CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITIES

MARCH 8-10, 2018 SHERATON GREENSBORO FOUR SEASONS GREENSBORO, N.C.

This spring, join 3,500 of NC DECA’s most engaged students and teachers in the heart of North Carolina, Greensboro.

MEMBER PROFILE

The North Carolina DECA Career Development Conference will attract student leaders from over 120 high schools, March 8-10, 2018, for a weekend packed with leadership development, college preparation, career exploration and professional development. This dynamic conference provides numerous engagement opportunities for your brand that include:

CHAPTERS

• • • • •

Associate engagement and volunteerism College and career exhibits Conference materials and take-aways Dynamic, multi-media general sessions Interactive workshop presentations

Each of the unique opportunities included in this packet provides your brand the opportunity to connect with NC DECA’s most highly motivated student leaders and advisors.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

ENROLL

7,800

HIGH SCHOOL MEMBERS

141

98%

OF NC DECA MEMBERS REPORT AN A OR B AVERAGE

7X

MORE LIKELY TO STUDY BUSINESS TOPICS IN COLLEGES

5X

MORE LIKELY TO WANT TO OWN THEIR OWN BUSINESS

top students to your college or university.

RECRUIT

trained employees for your company.

PROMOTE

your products and/or services.

ENGAGE

your associates in corporate social responsibility.

14% 26% 30% 30% Research findings courtesy of the National Research Center for College and University Admissions. The sample was taken from NC DECA high school members at the association’s career development conference and was compared to data from more than one million students nationwide.

OVERVIEW

ABOUT DECA

DECA is a premier education partner developing college and career ready youth. Our comprehensive learning model is: • Co-curricular • Built upon the National Model Curriculum Framework • Cross-walked to Common Core Standards • Supportive of 21st Century Skills We are specifically authorized by the United States Congress, the federal and states’ Departments of Education as integral to delivering effective career education. Over 235,000 high school and college students in all 50 United States, U.S. territories and nine additional countries, participate in DECA’s programming, annually, through instruction delivered by a state-certified teacher.

TENTATIVE AGENDA Thursday, March 8 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Team Decision Making Event Competitions 8:00 p.m.-9:45 p.m Opening Session 10:00 p.m.-11:45 p.m. Advisor & State Leadership Team Social & Reception 10:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. NC DECA Dance

Friday, March 9

With a 70-year history, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals. For these reasons, and many others, our internationally renowned business partners consider DECA a favored sustainability partner in achieving their corporate and social responsibility goals.

8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. 9:15 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Saturday, March 10

Friday, February 2

Company logo submission (.eps file) Program advertisement reservation Registration for conference program inclusion

Monday, February 12 Advertisement artwork due

Wednesday, February 14 Hotel reservation

Friday, March 2

Exhibitor personnel list due

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Chapter Registration Industry Workshops

Conference Exhibits Judges Breakfast & Orientation Individual Series Event Competition Written Project Competition State Leadership Luncheon Honors Awards Session

9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Regional Award Sessions

12:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Grand Awards Session

HOTEL INFORMATION SHERATON GREENSBORO at FOUR SEASONS 3121 West Gate City Blvd. Greensboro, NC 27407 www.sheratongreensboro.com Hotel Deadline: February 14, 2018 Rate: $156.72 single/double per room inclusive of tax Contact: Janelle Brown [email protected]

CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

PLATINUM PACKAGE

DIAMOND PACKAGE

LIMITED OPPORTUNITY FOR ONE PARTNER Be the conference’s top leader with this ultimate sponsorship package. Our dynamic, high energy, multi-media events are the motivational sessions for all attendees and the perfect place for your brand.

LIMITED OPPORTUNITY FOR ONE PARTNER NC DECA’s CDC is the sought after event of the year for our members. Place your brand in the center of the unforgettable conference entertainment activities!

