Exhibitor Guide
About Pet Sitters International Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world s leading educational association and largest membership organization for professional pet sitters, was founded in 1994 by professional pet-sitting industry pioneer Patti J. Moran. Her book, Pet Sitting for Profit, is considered the leading written authority on pet sitting as a career. Today pet sitting is one of the fastest growing home-based businesses in the world. PSI currently has nearly 7,000 member businesses in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Canada and more than 20 other countries. PSI s Pet Sitter World is the industry s #1 conference. Pet Sitter World is a can t-miss event for professional pet sitters, and attendees will be the thought leaders shaping the future of the pet-sitting industry. The 2017 conference theme is The Face of Professional Pet Sitting and the conference will be held September 18-21 at the Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center hotel in New Orleans, La. As the #1 pet-sitter conference, its mission is to offer professional pet sitters: face-to-face community building opportunities, the latest in pet-sitting industry research, and sessions that highlight best business practices and share the most up-to-date pet-health and care information. Who should exhibit? Any company that offers products and/or business solutions that could benefit professional pet-sitting or dogwalking business owners, their staff sitters or their pet-owning clients is an ideal exhibitor. Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo offers a unique opportunity for companies to expand their marketing presence in this influential niche services industry. 2
Pet Sitter World At-A-Glance Who? Participation in PSI s Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo allows your company to meet and showcase your products and services to nearly 300 pet-care professionals, whose businesses each serve an average of 109 pet-owning households and perform an average of 2,645 pet-sitting assignments each year. What? The Expo area of PSI s annual conference allows you to showcase your company to attendees. Expo hours are uninterrupted (no general sessions scheduled during Expo hours) and attendees are encouraged to visit each exhibitor, and are entered into a drawing after having each exhibitor mark their Expo punch card. Daily prize drawings and special giveaways also keep the Expo hours exciting. When? PSI s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference will take place September 18-21. Expo hours are daily September 18-20. The complete Expo schedule can be found on p. 4. Where? The 2017 conference and expo will be held in New Orleans! The host hotel is the Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center hotel, which is conveniently located across the street from Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center and is within walking distance of major New Orleans attractions including the French Quarter, Jackson Square, Harrah s Casino, Aquarium of the Americas and Mercedes Benz Superdome. The hotel s amenities include Hampton s free hot breakfast, free internet access in every room and gym/fitness center use. Why? Each year our attendees spend hours of their educational investment looking for new products and services that they can use in their businesses or recommend to their clients. While you showcase your products or services, you can also get to know some of the most dedicated and influential professional pet sitters in the United States and Canada. Contact PSI at advertising@petsit.com to learn more. 3
Exhibitor Application Guidelines 2017 Booth Fees Exhibit space is $800 for commercial companies and $400 for non-profit organizations (limited non-profit spots available). What s included: One (1) furniture package including : 6 x 30 skirted table, two chairs and a wastebasket 2 exhibitor badges (Expo area access only) Laminated company identification sign (exhibitors are encouraged to bring additional signage) ¼ page ad in Pet Sitter s World magazine, distributed to approximately 6,600 petsitting business owners and industry affiliates Logo and link inclusion in The Scoop, PSI s member e-newsletter (approx. distribution: 6,200) Reserve exhibit space: Go to www.petsit.com/2017exhibitor and click on the online application to request booth space. Upon receipt of your online application, PSI will contact you by phone within two business days for payment information. Upon successful processing of your payment, an e-mail will be sent to you to confirm your reservation. 2017 Expo Schedule*: Exhibitor Set-up Monday, September 18... 2:00 pm 4:00 pm Expo Hours Monday, September 18... 4:30 pm 6:00 pm Tuesday, September 19... 12:00 pm 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 20... 12:30 pm 2:30 pm Exhibitor Break-down Wednesday, September 20... 2:30 pm 3:30 pm *Hours are subject to change. Expo Highlights: Expo Grand Opening & Happy Hour Mix and Mingle Lunch breaks in Expo area Daily drawings and giveaways Who can you reach? Meet and showcase your products and services to nearly 300 pet-care professionals, whose businesses: serve an average of 109 pet-owning households. perform an average of 2,645 pet-sitting assignments each year. 96% indicated their clients frequently or occasionally ask for their advice about matters or products related to their pets. 4
