About the Conference Your Support Is Vital Traditional Sponsorships Exhibiting at MFB 2008 Marketing Opportunities Media and Marketing Partnerships

The Association for Energy Affordability is pleased to announce that its Multifamily Buildings 2008 conference will take place on July 21^st – 23rd in New York City. 

From its inception in 1996, the Multifamily Buildings conference has provided a unique platform for building owners and operators, design and performance professionals, contractors, energy program implementers and policy makers to focus solely on meeting the challenges of increasing energy efficiency in new and existing multifamily buildings. 

Yet this year is different. According to a recent report from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, 41 states have set minimum energy efficiency standards through residential building energy codes. 27 states have proposed renewable portfolio standards, 43 have inventoried greenhouse gas emissions across sectors for their state, while 41 participate in greenhouse gas registries, and 17 have set targets to reduce GHG emissions. 12 have established energy efficiency resources standards to help them both cut emissions and scale back energy consumption in order reduce the need for new power plants. 

In the Northeast, ten states and one “observer” state have launched the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to develop and coordinate a cap and trade program for carbon emissions. In New York State, the 2008 conference takes place in the context of the Governor’s “15x15” initiative to reduce energy usage by 15% of its previously projected levels by 2015. Last year in New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a wide spectrum of initiatives known as plaNYC to reduce the City’s global warming emissions by 30% by 2030. “Green collar” jobs, with the backdrop of this year’s economic downturn and nationwide concerns about the loss of manufacturing jobs, have become a component of the platforms of major candidates for public office at all levels.

The conference theme for Multifamily Buildings 2008 is “Achieving Energy Efficiency in Multifamily Buildings: New Opportunities.” We might as well have said “New Imperatives,” for the urgency of improving energy efficiency to slow increases in energy use and greenhouse gases – and the crucial role that multifamily buildings must play in doing so – have been well established. 

In the multifamily sector in particular, finding approaches that help to realign the financial and behavioral incentives of owners and tenants poses a major challenge. Providing all actors in the multifamily housing sector with the resources they need – from consumer information to measurement tools, program strategies, best practices and post-installation support to financing for improvements – can help them to benefit jointly from energy, making energy efficiency work for not just for building owners and managers but for low and moderate income tenants, coop and condominium owners. 

Nonprofits that operate shelters or supportive housing facilities face additional challenges squeezing long-term energy use reduction savings out of short-term budgets. They have allies in low income Weatherization programs, but may need additional resources to make these initiatives work for their constituents. 

This year, AEA is working to increase awareness in the affordable housing community of resources available for energy efficiency in the buildings where low and moderate income households live. Partnering with AEA to support this event helps us to reach this audience and to share the tools, programs and contacts that affordable housing managers, shelter operators, and others need to make energy efficiency work.  

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Your Support Is Vital to Our Success

Your organization’s participation with AEA as a sponsor, exhibitor, or partner – or through one of the other marketing programs described here – demonstrates its fundamental commitment to the dissemination of building knowledge, the value of standards, the importance of basic conservation measures coupled with advanced technology, and the identification of strategies and resources for energy efficiency in the multifamily housing sector.  

The support of public sector energy leaders for Multifamily Buildings 2008 provides them broad exposure for their energy efficiency programs in the multifamily housing sector, and an opportunity to exchange best practices and program strategies with nonprofits and other government entities as well as the property owners, developers and energy professionals working in this field.

For professional associations and standards organizations, the conference offers a setting to make a major impact on how programs are being developed and implemented, and to discuss key training and certification issues that will affect the effectiveness and competitiveness of the new “green collar” workforce. 

For the government and nonprofit agencies, foundations and financial institutions funding or promoting affordable housing and energy efficiency, sponsorship of scholarships or other forms of support can help us make these resources available in types of housing where energy efficiency has yet to make major inroads.

This year AEA has introduced new avenues of support for the Multifamily Buildings conference, including signature events, sponsoring scholarships, and other marketing opportunities.   They can be combined in various ways to draw attention to your energy efficiency initiatives.

As in the past, we are partnering with public entities and nonprofit organizations to publicize energy efficiency programs and events through cooperative use of website notices and links, colocation of events, etc. Each partnership agreement is different, so please contact us directly at mfb2008@aeanyc.org to let us know of your interest.

We hope to see you in July!