This package provides the perfect mixture of promotional activities to build a strong foundation with our members. Promote your brand during the conference and provide a gift for attendees to take home.

NORTH CAROLINA DECA DANCE ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

CHOICE OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

TITLE SPONSOR OF GENERAL SESSIONS

• Opportunity to address audience or show video • Prominent logo recognition • Opportunity to distribute promotional items

NC DECA MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT SOCIAL MEDIA PLAN PLUS ALL SELECTIONS FROM COLLEGE AND CAREER PACKAGE

• Title sponsor of conference dance, the official entertainment activity for all students • Title sponsor of Social Media Correspondent Program • Recognition in program and opening session

PLUS ALL FROM COLLEGE AND CAREER PACKAGE

INVESTMENT: $7,000

GOLD PACKAGE

ADVISOR/VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE GIFTS ADVISORS & STATE LEADERSHIP TEAM SOCIAL & RECEPTION SPONSOR COMPETITIVE EVENT SPONSORSHIP

• Official competitive event title sponsor at conference • Conference promotion through banners, signage and program • Opportunity to present awards onstage during Grand Awards Session

INVESTMENT: $10,000

• Partial sponsorship of judges breakfast and promotion throughout

STATE LEADERSHIP & STATE OFFICER LUNCHEON SPONSOR

PLUS:

OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE REGISTRATION INSERT

COLLEGE & CAREER PACKAGE PACKAGE

The perfect combination to network, promote and engage our members. • Exhibit booth • Full-Page, 4-color conference program advertisement (SPACE LIMITED) • College discussion panel or career & industry workshop (SPACE LIMITED) • Conference scavenger hunt participation

INVESTMENT: $1,200

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VOLUNTEER

NC DECA is seeking business professionals to serve as judges for our students competitions on Thursday, March 8th and Friday, March 9th. Students will be presented a case study related to marketing and promotion. Click http://bit.ly/NCDECAJudge for more information and to volunteer as a judge.

RECOGNITION IN PROGRAM PLUS ALL SELECTIONS FROM COLLEGE & CAREER PACKAGE

INVESTMENT: $5,000

DESCRIPTIONS ADVISORS AND STATE LEADERSHIP TEAM SOCIAL & RECEPTION Spend an hour with these top decision makers during an exclusive advisor networking hour. Place your logo on the networking hour promotional materials, spend an hour creating influential relationships with key members of the NC DECA community, and receive the opportunity to place one insert in the advisor registration packet. COMPETITIVE EXPERIENCE An integral assessment tool, NC DECA’s Competitive Events Program is critical to our mission of preparing the next generation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. Place your brand in the center of our conference as members compete to earn a state title and their chance to attend the International Career Development Conference! Sponsor’s brand will be placed on awards, signage and included in the program. Sponsor will also have an opportunity to present awards onstage during the closing session. CONFERENCE GIFTS What could be better than getting our attendees to take your promotion back into their homes and classrooms? Sponsor the branded gift to conference attendees and continue reaching your audience all-year long! Gift options available for each market: students, advisors/teachers/administrators and volunteers/ judges. CONFERENCE PROGRAM ADVERTISEMENT Promote your brand in the official conference reference for agenda, exhibitors, speakers, special activities and maps. Showcase your company during the conference and return home with members. CONFERENCE SCAVENGER HUNT Increase your brand exposure on the ultimate conference guide – the Conference Scavenger Hunt! Each student will be provided a scavenger hunt card to drive their activities and engagement with our workshops, corporate panels and NC DECA exposition. Available to all exhibitors. NC DECA DANCE SPONSOR Featuring music, lights and a bumping DJ, the NC DECA Dance is sure to be the ultimate entertainment activity of the conference. Your company name and logo will be prominently displayed at this energetic event. Additionally, your support will be highlighted in the conference program, pre-conference communications and during the Opening Session.

