TEP Gumbo Contest Sponsorship 2017
The 7th Tennessee Equality Project Gumbo Contest presented by Hilton Memphis will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2017. TEP's annual Mardi Gras celebration brings together teams from the Western, Middle and Eastern United States to compete for the best gumbo in Memphis. Gumbo contestants will be awarded prizes by an appointed panel of judges and by individual tasters like you in the People’s Choice competition. TEP is grateful for the generous support of its presenting sponsor for 2017: Hilton Memphis!
TEP's annual Mardi Gras gumbo competition draws large crowds who support the LGBTQ community of the Mid-South and draws many public and elected officials.
The annual Mardi Gras gumbo competition draws large crowds who support the LGBTQ community of the Mid-South including public and elected officials. You can support this year’s event and the work of TEP to advance and protect equality in Tennessee as the an host or in-kind sponsor. Here are the steps:
- Review the sponsor information below and select the right level for you on the left. If you prefer to write a check for your sponsorship, mail a check to "TEP Foundation", c/o Jonathan Cole, 1889 Nelson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38114.
- If you choose a Flaming or Hot sponsorship, you'll receive instructions for choosing your VIP Table (1-9 or A-G). Table choices will be processed in the order they are received. Sponsors will receive tickets by mail to the purchaser within a few weeks of the event.
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Sponsors must submit event program ads and organizational logos for the sponsor reel (300+ dpi image) to Charles Fowler at [email protected] by January 20, 2017 to guarantee ad placement. Click the bulleted sponsor level links below for ad specifications:
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Hilton Memphis is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2017 TEP Gumbo Contest.
HOST SPONSORSHIPS
How spicy do like your gumbo? Gumbo contest sponsors may contribute as hosts for this event at the Flaming, Hot, Medium or Mild level as individuals, organizations or businesses:
🔥FLAMING SPONSOR🔥
Event sponsors giving $1000 or more will receive:
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VIP Table (8 seats) with complimentary King Cake (while supplies last). After making your sponsorship donation, you will be prompted to choose a VIP table nearest the stage and dance floor. NO LONGER AVAILABLE BUT WILL RECEIVE 8 GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS.
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8 gumbo tasting tickets for the People’s Choice competition which includes live music and 8 beer/soft drink pass wristbands.
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Promotional advertisement of your business on the event web page.
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Promotion of your business or organization on the TEP Gumbo contest website and in the event program (full page ad - 5.5 x 8.5”), event announcements, event advertising poster, and two individual slides on the sponsor reel display.*
HOT SPONSOR
Hot sponsors giving $500-999 will receive:
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VIP Table (8 seats) with complimentary King Cake (while supplies last). After making your sponsorship donation, you will be prompted to choose a VIP table nearest the stage and dance floor. NO LONGER AVAILABLE BUT WILL RECEIVE 8 GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS.
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8 gumbo tasting tickets for the People’s Choice competition which includes live music and 8 beer/soft drink pass wristbands.
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Promotional advertisement of your business on the event web page.
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Promotion of your business or organization on the TEP Gumbo contest website and in the event program (full page ad - 5.5 x 8.5”), event announcements, and an individual slide on a sponsor reel display.*
MEDIUM SPONSOR
Medium sponsors giving $250-499 will receive:
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4 gumbo tasting tickets for the People’s Choice competition which includes live music and 4 beer/soft drink pass wristbands.
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Promotional advertisement of your business on the event web page.
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Promotion of your business or organization on the TEP Gumbo contest website and in the event program (half page ad - 5.5 x 4.25” or 2.75 x 8.5”), and a shared slide on the sponsor reel display.*
MILD SPONSOR
Mild sponsors giving $100-249 will receive:
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2 gumbo tasting tickets for the People’s Choice competition which includes live music and 4 beer/soft drink pass wristbands.
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Promotion of your business or organization in the event program (quarter page ad - 5.5 x 2.125” or 2.75 x 4.25”) and on a shared slide on the sponsor reel display.*
IN-KIND SPONSORS
In-kind gifts of decorations, beer, or other supplies used in the event may be donated. In-kind sponsors will receive 2-8 gumbo tasting tickets (which includes live music and one beer or soft drink ticket per admission) and promotion of your business in the event program. In-kind gifts of $500 or greater will receive a VIP Table with 8 seats. In-kind gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
In-Kind Sponsor Donation
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$100
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$200
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$300
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$400
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$500+
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Tickets given
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2
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4
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6
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8
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VIP Table
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For more information or to volunteer for this event, contact Jonathan Cole at [email protected] / 901-301-3306.
Why should your business or organization sponsor the TEP Gumbo Contest?
Tennessee Equality Project Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides educational projects and programs which advance the well-being of LGBTQ people and their families here at home in Tennessee. Unlike other organizations that advance equality, every dollar contributed to TEP Foundation is spent here in Tennessee.
A diverse group of over 500 LGBTQ people and their allies attend the TEP Gumbo Contest each year. Attendees receive a program with sponsor ads and information and will see the event sponsor reel on the projection screen during the event. Our PRESENTING sponsor and FLAMING sponsors will be thanked from the main stage during event announcements.
Your sponsorship will be advertised through the TEP Gumbo Contest Event web page, Facebook event page and email list (16,000+ contacts). Tennessee Equality Project social media reach extends deeply in the Mid-South and the State of Tennessee (as of 11/2/2016):
- Facebook Page: 14,090 followers
- Facebook Group: 3,664 members
- Twitter @TNEquality: 8,392 followers
- Instagram @TNEquality: 1,227