Saipan Tribune

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Friday, March 08, 2013

Flame Tree committee seeks sponsors, govt support

The Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture and the 32nd Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival Committee is seeking corporate and individual sponsors to support the biggest outdoor arts event in the CNMI this April.

The council, through the committee, has partnered with numerous businesses for the annual festival that celebrates traditional and contemporary artists and showcases live performances, art demonstrations, and festival fares for the public to enjoy.

The festival, slated for April 19 to 21 at the Civic Center Beach Park in Susupe, serves as a good avenue to market one's business or group.

“We look forward to the patronage of our previous sponsors and we are hoping to get new ones this year,” said Angel S. Hocog, CCAC executive director.

Hocog said interested businesses and individuals have a variety of sponsorship opportunities to choose from, from traditional sponsorship packages to souvenir program advertisements.

Sponsorship packages available this year are “Exclusive,” the highest level of sponsorship given to companies that provide monetary or in-kind donations worth $10,000 or more; “Pacifica” for sponsorships worth between $5,000 and $9,999; “Micronesia” for sponsorships worth between $2,001 and $4,999; and “Isla” for sponsorships worth between $1,000 and $2,000.

For the first time this year, Hocog said the committee is offering advertising space for companies, organizations, and private individuals who want to be featured in the 32nd Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival souvenir program, which will be distributed to dignitaries, special guests, and the public.

Advertisement rates for the souvenir program are as follows: $250 for a full page, full color ad; $125 for a half page, full color ad; $90 for a 1/8 page, full color ad; and $50 for a 1/16 page, black and white ad.

Solicitation and budget committee chair Erica Trinidad revealed that 10 companies have already placed ads but slots are still open for other interested advertisers.

“The fees we get from the souvenir program advertisements, along with the registration fees, would provide additional funding to help make the Flame Tree Arts Festival take place this year,” said Trinidad.

Hocog noted that all sponsors and advertisers will receive fitting recognition, depending on their level of support.

“We are eager to discuss these sponsorship opportunities to anyone interested in partnering up with the 32nd Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival Committee,” he added.

Government support

The committee, Hocog said, is also asking for the support of the local government in making this year's festivities a memorable one for both residents and guests.

Hocog is expected to meet with lawmakers to ask for funding appropriation to be used on top of the solicitations to be secured by the committee.

Gov. Eloy S. Inos, in a separate interview, said the Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival is an event embraced by both community members and off-island guests “and we need to do what we could to have a proper celebration, especially when regional jurisdictions are willing to participate.”

The 32nd Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival is expected to accommodate delegations from Kiribati and Chuuk.

“We'll make sure the community will not be disappointed. The government stands ready to support the event, with consideration for its current financial situation,” Inos told Saipan Tribune.

To become a sponsor or for more information, visit the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture in Capital Hill next to the post office or call 322-9982 or 83.