Exhibitor and Sponsor Information

Thank you for your interest in being a sponsor or exhibitor for the 2013 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering.  These are wonderful ways that your organization can support this important annual effort to bring together national leaders in Catholic social ministry to focus our attention, coordinate strategies, renew our spirits, and lift our voices about the important work we carry out throughout the year, and across the United States and the world.

Becoming a sponsor or exhibitor for CSMG 2013 also provides your organization an opportunity to introduce your programs, services, and products to influential leaders shaping the future of Catholic social ministry, policy advocacy, parish life, campus ministry and the Church's interaction with civil society for the promotion of the common good.  Sponsorship of CSMG, in particular, provides your organization high visibility as a supporter of the Catholic Church's mission to promote human life and dignity both in the United States and internationally.

Apply by January 18 to become an exhibitor at CSMG 2013.  We are also pleased to review Sponsorship Pledge Forms at any time, but must receive them by January 18, 2013 for sponsors to be listed in our CSMG 2013 Program Book.  Applications and further information on both opportunities can be found by following the links provided here.

Information for Prospective Exhibitors

1. Who can exhibit at the Gathering?
Non-profit or commercial organizations which offer services or products compatible with the mission of CSMG and the teaching of the Catholic Church are welcome to apply to become exhibitors.  CSMG must approve each exhibitor in writing and in advance, and reserves the right to limit the number of exhibitors.  Application to exhibit at CSMG 2013 indicates acceptance of CSMG's terms and conditions for exhibitors, which are outlined in more detail in the Exhibitor Information and Application.

2. What should I display at the Gathering?
Successful CSMG exhibitors often provide useful information to attendees about programs and services that promote social justice, peace, human life and dignity, and global and domestic concerns.  Increasingly, CSMG exhibitors also include organizations that provide formation and professional education for ministry and social service, as well as volunteer programs that foster emerging leaders and build capacity for Catholic social ministry.  Exhibitors can cover a wide range of groups interested in the social teaching and ministry of the Church including advocacy organizations; religious orders and congregations; Catholic publishers; catechetical programs; ecological and fair trade movements, and Catholic artists and artisans.  In recent years the Gathering has attracted an average of 500 participants.

3. When should I submit an application?
Applications are available, and must be received by CSMG staff no later than Friday, January 18, 2013.  CSMG staff will review each application and provide a response as soon as possible.  Approved exhibitors will be notified by e-mail, and then invoiced for the fee of $275.00, payable by check only.  All payments must be received no later than January 31, 2013.  Exhibit space is assigned first to CSMG partner organizations, and after that on a first received, first assigned basis.  No space assignment will be confirmed until payment is received in full.  All exhibits must be approved in advance, and must be compatible with the mission of CSMG and the teaching of the Catholic Church.

4. How will I know if my application was accepted?
Once your application has been approved, you will receive an email from Yolanda Taylor-Burwell, including a confirmation letter and an invoice, along with any additional exhibit information.

5. Is there a fee to exhibit at the Gathering?
Yes, the exhibitor fee is $275.00 for the entire Gathering (Friday, February 8, 2013 – Wednesday, February 13, 2013). The exhibitor fee does not include admittance to the Gathering.  Separate registration is required to attend the Gathering.

6. How should I pay for the exhibit?
Once you have received a confirmation email and invoice, payment may be made by check or credit card.  Checks should be made payable to USCCB-JPHD and sent to:

             USCCB-JPHD
             Att: Yolanda Taylor-Burwell
             3211 Fourth Street, NE
             Washington, DC 20017

7. What is included with the exhibit fee?
Each exhibitor will be provided with a 6' skirted table with two chairs.  Displays should be confined to tabletops.  No pipe and drape, electricity, internet, or special security will be provided.

Shipping, Set-up, and Exhibiting

1. Where and when do I ship my materials to be displayed?
Please DO NOT ship your items to the hotel prior to Monday, February 4, 2013.

The hotel charges a handling and storage fee for items shipped to the hotel prior to the Gathering. The handling fee is $30.00 per box or item. Storage fees will be determined.  An example of exactly what information needs to be included on shipping labels cab be viewed on this attached model shipping label.

2. Whom should I contact if I plan to ship items to the hotel?
Notify Yolanda Taylor-Burwell (ytaylor-burwell@usccb.org), no later than Wednesday February 6, 2013, with the total number of packages shipped and a description of the contents. Packages/boxes will be delivered to your pre-assigned exhibit table. Please note, that you will be charged after the Gathering if you incur storage/handling fees.

3. How should I retrieve my shipped items?
Go to the exhibit hall on Friday morning, February 8, 2013. Your materials will be delivered to a pre-assigned table.

4. When will I be able to set up and breakdown my exhibit?
The exhibit setup opens on Friday, February 8, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The exhibit room breakdown begins on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. and concludes at 3:00 p.m.  All exhibits must be removed from the exhibit hall no later than 3:00 p.m.  Neither the USCCB nor the Washington Marriott Wardman Park is responsible for items that are left after the breakdown period, or for lost or stolen items.

5. What if I experience problems with my exhibit once I get to the hotel? Whom should I contact?
Leave a message (include your name, organization, cell phone number and sleeping room number if applicable) at the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering registration desk for Yolanda Taylor-Burwell. Please note, the hotel staff will not respond to requests.

6. Will I be able to attend some of the activities associated with the Gathering?
Separate registration is required to attend events of the Gathering. Click here to see registration fees.

7. How will I keep my items secure if I am away from the exhibit area?
Security of all items in the booth is the exhibitor's responsibility. Neither the USCCB  nor the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel will be responsible for lost or stolen items.

8. What are the exhibit hours?
Exhibit setup is Friday, February 8, 2013 from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

	Exhibit Hours
	Friday, February 8, 2013	12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
	Saturday, February 9, 2013	10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.
	Sunday, February 10, 2013	10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
	Monday, February 11, 2013	8:30 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.
	Tuesday, February 12, 2013	8:30 a.m. –1:30 p.m.
	Wednesday, February 13, 2013	8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Exhibit breakdown is Wednesday, February 13, 2013 from 12:30 p.m.—3:00 p.m.   We ask that exhibits not be dismantled or removed until the end of the Gathering (Feb. 13, 2013).

9. What should I do with any extra items after the Gathering?
It is the exhibitor's responsibility to remove all of their items from the exhibit room before the hall closes on Wednesday, February 13, 2013.  The exhibitor is also responsible for the packing and shipping of any of their materials at the conclusion of the Gathering.

10. Will I be able to cancel my request to exhibit?
If you need to cancel or modify a request to exhibit, send your request to Yolanda Taylor-Burwell at ytaylor-burwell@usccb.org no later than January 31, 2013 in order to receive a refund, less a $100.00 processing fee.  Cancellations after this date will not be eligible for a refund.

USCCB-JPHD reserves the right to remove displays that are not compatible with the mission of CSMG and the teaching of the Catholic Church.