3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
01. Message from the Director
02. Letter from the Co-Chairs
03. Why QRF
05. Conference Snapshot
06. Conference Itinerary
07. Workshops
08. Sponsorship Opportunities
12. Closing Remarks
4. MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
As Executive Director of the Queen’s Commerce Program, I have the privilege of working with
students who are able to create and deliver events that challenge conventional thinking but still
resonate with those who attend and those who support. This year’s Queen’s Retail Forum (QRF)
is no different as indicated by its mission “…to continually educate undergraduate students …
on the multi-faceted world of retail and empower their career success within the industry.” This
is accomplished by having a conference that attracts business leaders/visionaries and outstand-
ing delegates who are eager to share ideas and experiences.
The success of QRF is dependent upon many factors such as the time and energy of the QRF
Executive, speakers, and, of course, sponsors. Without the support of those who partner with
QRF, the exposure and networking opportunities would not be possible. I do hope you give
strong consideration to supporting the Queen’s Retail Forum 2016 experience and the impact
that it has on those involved.
Regards,
Lori Garnier
Executive Director, Commerce Program
Stephen J.R. Smith School of Business
01.
5. letter from the
CO-CHAIRSDEAR POTENTIAL SPONSOR,
We are proud to present our 12th annual conference for the first time as the Queen’s Retail Forum, a premier stu-
dent-run conference that explores the multi-faceted world of retail. QRF, recently rebranded from the Queen’s Busi-
ness Forum on the Fashion Industry, has a mission to continually educate undergraduate students across Canada
on the retail industry and empower their career success within it. We achieve this through three pillars; the QRF
conference, events throughout the year, and original online material. Our partners and speakers have the opportunity
to network with young and aspiring future leaders of the industry, resulting in meaningful and long-lasting profes-
sional relationships. In the past, the conference has attracted notable speakers including Andrea Stairs | Managing
Director, EBay Canada, Debra Margles | President, Michael Kors Canada, and Robin Sahota | Managing Director of
Retail Canada, Accenture. We have also built strong partnerships with distinguished retailers such as Nordstrom,
Hudson’s Bay Co., TJX, and Loblaw.
QRF 2016 will be held from Thursday, November 3th until Sunday, November 6th in Kingston, Ontario. The confer-
ence theme for this year, Digital Retail: The Seamless Consumer Experience, will explore the technological revolution
within the retail industry. Delegates will learn how digital technology and e-commerce are changing the way we shop
and how companies are conducting business. Our conference gives delegates a chance to discover the exciting
advancements being made in the retail industry, and the various professional opportunities it holds. This is made
possible through the generous support of our corporate partners that attend the conference and its various events
throughout the year. We hope you will join QRF in celebrating retail as a leading multinational industry, and help open
undergraduate students’ eyes to the corporate opportunities it has to offer. For more information, you can visit our
website at: www.queensretailforum.ca. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like
more information on ways to get involved with this extraordinary conference.
02.
BEST REGARDS,
Alexandra CONVEY Emma OLIVER
CO CHAIR
a.convey@queensu.ca
647-448-4506
CO CHAIR
e.oliver@queensu.ca
519-770-9507
6. WHY
?
1.
Exceptional and Diverse Delegates
The Queen’s Retail Forum attracts 120 of
the brightest students from Queen’s Uni-
versity and other top universities across
Canada. Our diverse group of delegates
spark lively discussions with speakers
and corporate representatives, and bring
a wide range of creative ideas and solu-
tions to their case challenge presenta-
tions. Under our recent conference re-
brand, we are expanding and attracting
delegates with interests in the greater re-
tail industry as a whole, further diversifying
our array of student leaders. In sponsoring
QRF, your company will gain valuable ex-
posure and networking opportunities with
the next generation of industry leaders.
2.NETWORKING AND EXPOSURE
The Queen’s Retail Forum provides your company with a
unique opportunity to establish relationships with the best
future graduates and potential job candidates. As a val-
ued sponsor, your representatives will have the opportuni-
ty to host and enjoy conference events including banquets,
keynote addresses, and workshops. Conference events
will display your promotional material, elevating your brand
image and creating a lasting impression on our delegates.
03.
7. 04.
TRUE COLLABORATIOn
QRF corporate representatives
will have a unique opportunity
to tell your company’s story and
communicate your brand and
values to prospective interns and
employees. This conference pro-
vides a platform for delegates to
shape their views of your compa-
ny and realize new opportunities
that they may not have consid-
ered before.