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EXHIBIT FAIR Dynamic exposition fair provides you the perfect opportunity to promote your brand and initiate new relationships as you network with over 3,500 students and advisors on Friday, March 9th from 8:30 a.m.— 2:00 p.m. Includes 6-foot table, draped; two chairs. Labor, shipping, special lighting, electrical and internet fees are not included. GENERAL SESSIONS General sessions are high-energy, multi-media, motivational events and a must for conference attendees. These sessions are the most prominent way to get in front of all of our attendees during our conference kick-off and closing. Sponsors will have the opportunity to address the audience (or show a video) for three minutes. STATE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND STATE OFFICER LUNCHEON Honoring our 2017-2018 NC DECA State Officer Team, Board of Directors, Honorary Life Members and State Staff, this exclusive event is the perfect avenue for promoting your brand to 100 of our state’s top leaders. Sponsorship includes title sponsorship of the event, recognition in conference program, signage at the event, opportunity to place promotions at each table and to speak at the event. REGISTRATION INSERTS Draw attention to your exhibit, product, school or company by dropping a flyer, special offer or product catalog in the registration packet for our 3,500 attendees. Limited space for this value-deal of getting into the hands of each attendee. Copies separated into groups of 25. SOCIAL MEDIA CORRESPONDENTS PROGRAM (SMCP) SPONSOR Make sure that you’re seen in all the social media coverage of the conference by sponsoring NC DECA’s SMCP. Our prestigious student social media correspondents are selected through an extensive application process and report on all aspects of the conference. Place your company’s hashtag in the middle of each conversation by serving as the official sponsor of this program. Sponsorship includes recognition in the conference program, signage at the conference, personalized “all-access media” badges and recognition at the closing session.

APPLICATION AND CONTRACT EXHIBIT SPACE, SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING

ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO:

NC DECA USE ONLY:

NC DECA Amount Due:____________________________ Deposit:________________________________ Attn: Director of Partnerships Date:___________________________________ Check No.:______________________________ [email protected] Bal. Due:________________________________ Paid:___________________________________

Logo Recieved: __________________________

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

ADVERTISE

❑ Platinum�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $10,000 ❑ Diamond�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$7,000 ❑ Gold������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� $5,000 ❑ College and Career��������������������������������������������������������������������$1,200

❑ Back Cover�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$1,500 ❑ Inside Front Cover����������������������������������������������������������������������$1,000 ❑ Inside Back Cover�����������������������������������������������������������������������$1,000 ❑ Full Page (Color)����������������������������������������������������������������������������$750 ❑ 1/2 Page Horizontal (Color)����������������������������������������������������� $500 ❑ EXHIBIT������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$750

STATE WHAT YOU INTEND TO EXHIBIT. Add any special circumstances which would make it desirable to assign locations for size, corners or other needs: DESCRIBE any giveaways, promotions or contests to be conducted as part of the exhibit:

Confirmation should be sent to: Name______________________________________________________________

Phone Number______________________________________________________

Title_______________________________________________________________

Fax number_________________________________________________________

Company__________________________________________________________

Website URL________________________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________________

Signature__________________________________________________________

City_______________________________________________________________

Question for Scavenger Hunt___________________________________________

State/Prov./ZIP______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Email Address ______________________________________________________

PLEASE SUBMIT VIA EMAIL TO

[email protected] CONTACT NC DECA’S DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AT

