Sponsorship Information
Stand out at the 13th National Conference by becoming a PLA Partner! Thousands of public librarians, library directors, trustees and others will converge on the Oregon Convention Center in Portland for the only conference dedicated exclusively to the public library world. Don't miss this opportunity. PLA Partners have increased visibility, including signage, recognition in conference materials, links from our website to yours, and are recognized by our attendees and members as an integral part of the public library community.
For more information on becoming a PLA Partner, please contact Barb Macikas, PLA Executive Director, at 312-280-5024 or bmacikas@ala.org.
Sponsorships include additional benefits listed in the table at the bottom of this page.
Meetings and Sessions
Nancy Pearl Presents "Book Buzz"
PLA thanks Playaway for its support of this event.
Wednesday, March 24, 10:30am-noon
Nancy Pearl is back for another exciting round of "Book Buzz." Sponsor this perennial favorite that attracts standing room only crowds of more than 500 people. Exclusive sponsorship benefits include:
- Signage featuring your logo as attendees enter and exit the event
- Signage featuring your logo on the stage during the program
- Logo included next to program on the website and in marketing materials
- Recognition for your company from the podium
- Includes Gold Partner benefits
Opening General Session
PLA thanks Brainfuse and ProQuest for their support of this event.
Wednesday, March 24, 2:30-4pm
The official kick off of the 2010 National Conference typically attracts thousands of attendees. This year will be no different with The New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning author, Nicholas Kristof. Don't miss out on this opportunity to get your name and logo in front of attendees at the beginning of this exciting conference. Exclusive benefits include:
- Signage featuring your logo as attendees enter and exit the Opening General Session
- Signage at book signing table, if applicable
- Recognition for your company from the podium
- Logo included next to program on the website and in marketing materials
- VIP seating for two company representatives
- Sponsor logo displayed on large screens at the front of the stage during the beginning and end of event
- Includes Platinum or Gold Partner benefits
Closing Session (multiple opportunities available) $5,000 each or be the exclusive sponsor of this event for $10,000
Saturday, March 27, 11:45am-1:00pm
Always a popular send-off for conference attendees, the Closing Session will be keynoted by Sarah Vowell, author of four bestselling books and a contributing editor for This American Life. Exclusive benefits include:
- Signage featuring your logo as attendees enter and exit the Closing Session
- Signage at book signing table, if applicable
- Recognition for your company from the podium
- VIP seating for two company representatives
- Sponsor logo displayed on large screens at the front of the stage during the beginning and end of event
- Includes Platinum or Gold Partner benefits
- Logo included next to program on the website and in marketing materials
Virtual Conference (one opportunity available) $12,000
Reach beyond the conference walls and make your organization visible to in-person attendees as well as those participating in the Virtual Conference. The 2008 National Conference featured the first-ever Virtual Conference, and we expect it to be an even bigger success than it was two years ago. In addition to the 300-500 attendees who will participate in just the Virtual Conference, all PLA National Conference attendees have access to the Virtual Conference. And, the Virtual Conference content is available to attendees for a year after the National Conference. Exclusive benefits include:
- Recognition in all Virtual Conference specific marketing pieces
- Recognition on the Virtual Conference website
- A link to your website from the Virtual Conference website
- Includes Platinum Partner benefits
Food and Beverage Events
Exhibit Hall Opening Reception
PLA thanks ProQuest for its support of this event.
Wednesday, March 24, 4-6:30pm
The Opening Reception attracts the majority of the conference's attendees who are all eager to get a glimpse of the Exhibits Hall. Capitalize on the high energy of attendees when the conference opens by sponsoring this event, which includes appetizers. Exclusive benefits include:
- Announcements in the hall during event to thank you for your support
- Signage featuring your logo as sponsor at refreshment areas on show floor
- Event is scheduled during a "no conflict" time, meaning no other events take place during the Opening Reception
- Includes Gold Partner benefits
New Member Reception
PLA thanks OverDrive for its support of this event.
Wednesday, March 24, 6-7:30pm
This unique event draws an estimated 500 conference attendees who gather to network, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about what PLA has to offer. There is an opportunity for your organization to have literature available at the PLA information table, as well as a company representative to mingle with attendees in a more intimate setting. Exclusive benefits include:
- Signage featuring your logo at refreshment and hors d'oeuvres tables
- Table space to distribute your promotional items
- Sponsor recognition from the podium during the reception’s short program
- Includes Gold Partner benefits
All Conference Reception
PLA thanks Integrated Technology Group for its support of this event.
Friday, March 26, 5:30-7:30pm
Increase your organization's visibility by sponsoring the All Conference Reception. This event features an evening of lively entertainment and hors d'oeuvres, and is a perennial favorite of conference attendees. More than3,000 conference attendees come to the All Conference Reception to mix and mingle with their peers. Exclusive benefits include:
- Logo recognition on signage at the entrance of the event, at food stations, and on the entertainment stage
- Tent cards on each table featuring your company's logo
- Exclusive naming rights (The PLA All Conference Reception – sponsored by "YOUR NAME")
- Your logo printed on cups and napkins (extra cost)
- Hospitality/drink tickets for your staff
- Includes Platinum Partner benefits
Exhibits Closing Reception (one opportunity available) $5,000
Friday, March 26, 3:15-4:00pm
PLA surveys indicate 99 percent of attendees visit the exhibits and 73 percent of those visit more than three times during the show. Benefits include:
- Announcements in the hall during event to thank you for your support
- Signage at entry to show floor acknowledging your sponsorship
- Event is scheduled during a "no conflict" time, meaning no other events are scheduled during this time
- Signage at coffee and dessert station
- Includes Gold Partner benefits
Exhibit Hall Coffee Breaks
PLA thanks Morningstar for its support.
