The words Learn, Engage, Advance, Deliver appear in white on a blue background

Thank you for considering sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference (AFBLC) and the Helen Keller Achievement Awards (HKAA).

Our goal is to improve the quality of programs and services for children and adults with visual impairments so that they can live a life with no limits.

We hope you will join us for the Achievement Awards, a black-tie gala established by AFB in 1994 to acknowledge Keller's extraordinary efforts and to promote the notable achievements of individuals and organizations that have improved the quality of life for people with disabilities. The gala includes a cocktail hour, silent auction, and formal dinner. Past recipients include Stevie Wonder, Microsoft, Google, and JPMorgan Chase.

The AFB Leadership Conference was established in 1986 and aims to convene leaders in the field to share research and advocate for equal education and employment opportunities, as well as to address the needs of an aging population.

Who Are We?

The mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. We mobilize leaders, advance understanding, and champion impactful policies and practices using research and data.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, AFB is proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the more than 40 years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB.

Who Attends?

The AFBLC attracts the leaders of the field—those who are the influencers, as well as the decision-makers for their organizations. When you meet with participants at the Leadership Conference, you will be meeting with those who have the authority to make purchasing decisions for their organization, and the people who will promote your brand to the rest of the field.

Conference attendees include technology experts, corporate representatives, and university professors. They come from diverse organizations and institutions spanning the public and private sectors.

In 2018, over 400 attendees from over 40 states and four countries and territories joined us for informative sessions and exhibits, inspirational keynotes, and affirming award presentations.

Sessions and Events

We kicked off events in 2018 with the Helen Keller Achievement Awards. This event acknowledges Keller's extraordinary efforts and promotes the notable achievements of individuals and organizations that have improved quality of life for people with disabilities.

Conference sessions were designed to meet the interests and educational needs of our diverse attendees. The 2018 agenda was packed with sessions on topics such as technology, education, employment, and aging, and featured a popular track on leadership sponsored by Hewlett- Packard Enterprise.

In addition to the sessions, we were pleased to present the Stephen Garff Marriott Award, the Corinne Kirchner Research Award, and the Migel Medal.

Russell Shaffer speaks while Jennison Asuncion, LinkedIn; Megan Mauney, Florida Blue; Jen Guadagno, Microsoft; and Dina Grilo, JPMorgan Chase & Co., look on.

Executive Sponsorships

If you want to drive traffic, strengthen your brand, and help your organization stand out, these premium-level sponsorships will do just that. Each includes the following benefits:

  • Sponsorship presence at the Helen Keller Achievement Awards (HKAA) and AFB Leadership Conference (AFBLC)
  • Exhibit booth
  • A slot in the demo room (based on availability)
  • Company logo and link on the Leadership Conference website
  • Company logo and link on the Achievement Awards website
  • Company logo on sponsor poster on site
  • Option to include item(s) in conference registration bags and HKAA favor bags
  • Full-page ad in the Achievement Awards dinner journal
  • Full-page ad in Leadership Conference program

Diamond—$75,000

Achievement Awards Benefits

  • Three (3) tables providing seating for up to thirty (30) guests at the Helen Keller Achievement Awards with prime placement
  • Acknowledgement as a Diamond Sponsor during the evening remarks, in event signage, on the event website, on screen during the event, and in the dinner journal
  • Full-page color ad in the dinner journal (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Banner ad in two (2) pre-event email blasts
  • Opportunity to include an item in the gala favor bags (subject to approval)

Leadership Conference Benefits

  • One (1) exhibit booth with prime placement
  • Prime speaking opportunity (at a general session or host breakfast or lunch in the demo room)
  • NEW! Forty (40) hours from AFB Consulting to advance your organization's accessibility and inclusion goals
  • Opportunity to be listed as a session track sponsor (e.g., the Technology Track or Education Track)
  • Opportunity to be listed as a coffee break sponsor
  • Acknowledgement as a Diamond Sponsor during the general session and in email blasts to the conference list
  • An onsite poster acknowledging your organization as a Diamond Sponsor
  • Your logo on the conference website and in the conference program
  • Five (5) invitations to the VIP opening night reception
  • Five (5) complimentary conference registrations
  • A full-page color ad in the program, with prime placement (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Your banner ad on two Leadership Conference email blasts (based on availability)
  • Two (2) online AccessWorld ads
  • Media visibility (press release and social media outreach)
  • Your insert in registrant tote bags (subject to approval)

