Ever daydream about jumping on a stage to introduce a band in front of a huge audience? Or do you want to get your company or brand exposed to a whole new crowd?
Those kind of opportunities can be yours by sponsoring a musician to perform at the French Quarter Festival (FQF) presented by Chevron.
More than 1,700 musicians perform during the 4-day event, that was voted the “Best Large Festival” at the 2015 Offbeat Music Business Awards, and will take place this year from Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10, 2016.
Through the Musician Sponsorship Program, you can get on stage and introduce the band you’re sponsoring and hang a banner during your sponsored act’s set. All sponsors are recognized before, during and after the festival in marketing, promotions and festival signage.
FQF’s current music sponsors include Chevron, Zapp’s, Mardi Gras World and local restaurants, hotels, retail shops, law and accounting firms, doctors and veterinarians, realtors, private foundations and individuals who love the festival and support Louisiana music.
Sign up at the ‘Shorty’ level ($500), ‘Pops’ level ($10,000 and up), or anything in between. FQF reps said musician sponsors are the ones who “truly keep Louisiana music thriving, while being recognized in front of over half a million people” at the annual event.
According to a University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center’s Visitor Survey, FQF 2014 generated a total economic impact of $251.4 million, and hosted more than 732,000 people, 47% from the New Orleans area, and 53% from out of town.
Of that group, 54.7% were female and 45.3% were male, 8% were under 25-years-old, 22% were 25-34-years-old, 34% were 35-49-years-old, 23% were 50-64-years-old, and 13% were 65-years-old and older.
UNO also found that 62% of the attendees had been to the FQF 2 times or more, and 70% of visitors surveyed responded that music was their favorite aspect of the FQF.
To become a FQF Musician Sponsor:
$500 – ‘Shorty’ Sponsor
• Underwrites one performance on a Street Stage
$1,000 – ‘Slim’ Sponsor
• Underwrites one performance on Riverfront, Jackson Square, U.S. Mint or a Street Stage
• Merchandise pack
$2,500 – ‘Professor’ Sponsor
• Underwrites multiple acts or a larger group on the Riverfront, Jackson Square or U.S. Mint stages
• Sponsor Hospitality Passes
• Merchandise pack, including one official festival poster, signed and numbered by the artist
$5,000 – ‘Fats’ Sponsor
• Underwrites a headlining artist on Riverfront, Jackson Square or U.S. Mint stages
• 2 tickets to the Gala
• Sponsor Hospitality Passes
• VIP access for two
• Merchandise pack, including two official festival posters, signed and numbered by the artist
• Early renewals receive logo placement on the 2016 French Quarter Festival brochure and website.
$10,000-$20,000 – ‘Pops’ Sponsor
• Underwrites a headlining artist on the Riverfront or on the Jackson Square stage
• Sponsor Hospitality Passes
• 4 tickets to the Gala
• One reserved parking space during the entire weekend of French Quarter Festival
• VIP access for four
• Merchandise pack, including eight official festival posters, signed and numbered by the artist
• Early renewals receive logo placement on the 2016 French Quarter Festival brochure and website.
In addition to the benefits listed above, the following is included with all sponsorship levels:
• Placement on the French Quarter Festival Entertainment Schedule (200,000 produced)
• Sponsor will be identified as the Presenter of Entertainment via stage signage (produced by FQFI)
• Sponsor banner may be displayed during artist performance
• Performance introduction by Stage Manager
• Become a part of the Festival — introduce your band (optional)
• A tax-deductible donation to a 501©3 nonprofit corporation
French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which produces three events: French Quarter Festival in April, Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. FQFI’s mission is to promote the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of the city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.