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Sponsors, Exhibitors and Marketing Opportunities

There are many alternatives for organizations, government agencies, and companies to participate in Multifamily Buildings 2008. Select the option that fits the level of support, brand exposure, and type of engagement with attendees best suited to your program, agency, or company.

Join us in person as a Sponsor, an Exhibitor, or both. Broadcast your support for the conference mission by contributing to a Signature Event and receive special recognition and signage in the program and at the event.  Help us to fund Scholarships for attendees unable to afford the costs of attending the conference. Take advantage of other conference Marketing Opportunities that increase awareness of your work and products without the need for staff to remain at your booth. Become a Media or Marketing Partner and help us spread the word about MFB 2008.

You may find the best option by combining the good will and benefits of a traditional sponsorship with a signature event or marketing choice that will maximize the impact and duration of the impression you leave with attendees after the conference.

Call David Hepinstall at (212)-279-3903, or contact AEA at MFB2008@aeanyc.org to inquire about sponsoring Multifamily Building Conference 2008.

I.      Traditional Conference Sponsorships 

For a sponsor interested in maintaining a high profile presence at the conference, a traditional sponsorship offers one or more free registrations and may provide exhibitor space or discounts to give your organization a platform for continuous interaction with conference participants.

See the table on the following page for a full description of Traditional Sponsorship levels and benefits.

 II.      Signature Event Sponsorships 

All Signature Event sponsors will have dedicated signage at the event and the sponsor’s logo will appear next to the event listing on schedule.  These events allow sponsors to show meaningful support and gain undiluted brand visibility without the need to staff the event.

III.      Exhibitor Opportunities

Showcase your products and services to decision-makers and leaders looking for new technology, equipment, and services to make new and existing multifamily buildings more energy efficient, affordable, and sustainable. 

This conference focuses on multifamily residential properties of all sizes and in all regions. Our audience includes:  

Building Owners and Operators * Design and Building Performance Professionals * Engineers * Contractors * Developers * Architects * Affordable Housing * Energy Program Implementers * Energy Consultants and Trainers * Weatherization Agencies * Government and Private Policy Makers

This year, Multifamily Buildings 2008 offers exhibitors extended opportunities to be at the hub of conference activity, including three conference days and two early evening networking receptions held in the exhibit area. This is a great way to connect with influential actors and experts working to improve energy efficiency in multifamily housing. 

Exhibitor Fee and Benefits: The fee for a standard, draped 6 foot by 30 inch display table is $1,800 and includes:

• Company logo and description in the Conference Program,
• One exhibitor food package, including breakfast, lunch and two evening receptions (may be shared among your exhibit staff), and
• Recognition on AEA’s conference website with a link to the vendor’s website. 

Registration Discounts for Exhibitors. Exhibitors traveling to NYC and staying at the conference hotel who also wish to attend conference sessions, with full registration benefits, may register at the discounted rate of $295; those not staying at the hotel can purchase full conference registration at the discounted rate of $395. (A discount code will be sent to you when AEA receives your exhibitor fee.)

Logistics. Power outlets, internet connections, and other services are available from the hotel at an additional cost. Click here for Hotel Forms to order audio-visual, electrical or other items that you may need and for the special exhibitor package label to be used for display items that you wish to ship to the hotel.

Exhibit set-up: Sunday, July 20th from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Exhibit breakdown can be at either of the following times:

• Tuesday, July 22nd at 8:00 PM after the networking reception ends, or
• Wednesday, July 23rd, after 3:00 PM, once the luncheon plenary session has concluded.  

For questions, contact us at mfb2008@aeanyc.org or call Rhona Saffer at (212) 279-3908. We look forward to seeing you at Multifamily Buildings 2008.

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IV.      Marketing Opportunities

Position your flyer or promotional product where it will gain insured distribution and great visibility among all conference participants. 

• Provide funding for a tote, conference notebook or portfolio, conference badge holder, or other giveaway item that every participant will receive with his or her registration materials. (Please estimate 500-600 items will be needed for any of the products listed below.)

or

• Make a donation that will provide a scholarship for one or more students, presenters, or other attendees who might otherwise be unable to attend the entire conference. 

For your company's flyer or promotional item inserted in the conference tote, you supply AEA with the items, and we will stuff them in the conference tote.

For the tote, notebook/portfolio, or name badge, AEA will work with you to select an attractive, environmentally responsible product, and prices will be determined after products are selected. We will discuss the most cost-effective way to procure these items.

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