SIGNATURE GATHERING EVENTS

Celebrate community, culture, and connection through signature events that bring together students, professionals, and partners.

Closing Banquet ($50,000 investment)
The Closing Banquet celebrates the students, professionals, and partners who are a part of the AISES journey. The event also pays tribute to the 2026 Professional of the Year winners. Sponsor(s) will be acknowledged in all Conference materials and throughout the Closing Banquet and may distribute materials, such as swag, on each seat. They may also prepare a three-minute video to share at the Closing Banquet. Expected attendance will be 2,500 people.

College & Career Fair Lunch ($50,000 investment or 5 co-sponsors at $10,000 each)
Sponsors of the College & Career Fair Lunch will be recognized during the event, in the Conference program, and on signage in front of the exhibit hall and lunch service area. Sponsors are welcome to give a brief audience
address (2 minutes) during the lunch hour.

Keynote Breakfast ($30,000 investment)
Host a Keynote Breakfast session for up to 200 Conference attendees (can be offered to a targeted audience), which features a speaker selected in partnership with AISES. Sponsors will receive a table for 10, and a sponsor
representative will open the session with a brief introduction.

Plenary Luncheon ($30,000 investment)
Host a Plenary Luncheon session for 200 Conference attendees (can be offered to a targeted audience) with a featured presentation/discussion on a highly dynamic topic relevant to AISES members. Content must be developed in collaboration with AISES. There is on-stage and signage recognition of the sponsor at the start of the Plenary Luncheon. Branded giveaways can be distributed at this event.

Kick-Off Event ($25,000 investment)
Help AISES kick-off the 2026 National Conference by sponsoring the T-shirt exchange and gathering. This event will be held on Wednesday evening before the Conference begins.

Student Awards Ceremony ($25,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $12,500 each)
The Student Awards Reception (for up to 250 students) pays tribute to the Conference research presentation winners and AISES scholarship recipients. Sponsor(s) will be acknowledged in the Conference program and will have the opportunity to give a brief (3 minutes) address during the luncheon.

Corporate Advisory Council and Tribal Nations Advisory Council Reception ($20,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $10,000 each)
This event brings together corporate and tribal leaders to network, explore partnership opportunities, discuss AISES engagement, and more. The sponsor will be acknowledged in the Conference program and invited to make welcoming remarks at the mixer.

Graduate Student Reception ($20,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $10,000 each)
AISES Graduate Student Mixer brings students who are pursuing an advanced degree together for a meaningful networking event. Sponsor(s) will have an opportunity to address the participants and have visibility throughout the evening and in Conference materials.

Professional Networking Reception ($15,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $7,500 each)
The AISES Professional Members gathering is an exciting event that brings together hundreds of individuals from various backgrounds and industry areas. Sponsor(s) will have an opportunity to address the participants and have visibility throughout the evening and in Conference materials.

Student Social ($15,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $7,500 each)
This fun-filled social event will include entertainment, dancing, and snacks on Friday night during the National Conference. Sponsor(s) will receive prominent visibility throughout the evening and may distribute a giveaway item.

Traditional Native Social Powwow ($15,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $7,500)
Sponsor the traditional cultural event scheduled on Saturday evening. This is the ‘grand finale’ Conference event at which attendees and local community members socialize, and vendors sell merchandise. Sponsors have the opportunity to make remarks to attendees at the Powwow.

Networking Hospitality Suites ($10,000 investment)
This open-house style networking event, held on Thursday evening, offers a series of simultaneous receptions for Conference participants to meet others with shared interests and careers. It is a casual networking opportunity that precedes the College and Career Fair. Many use this time to meet and mingle with students and to set up meetings and interviews. Sponsors will be acknowledged in the Conference program and on signage at each suite location/entrance.

KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS

Invest in educational programming, research competitions, and professional development opportunities that advance Indigenous excellence in STEM.

Professional Awards Program ($30,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $15,000 each)
Help AISES celebrate Indigenous STEM professionals through the 2026 Professional Awards Program, honoring winners in the following categories: Executive Excellence, Technical Excellence, Most Promising Engineer or Scientist, Blazing Flame, and an overall Professional of the Year. Sponsors will receive acknowledgment in the Conference program and during the awards presentation at the Closing Banquet.

PK-12 Educator Day ($25,000 investment or co-sponsorship $12,500 each)
Invest in an initiative that equips PK-12 educators with tools, resources, and strategies to serve Indigenous students in STEM better. The event features keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and hands-on sessions focused on culturally relevant STEM education. Sponsors will be recognized throughout Conference materials, with branding opportunities throughout the day.