[email protected] OR 336-932-2976 TO BE INCLUDED IN PROGRAM, SEND HIGH RESOLUTION EPS FILE OF COMPANY LOGO BY FEBRUARY 2, 2018 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: NCDPI-NC DECA, ATTN: PAMELA O’BRIEN, 6358 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, NC 27699-6358 FULL PAYMENT IS DUE ON ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER MARCH 2, 2018.* FAILURE TO MAKE FULL PAYMENT BY MARCH 2, 2018, WILL SUBJECT THE EXHIBITOR TO CANCELLATION OF CONTRACT. THIS APPLICATION AND CONTRACT, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED BY THE EXHIBITOR AND ACCEPTED BY NC DECA, SHALL BE CONSIDERED A BINDING AGREEMENT SUBJECT TO GENERAL INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS ON THE REVERSE SIDE. MAIL THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION AND CONTRACT WITH YOUR CHECK TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE. A CONFIRMATION LETTER WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU AFTER PROCESSING AT NC DECA. TO HAVE YOUR COMPANY LISTED IN OUR CONFERENCE PROGRAM, PLEASE SEND US YOUR CONTRACT AND AN EPS FILE OF YOUR LOGO BY FEBRUARY 2, 2018. NC DECA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AND WILL STRICTLY ENFORCE TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT LAWS. ANY PRODUCT DISPLAYING CHARACTERS AND/OR NAMES WHERE LICENSING IS NECESSARY (I.E DISNEY CHARACTERS, HARD ROCK CAFÉ, TASMANIAN DEVIL) MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF THE LICENSING AGREEMENT TO NC DECA PRIOR TO THE CONFERENCE. NC DECA ALSO RESTRICTS THE SALE OR DISPLAY OF ANY PRODUCT (INCLUDING CLOTHING) THAT REFERS TO NC DECA, MARKETING EDUCATION, CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, AN ASSOCIATION OF MARKETING STUDENTS OR EMERGING LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS.

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GENERAL INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS PURPOSE This conference is conducted for educational and informational purposes; to disseminate knowledge and ideas; to encourage communications; to promote product and career information. Under IRS Rulings, sales activities are not permitted for a 501(c) (3) organization (NC DECA). Exhibitors are encouraged to explain, show or demonstrate products or services. ELIGIBLE EXHIBITS NC DECA reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any Exhibitor. No Exhibitor shall sublet or share space. Exhibitors must show only goods and services used in their regular course of business. All promotional activities must be confined to the limits of the booth. To have your company listed in our conference program, please send us your contract by February 2, 2018. BOOTH EQUIPMENT NC DECA will provide a 6-foot draped table, 2 chairs. The fee DOES NOT INCLUDE labor, shipping charges, special lighting or electrical connections. PAYMENT FOR SPACE Your deposit of one-half booth rental must accompany the application. The balance is due by March 2, 2018. Failure to make full payment by March 2, 2018, will subject the exhibitor to cancellation of contract and forfeiture of deposit. Full payment is due on all applications received after March 2, 2018. INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF EXHIBITS Exhibitors may begin installation Friday, March 9, 2018, at 7:30 a.m. and have displays ready by 8:30 a.m., Friday, March 9, 2018. SECURITY The Exhibitor is solely responsible for his/her own exhibit material and should insure his/her exhibit against loss or damage. All property is understood to remain in the Exhibitor’s control in transit to and from the confines of the exhibit area. NC DECA assumes no liability of any kind. FIRE, SAFETY AND HEALTH The Exhibitor agrees to accept full responsibility for compliance with local, city and state fire, safety and health ordinances regarding the installation and operation of equipment. All exhibit materials and equipment must be reasonably located within the booth and protected by safety guards and devices where necessary to prevent personal accident to spectators. Only fireproof materials should be used in displays, and the necessary fire precautions will be a responsibility of the Exhibitor. BADGES Exhibitor personnel will be provided with badges to permit entry to the exhibit area. You must advise us of personnel by March 2, 2018, so that badges can be prepared in advance. EXHIBITORS’ REGISTRATION All Exhibitors must register and pick up their conference packets at the Exhibitor’s registration desk on site. Registration fee is included in the exhibit fee for four representatives per booth space. 7

