ProfTalks Lectures Inc.

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ProfTalks Lectures Inc. · 355 St. Clair Ave West, Suite 2306 · Toronto, ON M5P 1N5 Phone: 416-418-7204 · Fax: 416-497-3809 · [email protected] · www.proftalks.ca

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Page 2 We are pleased to present this prospectus seeking participation, support and sponsorships for half-day or full day events featuring lectures by award-winning professors to receptive, adult Canadian audiences. The speakers will be pre-eminent professors from the finest universities across Canada and the United States. Our sessions are entitled, “ProfTalks Lectures”.

OVERVIEW

ProfTalks Lectures events offers Canadians an unparalleled opportunity: learning from and interacting “live” with some of the finest minds in the country who are also effective and dynamic speakers. Attendees will participate, in a congenial and supportive environment, with like-minded people who believe that learning is a life-long process. At ProfTalks Lectures, there are no essays, exams or term papers, no marks, and no homework. Just a fascinating day of learning!

Our Inaugural event

Our inaugural full-day event took place in Toronto, Ontario, on Sunday, May 4, 2014 and was a critical success. We had a great day! The professors and the lectures were outstanding and the attendees really enjoyed themselves. Everyone, from attendees to professors, was very

impressed; all went smoothly and we received many compliments about the organization, the venue and the quality of the lectures.

The following are examples of comments received, one from one of the professors (all of them sent me notes to the same effect) and from attendees (per the Survey Monkey survey

conducted the morning after the event on May 4th):

Professor Kislenko wrote me to say "… send you a quick note to say thanks – very much indeed – for inviting me. It was a great honour to be selected, and to be part of such a wonderful crew of speakers and a fantastic audience. I am a big believer in public education and getting out of the “Ivory Tower”, particularly in such well-thought out and well-organized forums. You have come up with a super idea and organization, and kudos to you for it."

One student wrote: "The event was well organized and the topics were very well selected. Most of the lecturers were excellent." Another said: "I had a marvelous time - thank you". And

another said: "Excellent day, thoroughly enjoyed the talks."

Please see our website at http://www.proftalks.ca/reviews/ for additional survey results and feedback from students and professors.

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PROGRAMS

Future programs will be half-day or full day events featuring 3-4 professors (in the case of the half-day sessions) and 8-10 gifted educators (in the case of full-day sessions) from top schools speaking on a variety of stimulating topics designed to appeal to mature Canadian audiences. Topics will range from the fields of literature, music and art to history, politics, psychology, science and sociology.

HALF DAY SESSIONS

Half-day sessions will be offered throughout the year, generally from 9:30 or 10 a.m. to 12:30-1:00 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. featuring 3 or 4 professors lecturing in each session. We are currently planning two 1/2 day sessions on April 25, 2015.

FULL DAY SESSIONS

Each hour, from approximately 9:30 in the morning and concluding at approximately 4:15 in the afternoon, participants select from three or four lectures, taking place concurrently, in separate halls. Each session is one hour long including a Q&A period – all LIVE. A full day session is being planned for Fall, 2015 in Toronto. The specific date and location is to be announced.

The draft agenda is: Time

9:30-10:30 a.m. Lecture 1 Lecture 2 Lecture 3 Lecture 4

10:45-11:45 a.m. Lecture 1 Lecture 2 Lecture 3 Lecture 4

Noon-1 p.m. Lecture 1 Lecture 2 Lecture 3 Lecture 4

Break

2-3:00 p.m. Lecture 1 Lecture 2 Lecture 3 Lecture 4

3:15-4:15 p.m. Lecture 1 Lecture 2 Lecture 3 Lecture 4

ALTERNATIVE FORMATS

In the future, we plan to offer a variety of 2 hour evening or afternoon events featuring one professor who will focus on a single topic. Other formats may include a lecture followed by a theatrical or music performance or a lecture in the Niagara region followed by a wine tasting.

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Page 4 The possible formats and ideas are endless and we would be happy to explore any number of ideas with potential sponsors and/or business partners.

THE FACULTY

For each event, the faculty is comprised of professors from the finest schools on this continent who present their very best lectures – live and in person. Professors are selected based on their qualifications and ratings from their students, for their ability to capture the imagination of their audience and because they provoke, stimulate and entertain.

Lectures might cover such varied topics as “Climate Change: Spring is Not What It Used to Be”; “CanLit: Canadian Novels You Must Read Before You Die”; “The Foods We Eat: What’s Inside”; “The Longevity Puzzle – Why Some People are Living into their Hundreds”; “Five Canadian Inventions That Changed the World”; “Living with Uncertainty and Making Good Decisions”; “The Impact on the Digital World on How We Live”; What Defines Us as

Canadians?; “The Psychology of Friendship and Romantic Relationships”; “Ecosystems and Human Well-being: How does the State of the Environment affect our Lives?”; “The Origins of our Solar System”; “Bitcoin: New Generations of Currency”; “How to Make Math Your Friend” and others.

