MARCH 10 – 20, 2016
TYPES OF EVENTS HELD WHAT? Gilda’s LaughFest has quickly become one of the nation’s “must attend” festivals, celebrating laughter for the health of it! This major 10-day Midwest festival is based LaughFest is designed to reach across all ages and in Grand Rapids and has events throughout West Michigan. demographics, and features a variety of definitions of what makes us laugh. Part of the Festival will The festival was launched in March 2011 and has featured Mike Birbiglia, Lewis Black, Wayne showcase national and regional talent and acts. Brady, Jim Breuer, Hannibal Buress, Bo Burnham, Bill Burr, Margaret Cho, Mike Epps, Jim Another key element of the Festival is driven by Gaffigan, Billy Gardell, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Hart, Pete Holmes, Gabriel Iglesias, Anthony community participation and voting. Events are Jeselnik, Jay Leno, George Lopez, Marc Maron, Joel McHale, Kevin Nealon, Patton Oswalt, offered during the daytime, evening, and late night Brian Regan, Amy Schumer, Martin Short, Sinbad, Wanda Sykes, Lily Tomlin, Chris Tucker, Betty and are both ticketed and free. Types of events to White, Justin Willman and many, many more nationally touring artists and acts. be held in 2016 include: Stand-up LaughFest features laughter in all its forms from comedy, performance, and improv to film, Improv dance, and a variety of seriously funny stuff. Each year has drawn an average of 50,000 Films – short and long attendees to Grand Rapids and West Michigan for free and ticketed events. Clean Comedy Dance Showcases WHEN? March 10-20, 2016 Authors/Writers Lectures/Workshops WHERE? LaughFest 2016 will include the Greater West Michigan region, with People and Pets the hub of the festival centered in a variety of venues in downtown Grand Rapids. In Musical Acts/Shows previous festival years, over 65 venues have been featured ranging in size from 50 seats to Stage Acts 3,300 seats. Family Friendly Events Middle/High School Events
A FESTIVAL FOR LAUGHS AND FOR A PURPOSE!
We are serious about our funny here in West Michigan. LaughFest brings together a diverse audience of children and adults once a year to honor laughter as an essential part of 2015 STATS emotional health and well-being. And what better time for a laughter festival than when it’s cold, icy, and distinctly un-funny outside! TOTAL EVENTS HOSTED Ticketed...... 73 LaughFest is more than just a barrel of laughs. It also raises awareness for a very important Free ...... 199 cause – supporting children, adults, families, and friends in finding their smile and laughter in Total Events Scheduled ...... 272 the midst of a cancer or grief journey.
All proceeds of LaughFest benefit the free emotional healthcare programs offered through # OF ARTISTS/TALENT Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and 100% of those funds stay in West Michigan. Gilda’s Club Talent - Ticketed Events ...... 144 Grand Rapids is named for Gilda Radner, an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, Talent - Free Events ...... 608 who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989. In her book, It’s Always Something, Gilda said, Total Artists Involved ...... 752 “My job was to find what was funny about whatever was going on. So I began to think that I should do the same thing with cancer.” Through her own personal journey, Gilda reminded EVENT TYPES individuals impacted by cancer that it is alright to laugh and smile, even when dealing with Laughter Related Events ...... 166 life’s tough stuff. Through Gilda’s LaughFest, our desire is to help share the gift of laughter Stand-up Comedy Related Events ...... 82 with everyone. Films ...... 8 LaughteRx Series ...... 18 Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids provides a comprehensive program delivered by licensed healthcare professionals, including education, structured sharing times, networking, lectures, workshops, and social activities. We provide emotional health support to individuals and families that are on a cancer or grief journey of any kind. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is one of the largest and busiest of the 50+ affiliates worldwide. The organization runs entirely on charitable donations and currently serves more than 10,000 individuals each year through our clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Michigan, as well as in various schools and in five community centers. Website: www.laughfestgr.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/laughfest Twitter: www.twitter.com/laughfest Instagram: www.instagram.com/laughfestgr Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/laughfest WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?
It’s simple, really. LaughFest is a festival that is seriously designed to: CREATE a dialogue about emotional health and an opportunity to learn, share, and laugh together. CULTIVATE a shared community experience where everyone is welcome. While we may not laugh at all the same things, we all do laugh! CELEBRATE laughter’s important role in overall health and its contribution to well-being. COLLABORATE with you, our sponsor partners, to boost our economy and enhance the festival. CONTRIBUTE to our mission and passion – passing along the legacy of laughter that Gilda Radner gave to all of us.
