MARCH 10 – 20, 2016

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 in Grand Rapids and has events throughout West Michigan.

The festival was launched in March 2011 and has featured Mike Birbiglia, Lewis Black, Wayne Brady, Jim Breuer, Hannibal Buress, Bo Burnham, Bill Burr, Margaret Cho, Mike Epps, Jim Gaffigan, Billy Gardell, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Hart, Pete Holmes, Gabriel Iglesias, Anthony Jeselnik, Jay Leno, George Lopez, Marc Maron, Joel McHale, Kevin Nealon, Patton Oswalt, Brian Regan, Amy Schumer, Martin Short, Sinbad, Wanda Sykes, Lily Tomlin, Chris Tucker, Betty White, Justin Willman and many, many more nationally touring artists and acts.

LaughFest features laughter in all its forms from comedy, performance, and improv to film, dance, and a variety of seriously funny stuff. Each year has drawn an average of 50,000 attendees to Grand Rapids and West Michigan for free and ticketed events.

WHEN? March 10-20, 2016

WHERE? LaughFest 2016 will include the Greater West Michigan region, with the hub of the festival centered in a variety of venues in downtown Grand Rapids. In previous festival years, over 65 venues have been featured ranging in size from 50 seats to 3,300 seats.

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 emotional health and well-being. And what better time for a laughter festival than when it’s cold, icy, and distinctly un-funny outside!

LaughFest is more than just a barrel of laughs. It also raises awareness for a very important cause – supporting children, adults, families, and friends in finding their smile and laughter in the midst of a cancer or grief journey.

All proceeds of LaughFest benefit the free emotional healthcare programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and 100% of those funds stay in West Michigan. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is named for Gilda Radner, an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989. In her book, It’s Always Something, Gilda said, “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 individuals impacted by cancer that it is alright to laugh and smile, even when dealing with life’s tough stuff. Through Gilda’s LaughFest, our desire is to help share the gift of laughter with everyone.

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.

TOTAL EVENTS HOSTEDTicketed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199Total Events Scheduled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272

# OF ARTISTS/TALENTTalent - Ticketed Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144Talent - Free Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608Total Artists Involved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 752

EVENT TYPESLaughter Related Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166Stand-up Comedy Related Events . . . . . . . . . . . . 82Films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8LaughteRx Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Website: www.laughfestgr.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/laughfestTwitter : www.twitter.com/laughfestInstagram: www.instagram.com/laughfestgrPinterest: www.pinterest.com/laughfest

TYPES OF EVENTS HELDLaughFest is designed to reach across all ages and demographics, and features a variety of definitions of what makes us laugh. Part of the Festival will showcase national and regional talent and acts. Another key element of the Festival is driven by community participation and voting. Events are offered during the daytime, evening, and late night and are both ticketed and free. Types of events to be held in 2016 include:

Stand-up

Improv

Films – short and long

Clean Comedy

Dance Showcases

Authors/Writers

Lectures/Workshops

People and Pets

Musical Acts/Shows

Stage Acts

Family Friendly Events

Middle/High School Events

2015 STATS

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 INDEPENDENTLaughFest 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 PARTNERSHIPSGilda’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 POWEREven 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 PEOPLEWe 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.

WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?

* 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.

BENEFITS GOLDPREMIER

LEADERSHIPTOO FUNNY FOR WORDS

THE BELLY LAUGHERS

THE LAUGH OUT LOUD

CROWD

THE CHUCKLERS

THE GIGGLERS

Logo in full color on festival poster

X X

Logo and hyperlink on homepage of LaughFest website

X X

Co-branding opportunities available*

X X X

Opportunity to welcome audience to event(s)**

X X X X X

Listing on the Festival Sponsor page of the LaughFest website in alphabetical order

logo logo logo X X X X

Listing in the LaughFest guide/schedule (minimum print run of 175,000) in alphabetical order

logo logo X X X X X

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 & greet

X X X

Option to purchase sponsor exclusive ticket packages

X X X X X X X

Option to purchase sponsor exclusive LaughFest experiences, shows, and receptions

X X X X X X X

First right of refusal to artist meet and greet opportunities as available/desired

X X X

SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS

GOLD LEADERSHIP ($100,000+)

A number of high visibility, customizable opportunities are available at the

$100,000, $250,000, and $500,000 levels. We would be happy to discuss

these Gold Leadership options with you in person.

