Outreach and Candidate opportunity

Amanda Gibbs

SLEC Member
After chatting with Nathan Polsky and Jodi Cole separately about this event, I wanted to open up discussion before possibly making a motions. Planoballoonfest.org is what we were looking at. The dates are Sept 19-22 and would be a great opportunity to get the party and candidates (especially POTUS,VPOTUS, and other statewide candidates as well as those who may have voters in the area) in front of over 100,000+ people. It is a very family friendly atmosphere and I know that Collin, Denton, and Dallas county folks have volunteered there before. This is something that could get LPTexas some great marketing opportunities and if we have candidates possibly some media coverage.

There are several options that could be available to us like just a booth or 2, or there are sponsor packages. The one I was looking at (Polsky is double checking that it fits in the events rules) was the Marketing level sponsorship which is $3500 and includes a booth with electricity, listing on the website sponsor page, our branding included on the main stage screen promotions, extra signage at the festival, free registration for corporate branded hot air balloon. Please look at the website and let’s discuss.
 
As a reference to everyone else, the last time we purchased a booth, we had to have payments in by mid July so this is something that would need to be actioned on prior to the August SLEC meeting.
 
I should have a full sponsorship package report from the festival this afternoon that I'll also be able to share with the party to help make any decisions. I spoke with the event coordinator and not only did she confirm that we can absolutely purchase any of the sponsorship packages (anyone want to go after that $25,000 one? :ROFLMAO:), she was very excited to possibly have a strong presence from us out there.
 
I should have a full sponsorship package report from the festival this afternoon that I'll also be able to share with the party to help make any decisions. I spoke with the event coordinator and not only did she confirm that we can absolutely purchase any of the sponsorship packages (anyone want to go after that $25,000 one? :ROFLMAO:), she was very excited to possibly have a strong presence from us out ther
I think this is a great opportunity to get our party and candidates in front of a large number of people. Additionally, it bodes well that one of the event coordinators is excited about our possible presence there.
I would like to see the sponsorship package report, but this seems like a good idea that would benefit the party.
 
I also had another thought about anyone concerned about price point, we could do some targeted donation type fund for those who think it could be beneficial. I am also aware that it is 4 days with a couple being all day and that will require some extra volunteer work. We obviously have The close counties that should be willing to help but I know I would be willing to go there for the 4 days to work.
Polsky had an idea about a super sized world’s smallest political quiz as the back of a booth to where we can put on there faces of where each presidential candidate lands and then allow for folks to see where they land and it could possibly show them how much more aligned with our presidential nominee vs the old parties. I am sure we could find out where RFK and others fall on the scale for equal representation.
Swag such as tshirts, pens, bracelets, maybe some cheaper bulk bags to hand out could also be purchased with some targeted $$. I really would love to have discussions bc I feel like I’m talking into the void.
 
Seems like something lptx can do. It would be good to see Nathan’s report. Targeted donations for the event is also a good idea. Would the expense come from the $20,000 special events part of the budget?
I had the same thought. Events like this is one of the reasons I worked to change the name of the events budget line item from fundraisers to events for this year. Opportunities like this can help us grow the party in other ways besides just raising funds. In a presidential election year, exposure for our candidates at such a massive event is a great idea. My only one concern, which is just the risk with this event, is it is weather dependent and non refundable. Which personally, I think is worth it but a risk nonetheless.
 
Had some issues getting the email sent to the correct inbox, but here's the information from the executive director for the balloon festival. Please note, payments are due by July 1st, so we'd need to hop on this before then. (The pdf reports are attached to this message)

Nathan, sorry for my error on the email I sent on Friday afternoon. Thanks for visiting with me regarding possible sponsorship opportunities. Per our conversation, I have attached multiple items for you to review:

  • 2023 Event recap
  • Corporate marketing sponsorship information
  • 2024 Event schedule


We would welcome the opportunity to showcase the Libertarian Party at this year’s event. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.



Warmest regards,

Jo
 

Attachments

I would also want to use this opportunity to highlight our state wide candidates and invite them out to get in front of regular folks. If we can secure time slots for them plus perhaps our presidential ticket, then we could easily get some media out of it and some nice crowds.
 
We should do this...I'll cosponsor the motion. I like the Marketing pkg and would love to get a booth for LPDallas (happy to share with Collin County, Denton County and Tarrant County) next to the LPTexas booth. Plus as a Candidate with Constituents in Plano this is a double Win!
My thought on this was to definitely have a 10x20 setup where we can easily highlight the DFW communities + LPTexas + Candidates. If that wasn't enough space, then perhaps a 10x30 with some of us pitching in.
 
Can any previous attendees comment on if past layouts means opting for 3500 package will put us in a very remote part of the event?
 
Can any previous attendees comment on if past layouts means opting for 3500 package will put us in a very remote part of the event?
There aren't any "very remote" areas of the event. Last time Collin County was in attendance, we were a few tents down from the Dems and GOP. We easily had several thousand people come by the booth over the course of the weekend and had several hundred people take the world's smallest political quiz and signed up for our newsletter. That was also with just a non-profit booth with zero sponsorship.
 
This would be my suggestion for now, and I can work on drafting a motion for co-sponsors this week if there's not any changes:

- SLEC would authorize LPTexas to spend $4500 (+ any necessary fees on top of) for the lowest sponsorship package and a second booth, which would give us a 10x20 tent area.
- SLEC would also authorize a set amount for merch, banners, swag, etc. to be distributed at the event.
- A money bomb/fundraiser would be created after the expenditure to "refill the coffers" and cover the costs. Any additional donations received above what was authorized would be allocated for additional promotional material to be handed out at the event.

Reasoning: A 10x20 would give us enough room to showcase LPTexas, our counties, and our candidates while allowing visitors under the tent and out of the sun when discussing. All new contacts would be driven through LPTexas and then distributed to the relevant counties. I would HIGHLY encourage all of our state wide candidates to come out and be present at set times so people can have the opportunity to speak with them in person.

Edit: In the event that we don't need to authorize an expenditure because it's already been authorized in a budget somewhere, then no motion would be needed, but those would still be my recommendations.
 
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This would be my suggestion for now, and I can work on drafting a motion for co-sponsors this week if there's not any changes:

- SLEC would authorize LPTexas to spend $4500 (+ any necessary fees on top of) for the lowest sponsorship package and a second booth, which would give us a 10x20 tent area.
- SLEC would also authorize a set amount for merch, banners, swag, etc. to be distributed at the event.
- A money bomb/fundraiser would be created after the expenditure to "refill the coffers" and cover the costs. Any additional donations received above what was authorized would be allocated for additional promotional material to be handed out at the event.

Reasoning: A 10x20 would give us enough room to showcase LPTexas, our counties, and our candidates while allowing visitors under the tent and out of the sun when discussing. All new contacts would be driven through LPTexas and then distributed to the relevant counties. I would HIGHLY encourage all of our state wide candidates to come out and be present at set times so people can have the opportunity to speak with them in person.

Edit: In the event that we don't need to authorize an expenditure because it's already been authorized in a budget somewhere, then no motion would be needed, but those would still be my recommendations.
Since we have a few weeks would it be prudent to run the money bomb as soon as reasonly possible and let that dictate the amount of raised funds dictate the sponsorship level?

To me running the money bomb after is a bit counterintuitive to me.
 
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