Hotel and Restaurant Sponsorship Program

Appalachian State University's Office of Arts & Cultural Programs (OACP) is pleased to offer two new sponsorship opportunities:

Hotel Sponsorship Program: In partnership with a small, select group of hotel partners, OACP staff will design and promote a premium arts getaway package that includes accommodations and tickets to arts events held during An Appalachian Summer Festival and the Performing Arts Series - a complete package that the client orders from the hotel with one phone call or mouse click ... Learn more

Restaurant Partnership Program: In partnership with a select group of area restaurants, OACP staff will design and promote a program that offers discounts to patrons of An Appalachian Summer Festival and the Performing Arts Series events ... Learn more

Sponsorship Opportunities

Please take a few minutes to review the following information about how your business or organization can become a sponsor of An Appalachian Summer Festival.

Sponsorships are Good Business

Corporate sponsorships are good business. As a sponsor of An Appalachian Summer Festival, your company will realize tangible marketing benefits in return for your sponsorship investment, while supporting one of the premier arts programs in the Southeastern U.S. and positioning your company as a partner with one of the region's most highly attended public events. Sponsorship opportunities begin at the $5,000 level, with benefits accruing as the level of sponsorship increases. Regardless of the sponsorship level you select, the festival's staff will be pleased to work with you in creating an integrated sponsorship program designed to meet your company's unique marketing objectives.

High Visibility. Promotion. Hospitality.

Our highly diverse audience of 26,000 makes us the ideal partner in reaching specific target markets. Among the benefits available to corporate sponsors include:

Special Events (receptions, dinners, company nights)
Free tickets and/or discount vouchers for employees and VIPs
Recognition via festival publications, advertising and media coverage
High visibility among the festival audience, including on-stage recognition

Other benefits specifically tailored to our sponsors' needs.

We're Prosperous, Dynamic, and Growing...

In recent years, the festival has experienced growth in every aspect of its operations, including ticket sales, attendance, corporate sponsorships and individual giving.

Ideal Demographics

As with most arts patrons, festival audiences comprise an important demographic profile: our typical audience member is age 45+, upper middle income, and well educated. Festival audiences are informed consumers, who support businesses which are committed to the arts in their communities.

A Track Record in the Corporate Community

In polls conducted by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, a festival sponsor for the past nine years, 97-100% of its customers surveyed have voiced support for the company's continued sponsorship of An Appalachian Summer Festival.

Corporate Sponsorship Program

Detailed below are specific benefits associated with each of the corporate sponsorship levels offered by An Appalachian Summer Festival.

I. Festival Underwriter

$5,000 level:
- General support of festival performances
- Benefits:
  - Free full-page ad in Festival Playbill (distributed to audience at all performances);
  - Inclusion of logo in Season Brochure;
  - Six tickets to the festival's Outdoor Fireworks Concert;
  - VIP parking benefits during festival;
  - Website links;
  - Inclusion in a "thank you ad" placed in High Country newspapers at the conclusion of festival season;
  - Inclusion in Silent Auction (with donation, high visibility during the high-profile auction in Farthing lobby);
  - Invitation to annual Patrons' Reception at Chancellor's Home.

II. Single Event Sponsor

$10,000 level:
- Sponsorship of a large-venue festival performance (Farthing Auditorium, or a special event)
- Benefits:
  - On-stage recognition, prior to the sponsored performance;
  - Inclusion of corporate logo in section of the Festival Playbill, Season Brochure, festival poster, and festival website pertaining to sponsored performance;
  - Print, radio and TV advertising credits;
  - Press interviews (local and regional radio; MTN);
  - Credit line in all press releases pertaining to sponsored performance;
  - Free full page ad in Festival Playbill (distributed to audience at all performances throughout festival season);
  - Lobby display on the evening of sponsored festival performance;
  - 20 free tickets to sponsored performance;
  - VIP parking benefits during the course of the festival;
  - Invitation to annual Patrons' Reception at Chancellor's Home;
  - Inclusion in Silent Auction (with donation, high visibility during the high-profile auction in Farthing lobby);
  - Invitation to Chancellor's Reception Outdoor Fireworks Concert.

III. Performance Series Sponsor

$20,000 - $49,000 level (depending on artists and series selected)
- Sponsorship of selected performances, as part of a series
- Benefits:
  - On-stage recognition, prior to each sponsored performance in the series;
  - Prominent recognition as a performance series sponsor, via lobby signage throughout the course of the festival season;
  - Prominent visibility via lobby display acknowledging performance series sponsors;
  - Ticket benefits, to be determined based on the needs and interests of each sponsor, as well as ticket availability;
  - Artist "Meet and Greet" benefits, based on the interests of the sponsor and the availability of selected artists;
  - VIP parking benefits during the course of the festival;
  - Employee discounts for tickets to sponsored performances;
  - Inclusion of corporate logo in section of the festival playbill, brochure, poster, and website pertaining to sponsored performances;
  - Print, radio and TV advertising credits;
  - Free full-page ad in Festival Playbill (distributed to audience at all performances);
  - Credit line in all press releases pertaining to sponsored performances;
  - Press interviews (local and regional radio; MTN);
  - Website links;
  - Inclusion in a "thank you ad" placed in High Country newspapers at the conclusion of festival season;
  - Opportunity to participate in Silent Auction (with donation, high visibility during the high-profile auction in Farthing lobby);
  - Invitation to annual Patrons' Reception;
  - Invitation to Chancellor's Pre-Concert Reception (at the annual Outdoor Fireworks Concert).

IV. Festival Sponsor

$50,000+ (depending on artists and series selected)
- Sponsorship of selected performances, as part of a series
- Benefits:
  - ALL of the benefits outlined above (under "Performance Series Sponsorship" benefits) PLUS status as an overall sponsor of the entire festival;
  - "Naming opportunity" for corporate recognition in connection with a festival performance series;
  - Corporate logo to appear on Festival Playbill cover (as well as on inside copy);
  - Special reception or other event targeting a guest list of the sponsor's choosing;
  - Private dinner party with the Chancellor and selected guests.

For more information on how your company can become involved with An Appalachian Summer Festival, please contact...

Denise Ringler, Director
Appalachian State University Office of Arts & Cultural Programs
Telephone: (828) 262-6084, x103
E-mail: weissbergdr@appstate.edu

...or...

Megan Hayes, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Appalachian State University Office of Arts & Cultural Programs
Telephone: (828) 262-6084, x104
E-mail: hayesme@appstate.edu