Thursday, March 25, 9:45-10:30am
Thursday, March 25, 3:15-4pm
Friday, March 26, 9:45-10:30am
An estimated 7,000 conference attendees visit the exhibits during the designated coffee breaks to enjoy refreshments in the hall. Send them straight to your booth. Exclusive benefits include:
- Announcements in the hall during event to thank you for your support
- Signage at coffee stations featuring your logo
- Announcement thanking your organization prior to each coffee break
- Your name and logo imprinted on napkins and cups (customized at additional cost)
- Includes Gold Partner benefits
Attendee Services
PLA thanks Highsmith, Mango Languages, and Userful for their support.
Internet Cafe (two opportunities available) $5,000 each; choose the cafe on the show floor or in the registration area or be the exclusive sponsor of both cafes for $10,000
Internet Cafes are set up in high traffic areas, making your sponsorship not only visible to those using the cafes, but also to heavy conference foot traffic. Benefits include:
- Signage with your logo in cafe area, as well as on all directional signage
- Your logo on each monitor wallpaper and as a screensaver
- Includes Gold Partner benefits or Platinum for both cafés
Wireless Internet (one opportunity available) $5,000
As the exclusive sponsor of Wireless Internet, your company's name and logo will be the first thing attendees see when they log on. Benefits include:
- Your company's website automatically set as the homepage
- Includes Gold Partner benefits
Attendee Premium Items
Do you want to ensure that your company's name and logo get into the hands of every conference attendee? Your branded items are included in the conference goodie bag that is provided at registration. Opportunities include:
| Conference Badge Holders |
PLA thanks Gale Cengage for its support. |
| Official Conference Attendee Bag |
PLA thanks Innovative Interfaces for its support. |
| Pens |
PLA thanks Tutor.com for its support of this event. |
| Notepads |
PLA thanks Queens Public Library for its support of this event. |
General Support
Available at all levels. Show your organization's ongoing support for PLA all year and at the National Conference through your general support partnership. Enjoy benefits at conference, including:
- Announcements thanking you as a PLA Partner
- Links from our website to yours
- PLA thanks America Reads Spanish, Audio Publishers Association, Baker & Taylor, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BBC Audiobooks, BookPage, Brodart, BWI, CiVICTechnologies, DEMCO, EBSCO, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, H.W. Wilson, Ingram Library Services, Jan Way Co., LibraryConsultants.org, Library Journal, LSSI, Midwest Tape, Polaris Library Systems, Romance Writers of America, R.R. Bowker, Simon & Schuster, SisiDynix, TechSoup for Libraries, and World Book for their support.
Additional Partnership Benefits
| Benefits |
Platinum
$10,000 |
Gold
$5,000 |
Silver
$1,000 |
Bronze
$500 |
| Platinum Partners get exclusive use of "A PLA Platinum Partner." Banner/block advertisement with your logo on PLA National Conference website. Exclusive Platinum benefit. |
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| Platinum recognition with links to your website from the PLA National Conference e-Newsletter through the course of your sponsorship (distributed to more than 10,000 PLA members). |
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| Platinum Partners recognition with your logo on National Conference marketing materials, which are sent to all PLA members, as well as ALA public librarians and others, in the months prior to the National Conference. |
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| Priority booth selection for the PLA 2012 National Conference (Priority granted by sponsorship level along with years exhibiting and total booth footprint). Priority hotel block selection for your staff at PLA 2010 National Conference hotels. (To guarantee, must confirm sponsorship by August 15, 2009, afterwards on a space available basis) |
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| Platinum or Gold Partner listing with your company logo with links from www.placonference.org and www.pla.org to your website. |
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| Platinum or Gold Partner listing on main PLA Partners Banner at entrance of the National Conference. |
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| Highlighted listing with your logo as Platinum or Gold Partner in National Conference Show Directory and Platinum Partner recognition in PLA Show Daily. |
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| Platinum or Gold Level recognition in the PLA National Conference e-Newsletter through the course of your sponsorship. |
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| PLA President thanks your company from the podium at Opening General Session and Closing Session. |
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| Listing on PLA Partners PowerPoint during walk-in and walk-out of Opening and Closing Sessions (Platinum and Gold with logos). |
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| Platinum, Gold or Silver Partner recognition stars for your booth in the Exhibit Hall. |
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| Badge ribbons recognizing your Partner level (Platinum, Gold, Silver) for your staff at conference. |
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| Company listing in show directory and show daily. |
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| Partners recognition in fall issue of Public Libraries magazine (Platinum and Gold Partners with logo). |
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| Recognition in American Libraries magazine (Platinum and Gold Partners with logo). |
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| Recognition in the PLA National Conference e-Newsletter through the course of your sponsorship. |
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More Information
Commitment year: The PLA Partners commitment year begins September 2009 through the National Conference until end of August 2010. This entitles your organization to Partner's benefit through this period.
Deadlines: To assure your full recognition and logo placement in all preconference print materials (sent to more than 15,000 library decision-makers), commitments must be made by August 15, 2009 with payments no later than November 1, 2009.