BENEFITING CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES IN WEST MICHIGAN
100% LOCALLY BASED AND INDEPENDENT LaughFest proceeds provide funding for the FREE cancer, grief, and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. 100% of these proceeds stay in West Michigan. Our Grand Rapids Club is an independently owned and operated 501(c)(3) governed by a locally-based Board of Directors. Gilda’s Club is affiliated with a national network of 52 cancer support organizations across North America.
SUPPORTED 100% THROUGH CHARITABLE GIFTS & CORPORATE SPONSOR PARTNERSHIPS Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids’ growth, sustainability, and program excellence remains funded entirely through cash donations, individual gifts, foundation grants, fundraising events, and proceeds from LaughFest. Our free programs would not be free without this support.
SUSTAINED BY VOLUNTEER POWER Even though Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids employs a core administrative and licensed professional staff, part of how we are able to offer our program free of charge is through the incredible efforts of our more than 3,000 volunteers. They are the grassroots “heart and soul” who donate their time and energy to ensure the weekly programs, Clubhouses, and LaughFest thrive.
SKILLFULLY LED WITH A FOCUS ON PEOPLE We are proud to say that for 15 years, we have welcomed all that are on a cancer or grief journey who have come through the Red Door at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Our programs equip people with knowledge, connections, and laughter. We strive to improve the emotional health of our community, based on the legacy of laughter that Gilda Radner, our namesake, gave to all of us. SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
THE LAUGH PREMIER TOO FUNNY THE BELLY THE THE BENEFITS GOLD OUT LOUD LEADERSHIP FOR WORDS LAUGHERS CHUCKLERS GIGGLERS CROWD
Logo in full color on festival X X poster
Logo and hyperlink on homepage X X of LaughFest website
Co-branding opportunities X X X available*
Opportunity to welcome X X X X X audience to event(s)**
Listing on the Festival Sponsor page of the LaughFest website in logo logo logo X X X X alphabetical order
Listing in the LaughFest guide/ schedule (minimum print run of logo logo X X X X X 175,000) in alphabetical order
Tickets to the LaughFest opening night party 100 50 24 20 16 8 4
Tickets to events of your choice*** 100 50 24 20 16 8 4
Headliner’s Club passes 100 50 24 20 16 8 4
Tickets to Signature Event 10 10 6 4
Access to Signature Event meet X X X & greet
Option to purchase sponsor X X X X X X X exclusive ticket packages
Option to purchase sponsor exclusive LaughFest experiences, X X X X X X X shows, and receptions
First right of refusal to artist meet and greet opportunities as X X X available/desired
* in collaboration with, and with approval by, LaughFest ** as approved by artist, script provided by LaughFest *** ticket selections and quantity of tickets available per show are subject to availability and sponsorship level. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
GOLD LEADERSHIP ($100,000+) TOO FUNNY FOR WORDS ($25,000-$49,999)
A number of high visibility, customizable opportunities are available at the LAUGHTERx SERIES $100,000, $250,000, and $500,000 levels. We would be happy to discuss Sometimes laughter is the best medicine. This series includes laughter yoga, these Gold Leadership options with you in person. inspirational and humorous performances, and speakers who highlight the health benefits of laughter and its importance in overall emotional health.
