising space – with company logo included – on the Event’s individual webpage on the DIA website

• Name recognition on event banners

• Recognition on Event Map or Program

• Event tickets for your company (where applicable)

EVENTS

First Friday Gallery Night

First Friday Gallery Night is a monthly community celebration that takes place in and around downtown Ithaca. Over twenty local galleries and art houses host special receptions, performances, screenings and other events showcas-ing the work of local, national, and international artists. Gallery Night is free and open to the public and takes place on the first Friday of every month from 5:00-8:00pm. Gallery guides with maps of participating locations and show descriptions are available at all participating venues monthly. The Gallery Night website at gallerynightithaca.com and social media promotions direct patrons to new shows and special events. Sponsorship opportunities are for 12 Gallery Nights, April-March or as arranged.

Dates: Apr 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug 1, Sep 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, Dec 5, Jan 2, Feb 6, Mar 6

Time: 5 – 8pm each dateLocation: Throughout Downtown Ithaca Attendance: 450 to 750 patrons each evening

Presenting Sponsor: $4,000– 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $1,500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $500 – 4 availablePer-event sponsorship is available. Please contact the DIA for more information.

FIRST FRIDAY

EVENTS

Spring Fashion Night

Spring Fashion Night showcases the inventories of the numerous women and men’s clothing stores in downtown Ithaca. At least ten retailers participate in this event. Promotions and giveaways are offered during the event, as are appetizers, cocktails, and more. Spring Fashion Night highlights downtown merchants’ new fashion lines as Upstate New York moves into the spring and summer. A program guide and event signage will lead the way to Center Ithaca where the event will take place. Show commentary will provide an opportunity for your company message to be announced.

Date: April 25, 2014Time: 6 to 7pm Location: Center IthacaAttendance: approx. 250

Presenting Sponsor: $1000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $150 – 2 available

EVENTS

Downtown Living Tour & Open House

The Downtown Living Tour is a self-guided tour of apartments and attrac-tions in the downtown area. The Tour offers a new opportunity to get a sneak peek into a range of apartments in the downtown area. Attendees are able to tour up to ten apartments during this open house of urban living. Attendees receive goodie bags including a map, coupons, a lanyard pass, and discounts to downtown attractions. Attendees are entered to win prizes such as Downtown Ithaca Gift Cards.

Date: April 26, 2014Time: 1 to 4pm Location: Downtown Ithaca Apartments and Retail EstablishmentsAttendance: 350

Presenting Sponsor: $1,000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $150 – 2 available

AN OPEN HOUSE OF URBAN LIVING

Tour unique downtown apartm

ents

and taste your way through d

owntown 

www.downtownithaca.com

TOUR

ITHACA, NYDOWNTOWN living

Register at the Visitors Cente

r at Center Ithaca starting at 1

:00pm. Last tour is at 3:30.

Youʼll receive a lanyard pass, map, coupons and discounts to downtown attractions, and also be

entered to win prizes including a $100 Downtown Gift Card.

Saturday, April 26, 1-4pm

Free & OpenTO THE PUBLIC

Summer & Winter Restaurant Weeks

The bi-annual Restaurant Week enables residents and tourists to enjoy great food at moderate prices. Individual chefs choose specials that showcase the restaurant’s best dishes. Previous specials have included: 3-course fixed price menus, a free appetizer, dessert, or wine with the purchase of an entrée, $10-lunch special, and $20-dinner specials. Many restaurants put on special events to highlight bar and restaurant items. Wineries often host free wine tastings with appetizers. Twenty to thirty restaurants have participated in each Restaurant Week in Tompkins County to date. In 2014 we are expanding offerings including packaged tours and special events. A mobile app and ex-tensive collateral materials will be designed to promote the event. The website at restaurantweekithaca.com received over 140,000 views for the year.

Date: May 31 - June 8 & December 6 - 14Time: Anytime restaurants and wineries are open!Location: Participating Restaurants in Tompkins CountyAttendance: 20-30 Restaurant Locations, Approx. 2,000 per event

For each event the following sponsorships are available: Presenting Sponsor: $5,000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $2,000 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $1,000 – 3 available

EVENTS

Downtown Ithaca Summer Concert Series

The Downtown Ithaca Summer Concert Series is a free outdoor concert series held every Thursday evening from June 19 to September 4. Local and national acts perform music in genres including jazz, blues, reggae, folk, country, zydeco, bluegrass, rock, and more. The Summer Concert Series has become a weekly summer tradition in the local community and tourists enjoy stumbling upon a vibrant downtown on a weekday evening. Sponsorship of the Summer Concert Series enables you to have consistent exposure throughout the sum-mer and can include VIP seating and a booth to feature your products. In 2013, there were 15 Summer Concerts.