The conference also provides an effective forum for companies to receive
feedback from university students about current recruiting efforts and
methods of improvement in the future. Becoming a sponsor for QRF 2016
provides mutual benefits for both our delegates and your company, and we
can assure that you will gain unparalleled access to the best and brightest
future leaders in the retail industry.
3.
4.commitment to excellence
With a broad retail outlook, QRF is dedicated
to making this year’s conference an unfor-
gettable experience for both our delegates
and sponsors. Your company’s time and fi-
nancial investment in our conference helps
provides our delegates with an inside look
into the retail industry. QRF is committed
to preparing university students to achieve
excellence in the retail industry, as well as
ensuring that your company receives the
greatest possible value from the conference.
8. 05.
CONFERENCE SNAPSHOT
Throughout the conference, delegates will actively participate in a variety of exciting
events such as keynote addresses from a variety of prominent industry executives,
engaging workshops, and socials. The conference presents a superior experience
for students and an opportunity for them to immerse themselves into the dynamic
world of retail.
OPENING NIGHT NETWORK COCKTAIL
The opening night cocktail marks the official beginning of the QRF conference. This event allows
companies to make their initial mark on our delegates and to set the tone for the conference.
Opening night features a networking session and cocktail hour, followed by introductory speeches
and the first keynote address.
LUNCH KEYNOTES
Delegates will enjoy listening to a talk by one of our industry professionals prior
to lunch at one of Kingston’s local establishments. The sponsor of this event will
have the opportunity to introduce the afternoon’s speaker and prominently display
their company logo at the venue.
DINNER KEYNOTES
Delegates will get to know your company representa-
tives at sit-down dinners, and have the opportunity to
listen to a keynote delivered by an industry professional.
All gold sponsor representatives and above are invited
to attend these dinners complimentary, and we also in-
vite our silver and bronze sponsors to attend.
9. SAMPLE CONFERENCE ITINERARY
Please note that this itinerary was taken from last year’s conference and will be subject to change
this year. Please contact our sponsorship team to create a customized event that is right for you.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD
Opening networking cocktail
Welcome address and corporate introductions
Opening keynote address
Social event
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH
Breakfast
Keynote address
Case challenge and lunch at Goodes hall
Keynote address
Dinner and keynote address
Evening social
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
Breakfast
Keynote address
Interactive workshop
Industry Lunch
Retail Consulting Speaker Panel
Semi formal dinner and keynote address
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH
Breakfast
Closing keynote address
Closing remarks
Checkout
06.
10. 07.
workshopsWorkshops are a great way for company sponsors and representatives to teach QRF delegates
about their company processes. At our conference this past November, planners from TJX Canada
travelled to Kingston to teach the delegates their company process for allocating store merchandise.
Delegate groups received data for allocating winter jackets and were taken through the process that
TJX uses to distribute their merchandise to their various stores across Canada. This year, we are
looking for companies with creative new ideas for workshops to expand our delegates’ knowledge
of retail, or to provide a simulation of what it is like to work for your company in the retail industry.
Sponsoring a workshop is a great opportunity for your company to provide delegates a first-hand
look inside what it would be like as a new hire at your company. If the company would like, they
can deliberate a winner of the activity and present them with a prize or opportunity at the company.
11. 08.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
QRF 2016 provides a variety of different opportunities for your company to
get involved. Your company has the choice to contribute in any one way,
or a combination of the options below. If you have any other ideas of ways
that your company would like to contribute, do not hesitate to contact any
member of our sponsorship team.
MONETARY SPONSORSHIP
As a monetary sponsor, you will be contributing to the quality of the conference and the value of
the delegates’ experience. You will have special promotion privileges, as well as complete access
to the delegate resume book. You will also receive a full-page advertisement in our conference
manual. The levels are outlined as follows:
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Platinum Sponsor : $10, 000 +
Gold Sponsor : $7,000 - $9,999
Silver Sponsor : $4,000 - $6,999
Bronze Sponsor : $1,000 - $3,999
12. 09.
