Virtual Expo Exhibiter and Sponsor Pack

AUSTRALIA’S DISABILITY CONNECTION - VIRTUAL EXPO

The Disability Connection Virtual Expo, powered by VFairs (the #1 virtual event platform on the internet), will provide an instant, real-life, connectivity, with 24/7 access. Service providers across Australia, whether you’re metropolitan, rural and regionally based, will be able to share and access information and resources through videos, articles-and brochures. You can even interact in real-time with participants and schedule appointments.

Although it is a Virtual Expo, If you think it’s just about the Virtual Expo, you’ve missed the point. We have created an information and resource platform that connects providers with participants, providers with providers and participants with participants, whilst everyone shares their best ideas on specific disability sector topics, from;

• NDIS Essentials

• Audits and core service provider tasks

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Support Staff Core Skills

• Behaviour Support

• And much more - what topics would you like to present on?

These Live Topic Days are held every 1-2 months and are the draw card that makes the Disability Connection Virtual Expo a hive of valuable information for everyone within the sector. For providers that get involved, if you’re doing something that’s working and others need to know about it - then this is the place for you!

Additionally, each week, Virtual Exhibitors and Sponsors will have the opportunity to be interviewed in areas they specialise in that are addressing hot topics in the sector. These interviews will be turned into video content and written articles that can be found within the platform via keyword searching, and they will be shared to tens of thousands of people via social media, press releases, Google and our website

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• Once you register as an exhibitor, in less than 10 minutes you can set yourself up by simply dragging and dropping logos and content into your virtual booth to become accessible instantly.

• You can use existing content (like brochures, articles, videos) to add into your virtual booth, or you can create new content (such as a welcome video) and add that into your booth.

• This is an information platform, we are looking for stories and providers that have an opinion of industry issues. At any time you can fill out the Hot Topic form to submit for a video interview on that topic with co-founder, River Night. This interview will be turned into different forms of content and is released regularly throughout the month.

• Additionally, every 1-2 months, we hold *Live Topic Days where you can get involved to share content about a specific topic.

• Exhibitors are given preferential priority to submit pre-recorded content to these topic days, increasing your brand awareness and visibility both locally and in new regions.

• Whether you contribute content via the Hot Topic form, or through our Live Topic days, all of this content can sit on your virtual booth, and placed all across your website and social media channels positioning you as an industry advocate.

• You can register for one State or multiple States.

• There is a 7 step marketing process where visitors and exhibitors that are part of our 36,000+ community are regularly invited to get involved in the Virtual Expo platform.

• If you create content for these Live Topic Days, you can add that into your virtual booth so visitors understand your depth of knowledge and experience.

• Your virtual booth will be set up in a way where visitors can not just find out about your organisation, but they can book times to speak with you and you’re able to demonstrate the value you add whilst being accessible 24/7.

*See the last page for a full list of the upcoming Live Topic Days.

“Our Virtual Expos are a fantastic platform for providers to position themselves as experts and to help them build brand awareness in regions that they are expanding intoin a cost-effective way”

- Mike Clark, Co-Founder

TOP BENEFITS TO EXHIBITING AT OUR VIRTUAL DISABILITY CONNECTION EXPO

1. Stand Out - Raise your visibility and connect with participants and fellow providers

2. Share your Expertise - Showcase your skills and contribute content as part of our Topic Days

3. Low Cost Continuous Exposure - Gain 24hr/day 365 a year exposure

4. Easy Access and Set Up - It is easy to setup your booth or have one of our team do it for you

5. Local & Relevant - Connect with people who are looking for the right services in the right place

6. Expand Into New Regions - Use our Virtual platform to build a community in a new region and make connections

AS A PROVIDER, YOUR VIRTUAL EXPO PACKAGE INCLUDES

• Selection of booth type (there are 4 different options)

• Ability to share a range of content including:

1. Company branding around your virtual booth

2. Video

3. Brochure/Flyer to giveaway

4. Chat function

5. Plus additional add ons to give you a bespoke approach

• Simple ‘How to’ set up videos (set up can be done in 8mins)

• 24/7 support desk

• Opportunity to create content via the Hot Topic interviews and live topic days

• Plus many more features

Set up time for your booth is simple, in just 8 minutes you can be up and running. But we’re also here to support you if you need a helping hand.