Date: June 19 – Sept. 4 Time: 6pm – 8pm, every ThursdayLocation: The State Theatre Marquee – 100 block of W. State St.Attendance: Average 1,000 attendees per show

Presenting Sponsor: $9,500 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $2,500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $1,000 – 12 available

EVENTS

Art in the Heart of the City

Now in its 15th year, Art in the Heart of the City brings the creativity of local and national artists to Downtown Ithaca through this annual exhibit of outdoor art. From July to October, fifteen pieces – crafted by seven artists – will en-liven and enrich the Downtown Ithaca environment. The art is to be touched, inspected, and interacted with by the public. We invite residents and visitors alike to experience the cultural vitality and creativity of Downtown Ithaca in new ways. There is a program including a map that can be picked up at any art piece and a mobile app and website for visitors to learn more about the artists and our sponsors.

Date: July to October Time: Artwork is in a public space and can be viewed at any timeLocation: Downtown IthacaAttendance: Continuous traffic from June to November estimated at 100,000+ patrons

Presenting Sponsor: $5,000Major Sponsor: $2,000Event Sponsor: $500

EVENTS

Downtown Employee Appreciation Days

A one week extended lunchtime celebration of all the fine folks that work in Downtown Ithaca! Downtown employees enjoy a range of free events and giveaways including: live music, ice cream sundaes, Downtown Employee Dis-count Cards, the infamous Gnome Hunt, Dewitt Park lawn games, and the ex-tremely popular Office Worker Olympics. Challenge Holt Architects for the title in 2014! Sponsorship lets Downtown employees know that you are an active member of the Ithaca community and can raise awareness of your company.

Date: July 28 – August 1 Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm, Monday to FridayLocation: The Ithaca CommonsAttendance: 1,000 Downtown Employees

Presenting Sponsor: $1,500Event Sponsor: $500Office Olympics Sponsor: $500

EVENTS

Summer & Winter Sales

Enjoy strolling on the Ithaca Commons during the Upstate New York Summer! Great deals on summer merchandise from over 50 Downtown Ithaca retail locations are available. This sponsorship opportunity will entitle you to spon-sorship recognition for the Summer and Winter Sales. With extensive regional advertising, the sales are designed to draw new traffic to the downtown and our businesses and sponsors.

Date: August 1-3 & Jan. 30–Feb. 1 Time: Whenever retail locations are open!Location: The Ithaca

Presenting Sponsor: $2,000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $1,000 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $500 – 3 available

EVENTS

ITHACA COMMONS AND SURROUNDING STREETS

Welcome Back Students Party

All Cornell University and Ithaca College students, whether you’re a Masters student or a college freshman, are invited to Downtown Ithaca to enjoy dis-counts at Downtown Ithaca eateries, free wine and beer tastings, live music, and more. The Welcome Back Students Party is an excellent time to let stu-dents know about your active presence in Ithaca and the services that your business can offer students. As a part of this sponsorship opportunity, we encourage businesses to have representatives present so they can get acquainted with students.

Date: September 5 Time: 5 to 9pm Location: TBDAttendance: 2500

Presenting Sponsor: $1,500 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $1,000 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $500 – 2 available

EVENTS

31st Annual Apple Harvest Festival

Ithaca’s premier event of the Fall, Apple Harvest Festival is a weekend cel-ebration of food, fun, and apples! Residents and tourists enjoy the products of farmers, wineries, bakeries, crafters, and food vendors. Festival activities in-clude: live music, an apple pie eating competition, dancing, eating, amusement rides, a craft fair, and street performers. The three-day Festival attracts an audience of approximately 30,000 people to Downtown Ithaca. Apple Harvest Festival’s high traffic volume provides sponsors with the opportunity for tre-mendous exposure.

Date: October 3-5 Time: 10am – 6pm Friday – SundayLocation: The Ithaca Commons and surrounding streetsAttendance: approx. 30,000 people over the 3-day period

Presenting Sponsor: $6,000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $2,500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $1,000 – 4 available

EVENTS

Ithaca Oktoberfest

Now in its third year, Oktoberfest celebrates the Fall with beer, wine, and food tastings, Sample Finger Lakes wines and beers as well as tasty morsels from local restaurants and food vendors. An event program, posters, and website advertise the event.

Date: October 25 Time: 12noon to 5pm Location: The Ithaca Commons and surrounding streetsAttendance: 750-1000

Presenting Sponsor: $2,500 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $1,500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $750 – 3 available

EVENTS

Halloween in Downtown

Join in the Halloween Parade! The parade meets at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center at 3:45pm and parades to the Ithaca Commons while trick or treating at local businesses. There will be free music, hot cider, and chili inside Center Ithaca. The Downtown Ithaca Alliance also offers free time in the bounce house and free face painting for trick or treaters. Sponsorship of Halloween in Down-town lets Ithacans know that your company is a family company.

