2024 Program Overview
The following is an overview of our agenda for the WSC – Alberta Forum 2024. This agenda is being updated regularly and is subject to change.
WEDNESDAY (MORNING), NOVEMBER 6
8:30am - 11:30am, Evario 4, 5 & 6
8:30am | Workshop 1: Sponsorship 101 (Additional Registration required)
Instructor: Christi Cruz
This hands-on half-day workshop will be insightful for both those on the selling side of the sponsorship game as properties and rights holders as well as those on the buying side… the sponsors. This session will highlight the art, and science, of the ever evolving sponsorship game - it really is more than counting eyeballs and numbers!
8:30am | Workshop 2: Understanding Municipal Sponsorship Marketing Landscape Today and In the Future (Additional Registration required)
Instructor: Brent Barootes
Understanding the municipal sponsorship landscape is confusing. For some, there seems to be a lack of sponsors, while other communities are doing multiple naming rights announcements! What is the best way to secure a naming right? How do we manage red tape and typical slow municipal decision-making processes? This half-day workshop will provide answers, discussion, and insights.
8:30am | Workshop 3: AI Unleashed: Mastering ChatGPT and Google Gemini for Sponsorship Success (Additional Registration required)
Instructor: Leanne Calderwood
Join us for an immersive 3-hour workshop tailored for sponsorship professionals seeking to harness the power of AI with ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Designed for organizations that sell sponsorship, this hands-on session will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to elevate your sponsorship proposals, cases for support, and copywriting.
WEDNESDAY (AFTERNOON), NOVEMBER 6
1:00pm - 6:00pm, Evario Ballroom
1:00pm | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Erin Gobolos (Emcee)
1:10pm | Opening Keynote
Sponsorship Marketing for 2025 and Beyond
Brent Barootes, Partnership Group - Sponsorship Specialists
2:00pm | Main Stage Presentation
Data Driven Sponsorship Decision Making: A Fan’s Perspective
Neal Covant, SponsorPulse
2:45pm | Main Stage Mini-Sessions (3 x 15 min Presentations)
How to Measure the Effectiveness of Sponsorship? Myths, Misconceptions & Best Practices
Francis Dumais, Elevent
What’s in it for them? Increase sales with value-driven sponsorships
Lee Ann Waines
Sponsorship Valuation: Does anyone know what this sh!t is worth?
Derek Mager, Data Jungle
3:30pm | Main Stage Presentation
A New Way of Prospecting
Brent Barootes & Sarah Hillifer
4:15pm | Main Stage Presentation
“I’m Just Following Up” (And Other Things We Say That Compromise Our Value)
Leanne Calderwood
4:45pm | Networking Mixer
6:00pm | Dine Around
Networking doesn't need to end with the reception! Join other WSC attendees at a nearby restaurant to continue the conversation.
Sign Up Here
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7
8:00am - 4:00pm
7:30am | Continental Breakfast (Evario Ballroom)
8:15am | Keynote Presentations (Evario Ballroom)
Sponsorship in 2024 – Learning from the Canadian Sponsorship Landscape Study
Norm O’Reilly, University of New England & T1 Agency
Blurred Lines: How Social Purpose is Changing the Game and Creating New Opportunities in Sponsorship
Christi Cruz, BOLD Consultancy
Panelists: Karen Ramchuk and Amanda Pick
10:15am | Specialized Breakouts
Breakout 1 - Selling and the Sales Process ( Evario Ballroom)
Judy Haber, Performance Sponsorship Group (PSG)
Breakout 2 - What’s In It For Them? Increase Sales With Value-Driven Sponsorships (Evario 4)
Lee Ann Waines, MNP
Breakout 3 - Sponsorship in Western Canada in 2024 - Learning from the 18th Annual Canadian Sponsorship Landscape Study (Evario 5)
Norm O’Reilly, University of New England & T1 Agency
Breakout 4 - Fundraising Intelligence: From Bland to Brand - Maximize Your Charities Event Sponsorships (Evario 6)
Corey McKeown, ViTreo
11:15am | Specialized Breakouts
Breakout 1 - How to Measure the Effectiveness of Sponsorship? Myths, Misconceptions & Best Practices (Evario 4)
Francis Dumais, Elevent
Breakout 2 - Sponsorship Valuation: Does anyone know what this sh!t is worth? (Cont’d) (Evario 5)
Derek Mager, Data Jungle
Breakout 3 - Event Sponsorship Tips, Tricks and Trends (Evario 6)
Victoria Mahoney, Harmony Marketing
12:00pm | Lunch (Provided)
1:00pm | Ask Me Anything Panel Discussion
This exciting and open-ended topic panel discussion will provide you with answers to the questions that are burning inside your head. Your queries will be asked by a panel with over 100 years of industry experience in everything from data and research to events to naming rights to municipalities and charities, sport and festivals and more. You name it… this panel of knowledge will have answers for you.
This session will be moderated by Brent Barootes
Panelists: Jennifer Bishop, Victoria Mahoney & Norm O’Reilly
2:00pm | The 5-Minute Pitch™
The 5-Minute Pitch™, a congress favourite, is an intense hour and a half of sellers pitching and sponsors spending a mock $250,000 budget, followed by delegates asking all of their questions.
This session will be moderated by Christi Cruz
BRANDS / BUYERS:
Brian Geislinger, Alberta Blue Cross
Donna Zazulak, Wolfe Pack Warriors
Jennifer Bishop, ConnectFirst Credit Union
Jesse Murphy, Capital Power
Samantha Alexander, MNP
PROPERTIES / SELLERS:
Adam Watt, Event Partnerships
Ben Oostenbrink, Citadel Theatre
Denise Broadbent, City of Leduc
Interested in pitching our brands? One spot still available. email us!
3:45pm | Closing Remarks