PLATFORM FEATURES

Over 36,000 physical expo visitors have free access day one as part of the Developing Australian Communities community, Each visitor will regularly join the platform. This is a free platform for visitors and those wanting to explore the halls, auditoriums and great resources available. Visitors will be drawn in by information to then connect with service providers and options all over Australia. It can be accessed internationally also and there will be great content from all over the world.

In each hall we have exhibitors with virtual booths for visitors to review and explore service options. We also host a variety of advocacy and charity groups that support participants and great causes in your region.

The roll out of the virtual expo platform is in major capitals to start and then the regional halls will open in each state, so that people can access options local to them.

With thousands of service providers registered in Australia with NDIS and thousands of unregistered services and professionals, our showcase expos provide the largest NDIS and disability related events in Australia to narrow down options to hundreds in each state. Stay connected all year long through the virtual platform.

Sponsors showcase their knowledge, information, programs and offerings at each event for participants. The search for services, changing service providers, exercising choice and control and finding those much needed resources does not stop after a 2 day event. The virtual expo allows participants to find service provider options 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in their region, participants can access information and providers whenever they want to.

VIRTUAL EXPO KEY FEATURES

Website or App

Lobby Area

Virtual Expo Halls

Live chat at expo booths

The Virtual Platform looks great on a desktop computer as it shows all the cool graphics and visuals well. For use on your mobile phone, download the app and check all the features easily and visitors can stay in touch with service providers on the move.

In the lobby you will see the halls and rooms that you can enter. We also have sponsor highlights, links and content that visitors may find interesting. Check out the walls as ads, highlights and content are there to take visitors to important areas or videos.

You can see a picture of Australia in the Lobby in the centre. This shows the states and regions. Visitors can click on the one they want to go to, from State to region to exhibitor. In each hall we also provide links to any magazines from recent events in that State.

Participants and service providers can connect live in the service provider’s booth via a live text or video chat option. As a virtual exhibitor, you won’t always have staff available for live chat but you can show who is available and when. There are also advertised live days where you can present content and have virtual expo booths staffed just like a face to face event. Visitors can chat, talk and connect with you all from the comfort of their home or anywhere they have internet access.

Live Feed

Exhibitors are given the opportunity to share updates, *promote services and let visitors know of new resources or content they’ve created. Visitors can subscribe to the live feed and will be notified of updates to then go back into the platform and visit the exhibitors booth for that update. *Exhibitors are limited to one ad per week, but unlimited shares around information and content that is valuable

Referral and Appointment Booking

Documents and Video

Expo Bag

Message us option at booths

Social Media and Other Links

Keyword

Search and Finding Providers

As a virtual exhibitor, you can have a link for visitors to make appointments with you. This link can even show when you are available and are available to connect.

As an exhibitor you can have a variety of documents to review at your booth about your different offerings and programs. You can also provide video content and even record introductions on video so participants can get to know you and your team.

At the top of the page visitors will find the Expo Bag feature. Whenever visitors look at documents, video and other content from your booth, they simply press the ‘+ Expo Bag’ button to download your content. Visitors can then view them again or get them emailed directly to themselves.

If visitors wake in the middle of the night and are interested in connecting with your organisation or are using the platform on the weekend and no one is available, they can click on the ‘message us’ option and send an enquiry message directly to you to follow up

You can have links to your Facebook pages and other websites. This allows you to showcase areas of your organisation and to drive traffic to certain pages.

You can have a list of keywords that relate to the types of services you have and the locations you operate in, so visitors can simply enter a service provider name, service type or area to find you. Exhibitors are also listed alphabetically in each hall and visitors can scrawl along to find you.

Information desk The information desk will hold links for videos explaining how the system works, updates, documents and magazines from other events. We will update it slowly with key links and reminders about face to face events.

Leader board and Competitions

There is a function for having points collected by visitors each time they click on things and do things in the platform, like a treasure hunt or features, content and things placed in the areas. Sponsors and exhibitors can nominate offers or prizes that could be drawn each month with the top 20 leaderboard/entries going in a draw.

Live Events and On Demand Content

In the auditorium there will be live days where we will be running free events for people to access nationally and internationally including,

• Live topics days for visitors with top speakers from locally and from around the world

• Exhibitors/Sponsors can contribute content to weekly interviews on relevant industry topics and discussion points

• Live professional development days for service providers and professionals

• National and State online conferences and events

• Meet exhibitor and sponsor days and stand alone sessions

• Sector announcement and updates from agencies and key stakeholders

• Think tank events

And much more. All content is saved so that you can look at the on demand area and view anything you missed.