Sponsorship Opportunities In addition to exhibiting, companies can also benefit from the unique opportunity to expand their marketing presence at the top pet-sitting industry conference by taking advantage of sponsorship opportunities. PSI offers opportunities for signage, sampling and more for companies seeking additional exposure at the 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo. Opening Ceremony & Welcome Lunch Investment: $5,000 (CO-SPONSOR) or $10,000 (EXCLUSIVE) The opening ceremony and welcome lunch serves as the official kick off for the 2017 conference. Attendees will enjoy a plated lunch and networking event. The 2017 awards ceremony also takes place during this opening event. Company logo on event signage and in welcome presentation Full-page B&W ad in the conference program guide Complimentary exhibitor booth Company handouts or samples at each table setting (exclusive sponsor only) Opportunity to welcome attendees at ceremony approx. 10 minute presentation (exclusive sponsor only) Expo Grand Opening & Happy Hour Mix and Mingle Investment: $2,250 (CO-SPONSOR) or $4,500 (EXCLUSIVE) This opening night reception serves as the grand opening for the 2017 Expo. Attendees enjoy light hors d oeuvres as they visit with exhibitors and network with fellow attendees. Company logo on event signage Full-page B&W ad in the conference program guide Complimentary exhibitor booth (exclusive sponsor only) Company will be recognized during the opening ceremony on Sept. 18 Full-page ad in Pet Sitter s World magazine (exclusive sponsor only) Full-page ad in Pet Sitter s World magazine (exclusive sponsor only) 5
Conference Lunch Break (2 available) Investment: $3,000 (EXCLUSIVE) Sponsoring one of the conference lunch breaks is sure to make your company an attendee favorite. Attendees are able to pick up the complimentary boxed/bagged lunches during Expo hours on Sept. 19 and 20. Company logo on event signage Full-page B&W ad in the conference program guide Opportunity to provide sticker that can be placed on boxed or bagged lunch Company will be recognized during the opening ceremony on Sept. 18 Conference Program Guide Investment: $3,000 (EXCLUSIVE) The conference program guide is provided to all attendees upon arrival, and is valued as a must-have resource throughout the conference. The program guide includes a full conference agenda, speaker bios, exhibitor information and more including a notes section, which makes it a resource attendees keep after the conference. Full-page, four-color ad on the back cover of the conference program guide Company will be recognized during the opening ceremony on Sept. 18 Conference Tote Bag Investment: $3,000 (EXCLUSIVE) Given to all attendees upon arrival, the conference tote bags offer a perfect (and economical) opportunity to promote your company. Your company s logo will be included on the bags, which attendees use throughout the conference and take home as conference keepsakes. Company logo imprinted on each bag (one-color) Company will be recognized during the opening ceremony on Sept. 18 6
Conference Lanyards Investment: $3,000 (EXCLUSIVE) Your company logo will be imprinted on the conference lanyards given to attendees to clip to their official name badges. Attendees are required to wear their name badges at all times for access to the Expo and conference sessions, so you ll get exposure throughout the event! Company logo imprinted on each lanyard (one-color) Company will be recognized during the opening ceremony on Sept. 18 Session and/or Day Sponsor Investment: Varies, depending upon session or day desired. These limited session and/or day sponsorship opportunities offer a unique opportunity to associate your brand with a specific topic or full track (entire day) that is significant to professional pet sitters and the industry-at-large. Sponsors must be a good fit for the specific session and/or track, and the request will be reviewed by PSI and the session speaker(s) prior to confirming the sponsorship. This sponsorship may include: Company logo featured on slide before presentation begins Opportunity to make company materials available in session room Opportunity to introduce speaker of the session or track sponsored section of petsit.com 7
Additional Opportunities: Tote Bag Insert Investment: $600 (NON-EXHIBITORS) OR $100 (EXHIBITORS) Get your company s information in the hands of each conference attendee! Your insert can be a small flyer or postcard (8 ½ X 11 or smaller) or a small product sample or branded gift/souvenir, and will be placed inside of each conference tote bag given to attendees. All inserts must be approved by PSI prior to the conference, and company is responsible for all shipping and receiving costs to ship the items to the conference. Conference Program Guide Advertising Investment: $500 for full-page, B&W; or $350 for half-page, B&W Contact us for ad specifications and deadline information. Custom Sponsorship and Advertising Packages Investment: Varies, based upon needs. The PSI team is also happy to customize sponsorship, advertising and campaign packages to best meet your company s strategic goals. Contact PSI at advertising@petsit.com to learn more about the opportunities available at PSI s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo. Please note: Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available to companies whose products and services are a clear strategic fit for PSI s member and pet-owner audiences, and whose business practices and goals align with PSI s mission to promote excellence in professional pet sitting. PSI reserves the right to refuse any sponsorship request. Sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sponsorships and advertisement space are non-refundable, and are not confirmed until payment is received. 8