Events

2008 NFWL Annual Conference: November 20-24 in Sarasota, Florida

Host Committee Information

What is the NFWL Host Committee?

The Host Committee is a group of both Congressional and state legislators, corporations and local organizations from Florida that collaborate with NFWL to help raise funds, provide items for gift bags and the silent auction, and send letters to corporations and lobbyists for support of our Conference. The Host Committee also helps suggest and secure local political, corporate, and entertainment celebrities to attend the Conference. Most importantly, members of the Host Committee serve as ambassadors of the community where NFWL is hosting its conference, bringing the unique local character of the region to conference guests from around the country.

What is the Planning Committee?

The Planning Committee works with NFWL Staff to plan various aspects of the conference including inviting selected VIPs, identifying organizations and groups who might provide volunteers, and securing community support and attendance. The following sub-committees are under the Planning Committee.

  • Volunteer Sub-Committee

    Volunteers work on all aspects of the conference, ranging from note takers at policy committee meetings to registration attendants to ushers at plenary sessions. They are needed throughout all of the conference dates as well as in the months before the conference to assist with logistics and outreach.

  • VIP Sub-Committee

    Helps suggest and invite local political, corporate, and entertainment celebrities to attend the Conference. Solid contact information is extremely helpful. These VIP Speakers address the legislators and guests at meals, workshops, & roundtables. The Sub-Committee is also responsible for coordinating transportation logistics of VIPs while on the ground in Sarasota.

  • Community Outreach Sub-Committee

    NFWL works to create a unique experience at each conference. The 2007 Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky had a very different feel from the 2006 Annual Conference in Avon, Colorado. The 2008 Annual Conference in Sarasota will have its own singular qualities. Each community shares its own special attitude and atmosphere. NFWL wants our guests to experience what makes Sarasota exceptional. Members of the Community Outreach Sub-Committee help define the experience for our guests by facilitating the participation of locally-owned businesses and visits to special attractions.

  • Security Sub-Committee

    The Security Sub-Committee works to ensure the safety and comfort of all NFWL Conference guests and VIPs. They also provide surveillance of the exhibit and silent auction areas. In the past members of the Security Sub-Committee have ranged from local volunteers to officers of the state’s department of public safety.

  • Technology Sub-Committee

    The Technology Sub-Committee secures donations of computers, printers and cell phones and/or two-ways for NFWL staff and volunteer use during the Annual Conference.

What does the Corporate Committee do?

The Corporate Committee is a group of local companies and corporations from Florida that collaborate with NFWL to help meet the financial obligations of the Annual Conference. Donations will be used to defray the cost of staff and legislator travel as well as logistical expenditures and will assist with the cost of general conference activities. There are two primary ways donations for the 2008 NFWL Annual Conference can be earmarked:

  1. Contribution to the general conference fund
    • Assistance in raising $100,000 for general Annual Conference support
    • Assistance in raising $25,000 seed money
  2. Sponsorship of a policy session (breakfast or lunch plenary, workshop or roundtable discussion).

    These donations give the sponsor an opportunity to provide issue expertise and share private sector perspectives with legislators.

    • Opening or Closing Reception Sponsorship $30,000
    • Breakfast or Lunch Plenary Session Sponsorship $35,000
    • Issue Workshop Sponsorship $20,000
    • Roundtable Sponsorship $5,000

Are there others ways I can help the Corporate Committee?

Yes, under the auspices of the Corporate Committee is the In-Kind Sub-Committee. Members of the In-Kind Sub-Committee are responsible for making suggestions of local business and organizations to contact for donations to the silent auction, gift bags, or other in-kind donations. Examples of in-kind donations included free printing for the Conference program and use of office equipment and copy facility at Conference Headquarters.

  • Items for gift bags given out at Conference (500 bags)
  • Gift from the State to Conference participants
  • Items for Silent Auction

To join either the Planning or Corporate Committees, please call or e-mail Julie Swaney, Director of Public Policy & Operations, at 202-293-3040, ext. 1010 or Julie_Swaney@womenlegislators.org.