Platinum—$50,000

Achievement Awards Benefits

  • Two (2) tables providing seating for up to twenty (20) guests at the Helen Keller Achievement Awards with prime placement
  • Acknowledgement as a Platinum Sponsor during the evening remarks, in event signage, on the event website, on screen during the event, and in the dinner journal
  • Full-page color ad in the dinner journal (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Banner ad in one (1) pre-event email blast (subject to availability)
  • Opportunity to include an item in the gala favor bags (subject to approval)

Leadership Conference Benefits

  • One (1) exhibit booth with prime placement
  • Prime speaking opportunity in the demo room (breakfast or lunch spot)
  • NEW! Thirty (30) hours from AFB Consulting to advance your organization's accessibility and inclusion goals
  • Opportunity to be listed as a coffee break sponsor
  • Acknowledgement as a Platinum Sponsor during the general session and in email blasts to the conference list
  • An onsite poster acknowledging your organization as a Platinum Sponsor
  • Your logo on the conference website and in the conference program
  • Four (4) invitations to the VIP opening night reception
  • Four (4) complimentary conference registrations
  • A full-page color ad in the program, with prime placement (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Your banner ad in one (1) Leadership Conference email blast (based on availability)
  • One (1) online AccessWorld ad
  • Media visibility (press release and social media outreach)
  • Your insert in registrant tote bags (subject to approval)

Leadership Track Sponsor—$50,000 (Limit One—No longer available)

Be the sole sponsor of AFBLC's Leadership Track! This session series will feature high-profile speakers from across the country, speaking on the most pressing topics at the intersection of leadership and blindness issues.

Leadership Conference Benefits

  • Prominent signage as the Leadership Track Sponsor on meeting room placards and on convention center session listings (if available)
  • Listing as the Leadership Track Sponsor in the program and in pre-conference email blasts
  • Prime speaking opportunity in the demo room or during a general session
  • Acknowledgement as the Leadership Session Sponsor during the general session
  • NEW! Thirty (30) hours from AFB Consulting to advance your organization's accessibility and inclusion goals
  • One (1) exhibit booth
  • An onsite poster acknowledging your organization as the Leadership Track Sponsor
  • Your logo on the conference website and in the conference program
  • Four (4) invitations to the VIP opening night reception
  • Four (4) complimentary conference registrations
  • A full-page color ad in the program, with prime placement (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Your banner ad in one preconference email blast (based on availability)
  • One (1) online AccessWorld ad
  • Media visibility (press release and social media outreach)
  • Your insert in registrant tote bags (subject to approval)

Achievement Awards Benefits

  • Two (2) tables providing seating for up to twenty (20) guests at the Helen Keller Achievement Awards with prime placement
  • Full-page color ad in the dinner journal (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Your banner ad in one (1) pre-event email blast
  • Opportunity to include an item in the gala favor bags (subject to approval)

Gold—$25,000

Achievement Awards Benefits

  • One (1) table providing seating for up to ten (10) guests at the Helen Keller Achievement Awards with prime placement
  • Acknowledgement as a Gold Sponsor during the evening remarks, in event signage, on the event website, on screen during the event, and in the dinner journal
  • Full-page color ad in the dinner journal (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Opportunity to include an item in the gala favor bags (subject to approval)

Leadership Conference Benefits

  • One (1) exhibit booth
  • NEW! A slot in the demo room OR twenty (20) hours from AFB Consulting to advance your organization's accessibility and inclusion goals
  • Acknowledgement as a Gold Sponsor during the general session and in email blasts to the conference list
  • An onsite poster acknowledging your organization as a Gold Sponsor
  • Your logo on the conference website and in the conference program
  • Three (3) invitations to the VIP opening night reception
  • Three (3) complimentary conference registrations
  • A full-page color ad in the program, with prime placement (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • One online AccessWorld ad
  • Media visibility (press release and social media outreach)
  • Your insert in registrant tote bags (subject to approval)

Silver—$20,000

Achievement Awards Benefits

  • Seating for five (5) guests at the Helen Keller Achievement Awards
  • Acknowledgement as a Silver Sponsor on the event website, on the sponsor poster, and in the dinner journal
  • Full-page color ad in the dinner journal (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Opportunity to include an item in the gala favor bags (subject to approval)