7 STEP MARKETING PLAN - ATTRACTING VISITORS

Below is the 7 step marketing plan to attract a consistent stream of visitors to the platform at all hours of the day.

1. Email Blasts - we have a database of over 30,000 visitors, they will be regularly invited to join the platform and all of them will be given login details at the launch

2. Live Topic Days - each month our Live Topic Days will be promoted through emails, social media and PR to attract a consistent stream of visitors

3. On Demand Content - Providers/Sponsors will be given the opportunity to hold video interviews of relevant industry issues, these along with the Live Topic Days will produce a consistent flow of video content that will be accessible 24/7 on the platform and shared across Google and social media

4. Social Media - aside from the On Demand Content, we will have a range of social media posts inviting visitors to the platform

5. PR/Media - with our in-house Press Release service, we’ll have regular Press Releases attracting visitors

6. Partnerships - there will be regular promotions of partners, exhibitors and sponsors inviting people into the Virtual Expo platform

7. Blog Articles - each month we’ll be creating dozens of articles of the top questions people are asking on Google about NDIS topics. These questions will turn into blog articles to promote the Topic Days.

SPECIAL LAUNCH OFFER!

If you register as an exhibitor by the 30th of September 2023, you will be given 35% off virtual expo booths and packages will range from 3 to 12 months.

BENEFITS OF JOINING NOW

• Amazing discounts

• Create content and share your expertise and demonstrate how you can truly help others

• Priortiy preference of providing content for Live Topic Days and Hot Topics

• Unlimited access to ALL regions throughout your State

• Start connecting with participants and providers instantly, 24hrs/day

• Be a pioneer in the sector and help blaze a new pathway to connect with participants and family members

SCAN THE QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE & TO REGISTER

THE PACKAGES

*Regional and State-wide packages will soon be available

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PRODUCTS

BOOTH SETUP - $149

Not tech savvy? No need to worry, we have you covered, let our team of techies set your booth up for you.

PREMIUM BOOTH PLACEMENT - $497/Quarter or $1,697/Year

Want to appear in the first 10 booths for the State you’re in? Just like the top searches of Google generate a majority of views, being in the first 10 booths means you’ll get the lion’s share of views

ABOUT US VIDEO - $997

60-120 second introductory video, introducing the exhibitor, what they do and inviting the visitor to get in touch. This will sit on the exhibitor’s virtual booth

MARKETING SOLUTIONS

We can support your content creation needs. Ask our team for the range of content writing, video production and social media services we can provide.

WHO SHOULD GET INVOLVED?

• The virtual expo is designed for all disability service providers to unite and connect with participants and providers, to share and support each other through the NDIS journey.

• Each exhibit is an opportunity to increase connection, engagement and provide valuable information, solutions, goods and services - all at the end of visitors’ fingers!

• If you’re a provider that has value to share and add to others - this is the perfect opportunity for you. People can tune into your insights 24/7, 365 days a year

• Our Virtual Expo is a safe space to reach out and help but also make vital CONNECTIONS with visitors and their carers eager to make sense of the NDIS and their goals and plans.

• There are plenty of opportunities to CONNECT and change lives.

• Providers who are looking for more participant, provider and employee connections - these individuals are all on the platform looking for opportunities

• If you’re looking for exposure to new participants, providers and even new staff, within your local region, or to support expanding into new regions - this is the place for you.

• If you’re looking to expand into a new region, use the Virtual Expo to build your digital presence before your physical presence.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

We have a limited number of exclusive sponsorship opportunities available. If you’re looking to be seen within the sector that you represent, check out these opportunities. All prices mentioned are exclusive of GST. All sponsor packages do not include a virtual expo booth. These are purchased separately. All prices exclude GST

AUSTRALIA-WIDE NAMING SPONSOR

Normally $49,997 for 6 months, launch special just $27,997

If you are looking to be positioned as the Service Provider that has an Australian-wide footprint, then this is the opportunity for you. There is only one Australia-Wide Naming Sponsor and you will be given the prestigious opportunity for the entire Virtual Expo to be named after your organisation - the Virtual Disability Connection Expo sponsored by [YOUR NAME].

