Below is the listing of benefits and opportunities for Marketplace sponsors. Sponsors from Marketplace 2008 have the right of first refusal for 2009 opportunities. If you are interested in sponsoring at Marketplace 2009, contact Jana Fields regarding the availability of certain sponsorships or the creation of a custom opportunity.
In addition, Level 3 and Level 2 sponsors have a chance to shine in the high traffic areas at Marketplace with complimentary booth space.
Operator Breakfast
Operator breakfasts are the best and most valuable way to start the day. By hosting only operator delegates at a full sit-down breakfast, you have the opportunity to capture their attention and show them all the hospitality you have to offer. The sponsor will have up to 20 minutes for a presentation if desired. Average attendance is 450, and only operator Buyer delegates and VIP’s are eligible to attend. Available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, the sponsorship fee is $5,500 plus the cost of food and beverage, audiovisual, entertainment and decorations.
Luncheon
Luncheons at the American Bus Marketplace are entertaining, sit-down affairs that allow you a rare opportunity to showcase your destination. You will have up to 45 minutes for lively entertainment while you command the attention of all ABA Operator and Travel Industry delegates at your luncheon. Luncheons are available on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and are open to all delegates with an average attendance of 1,800. The sponsorship fee is $5,500 plus the cost of food and beverage, audiovisual, entertainment and decorations.
Hospitality Function
Hospitality Functions are the perfect opportunity to provide informal fun and relaxed networking. These functions give the sponsor the opportunity to provide entertainment, food and beverages to all Marketplace delegates. Available Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings, these functions begin after the evening’s scheduled event. The sponsorship fee is $5,500 plus the cost of food and beverage, audiovisual, entertainment and decorations.
Operator—to—Operator Reception
Operator-to-Operator Reception is a great opportunity to greet the Operators as they go to their own Marketplace. Held at the close of the appointment session on Saturday, the operators have a chance to sell their services to other operators. As the sponsor you host the reception for the operators and are able to provide information at their booths. The sponsorship fee is $5,500 plus the cost of food, beer and wine.
Exhibitor Reception
ABA’s newest sponsorship is the Exhibitor Reception. Be the first to greet the Operators and Sellers as they visit the Marketplace Networking Floor. Showcase your area at the 1 ½ hour reception with entertainment, food and beverage. The sponsorship fee is $5,500 plus the cost of food, beverage, entertainment and audiovisual. The estimated attendance is 700-1000 people.
Full Week Floor Lounge
A Full-Week Floor Lounge Booth offers great visibility in a high traffic area in the Marketplace Networking Floor. It’s a great opportunity to attract virtually every Operator Buyer delegate on his or her way to or from their appointments. The sponsor provides food, drink and giveaways of their choice. The Lounge is open during all Marketplace registration hours. The sponsorship fee is $5,500 plus the cost of food and beverage.
Resource Central Service Center
Resource Central Service Center offers great visibility in a high traffic area on the Marketplace Networking Floor. It’s a great opportunity to attract delegates with more than 3300 utilizing this on-site service at Marketplace 2008. Showcase your company with a theme, logo and other marketing opportunities within the center. The Service Center is open during all Marketplace registration hours and staff by Marketplace volunteers recruited by ABA.
Orientation Center Service Center
Orientation Center Service Center offers great visibility in a high traffic area on the Marketplace Networking Floor. It’s a great opportunity to attract first-time buyer and seller delegates (approx. 20% of delegates each year). Showcase your company with a theme, logo and other marketing opportunities within the center, including your company's name on the seminar sign and STAR educational materials. The Service Center is open during all Marketplace registration hours and staff by Marketplace volunteers recruited by ABA.
Marketplace Registration Bags
Marketplace Registration Bags are your chance to showcase your company on the official Marketplace delegate bag. Every delegate will receive and carry your bag throughout Marketplace week. Given out at registration, these bags are a perfect way to get your name displayed. After Marketplace, the bags continue to promote your company as delegates carry them on buses, planes and trains—everywhere they go! The print run is approximately 3,500 and the sponsorship fee is $5,500 plus the cost of the bags.
Official Program
An ad in the Official Program is a great way to get your name out to all delegates. Every delegate will receive an Official Program and use it all week for their valuable Marketplace information. The sponsorship fee is $7,500 for the Back Cover and the ad on the Inside Back Cover is $5,500.
Directory of Participants
All delegates refer to the Directory of Participants at Marketplace and throughout the year. This directory lists all attendees of Marketplace 2008. Put your name in front of them all year. The Back Cover Ad is $7,500 and the ads on the Inside Front and Inside Back are $5,500 each.
Operator Appointment Booklet
The Operator Appointment Booklet is given to all appointment-taking operators so they have their appointment schedule with them at all times. Place your ad on the back cover and have your name in front of them all week. The Back Cover Ad is $7,500. You may also place your ad on the inside front or inside back of the Operator Appointment Booklet for only $5,500 each.
Education Brochure
Contribute to ABA’s outstanding educational program by sponsoring the Marketplace 2006 Education Brochure. Delegates use this piece to get a comprehensive look at the education seminars and the professional speakers that will be presenting at Marketplace. The brochure is mailed to all registered delegates in October and provided to all delegates again at Marketplace 2008. Giving you twice the exposure! Back cover ad is $7,500.
Operator Appointment Booth Signs
Put your logo front and center by sponsoring the Operator Appointment Booth ID Sign. Your company logo will appear on all of the ID signs for everyone in the Marketplace Business Floor to see. Sponsorship fee is $15,000.
Message Center
The Message Center is your opportunity to light up the computer monitors with your organization’s name. When you sponsor ABA’s internal Message Center, your name will be noticed on all messages printed and posted on the message board. The sponsorship fee for the entire week is only $3,000 plus the cost of the computers, printers and Internet services.
E-mail Center
The E-mail Center is your opportunity to light up the computer monitors with your organization’s name. ABA’s E-mail Center gives delegates access to their home or office e-mail. The sponsorship fee for the entire week is only $3,000 plus the cost of the computers, printers and Internet services.
Marketplace Education Seminars
Marketplace Education Seminars are the best source of continuing education in the group travel industry. Attendance by bus and tour operators as well as travel industry delegates has gone up every year! Your organization will be able to choose a speaker from our contracted speaker list whose message is relevant to delegates’ educational needs. The sponsorship fee is $3,000 and sponsors have the opportunity to introduce the speaker.
Education Refreshment Breaks
Education Refreshment Breaks are an important pick-me-up for Marketplace delegates attending education seminars. Make the grade and contribute to ABA’s outstanding educational program by sponsoring food and beverage during these important educational sessions. The sponsorship fee is $3,000 plus the cost of the beverages.
Delegate Name Badge Holders
Delegate Name Badge Holders are worn by every delegate all of the time. Showcase your company name and logo on the front of the badge holder for all of the delegates to see. The sponsorship fee is $3,000 plus the cost of 3,000 badge holders.
Operator Water Stations
Operator Water Stations help keep the Operators from getting too thirsty while doing appointments on the Marketplace Business Floor. Provide the water coolers at a sponsorship fee of $3,000 plus the cost of the water coolers for the week.
