Sponsorship

With concern increasing for the changing environment and its effect on our nation’s rivers, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is pleased to announce its upcoming conference, Visions of a Sustainable Mississippi River: Merging Ecological, Economic, and Cultural Values. The event will take place in Collinsville, Illinois from August 10 to 13, 2009. This is your personal invitation from NGRREC to be a sponsor for this important national conference.

The NGRREC is committed to scholarly research, education, and outreach related to the interconnectedness of large rivers, their floodplains and watersheds, and their associated communities. Consistent with this mission, the conference will convene representatives from such diverse sectors as commerce, navigation, agriculture, research, recreation, and management of our nation's largest river with the goal of presenting new and useful solutions and insights into multiple use issues. 

We hope you will join us as a participant and sponsor of this unique event as we work together to formulate sustainable solutions to critical issues facing the Mississippi River.  This four-day event will culminate with a special Policy Forum, where elected officials and strategic decision makers will be present to hear a summary of river management recommendations prepared during the conference.

We are excited to announce that during the conference, NGRREC will also celebrate the grand opening of its newly constructed state-of-the-art research facility. The new Confluence Field Station is being built along the Mississippi River just downriver from Alton, Illinois and the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. The completed structure will be a model of “green construction,” with virtually no environmental impact. Scientists will utilize this and other facilities, including partner institutions, to gather data and conduct research that add to our knowledge about river ecosystems, restoration, floodplain and watershed management, and achieving sustainability for rivers and their environments. 

This one-of-a-kind gathering of Mississippi River stakeholders will offer your organization an excellent opportunity to become an active partner of NGRREC by hosting the conference as a sponsor, exhibitor, supporter, and much more.

Here is how you can help:

Sponsor
Through sponsorship, your organization will be highlighted on the conference Web site, in the media, and in printed materials, making your organization visible to hundreds of scientists, international researchers, Mississippi River stakeholders, and elected officials. Furthermore, your tax-deductible contribution will allow us to offer a quality event, keep registration fees relatively low, and encourage greater participation.

Exhibitor
Our educational/exhibit hall will be located in a high traffic area for the conference. The conference schedule will be arranged so that attendees can network with our exhibitors to learn more about their products and/or services.

Patron
We encourage you to help promote our event by announcing the conference in upcoming newsletters or mailers that you distribute. In addition, please encourage members of your organization, agency, or business to register and actively participate in the conference.

Panelists and Moderators
If you would like to suggest panelists or moderators for any one of the conference topics listed below, please contact Dr. John Chick, Conference Co-chair, at chick@inhs.uiuc.edu or 618-466-9690.

Conference Topics:

  • Ecosystem services and the economic value of the Mississippi River
  • Ethanol production and the Mississippi River
  • Floodplain connectivity, flood control, and hydrologic regime
  • Clean water and the Mississippi River: Uses and threats

We need your support!

Please register today to support Visions of a Sustainable Mississippi River: Merging Ecological, Economic, and Cultural Values. The deadline for sponsorship is July 31, 2009.  

We encourage you to consider this unique opportunity to support a sustainable Mississippi River through the Visions of a Sustainable Mississippi River Conference.
Should you have more questions, please contact:
Vera Bojic, Conference Co-chair
Phone:  618-468-4870
E-mail:  vbojic@lc.edu