Bison Bump Business Plan Challenge ($20,000 investment)
Invest in a dynamic competition that inspires AISES college students to develop breakthrough business ideas rooted in culture, innovation, and sustainability. The challenge highlights disruptive solutions that can scale through community support. Sponsor logo will be featured in event materials and the Conference program. Sponsor will have a designated 5-minute timeslot to address the room.

Hackathon ($20,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $10,000 each)
Sponsors of this social coding event spark creativity and ingenuity among Native students and bring together computer programmers and others in a fun and competitive environment. Hackathons fuel innovation, showcase technology, and offer hands-on learning and support.

STEM Activities Day ($20,000 investment)
This is a pre-conference event targeting pre-college students (middle and high school) with hands-on programming and interactive sessions. A portion of the sponsorship will be utilized for give-away items for students in attendance.

Student Study Lounge ($15,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $7,500 each)
Support our student scholars by sponsoring the Study Lounge. The space will be equipped with Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and refreshments for students who wish to take a study break throughout each day of the three-day conference.

Graduate Student Research Oral and Poster Competitions ($10,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $5,000)
Graduate, undergraduate, and pre-college students submit written abstracts and present their research using a poster or oral competition format. Submissions are evaluated by a committee of STEM professionals. Sponsors will receive acknowledgment in the Conference program, at the on-site competition location, and during the Student Awards Luncheon.

Resume Room ($10,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $5,000 each)
The Resume Room is available to students on Thursday and Friday during the National Conference. The room is equipped with computers and printers, and it is staffed by experts from sponsoring organizations and professionals. Here, participants will fine-tune their resumes for upload to the AISES Resume Database and for distribution at the College and Career Fair.

Undergraduate Student Research Oral and Poster Competitions ($10,000 investment or 2 co-sponsors at $5,000)
Sponsors will receive acknowledgment in the Conference program, at the on-site competition location, and during the Student Awards Luncheon.

Industry Partner Tours ($7,500 investment)
AISES coordinates various Industry Partner Tours for students and/or professionals. Sponsorship covers transportation and advertising. Companies who are sponsoring the tours receive acknowledgment in all materials, including the Conference website, e-announcements, and social media. Limited availability- contact sponsors@ aises.org for more information.

Pre-College Student Poster Competition ($5,000 investment)
Sponsors will receive acknowledgment in the Conference program, at the on-site presentation location, and during the Student Awards Luncheon.

Session Tracks ($5,000 investment)
One session is included for the session track sponsor. Sponsors may select from the following:

• Art, Architecture, and Design
• Biological Sciences
• Community Building
• Computer and Information Science Engineering
• Education and Student Success
• Engineering
• Environmental Science and Sustainability
• Health and Medical Sciences
• Indigenous Knowledge
• Mathematical and Physical Sciences
• Professional and Workforce Development
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• STEM and Business

Student Orientation ($5,000 investment)
Provide welcoming remarks (5 minutes) at the orientation for pre-college and college students Conference attendees.

Sequoyah Fellowship Sponsorship ($1,000 investment)
The Sequoyah Fellowship is a lifetime commitment to the AISES mission of increasing Indigenous representation in STEM fields. Sponsoring a Sequoyah Fellow ensures that future generations of Indigenous students and professionals will receive a lifetime of support. As a sponsor, you’ll be invited to join us at the annual Sequoyah Ceremony to honor our new Sequoyah’s and welcome them to the fellowship.

Become a Sponsor

Gemstone Sponsorship provides the broadest visibility to your organization, while also supporting AISES’ mission to convene its membership. The AISES National Conference is the largest gathering of Native STEM students and professionals and includes the largest career fair in Indian Country.

PACKAGES:

• $100,000 Medallion
• $75,000 Jade
• $50,000 Turquoise
• $30,000 Coral
• $20,000 Lapis
• $10,000 Onyx

For more details:
View the Partnership Guide
 

AISES offers special sponsorship opportunity for Tribes, Native Businesses and Native Nonprofits.

AISES offers special sponsorship opportunity for Academic Institutions.

Conference Partnership Contacts

Corporate and Native Circle Sponsorships
Kellie Jewett-Fernandez (Cheyenne River Lakota)
Vice President of Business Development
kjfernandez@aises.org

Corporate and Government Sponsorships
Taylor Kingsbery (Chickasaw Nation/ Choctaw Nation)
Senior Director of Business Development
tkingsbery@aises.org

Exhibit Booth Sales, Advertising Sales, and Other Sponsorships
Candace McDonough
Senior Development Officer
cmcdonough@aises.org
857.299.6559

Sponsor Support
Brianna Starks
Business Development Manager
sponsors@aises.org

Exhibitor Support
Taylor KnifeChief (Navajo)
Business Development Coordinator
exhibitors@aises.org

College and Career Fair Exhibit Decorator
Convention Services of the Southwest (CSS)
Trade Show Event Contractor
esr@cssabq.com
505.243.9889