Heartland Gaming Expo
April 8-9, 2017
Presented by The University of Tulsa
Reynolds Center, Tulsa, OK
Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities
Overview
The Heartland Gaming Expo in Tulsa, Oklahoma, invites students of all ages from
Oklahoma and the surrounding states to participate in three areas of competition during
the weekend event. The expo features tutorials, speakers and vendor exhibits while
providing a platform for student competitors, visitors and organizations to network and
promote creativity and growth in the local technology industry.
About
Now in its fifth year, HGE has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the premier
gaming shows in the Midwest and one of the largest student-centric gaming competitions
in the country. This year, the expo will be held in The University of Tulsa’s Reynolds
Center.
Similar to previous years, HGE will host three primary student-focused competitions:
Game Showcase, Gallery Show and Code Jam. HGE also will feature live-streamed talks and
tutorials, gaming exhibits and outdoor activities such as food trucks, laser tag and liveaction role playing.
Key Features of HGE 2017
 Family friendly event – At the heart of HGE are the students who participate. We
pull out all the stops to ensure they are rewarded for their efforts and encouraged to
pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
 Educational Opportunity – We invite industry experts to discuss their experiences
and share tips, and we offer tutorials targeting every skill and age level. Our
message is simple: If you want to do it, you can.
 Employee Recruitment – Computer games are meant to be fun, but they require
immense ability and skill. Game developers are an elite breed with knowledge that
spans software development, hardware design, math, physics, art, music and story
design. In other words, they are the ultimate employees because they adapt to
company needs.
 Company Marketing – Last year, we attracted a crowd of more than 1,500 from
one of the most difficult target markets: 15 to 25 year olds. This year, we expect to
increase our attendance by engaging new demographics through community
outreach programs.
Featured Presenter
Niklas “Smedis” Smedberg holds a master’s degree in computer science from the KTH
Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. He has 20 years of experience
working in the game industry and is currently working on the Unity Game Engine as a
principal graphics engineer in the Emergent Technologies group at Unity. He also has held
positions at Epic Games working on the Unreal Engine, the Gears of War series and
Unreal Tournament 3. At Pandemic Studios, he was an engine programmer for Full
Spectrum Warrior and Saboteur.
Recruiting Opportunity
HGE provides a unique opportunity for companies to find and recruit talent. Unlike a
standard job fair that draws potential employees from an individual school or area, our
expo attracts students and professionals from across the Midwest.
HGE is designed to showcase the talents of our participants through direct interaction
with their products. In the Game Showcase division, 300 competitors are expected,
ranging from elementary school students to professional indie developers. The Gallery
Show participants are talented artists and designers. The Code Jam places teams in a highpressure environment with time constraints where proper coordination and
communication are essential to success.
HGE is the ideal event for meeting prospective employees who are prepared to work in
nearly any job in the technology industry.
Marketing Opportunity
HGE offers wonderful opportunities to market your
company and its products. The expo attracts 2,000
spectators from nearly every demographic.
The traffic flow of the event is designed to place
exhibitors and vendors in the center of the action.
Sponsors at the Bronze level or higher will receive
booth space (varies in size by sponsorship level) and are eligible for marketing
opportunities related to HGE. Benefits range from logo display to recognition as a major
sponsor on all marketing materials. Our marketing plan includes web, social media and
newspaper advertising. Sponsorship levels and benefits are listed on the next page, and
individual sponsors may request tailored marketing packages to fit their needs.
Making an Impact
Since the expo’s first year in 2013, the region’s gaming industry has grown. Computer
science programs at Owasso, Broken Arrow, Union and Tulsa Public Schools are attracting
new waves of students. In 2016, TU collaborated with TPS and the Tulsa Coding Club to
help more than 100 elementary school students from at-risk schools showcase the
computer games they created. HGE provides students an avenue to express themselves
through programming, story-telling, art and music.