RESTRICTIONS NC DECA reserves the right to restrict exhibits which for any reason become objectionable, and may also evict any exhibit which in the opinion of NC DECA detracts from the general character of the Exhibit. NC DECA will not be liable for any refunds or other expenses in this instance. AUDIO-VISUAL The use of devices for mechanical reproduction of sound is prohibited. Sound of any kind must not be projected outside the booth. Motion pictures, slide demonstrations, fashion shows, Karaoke, etc. are subject to prior approval by NC DECA. LIABILITY Neither NC DECA, nor their agents or representatives, will be responsible for any injury, loss or damage that may occur to exhibit or personnel. Exhibitor assumes entire responsibility and hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, defend and save NC DECA, Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons and its employees and agents harmless against all claims, losses and damages to persons or property, governmental charges or fines and attorney’s fees arising out of or caused by Exhibitor’s installation, removal, maintenance, occupancy or use of the exhibition premises or a part thereof, excluding any such liability caused by the sole negligence of the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons and its employees and agents. In addition, Exhibitor acknowledges that NC DECA and the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons do not maintain insurance covering Exhibitor’s property and that it is the sole responsibility of Exhibitor to obtain business interruption and property damage insurance covering such losses by Exhibitor. The Exhibitor, on signing the contract, expressly releases the aforementioned from any and all claims. CANCELLATIONS This contract may be cancelled in writing prior to March 2, 2018, in which case fifty percent (50%) of the rental fee will be retained by NC DECA. Cancellation after this date obligates the Exhibitor to full payment. If space is not occupied by opening, March 9, 2018, at 8:30 a.m., NC DECA shall have the right to use such space as it sees fit. INABILITY TO PERFORM In the event the Exhibit is not held for any reason beyond its control, NC DECA reserves the right to retain part of the rental fee as shall be required to compensate for expenses incurred up to that time. CLARIFICATION OF RULES NC DECA has sole authority to interpret and enforce all rules and regulations contained herein, to make any amendments thereto and to make such further rules and regulations as shall be necessary for the orderly conduct of the Exhibit Hall.

RATES + TECHNICAL SPECS SPACE LIMITED ADVERTISING RATES BACK COVER

$1,500

INSIDE FRONT COVER

$1,000

INSIDE BACK COVER

$1,000

FULL PAGE COLOR

$750

1/2 PAGE COLOR VERTICAL

$500

1/2 PAGE COLOR HORIZONTAL

$500

1/2 PAGE COLOR VERTICAL

$2,000

ARTWORK DUE February 12, 2018 FULL PAGE Safety: 7.5” x 10” Trim: 8.5” x 11” Bleed: 8.75” x 11.25”

1/2 PAGE HORIZONTAL 7.5” x 4.75” No bleed. Ad can fill entire area.

PRINT TECHNICAL SPECS

• Digital photos must be 300 dpi minimum to be printed. • For production and quality-control purposes, we cannot accept Web or Internet images. • Acceptable file formats for photography and electronic art are: - Adobe Acrobat .PDF files (high resolution with all fonts embedded; CMYK color) - Adobe Photoshop files. (.PSD, .JPG, .EPS or .TIF) - Adobe Illustrator .EPS files. (all fonts converted to outlines and all images embedded). - Adobe InDesign file. (all fonts converted to outlines and all images embedded).

1/2 PAGE VERTICAL 3.5” x 10” No bleed. Ad can fill entire area.

• Copies of fonts used within any ad or EPS file must be provided in Mac Postscript or Open Type format. • All color ads must be converted to CMYK. Spot colors must be specified with a Pantone Solid Coated description. • Ads must be produced to specific page sizes per ad dimensions. • Camera-ready artwork is press ready. NC DECA is not responsible for adjustments or alterations to size, color or copy error in the content of camera-ready artwork. • All art, fonts, printer fonts, photos and graphics must be included. All color, including photos, must be CMYK. • All crop and registration marks should be removed from ad. • The NC DECA conference programs are produced on a Macintosh platform and are unable to support Windows-based documents.

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PRODUCTION QUESTIONS Direct inquiries and advertising materials to: NC DECA PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES [email protected] 336-932-2976