Exhibitor Guide
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 companies looking to work with them. Attendees are the thought leaders shaping the future of the pet-sitting industry. The 2018 conference theme is The Power of Connection and by participating you are able to connect with the most educated, dedicated petcare business owners in the industry. 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. 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 more than 6,000 member businesses in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Canada and more than 20 other countries. The conference will be held September 9-12 at the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Who should exhibit? Any company that offers products and/or business solutions that could benefit professional pet-sitting or dog-walking 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 by connecting with influential service providers in a niche industry. We never miss an opportunity to exhibit at PSI s conference. The opportunity to talk with pet sitters face-to-face to educate them about what we offer is invaluable. Many of the attendees we ve met at the conference have become true ambassadors for us, recommending our company to other pet-care professionals. David Pearsall, Vice President, Business Insurers of the Carolinas 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 PSI s 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. Conference attendance averages 200+ attendees. 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 2018 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference will take place September 9-12. Expo hours are daily September 9-11. The complete Expo schedule can be found on p. 4. Where? The 2018 conference and expo will be held in Myrtle Beach! The host hotel is the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach at Kingston Plantation, an all-suites property and oceanfront. Guests can take advantage of the complimentary daily breakfast and evening reception, as well as the complimentary resort shuttle service which includes areas within a one mile loop of the resort. 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. I enjoyed being an exhibitor at the 2017 conference. I think PSI did a great job getting sitters to visit the Expo each day. 3 Christie Joy, owner, Treasured Pet Legacies, 2017 exhibitor
Exhibitor Application Guidelines 2018 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) 6 skirted table and up to two chairs 2 exhibitor badges (Expo area access only) Laminated company identification sign (exhibitors are encouraged to bring additional signage) 1/2 page ad in Pet Sitter s World magazine, distributed to approximately 6,400 petsitting business owners and industry affiliates (if you register by March 30) OR two banner ads in PSI s member email, Your Weekly Scoop Logo and link inclusion in conference section of PSI website, www.petsit.com *Exhibitors are responsible for all shipping and handling costs for any boxes they ship to the conference. Reserve exhibit space: Go to www.petsit.com/2018exhibitor 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 email will be sent to you to confirm your reservation. 2018 Expo Schedule*: Exhibitor Set-up Sunday, September 9... 2:30 pm 4:30 pm Expo Hours Sunday, September 9... 5:00 pm 6:30 pm Monday, September 10... 10:45 am 12:30 pm Tuesday, September 11... 1:00 pm 2:00 pm Exhibitor Break-down Tuesday, September 11... 2:00 pm 3:00 pm *Hours are subject to change. Expo Highlights: Meet the Exhibitors Happy Hour Daily Expo hours during networking breaks Daily drawings and giveaways Who can you reach? Meet and showcase your products and services to PSI s 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 2018 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo. Awards Ceremony Investment: $2,500 (CO-SPONSOR) or $5,000 (EXCLUSIVE)* A highlight of each conference, the annual awards ceremony recognizes the best of the best in professional pet sitting, and PSI s 2018 Pet Sitter of the Year will be officially crowned. Company logo on event signage and in welcome presentation Complimentary exhibitor booth Company handouts or samples at each table setting (exclusive sponsor only) Opportunity to greet attendees and congratulate winners from the podium up to 5 minutes (exclusive sponsor only) Meet the Exhibitors Happy Hour Investment: $2,250 (CO-SPONSOR) or $4,500 (EXCLUSIVE) This opening night reception serves as the grand opening for the 2018 Expo. Attendees enjoy light hors d oeuvres as they visit with exhibitors and network with fellow attendees. Company logo on event signage Complimentary exhibitor booth (exclusive sponsor only) Company will be recognized during the opening session on Sept. 9 Full-page ad in Pet Sitter s World magazine (exclusive sponsor only) Full-page ad in Pet Sitter s World magazine (exclusive sponsor only) * Sponsor(s) must provide product prize to award winners (7). 5
Conference Keynote Lunch (2 available) Investment: $3,000 (EXCLUSIVE) Sponsoring one of the conference keynote lunches is sure to make your company an attendee favorite. Lunch will be provided to attendees during the keynote sessions on Sept. 10 and 11. Company logo on event signage Company handouts or samples at each table setting Company will be recognized during the opening session on Sept. 9 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. PSI s Charity Auction Investment: $2,250 (CO-SPONSOR) or $4,500 (EXCLUSIVE) Sponsoring this popular fundraising event allows you to affiliate your company with the charitable component of the conference. Attendees will enjoy light hors d oeuvres at this fun event while taking part in a silent and live auction to benefit Pets for Patriots. Company logo on event signage Complimentary exhibitor booth (exclusive sponsor only) Company will be recognized during the opening session on Sept. 9 Full-page ad in Pet Sitter s World magazine (exclusive sponsor only) Company logo imprinted on each bag (one-color) Company will be recognized during the opening session on Sept. 9 6
Expo & Networking Sponsor Investment: $2,500 (CO-SPONSOR) or $5,000 (EXCLUSIVE) The Expo area allows pet sitters to meet vendors and network with fellow pet sitters, and daily prize drawings and special giveaways keep the Expo hours exciting. Complimentary exhibitor booth Company logo on event signage in Expo area Company will be recognized during the opening session on Sept. 9 Opportunity to greet pet sitters and announce a prize winner in the Expo area on Sept. 10 or 11 (exclusive sponsor only) Full-page ad in Pet Sitter s World magazine (exclusive sponsor only) 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 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 session on Sept. 9 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. Special Experience Investment: Varies, depending upon activity desired Pet Sitters International will work with sponsors to offer a unique experience that is sure to make your company a favorite at the conference. Special experiences could range from sponsoring a photo booth to offering an on-site massage therapist at the conference. 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 2018 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