RAINBOW HEALTH ONTARIO 2012 CONFERENCE
“Supporting LGBT Health Through Every Stage of Life”
The Marriott Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario from 20-23 March 2012

SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS

Conference Overview
The biennial Rainbow Health Ontario conference is the only conference in Canada focused on the health and wellness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities. It provides a dynamic forum for influential health and social service providers, community members, researchers and policy makers to meet, learn, share and plan for action. The 2010 Conference, held in Toronto on improving access and equity in health for LGBT people was widely acclaimed. The 2012 Conference in Ottawa builds on that success, and offers increased opportunities for strategic partnership.

Rainbow Health Ontario
Rainbow Health Ontario is a unique, province-wide program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. It is based at Sherbourne Health Centre, a leader in providing primary health care services to Toronto’s LGBT communities. RHO’s mandate is to improve access to services and to promote the health of Ontario’s LGBT communities. Both Sherbourne Health Centre and Rainbow Health Ontario have earned a high level of trust and respect within health care and LGBT communities.

The Issues
Human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Canada have changed a great deal in the past 40 years, but our society still struggles to fully accept LGBT people as family members, clients or colleagues. Stress, stigma and violence lead to a higher burden of mental and physical health conditions and LGBT people often face barriers in accessing appropriate and dignified health or social care. These issues are even more significant for people who also hold membership in other marginalized communities. Increased understanding, a more integrated and informed approach and urgent action are needed.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Supporting LGBT Health Through Every Stage of Life”. It will examine the experiences of diverse LGBT people and communities across the life cycle from family formation, to adolescence, to old age. It will highlight new knowledge, key issues and best practices from leaders in research, clinical practice, community development, equity and policy. Many workshops and all plenary sessions will be offered in both official languages.

An Exceptional Opportunity
The Conference provides an exceptional opportunity for you, through sponsorship and/or exhibiting, to enhance your visibility within LGBT communities, the health care community and the public, while supporting vital discussions around LGBT health.

Conference marketing and promotional materials will be distributed to over 2,500 carefully chosen organizations and institutions, as well as community members in the health and social service sectors within Ontario and across Canada. Over 350 key influencers and decision-makers are expected to attend the event itself, which will offer 4 pre-conference Learning Institutes, 3 keynote sessions and over 30 carefully planned workshops.

Benefits of Supporting the Conference
Support of this ground-breaking provincial conference affords your company or institution a unique opportunity to reach service providers and community members, build name recognition and align yourself with trusted service providers, enhance community relations and demonstrate your organization’s support of and commitment to LGBT people in your community and in your organization. Health and wellness are an integral part of community.

CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorship Opportunities

Gold Sponsor: $10,000

• Complimentary preferred 10x10 booth space at conference
• Verbal acknowledgement during Opening Plenary and other plenary sessions, with pre-agreed promotional wording
• Prominent visual recognition (with logo) on conference banners and directional signs; recognition in all promotional and advertising materials as a gold sponsor
• Full-page sponsor recognition in online pre-conference program and on-site magazine format final conference program; logo on conference website with a link to your organization's website 
• Complimentary conference registrations for 4 members of your company OR create bursaries and be recognized for donating this benefit to 4 individuals who would otherwise be unable to attend

Silver Sponsor: $5,000 

• Complimentary 10x10 booth space at conference
• Verbal acknowledgement during Opening Plenary and other plenary sessions
• Visual recognition (with logo) on conference banners and directional signs; recognition in all promotional and advertising materials as a silver sponsor
• Half-page sponsor recognition in online pre-conference program and on-site magazine format final conference program; logo on conference website with a link to your organization's website
• Complimentary conference registrations for 2 members of your company OR create bursaries and be recognized for donating this benefit to 2 individuals who would otherwise be unable to attend

Bronze Sponsor: $2,500 

• Complimentary 10x10 booth space at conference
• Verbal acknowledgement during plenary sessions
• Visual recognition (with logo) on conference banners and directional signs; recognition in all promotional and advertising materials as a bronze sponsor
• Quarter-page sponsor recognition in online pre-conference program and on-site magazine format final conference program; logo on conference website with a link to your organization's website
• Complimentary conference registrations for 1 member of your company OR create bursaries and be recognized for donating this benefit to 1 individual who would otherwise be unable to attend

Plenary Session Sponsorship: $2,500

There will be 3 prominent Plenary Sessions available for sponsorship during the Conference.

• Verbal acknowledgement during introduction to sponsored Plenary Sessions
• Opportunity to display banner in room during sponsored Plenary Sessions (stand-up banner only, to be supplied by sponsor)
• Logo recognition on all print materials describing the sponsored Plenary Sessions 
• Logo recognition on all web pages describing the sponsored Plenary Sessions
• Complimentary conference registration for 1 member of your organization OR create a bursary and be recognized for donating this benefit to 1 individual who would otherwise be unable to attend

Learning Institute Sponsorship: $2,500

There will be 4 full-day Learning Institutes available for sponsorship during the Conference. 

• Verbal acknowledgement during introduction to sponsored Learning Institute
• Opportunity to display banner in room during sponsored Learning Institute (stand-up banner only, to be supplied by sponsor)
• Logo recognition on all print materials describing the sponsored Learning Institute
• Logo recognition on all web pages describing the sponsored Learning Institute
• Complimentary conference registration for 1 member of your organization OR create a bursary and be recognized for donating this benefit to 1 individual who would otherwise be unable to attend
• Verbal acknowledgment at reception following the 4 Learning Institutes

Lunch Break Sponsor: $2,500 

• Verbal acknowledgement in Opening Plenary Session and in introduction to lunch break, plus prominent visual recognition in lunch area
• Name recognition in on-line pre-conference program and on-site magazine format final conference program 
• Name recognition on promotional and conference materials and conference website

Community Sponsor: $1,000 

• Name recognition in on-line pre-conference program and on-site magazine format final conference program 
• Name recognition on promotional and conference materials and conference website

Friend of the Conference: $999 or less 

• Name recognition in the on-site magazine format final conference program

To discuss any of the above opportunities further, please contact Anna Travers at 416.324.4168 or atravers@rainbowhealthontario.ca