PREMIER LEADERSHIP ($50,000-$99,999) COMMUNITY SHOWCASE SERIES Community Showcases are at the heart of LaughFest. Local, regional, and LATE NIGHT COMEDY SERIES national talent submit applications for a spot on our community showcases The Late Night Comedy Series features a minimum of three late-night – highlighting first time performers, seasoned veterans, and more. shows at a variety of venues in downtown Grand Rapids. Not for the faint Approximately 20 showcases take place throughout the festival, are free of heart; expect some risky language and risky subject matter. But hey, events, and range from stand-up comedy to dance, music, and everything it’s all seriously funny stuff! Past talent has included Amy Schumer, Judah in between! Friedlander, and Loni Love. LAUGHFEST CENTRAL SPONSOR FESTIVAL ACCOMMODATIONS SPONSOR LaughFest Central is the headquarters for all things LaughFest before and Top notch talent requires top notch accommodations! As official festival during the festival. Starting mid-February located in downtown Grand accommodations sponsor, all LaughFest talent will be housed at your hotel Rapids, you can stop in to get information, merchandise, festival tickets, and properties, and the space(s) will be engaged in a variety of ways as hub(s) Fast Passes to free shows. of festival activity. Official accommodations will be highlighted on the LaughFest website and recommended to all festival guests. FOUNTAIN STREET CHURCH STAGE SPONSOR LaughFest is proud to present a diverse lineup of programming at a large FESTIVAL TRANSPORTATION SPONSOR number of venues across West Michigan. By becoming a stage sponsor at Top notch talent requires top notch transportation! As official festival Fountain Street Church, you have the opportunity to be recognized at all transportation sponsor, all LaughFest talent will be transported to and programming that takes place at that venue throughout the 10 days of the from airport, venues, and hotel in your vehicles. LaughFest will work with festival. the festival transportation sponsor to co-brand the vehicles to ensure maximum visibility and festival association. DEVOS PERFORMANCE HALL STAGE SPONSOR LaughFest is proud to present a diverse lineup of programming at a large STAND-UP COMEDY SERIES number of venues across West Michigan. By becoming a stage sponsor at This series presents three high-profile comedy events during the festival DeVos Performance Hall, you have the opportunity to be recognized at all (all talent TBD until late October/early November). It has traditionally programming that takes place at that venue throughout the 10 days of the included a showcase plus one small venue and one large venue headliner, festival. yet is flexible and could be made up of three single shows, or another combination of events and showcases. CLEAN COMEDY SHOWCASE SPONSOR Introduced in 2011, the Clean Comedy Showcase at The B.O.B. continues CLEAN COMEDY SERIES to be one of the most popular series of shows within the festival. Eight This series presents the high profile CLEAN comedy events within the comedians have been pre-selected for the Clean Comedy Showcase based festival. Traditionally includes the Clean Comedy Showcase, as well as other on their unique ability to bring laughs without vulgarity. These are some clean comedy headliners. Number of shows/events is flexible and changes of the most requested comedians by companies across the country! The from year to year. community will determine the winner of “You Made Us Laugh The Most” Award in this Showcase through voting held at each individual showcase.
NATIONAL STAND-UP SHOWCASE SPONSOR One of the most popular events of the festival is the National Stand-Up Comedy Showcase which features nationally touring comedians with extensive late night and additional TV credits, performing in eight shows over two nights at The B.O.B. Some shows include dinner. THE BELLY LAUGHERS ($15,000-$24,999)
LAKESHORE SERIES Laughter is happening on the Lakeshore! The Holland Series of LaughFest THE LAUGH OUT LOUD CROWD programming consists of a headlining ticketed show (past talent has ($10,000-$14,999) included Jeff Allen, Justin Willman, and Taylor Mason) as well as several community showcases, kids events (including the very popular Kids Joke COMMUNITY KICKOFF SPONSOR Day), LaughteRx events (focused on the health benefits of laughter) and LaughFest kicks off the festival each year with a bang! Thousands gather co-programmed LaughFest events that collaborate with Holland-based arts in downtown Grand Rapids to celebrate laughter for the health of it and and cultural organizations. participate in family-friendly opening ceremonies.
THE BEST OF THE MIDWEST COMPETITION FUNDERWEAR RUN LEAD SPONSOR This showcase features 10 comics who hail from the Midwest and are This unique race invites participants to wear their finest (and funniest!) some of the hottest “up-and-coming” comedians around! They will vie for underwear over their running clothes in support of Gilda’s Club Grand the title “2016 Gilda’s LaughFest Best of the Midwest Comedian” and a Rapids! Help us bring laughter and awareness of emotional health to the $2,500 cash prize. streets of Grand Rapids.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM SPONSOR WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE PROJECT With so many venues and events during the 10 days of LaughFest, we need The “What Makes You Smile” project happens in schools, and gives children many volunteers to help out in many different ways before, during, or after the opportunity to sign a smile and share what makes them laugh. The the festival. Your help will be instrumental in creating a successful event and smiles are then displayed prominently in each community. taking good care of the volunteers who dedicate their time to the festival. MCFADDEN’S, WEALTHY THEATRE, or PYRAMID SCHEME FAST PASS SPONSOR STAGE SPONSOR Fast Passes are a key component of the festival, entitling the bearer to LaughFest is proud to present a diverse lineup of programming at a large guaranteed entrance into a variety of free shows during the festival. Fast number of venues across West Michigan. By becoming a stage sponsor at Passes can be picked up from LaughFest Central beginning mid-February. one of our small venues you have the opportunity to be recognized at all There are more than 20,000 Fast Passes produced. programming that takes place at that venue throughout the festival.