SPONSORSHIP BREAKDOWN
PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP [ $10,000 + ]
o Case sponsor
o Space for 4 company representatives to attend
o Special advertising opportunities reserved (ie. title sponsor)
o Advertising on QRF banner throughout the conference
o Exclusive seating at the case dinner
o Full page advertisement in conference manual
o Company logo prominently displayed on all conference materials,
promotions, and website
o Distribution of company’s goods in delegate bags
o Access to the delegate resume book
GOLD SPONSORSHIP [ $7, 000 - $9,999 ]
o Space for 3 company representatives to attend the conference
o Full page advertisement in the conference manual
o Company logo prominently displayed on all conference materials,
promotions, and website
o Distribution of company’s goods in delegate bags
o Access to the delegate resume book
SILVER SPONSORSHIP [ $4,000 - $6,999 ]
o Space for 2 company representatives to attend the conference
o Full page advertisement in the conference manual
o Company logo prominently displayed on all conference materials,
promotions, and website
o Distribution of company’s goods in delegate bags
o Access to the delegate resume book
BRONZE SPONSORSHIP [ $1,000 - $3,999 ]
o Space for 1 company representatives to attend the conference
o Half page advertisement in the conference manual
o Company logo prominently displayed on all conference materials,
promotions, and website
o Distribution of company’s goods in delegate bags
o Access to the delegate resume book
13. 10.
IN-KIND SPONSORSHIP
As an in-kind sponsor, your company will donate sam-
ples, gift cards, or products for the delegate bags in or-
der to spike interest in your brand and test your products.
Usually 145-150 units are needed to distribute across
all bags. In addition, your company has the opportuni-
ty to donate the bags that delegates will receive, which
provides additional exposure and focus on your brand
(although this is first reserved for the title sponsor). Del-
egate bag sponsors are eligible for a quarter-page ad in
our conference manual.
LUNCH/DINNER SPONSOR
As a lunch or dinner sponsor, your company will be
the centre of attention at that event. Your branding
will be displayed around the venue and your com-
pany representatives are invited to join us and net-
work with the delegates before, during, and after
the meal. You will have full access to the delegate
resume book, as well as a half-page advertisement
in our conference manual. Minimum sponsorship for
this kind of event is Gold.
RAFFLE SPONSOR
The raffle is something that has never been done
previously in the conference’s history, and we have
decided to implement it to improve our delegate
experience. As a raffle sponsor we ask that you
donate a large item or gift basket of your com-
pany’s merchandise. This creates a demand for
your product as well as exposure and a first-hand
look at some of the items that your company sells.
Sponsors will receive a half-page advertisement in
our conference manual.
14. CASE COMPETITION PARTNER
11.
The sponsor of the case competition has the opportunity
to evaluate how our delegates work to solve a real retail
problem outlined by your company. You will be allowed
to send representatives to judge and give feedback to all
groups, picking a winner, and having full permission to use
their ideas in future endeavors of your company. Promo-
tional material will be displayed throughout the conference
and will be the only company on display during the com-
petition at Goodes Hall. You will receive a full-page adver-
tisement in the conference manual as well as full access to
the delegate resume book. The minimum sponsorship for
this event is Platinum.
HEAD OFFICE TOUR
INDUSTRY LUNCH SPONSOR
As a workshop sponsor, your company will be re-
sponsible for choosing an area that you would like
to teach or improve our delegates’ knowledge on,
and sending representatives to walk them through
the various steps. Your company will be provided
with a full-page ad in our conference manual, as
well as access to the delegate resume book.
We are looking for a company with headquarters in
Toronto or Montreal that will provide a select group
of potential delegates a tour of your office prior to the
conference and hold a lunch and networking session
following. Ideally taking place in September or Octo-
ber 2016, your company representatives will be able
to develop one-on-one relationships with our diverse
and enthusiastic delegates. The mutual benefit of
this opportunity is unparalleled, and the sponsor will
receive a full-page ad in our conference manual as
well as full access to our delegate resume book. Your
promotional material will also be displayed through-
out the conference in November.
15. 12.
Closing RemarksWe thank you for considering sponsorship of our conference this year and hope that you decide
to partner with QRF 2016. With an impressive 11 year history, we are committed to improving
our conference each year and to making 2016 a success for delegates and sponsors alike. We
are especially excited to plan this conference given our re-brand, as it has opened up so many
additional opportunities. If you have any questions about becoming a sponsor, please contact
a member of our sponsorship team or one of our co-chairs. We are dedicated to creating new
relationships with companies, as well as maintaining valuable relationships with past sponsors.
We hope that you will choose to become part of our QRF network. See you on November 3rd!
SINCERELY,
The QRF Sponsorship Team
Philip Younan
Sponsorship Director
647-459-4588
philip.younan@queensu.ca
Marley Alles
Sponsorship Coordinator
416-417-8209
marley.alles@queensu.ca
Vanessa Lin
Sponsorship Coordinator
416-427-7211
vanessa.lin@queensu.ca
Matthew Prioste
Sponsorship Coordinator
647-987-0289
14mp66@queensu.ca