Leadership Conference Benefits

  • One exhibit booth
  • NEW! A slot in the demo room OR fifteen (15) hours from AFB Consulting to advance your organization's accessibility and inclusion goals
  • Acknowledgement as a Silver Sponsor during the general session and in email blasts to the conference list
  • An onsite poster acknowledging your organization as a Silver Sponsor
  • Your logo on the conference website and in the conference program
  • Two (2) invitations to the VIP opening night reception
  • Two (2) complimentary conference registrations
  • A full-page color ad in the program, with prime placement
  • Media visibility (press release and social media outreach)
  • Your insert in registrant tote bags (subject to approval)

Bronze—$15,000

Achievement Awards Benefits

  • Seating for up to four guests at the Helen Keller Achievement Awards
  • Acknowledgement as a Bronze Sponsor on the event website, on the sponsor poster, and in the dinner journal
  • Full-page color ad in the dinner journal (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Opportunity to include an item in the gala favor bags (subject to approval)

Leadership Conference Benefits

  • One exhibit booth
  • Speaking opportunity in the demo room (subject to availability)
  • Acknowledgement as a Bronze Sponsor during the general session and in email blasts to the conference list
  • An onsite poster acknowledging your organization as a Bronze Sponsor
  • Your logo on the conference website and in the conference program
  • Two (2) invitations to the VIP opening night reception
  • Two (2) complimentary conference registrations
  • A full-page color ad in the program (subject to deadlines and availability)
  • Media visibility (press release and social media outreach)
  • Your insert in registrant tote bags (subject to approval)

Helen Keller Achievement Awards-Only Sponsorships and Ads

These options may be added to other sponsorship packages or purchased separately.

$10,000 – Ten (10) VIP Ticket Package (Includes a full-page ad in the dinner journal and acknowledgment on online sponsor page and sponsor poster)

$5,000 – Five (5) VIP Ticket Package (Includes a full-page ad in the dinner journal and acknowledgment on online sponsor page and sponsor poster)

$500 – Individual Ticket

$5,000 – Gold-page ad

$3,500 – Silver-page ad

$3,000 – Full-page ad

$2,500 – Half-page ad

Leadership Conference-Only Sponsorships

$10,000

  • Two (2) complimentary conference registrations
  • One (1) online AccessWorld ad
  • Your organization's logo in the conference program
  • Your logo and link on our conference sponsor webpage for one year OR your name and link on promotional emails
  • A full-page ad in the program AND your insert in registrant tote bags

$5,000

  • Two (2) complimentary conference registrations
  • Your organization's logo in the conference program
  • Your logo and link on our conference sponsor webpage for one year OR your name and link on promotional emails
  • A full-page ad in the program OR your insert in registrant tote bags

AFB Leadership Conference Ads

Every attendee receives the conference program in multiple formats. Reach an audience that has averaged 400+ attendees representing the leaders and decision makers in the blindness field with a program ad.

Full page (8.5 × 11)

Price: $600

Half page (8.5 × 5.5)

$300

(Add 50% per ad for color printing.)

All ads are due by January 18, 2019. Ads are printed in black and white unless color is requested (additional fee) and should be submitted as high-resolution (300 dpi) PDFs with no bleeds.

Additional Sponsorship Options

The items below may be purchased as standalone items or in addition to the packages above. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to create a custom sponsorship package.

  Standalone As an add-on to sponsorship
Presenting sponsor for VIP opening night reception $20,000 $15,000
Session track sponsor $20,000 $15,000
Coffee break sponsor $15,000 $10,000
Wi-Fi for all attendees $15,000 $10,000
Conference app sponsor $10,000 $7,500
Badge sponsor [No longer available] $5,000 $2,500
Tote bag sponsor $5,000 $2,5000

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do you have sponsorship opportunities for non-profits?

A. Yes! Please contact us for sponsorship opportunities that will best fit your needs.

Q. What is the demo room?

A. The demo room allows companies to speak about and demonstrate products and services, survey attendees, or conduct focus groups. Sessions in these rooms will appear in the program and will be promoted in emails to registrants prior to the conference. Sponsors must provide speaker title, abstract, and session topic by deadline (all presentations require AFB approval).

Sponsors at the $75,000 and $50,000 levels have access to premium breakfast and lunch slots in the demo room. AFB will cover the costs of a continental breakfast or lunch for up to 30 participants.

Q. What is AccessWorld?

We are pleased to offer ads on emails sent to AccessWorld subscribers, which allows for better message and audience targeting. AccessWorld is AFB's monthly technology magazine, which publishes product reviews of assistive and mainstream technologies.

Have more questions?

Please contact:

Amanda Kolling
Senior Engagement and Brand Manager
E-mail: akolling@afb.net
Phone: 304.710.3031