IT INCLUDES;

• The exclusive Virtual Expo naming rights on all platforms and media whenever the Virtual Expo is mentioned

• Branding in the first page once people login, outside of the convention centre

• Branding, logo placement and offer in a prime location on the 2nd page that every visitor visits, the lobby

• Branding on the email signature of every email when sent as a national broadcast

• Branding and logo on the map of Australia where visitors select which region they wish to visit

• Branded car in the lobby area

• You get one Press Release as part of your sponsorship package, you can submit more stories for Press Releases and have them written and distributed to media outlets within your region for the reduced rate of $397 per Press Release

• The purchase of your booth is still required, however, a 12 month booth purchase will give you a booth in each State around Australia.

• Exclusive #tag for your organisation so that all social media posts are visible inside the virtual expo

• Premium booth placement - your booth will appear as the first or second booth each the hall for every State around Australia

STATE HALL NAMING SPONSOR Normally $24,997 for 6 months, launch special just

$14,997

Each State Exhibitor Hall will have a Naming Sponsor. If you’re looking to be seen as the number one provider in your State, this is the sponsorship opportunity for you. Your branding will be positioned on every page within the hall you represent.

IT INCLUDES;

• Exclusive naming rights to the State you’re sponsoring, for the defined period of time - Queensland Disability Connection Virtual Expo, sponsored by [YOUR NAME]

• Social media and promotional materials for your State will have your naming rights associated to them

• Branded email signatures for any emails

• Your company name and logo on the Australian hall exhibitor map for the State you’re sponsoring

• When you click on the State that you’re sponsoring, your logo will appear in the top left hand corner whenever a booth is visited

• You get one Press Release as part of your sponsorship package, you can submit more stories for Press Releases and have them written and distributed to media outlets within your region for the reduced rate of $397 per Press Release

• The purchase of your booth is still required, however, a 12 month booth purchase will give you a booth in each Region within your State.

• Exclusive #tag for your organisation so that all social media posts are visible inside the virtual expo

• Your booth will be the first booth in the hall of the State you’re promoting

REGIONAL HALL NAMING SPONSOR

Normally $9,997 for 6 months, launch special just $6,997

There are several regions inside each State. These regions will have their own hall with the option for it to be named after a provider or organisation. If you’re looking to be seen as the prime provider in your local region, this is your opportunity to raise your profile and be visible to participants and providers. This level of the sponsorship is ideal for a provider that’s looking to expand into another Town or City, or if a provider already has a strong footprint across a region.

IT INCLUDES;

• Exclusive naming rights to the Region you’re sponsoring, for the defined period of time - South East Queensland Disability Connection Virtual Expo sponsored by [YOUR NAME]

• Social media and promotional materials for your Region will have your naming rights associated to them

• Branded email signatures for any emails

• Your company name and logo on the State hall exhibitor map for the region you’re sponsoring

• When you click on the Region that you’re sponsoring, your logo will appear in the top left hand corner whenever a booth is visited (along with the State Naming Sponsor, who’s logo will be in the top right hand corner)

• You get one Press Release as part of your sponsorship package, you can submit more stories for Press Releases and have them written and distributed to media outlets within your region for the reduced rate of $397 per Press Release

• The purchase of your booth is still required, however, a 12 month booth purchase will give you a booth in each Town/ City within your region.

• Exclusive #tag for your region so that all social media posts are visible inside the virtual expo

• Your booth will be the first booth in the hall of the Region you’re sponsoring

LEADER BOARD PRIZE

Normally $2,500 a month launch special just $1,497 a month

• Each month, visitors will be rewarded with points by visiting Virtual Expo exhibitor booths and accessing their content and resources.

• There will be a live leaderboard ranking all the visitors based on how many points they have earned. This leaderboard will be sponsored by your organisation. It will read, Scavenger Hunt Leaderboard sponsored by [Your Organisation]

• Whenever this leaderboard is mentioned via our social media and other channels, your name will be associated with the month you’ve sponsored

• You will have the opportunity to offer a winning prize/s to the winners

TOPIC NAMING SPONSOR

Normally $10,997, launch special just $5,997

For each topic day, there will be one exclusive Topic Naming Sponsor that will be given the naming rights to that particular topic. If you have an area of expertise that you’d like to be known for, this is the sponsorship opportunity for you.

THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES;

• Exclusive naming rights to the Topic Day - NDIS Essentials, sponsored by [YOUR NAME]

• All video content will have your branding associated with it. Many providers will be creating video content for each topic day, so this will give you great exposure.

• Consistent Branding - in the build up to each Topic Day, there will be consistent social media posts and email shots to the database. Each post will have your branding associated with it.

• Topic Day Introduction - to kick off each Topic Day, a leader of the Topic Naming Sponsor will have the opportunity to open the Topic Day and share a bit about their organisation

• Live Q&A panel - as part of each Topic Day, we’ll have a live Q&A panel of topic experts. You’ll have an exclusive opportunity to be part of this panel discussion along with fellow experts on that topic.

• Priority Topic Day Video Placement - after each Topic Day, there will be a list of video content for visitors to consume. Your video will be first on that list, dramatically increasing your visibility

• You’ll be given a National Press Release to raise awareness for your brand

TOPIC GOLD SPONSOR

Normally $4,997, launch special just $2,997

For each topic day, there will be one exclusive Topic Naming Sponsor that will be given the naming rights to that particular topic. If you have an area of expertise that you’d like to be known for, this is the sponsorship opportunity for you.

THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES;

• Logo and Brand Placement - each video that’s created for a Topic Day will have a slide with the logos of all Topic Support Sponsors. This means your branding will be seen by everyone who watches the videos on that topic.

• Topic Day Introduction - to kick off each Topic Day, a leader of the Topic Support Sponsor will have the opportunity to be involved in the opening of the Topic Day and share a bit about their organisation

• Live Q&A panel - as part of each Topic Day, we’ll have a live Q&A panel of topic experts. You’ll have an exclusive opportunity to be part of this panel discussion along with fellow experts on that topic.

• You will have second priority video placement - your video content will be directly underneath the Topic Naming Sponsor video in the list of videos for that Topic Day

TOPIC DAYS

Below are the confirmed Topic Days for

TOPIC DESCRIPTION

NDIS Essentials

Support Coordination, Local Area Coordinators and finding service providers. An introduction to navigating and making the most of your funds, working with Support Coordinators and Regional versus Metro tips

Audits and core service provider tasks

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Support Staff Core skills

Top tips and shares from leading providers

Including a range of local and international experts

Records, incident reports, communications, boundaries, key behaviour and skills all support staff need and common mistakes made by new staff – service providers sharing their workforce strategies and top tips at an organisation level and at a support worker level

Behaviour Support TBC

Working with stakeholders Challenges, key insights from top providers, who are the stakeholders every service provider must engage well. Professionals, Guardians, Family and Participant.

Guardianship and Carers Day

Invite Carer Groups to present eg Carers Qld

Delivering SIL, ILO and SDA based services

Tips, experience shares from leading providers, key challenges and mistakes service providers make and how to succeed. Managing risks and supporting common challenges in support settings – mediation, diet, coordinating life and day to day supports, juggling staff and navigating the knowns and unknowns.

Stakeholders

Understanding who does what in the NDIS and Disability Space – have a presentation from each area explaining roles, limits and how each stakeholder fits together – EG have a service provider, psychiatrist, allied health professionals, support coordinator, LAC, NDIS delegate, Advocate, Hospital, Plan Manager, Equipment agency, Mainstream Mental Health Services

Guardianship, restrictive practices, choice and control, decision making and rights.

Navigating competing obligations and balancing participant rights and formal guardianship/statutory roles.

TOPIC DESCRIPTION

Diet, meal support, shopping and developing independence

The tricky, uncomfortable but perfectly normal parts of life that service providers and staff find challenging.

Carers and Guardians Supporting Teens and Adults with Disability

Carers, Guardians and Participants

Top tips from providers on how to get this in place and work well for your participants.

Let’s explore regulations, policy, morals, values and why people find these things so tricky, especially

• Sex

• Identity

• Drugs and alcohol

• Risk aversion

• Independence and service provider boundaries

• Friends and relationships

Navigating relationships, sex and sexuality, identity and leaving the nest

Expectations you should have for your service providers; Incident management, right of access to information, consent and decision making, approving restrictive practices and behaviour support strategies, safety and standards, service decisions and budgets, choice and control in practical terms