THE MARKET

Canada is unique in that we have a large proportion of "baby boomers" relative to our population: approximately 10 million people—or about one third of our citizens—were born between 1946 and 1965. In 2013, the oldest boomers turn 67 and the youngest will be 48. Among other things, they spend money on education, leisure travel, luxury items, retirement savings and health and wellness products and services1. Their buying power is considerable - Statistics Canada says that this will be the wealthiest generation of people to have ever retired.2 In fact, the baby boomer generation controls almost 60% of Canada’s consumer spending (roughly $273 billion).3

1_{Source: Four Keys to Marketing to Canadians by Roger Pierce, March 20, 2013 See:}

http://www.profitguide.com/startup/best-practices/4-keys-to-marketing-to-canadians-48938 2_{Advertising Grows Up with the Boomer Generation, by Megan Haynes. See:}

http://strategyonline.ca/2012/08/28/advertising-grows-up-with-the-boomer-generation/ 3

The Boomer Mind: A Marketer's Essential Guide, September 13 ,2012, See: http://www.globelink.ca/insider/latest/entry.asp?id=1481

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Page 5 In addition, our research indicates that the “continuing education” market is under-serviced by colleges and universities. Participation in all forms of adult learning rose from 40 percent of the American adult population in 1995 to 44 percent in 2005, according to a survey by the U.S. National Centre for Education Statistics.4 Participation rates for non-credit courses don’t drop significantly with age: they are 47% of 50-54-year olds; 40% of 55-64 year olds and 23 % of those 65 and older.5 One recent study showed that those over 55 enrolling in non-credit programs spent $920 a year on average on tuition.6

WHO WILL ATTEND

These lectures appeal to a broad audience, from those eager to relive their university days - even for a few hours – to those who pursue the love of learning for its own sake. They are (in general) an educated, upmarket audience who attend for the social interaction and “the love of learning”.

The average age of the attendees is 50 or over.

Full day conference registration will be priced in the range of $149 (plus applicable taxes) per attendee for early birds and returning students and $199 (plus applicable taxes) for

new/unaffiliated registrants. Half day sessions will be well-priced in the range of $99 for early birds and returning students and $149 for new/unaffiliated registrants. Two hour evening or afternoon events will be priced at $69 for early birds and returning students and $99 for new/unaffiliated students.

Special pricing arrangements are available for Sponsors’ customers as per the table of benefits below.

THE VENUE

Each event scheduled to take place in Toronto will take place at a quality commercial downtown or central location.

4_{Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Facts, http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=89} 5

Source: National Centre for Education Statistics, NHES Survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, as reported in the New York Times article, , As Older Students Return to Classrooms an Industry Develops, November 13, 2006.

6

Source: New York Times, As Older Students Return to Classrooms an Industry Develops, November 13, 2006 citing a 2005 survey by Eduventures, a research and consulting firm focusing on education markets.

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MANAGEMENT

This event will be managed by ProfTalks Lectures Inc., whose President and Founder is Toronto-based Libby Gillman. Her profile is provided at the end of this document.

ProfTalks Lectures Inc. will arrange/produce the following:

VENUE - Secure and manage the venue at which the event will be held and arrange for and manage all audio-visual and other logistical requirements.

AGENDA & SPEAKERS - Develop and manage the agenda and engage the presenters.

EVENT MARKETING & PROMOTION - Manage marketing and promotion of the event, including developing marketing materials, and facilitating print, radio, social media and electronic

advertising.

REGISTRATION & COMMUNICATION - Coordinate registration of attendees and communications with speakers, sponsors, and attendees.

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT – Manage the development of website pages for each event, event management software and the online payments facility.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION

We propose to market ProfTalks Lectures through print advertisements, including in major local newspapers, as well as social media and other electronic advertising.

We have developed a sophisticated website to inform potential participants on the details of ProfTalks Lectures, promote the sponsors, as well as to accept registrations and payments.

TIMELINE

Timing of events will be confirmed once a core sponsor for each event has been confirmed.

SPONSORSHIP

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Page 7 • Branding, sales and promotion opportunities to an upscale, high net worth,

well-educated audience

• Significant and measurable return on investment • Increased visibility

• Positive profile in promoting:

• continuing education opportunities

• daylong seminars featuring smart lectures on a variety of topics by world-class experts

• Exposure to potential customers and media through: print, online and social media advertising, expected event attendance, promotional efforts, lead generation, event signage, advertising inclusion, viral marketing efforts, complimentary registrations, etc.

We are offering sponsors an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate leadership,

commitment, and visibility in supporting and promoting life-long learning for adult Canadians. We offer sponsors the opportunity to participate at multiple levels. A full range of benefits for each level is detailed in the appendix.