IMPROV & SKETCH SERIES SUPER SATURDAY KIDS ZONE LaughFest features more than stand-up comedy! Improv and sketch events Just one of the events in the Family Friendly Series of programming, take place almost every day of the festival at downtown Grand Rapids Super Saturday is a themed kids’ carnival for all ages featuring surprise venues – predominantly at Dog Story Theater and Ladies Literary Club. guests, inflatable games, and much more! All activities, lunch, snacks, and entertainment are included at a low ticket cost. HEADLINER’S CLUB PRESENTING SPONSOR LaughFest is a great opportunity to entertain clients and coworkers alike, LAUGHFEST’S BEST SERIES and Headliner’s Club is the central hospitality space during the ten days So many shows, so little time! Check out LaughFest’s Best to get a little of the festival. Located in “Eve” on the top floor of The B.O.B., Headliner’s sampling of comedians from across the festival. Local, regional, and national Club pass holders can enjoy a beverage, light snacks, and a chance to comics take the stage for this secret lineup of seriously funny folks; you just network before hopping on a LaughFest trolley to a show. never know who is going to stop by!
OPENING SPONSOR PARTY LOWELL SERIES Kicking off the festival in style with laughs, libations, and a toasting to our The Lowell Series includes of a headlining ticketed show, several community sponsors. It’s the start of another hilarious LaughFest on the opening night showcases, kids events, LaughteRx events (focused on the health benefits of of the festival. Details and venue TBD. laughter) and co-programmed LaughFest events that collaborate with Lowell- based arts and cultural organizations such as the Lowell Arts Council. SERIOUSLY FUNNY FAMILY ADVENTURE CHALLENGE This family fun-filled challenge will involve teams (of two or four) racing EDUCATION SERIES across the downtown areas of Grand Rapids to engage in fun and exciting Our education series targets school-age children with programming, timed challenges requiring fast thinking, fast acting, and reckless abandon. contests, and exhibitions that highlight laughter’s role in emotional health and engage students’ creativity in the classroom. Continued INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Continued.
THE CHUCKLERS ($5,000-$9,999) THE GIGGLERS ($2,500-$4,999)
SCHEDULE SPONSOR HEADLINER’S CLUB UNDERWRITER The LaughFest Guide, produced in conjunction with MLive Media Group, LaughFest is a great opportunity to entertain clients and coworkers alike, has a distribution of more than 100,000 pieces and lays out the full festival and Headliner’s Club is the central hospitality space during the ten days schedule. This piece is the “must have” guide to the hundreds of events that of the festival. Located in “Eve” on the top floor of The B.O.B., Headliner’s take place during the 10 days of the festival. Club pass holders can enjoy a beverage, light snacks, and a chance to network before hopping on a LaughFest trolley to attend a show. LOWELL HEADLINER The Lowell headliner is a ticketed comedy show that’s clean in content (yet FUNDERWEAR RUN UNDERWRITER still seriously funny!) and is the largest LaughFest event that takes place in This unique race invites participants to wear their finest (and funniest!) the Lowell Series of programming. underwear over their running clothes in support of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids! Help us bring laughter and awareness of emotional health to the LAKESHORE HEADLINER streets of Grand Rapids. The Holland headliner is a seriously funny event that generally takes place at one of the beautiful venues on Hope College’s campus, and the largest YOUTH SHOWCASE LaughFest event that takes place in the Holland Series of programming. The LaughFest Youth Showcase takes place on the closing day of the festival and brings together and highlights seriously talented children and VOLUNTEER PROGRAM UNDERWRITER their families. Students apply to perform and showcase their talent – We need many volunteers to help out in many different ways before, singers, musicians, comedians, dancers and more! during, or after the festival. Your help will be instrumental in creating a successful event this year and taking good care of the volunteers who LAUGHFEST CENTRAL UNDERWRITER dedicate their time to the festival. LaughFest Central is the headquarters for all things LaughFest before and during the festival. Starting mid-February in downtown Grand Rapids, you KIDS JOKE SERIES can stop in to get information, merchandise, festival tickets, and Fast Passes These pint sized comedians provide enormous laughs for any audience. At to free shows. these events, kids have the opportunity to get up on stage in front of an audience and tell their funniest joke. Kids Joke events take place in Lowell, TROLLEY SPONSOR Holland, and Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids Trolley provides transportation for LaughFest sponsors and VIPs. Departing from Headliner’s Club in Eve at The B.O.B., the trolley runs PEOPLE & PETS UNDERWRITER most nights of the 10-day festival, taking sponsors from show to show. Bring your furry (or not so furry) friends to celebrate how funny pets can be! There will be contests, including pet look alike, best trick, and a costume WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE PROJECT UNDERWRITER contest. There will also be a photo booth, giveaways, entertainment, treats, The “What Makes You Smile” project happens in schools, and gives children and more! the opportunity to sign a smile and share what makes them laugh. The smiles are then displayed prominently in each community for the 10 days FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT UNDERWRITER of LaughFest. LaughFest has seriously funny stuff for kids and families, too! Past family friendly events include Baby Loves Disco, hip hop artist Secret Agent LAUGHTERx SPEAKER UNDERWRITER 23 Skidoo, and kids rock band Milkshake. We aim to cater to all ages of The LaughteRx series is an important track of programming within the children, and these events are part of the Family Friendly Series. festival that specifically focuses on laughter and health. Our speaker series features local, regional, and national experts in this area, discussing BRIAN KELLY PHOTO EXHIBIT SPONSOR the health benefits of laughter and more. Each speaker is available to be Official festival photographer Brian Kelly presents an exhibit of his underwritten. LaughFest portraits throughout the years. Highlighting both LaughFest artists and community leaders, this exhibit is sure to bring a smile to your LAUGHFEST’S BEST UNDERWRITER face. So many shows, so little time! Check out LaughFest’s Best to get a little sampling of comedians from across the festival. Local, regional, and national comics take the stage for this secret lineup of seriously funny folks; you just never know who is going to stop by! KIDS JOKE NIGHT UNDERWRITER These pint sized comedians provide enormous laughs for any audience. At these events, kids have the opportunity to get up on stage in front of an audience and tell their funniest joke. Just think, you can say you knew them when!
COMMUNITY SHOWCASE UNDERWRITER Local, regional, and national talent submit applications for a spot on our community showcases – highlighting first time performers, seasoned veterans, and more. Showcases take place throughout the festival, are free events, and range from stand-up comedy to dance, music, and everything in between!
STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION The LaughFest Student Writing Competition is open to youth K – 12th grade to participate in at no cost. The topic is “What Makes you Laugh.” The top three in each grade category will be awarded prizes and all work will be displayed during the entirety of the festival for LaughFest goers to see.
STUDENT ART COMPETITION The LaughFest Student Art Competition is open to youth K – 12th grade to participate in at no cost. The topic is “What Makes you Laugh.” The top three in each grade category will be awarded prizes and all work will be displayed during the entirety of the festival for LaughFest goers to see.
CLUBHOUSE TOURS UNDERWRITER Come see first-hand what LaughFest is all about. Take a tour of one of our Gilda’s Club locations and learn more about our facilities and programs.
LAUGHTER YOGA UNDERWRITER Laughter Yoga is a unique concept based on the principle of “acting happiness” – tell your body what to do and your mind will follow! SPONSORSHIP ENHANCEMENTS
We love our sponsors – we truly couldn’t do this without you! If you want to take your partnership even further, and give your employees and clients some unique experiences within the festival, we’ve got you covered! These enhancements are available to our sponsors:
HIGH FIVE CORPORATE CHALLENGE Engage your employees in raising support for the free cancer and grief support programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids by participating in the High Five Corporate Challenge. We welcome creativity here, and an example could be a jeans day, where each employee donates $5 to the campaign. All donations are matched dollar for dollar, turning their $5 High Five into $10!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Group volunteer opportunities for employees are available before, during, and after the festival at Gilda’s Club or at festival venues. We can accommodate groups large or small, and can customize an experience to meet your team’s needs – including on-site training as applicable.
GROUP MERCHANDISE PURCHASES Want to deck out your office and employees in LaughFest swag? Want to provide gifts that are sure to make your clients smiles? We’re happy to concierge a LaughFest merchandise order just for you!
PREMIUM TICKET PACKAGES Exclusive to sponsors, these premium packages feature great seats to all of the hottest shows, with or without Headliner’s Club passes. Our ticket concierge will work one on one with you to ensure your selections. These make great employee or client gifts – think holiday bonus!
GROUP TICKET PURCHASES Want to purchase additional tickets to LaughFest shows? Sponsors receive early access to festival single tickets in January. Premium ticket packages are available upon request.
YELLOW UP! Show your LaughFest pride in the office or workplace! We’ll deliver a smile bag filled with everything you need to Yellow Up! your work environment.
GILDA’S 101 We love sharing the mission of Gilda’s Club, and helping better connect the community to who we are and what we do. A member of our team is happy to come to your office for a brief presentation about our organization, the festival, and how the two tie together to impact the lives of people right here in West Michigan.
1806 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 | 616.735.4242 laughfestgr.org