Date: October 30 Time: 3:45 – 6:00pmLocation: Center Ithaca, the Ithaca Commons, & surrounding streetsAttendance: approx. 500 children and parents

Presenting Sponsor: $1,000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $250 – 2 available

EVENTS

Winter Festival - Part 1Small Business Saturday, Buy Local Week, Santa & Light Up The Holidays

Small Business Saturday celebrates small businesses and all they do for their communities. Start your holiday shopping at local Ithaca businesses and sup-port friends and neighbors. Join us for giveaways, free gift-wrapping, and more. Santa and his elves will land in Downtown Ithaca at Noon on Saturday, December 6. This is followed by photos with Santa, games, music, and dance in Center Ithaca. A professional lighting display will show off Downtown Ithaca’s beauty in the winter night. Street performers, such as fire jugglers, will per-form. This is a great sponsorship package if you’re looking for multiple event recognition. Individual event sponsorships can be arranged.

Date: Nov. 29 to December 7Time: Any time businesses are open or events are taking place!Location: Downtown Ithaca Attendance: 5,000

Presenting Sponsor: $4,000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $2,000 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $1,000 – 4 available

EVENTS

Winter Festival - Part 2Ice Wars Ice Carving Competition, Chowder Cook-off, Wine & Cheese Expo

Ithaca’s Ice Wars Ice Carving Competition is a National Ice Carving Associa-tion sanctioned event taking place from December 12 – 13. Sixteen acclaimed ice carvers will compete in three competitions over two days to win the grand prize! From Noon to 5:00pm on December 13, over twenty restaurants will compete for the coveted Chowder Cup. Vegetarian, seafood, and meat chow-ders are available for hungry patrons. Sponsorship opportunities for these events include: your company’s logo carved into the Ithaca Commons Ice Bar, sponsoring a professional ice carver, your logo on cook-off ticket booths, and more! Individual event sponsorships can be arranged.

Date: December 11 – 14 Location: The Ithaca Commons and surrounding streetsAttendance: 7,500

Presenting Sponsor: $6,000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $3,000 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $1,500 – 4 availableExclusive Event Sponsorship Opportunity: Sponsor an Ice Carver! $1,000 – Contact DIA for the details of this sponsorship offer.

EVENTS

Ice Carving Competition

Ithaca, New York

Chowder

Chowder

cook-off

Downtown Ithaca Annual Dinner

The Downtown Ithaca Annual Dinner attracts business clientele from Tomp-kins County. Government officials, property developers, business owners, and other individuals enjoy a night of cocktails, a buffet of food from several Ithaca restaurants, an awards ceremony, and a keynote speech by a guest speaker. Sponsor recognition may include the program, slide recognition, stage men-tions, product features and placement.

Date: January 27, 2015Time: 5:30pm – 8pmLocation: To Be DeterminedAttendance: approx. 200

Major Sponsor: $1,000 – 2 available Event Sponsor: $500 – 4 available

EVENTS

17th Annual Great Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-off

The 17th Annual Great Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-off is widely regarded as one of the Southern Tier’s most anticipated culinary events. Chili Cook-off features an outstanding variety of chilies from over 30 participating restaurants. In addition to chili, Chili Cook-off features a Chili Idol singing competition, wine and beer tastings, and a host of rides and attractions. Chili Cook-off is adver-tised extensively regionally. Your sponsorship can include chili and judging position on official judging panel plus VIP passes.

Date: February 7, 2015 Time: 11:30am – 4:00pmLocation: The Ithaca Commons and surrounding streetsAttendance: approx. 15,000

Presenting Sponsor: $5,000 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $2,500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $1,000 – 3 available

EVENTS

Chili

cook-off

16th

A

nnual D

owntown Ithaca

Ithaca Commons Grand Opening

As one of the most well-known outdoor pedestrian malls in the United States, the Grand Opening of the Ithaca Commons is a historic event. We don’t have all the details on what will be involved in this event, but we guarantee that there will be live music, food vendors, wine and beer tastings, amusement rides, street performers, and more. We additionally guarantee that the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and the City of Ithaca will promote this event in local, regional, and national media outlets. Don’t miss the chance to have your name associ-ated with this historic moment.

Date: To Be DeterminedTime: 3-Day Festival EventLocation: The Ithaca CommonsAttendance: Estimated 5,000

Presenting Sponsor: $7,500 – 1 availableMajor Sponsor: $2,500 – 2 availableEvent Sponsor: $1,000 – 3 available

EVENTS

Downtown E-News

Sponsor the Downtown E-News, a weekly email to over 5,000 people about Downtown things to do, events, business updates, ribbon cutting information, and more! Sponsorships are available monthly for the weekly E-news for 4 to 5 newsletters.

Major Sponsor (first ad in the right sidebar): $100/month or $1000/year – 1 available

Event Sponsor (the 2 ads following Major Sponsor): $75/month or $750/year – 2 available

E-NEW

S