MEDIA PARTNER - A single Media Partner sponsorship for each event will be offered to an organization that wishes to maximize its branding, visibility, and support opportunities with this educated, high net worth audience. This sponsorship will be available on a come, first-served basis.

GOLD - Gold standard sponsorship for organizations with a commitment and clear focus on the value of keeping mentally active and informed. A maximum of three gold sponsorships will be offered.

LUNCH SPONSOR (FOR FULL DAY EVENTS ONLY) – Lunch sponsorship offers the opportunity for high visibility at the lunch event, with an opportunity to provide signage and a kiosk in the dedicated lunch room. In addition, the lunch sponsor will have an opportunity to display “Did You Know” questions during the lunch break in the lunch room. There will be only one lunch sponsor.

SILVER - Silver level sponsorship allows organizations to demonstrate leadership and

commitment to continuing education at a lower cost. No more than five silver sponsorships will be offered.

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BRONZE - Bronze sponsorship gives organizations positive visibility in promoting life-long learning and its benefits. There is no limit to the number of bronze sponsorships that will be available.

We intend to hold ½ day sessions in late Fall, 2014 and a Winter, 2015 in Toronto as well as a Spring full day session in Toronto. In addition, we plan to hold sessions in major centres across Canada. We would be pleased to discuss sponsorship opportunities for these events with you.

CONCLUSION

ProfTalks Lectures is a unique forum which promotes learning and personal advancement in an entertaining setting. It will provide positive, beneficial value for sponsors and attendees, and an opportunity to showcase leading thinkers in their fields. Vital and timely content will attract attendees from across our communities, highlighting sponsors in a leadership role of personal learning even after school is out.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or for further details, kindly contact Libby Gillman at 416.418.7204 or by email at [email protected].

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APPENDIX

SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS

Sponsorship Level: Media Gold Lunch

Sponsor

Silver Bronze Number of sponsorships available at this level 1 3 1 5 unlimited

Complimentary registrations 15 10 7 7 5

Discount on supplemental staff registrations _20% _15% _10% _10% _10%

Special recognition at lunch (full day events only)

ü Signage in dedicated lunch room at the venue

(full day events only)

ü Kiosk in dedicated lunch room at the venue (full

day events only)

ü “Did You Know” Questions for overhead at

lunch break in dedicated lunch room at the venue (full day events only)

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Opportunity to recommend a speaker ü

Opportunity to introduce a speaker ü ü ü ü

Opportunity to provide input to program agenda ü One-time e-mailing by ProfTalks Lectures on

behalf of sponsor of pre-registration list of attendees to promote sponsor before the event7

ü

One-time e-mailing by ProfTalks Lectures on behalf of sponsor of post-registration list of attendees to promote sponsor after the event8

ü ü ü

Kiosk at venue9 ü ü

Banner ad on event website10 ü ü ü ü

7

Registration information will be available only where delegates have consented to the disclosure and use of their information.

8

Registration information will be available only where delegates have consented to the disclosure and use of their information and sponsor agrees to maintain the confidentiality of this information.

9_{All materials and expense associated with the kiosk for the account of sponsor. Kiosk at venue for lunch sponsor} will be located in dedicated lunch room at venue.

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Banner advertising/signage at venue11 ü ü ü

Sponsor logo on event website ü ü ü ü ü

Sponsor’s logo on programs and other marketing collateral

ü ü ü ü ü

Link to sponsor’s website from ProfTalks website

ü ü ü ü ü

Link from sponsor’s website to ProfTalks Lectures website

ü ü ü ü ü

Percentage discount from full, regular price to the event for sponsor to offer to its customers

25% 25% 20% 15% 10%

“Did You Know” Questions for overhead during breaks

10 7 5 3

Opportunity for sponsor to provide give-aways to

attendees

ü

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS AND FEES

SPONSORSHIP LEVEL: Media Partner Gold Lunch

Sponsor

Silver Bronze

Sponsor Fee ½ to full page print advertising insertions, digital advertising and e-blasts to subscribers prior to the event. Frequency and placement to be determined by the Media Partner and ProfTalks in consultation with one another, each acting in good faith.

$20,000* $15,000* $15,000* $7,500*

*Plus Applicable Taxes

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Sponsor to provide banner ad/signage and install same at its own cost. Banner ad/signage must comply with venue rules.

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Page 11 PROFILE OF LIBBY GILLMAN

Libby is an experienced business advisor and strategist, trained as a corporate and commercial lawyer. Libby is a leading specialist in financial institution regulation and electronic payment systems and has a strong background in strategy and development of new industry initiatives. Libby is a partner in Gillman Professional Corporation (“GPC”), Barristers & Solicitors. Prior to joining GPC, Libby was a member of the risk management practice of Cap Gemini Ernst &

Young, the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Visa Canada Association and senior legal counsel at The Bank of Nova Scotia responsible for the domestic retail bank.

Libby received her BA and LLB degrees from the University of Manitoba and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada.