Begin the 2012 Olympic Year by Dining with an Olympian. Join your friends at the Gainesville Sports Commission Annual Meeting.

Join the Gainesville Sports Commission along with Olympic and world champion swimmer, Cullen Jones, at the GSC Annual Meeting presented by Shands HealthCare. This year, we celebrate our 24th year of service to the community through sports tourism and quality of life initiatives. Your attendance supports our effort to teach kids to swim. Working with Gainesville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (PRCA), we will ensure that kids in Alachua County have an opportunity to learn to swim and reinforce this message to about 150 kids who will attend the dinner as our guests.

Why?	It’s pretty striking and simple: 70% of African American kids can’t swim; 60% of Hispanic kids can’t swim; and Caucasian children aren’t immune—42% of them can’t swim either.  In Florida these numbers are frightening due to the great number of public and private swimming pools, hot tubs, springs, natural and man-made retention ponds, lakes, rivers and oceans.  Many of our most compelling amenities are unfortunately death traps for kids and others who can’t swim.
Who:	Featuring Cullen Jones, Olympic and World Champion Swimmer
What:	Gainesville Sports Commission Annual Meeting
When:	January 26th, 2012 Reception for non-sponsor atttendees  6:00-7:00 Dinner 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where:	Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville
Why:	To raise funds for the GSC and the Gainesville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Learn-to-  Swim Program
Cost:	Tickets  $90 (Individual), $150 (Couples)
Dress:	Business Casual

An ambassador for African-American swimmers, Jones aims to shatter stereotypes one lap at a time, eager to spread his message that African-American kids can swim, too. Cullen started making history when he became the first African-American to break a swimming world record and to win a gold medal at the World University Games. Today, he continues to make history by working with the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make-a-Splash Program. Cullen is dedicated to helping minorities learn how to swim. A talented and dynamic speaker, Cullen has spoken to universities, corporations and non-profits on his Olympic experiences and overcoming the odds. The Gainesville Sports Commission (GSC) now brings him to speak to young kids, business leaders, and sports supporters at the 2012 GSC Annual Meeting sponsored by Shands HealthCare. His story as an African-American who narrowly survived drowning as a child to become a world record holder and Olympic champion provides the motivational message needed to encourage kids to not only learn to swim but to choose swimming as part of a life-long healthy lifestyle.

Attendees at the GSC Annual Meeting will have a great time, hear an important message and contribute to our efforts teaching kids to swim. You will also be doing your part to save lives.

The meeting will be honoring community sports leaders in addition to featuring Cullen Jones. 

Sponsorship Opportunities

(Note:  Current Gainesville Sports Commission members will be contacted by GSC staff to determine annual meeting table and sponsor upgrade opportunities and potential discounts)                                                      

$8000 (Presenting) SOLD.  THANK YOU SHANDS HEALTHCARE

• Inclusion of name/logo on all annual meeting promotional materials
• Recognition on Screen and mentions during annual meeting
• Recognition throughout 2012 in promotion of learn-to-swim efforts in Alachua County
• 2 Tables of 10 (seating for 20 total directly in front of dais during dinner)
• Tables with your logo and place settings with your guest names
• Invitations to 5 couples to private meet and greet function with Cullen Jones (open bar and hors d’hoeuvres, photo opportunity with Cullen Jones)

$4000 (Platinum) Three Available

• Inclusion of name/logo on program
• Recognition on Screen and mention during annual meeting
• Recognition throughout 2012 in promotion of learn-to-swim efforts in Alachua County
• 2 Table of 8 (seating for 16 total in secondary position to Presenting Sponsor during dinner)
• Tables with your logo and place settings with your guest names
• Invitations to 4 couples to private meet and greet function with Cullen Jones (open bar and hors d’hoeuvres, photo opportunity with Cullen Jones) 

$2500 (Gold) Five Available

• Inclusion of name on program with others at this level
• Recognition on Screen and mention during annual meeting
• Recognition throughout 2012 in promotion of learn-to-swim efforts in Alachua County
• 1 Table of 8 (seating for 8 total in secondary position to Presenting  and Platinum Sponsors during dinner)
• Invitations to 3 couples to private meet and greet function with Cullen Jones (open bar and hors d’hoeuvres, photo opportunity with Cullen Jones)

$1500 (Silver) Eight Available

• Inclusion of name on program with others at this level
• Recognition on Screen and mention during annual meeting
• Recognition throughout 2012 in promotion of learn-to-swim efforts in Alachua County
• 1 Table of 8 (seating for 8 total in secondary position to Presenting  and Platinum Sponsors during dinner)
• Invitations to 2 couples to private meet and greet function with Cullen Jones (open bar and hors d’hoeuvres, photo opportunity with Cullen Jones) 

$720  Table 

• Inclusion of name on program with others at this level
• 1 Table of 8 (seating for 8 total in secondary position to Sponsors at higher level during dinner)
• Invitations to 1 couple to private meet and greet function with Cullen Jones (open bar and hors d’hoeuvres, photo opportunity with Cullen Jones)