The IS Annual Conference is the premier meeting ground where leaders of foundations, corporate giving programs, and charities gather to address some of the most pressing issues facing our communities. The 2006 conference, to be held October 22-24 in Minneapolis/St. Paul, will bring together 800 people from 450 organizations, including CEOs, development professionals, communications directors, and public policy leaders.

Below are descriptions of ways to support this meeting ground for leaders of the charitable community. Please contact Angelia Bland, IS's director of conference and meeting planning, at 202-467-6107 or angeliab @independentsector.org for more information about how to become a part of the 2006 Annual Conference.

Sponsor the Annual Conference

Help make this year's event our most successful yet by contributing to the general “meeting ground” or by sponsoring a specific conference event. Learn more about these opportunities by downloading the 2006 Annual Conference Sponsorship Brochure, and also see the list of organizations already taking part. 

Exhibit at the Annual Conference

Exhibiting at the IS Annual Conference provides an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate the value of your organization and its products to hundreds of key decision-makers. The Exhibitor Brochure describes the benefits for exhibitors, including events that bring conference attendees into the exhibit hall.

2006 Annual Conference Program Advertisements and Tributes

Placing an advertisement or tribute in the Annual Conference program conveys your support for Independent Sector and the charitable community and gains your organization valuable exposure.  The program, a guide to conference activities that includes the schedule of sessions, is distributed to every attendee, who reference it throughout the three-day conference and beyond. Learn more about the conference program from the recently released brochure.

John W. Gardner Leadership Award Dinner Sponsorships and Tributes

 Join Independent Sector in honoring Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, president of Bennett College for Women and this year's recipient of the 2006 John W. Gardner Leadership Award, by sponsoring a table at the gala dinner award ceremony or by recognizing Dr. Cole in the gala program book.  Independent Sector presents the Gardner Award each year to a leader working in or with the charitable community who has mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes in order to raise the capacity of others to contribute to the common good.