HGE Testimonials
“Heartland was about the interactions most of us couldn’t have experienced otherwise;
and without it, it would’ve been just another weekend.” – Broken Arrow High School
student
“As a student working toward a career in video-game development, this expo was
incredibly inspiring and valuable.” – Tulsa Tech student
“As educators, we know that nothing gives a teacher more vision and determination than
that hunger in their students. So, thank you for bringing this teacher's vision and
determination back.” – Owasso Public Schools teacher
For More Information
Visit http://www.heartlandgamingexpo.com or contact Roger Mailler, HGE 2017 chair and
TU associate professor of computer science, at 918-631-3140 or [email protected]
Sponsorship Opportunities
Diamond Level – $10,000
All benefits of the Platinum level PLUS
Option: (Select one)
 Recognition as Keynote Speaker Sponsor from the microphone and on all
printed/web signage. This includes sponsors saying a few words from the
microphone on behalf of his or her company.
 Naming the stage – (i.e. The Cox Communications Stage). Every time the stage is
mentioned, verbally or in print, it is referred to as your stage.
 Recognition as Reception Sponsor, which includes sponsors saying a few words
from the microphone on behalf of his or her company.
For each additional $1,000 donated above the Diamond level, that amount will be
allocated to fund a one-time scholarship named in honor of the sponsor for a TU
student majoring in computer gaming and simulation.
Platinum - $5,000
 All of the benefits of a Gold Sponsor PLUS
 Block of tickets to distribute as giveaways underwritten by the sponsor (and
name/logo printed on the ticket)
 Name/Logo to appear on Jumbotron ad rotation
 Upgrade to 10’ x 30’ exhibitor/vendor space (if needed)
Gold - $2,500
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All of the benefits of a Silver Sponsor PLUS
“Sponsored by” announcements in all HGE 2017 promotional materials
Verbal announcements of the sponsorship at the event
Special recognition from the microphone at the awards ceremony
Handout from sponsor – supplied promotional materials at the event
Upgrade to double vendor space – 10’ X 20’ (if needed)
Silver - $1,000
 All of the benefits of a Bronze Sponsor PLUS
 Sponsor’s logo on the event backdrop or banner in main arena
 Sponsor’s logo on event T-shirts
Bronze - $500
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All of the benefits of Friends of the Heartland Gaming Expo PLUS
Freedom to provide swag for swag bags
Invitation to the Friday night reception
Single vendor space - 10’ X 10’ (if needed)
Friends of the Heartland Gaming Expo - $250
 Name or logo on website sponsor banner (runs until Heartland 2018)
 Four tickets to the event
Registration Sponsor
 Provides drawstring swag bags with company name/logo
Raffle Sponsor
 Provides raffle item(s) that are given away throughout the event
 Recognition through various media
Exhibitor Opportunities
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“Shout-outs” – from the stage microphone throughout the weekend
Triple size vendor space – 30’ X 10’ space
$250
Double size vendor space – 20’ X 10’ space
$175
Single vendor space – 10’ X 10’ space
$100
Electricity and tables provided
Venue Information
The 8,355-seat Donald W. Reynolds Center is a 138,000-square foot, multi-use facility,
located at Harvard Avenue and 11th Street. HGE 2017 will occupy the entire building
including the main arena, practice gym, presidential suite and concourse. The main arena
will house the keynote address, vendors, exhibitors, Game Showcase and Gallery Show.
The awards ceremonies will be held in the practice gym, and tutorials will be in the
presidential suite. Outside the Reynolds Center, HGE will offer activities including a game
truck, food trucks, live-action role playing and laser tag.
The University of Tulsa is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The fair market value of Heartland Gaming Expo will be calculated based on your sponsorship level. The balance of
your contribution may be considered as a charitable donation to The University of Tulsa.
Please consult with your tax advisor to determine whether your donation is tax deductible in whole or in part. This
communication is not intended to constitute legal or tax advice.