PREMIER LEADERSHIP ($50,000-$99,999)

LATE NIGHT COMEDY SERIES The Late Night Comedy Series features a minimum of three late-night

shows at a variety of venues in downtown Grand Rapids. Not for the faint

of heart; expect some risky language and risky subject matter. But hey,

it’s all seriously funny stuff! Past talent has included Amy Schumer, Judah

Friedlander, and Loni Love.

FESTIVAL ACCOMMODATIONS SPONSOR

Top notch talent requires top notch accommodations! As official festival

accommodations sponsor, all LaughFest talent will be housed at your hotel

properties, and the space(s) will be engaged in a variety of ways as hub(s)

of festival activity. Official accommodations will be highlighted on the

LaughFest website and recommended to all festival guests.

FESTIVAL TRANSPORTATION SPONSOR

Top notch talent requires top notch transportation! As official festival

transportation sponsor, all LaughFest talent will be transported to and

from airport, venues, and hotel in your vehicles. LaughFest will work with

the festival transportation sponsor to co-brand the vehicles to ensure

maximum visibility and festival association.

STAND-UP COMEDY SERIES

This series presents three high-profile comedy events during the festival

(all talent TBD until late October/early November). It has traditionally

included a showcase plus one small venue and one large venue headliner,

yet is flexible and could be made up of three single shows, or another

combination of events and showcases.

CLEAN COMEDY SERIES

This series presents the high profile CLEAN comedy events within the

festival. Traditionally includes the Clean Comedy Showcase, as well as other

clean comedy headliners. Number of shows/events is flexible and changes

from year to year.

TOO FUNNY FOR WORDS ($25,000-$49,999)

LAUGHTERx SERIESSometimes laughter is the best medicine. This series includes laughter yoga,

inspirational and humorous performances, and speakers who highlight the

health benefits of laughter and its importance in overall emotional health.

COMMUNITY SHOWCASE SERIESCommunity Showcases are at the heart of LaughFest. Local, regional, and

national talent submit applications for a spot on our community showcases

– highlighting first time performers, seasoned veterans, and more.

Approximately 20 showcases take place throughout the festival, are free

events, and range from stand-up comedy to dance, music, and everything

in between!

LAUGHFEST CENTRAL SPONSOR LaughFest Central is the headquarters for all things LaughFest before and

during the festival. Starting mid-February located in downtown Grand

Rapids, you can stop in to get information, merchandise, festival tickets, and

Fast Passes to free shows.

FOUNTAIN STREET CHURCH STAGE SPONSORLaughFest is proud to present a diverse lineup of programming at a large

number of venues across West Michigan. By becoming a stage sponsor at

Fountain Street Church, you have the opportunity to be recognized at all

programming that takes place at that venue throughout the 10 days of the

festival.

DEVOS PERFORMANCE HALL STAGE SPONSORLaughFest is proud to present a diverse lineup of programming at a large

number of venues across West Michigan. By becoming a stage sponsor at

DeVos Performance Hall, you have the opportunity to be recognized at all

programming that takes place at that venue throughout the 10 days of the

festival.

CLEAN COMEDY SHOWCASE SPONSOR Introduced in 2011, the Clean Comedy Showcase at The B.O.B. continues

to be one of the most popular series of shows within the festival. Eight

comedians have been pre-selected for the Clean Comedy Showcase based

on their unique ability to bring laughs without vulgarity. These are some

of the most requested comedians by companies across the country! The

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.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

THE BELLY LAUGHERS ($15,000-$24,999)

LAKESHORE SERIES Laughter is happening on the Lakeshore! The Holland Series of LaughFest

programming consists of a headlining ticketed show (past talent has

included Jeff Allen, Justin Willman, and Taylor Mason) as well as several

community showcases, kids events (including the very popular Kids Joke

Day), LaughteRx events (focused on the health benefits of laughter) and

co-programmed LaughFest events that collaborate with Holland-based arts

and cultural organizations.

THE BEST OF THE MIDWEST COMPETITIONThis showcase features 10 comics who hail from the Midwest and are

some of the hottest “up-and-coming” comedians around! They will vie for

the title “2016 Gilda’s LaughFest Best of the Midwest Comedian” and a

$2,500 cash prize.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM SPONSOR With so many venues and events during the 10 days of LaughFest, we need

many volunteers to help out in many different ways before, during, or after

the festival. Your help will be instrumental in creating a successful event and

taking good care of the volunteers who dedicate their time to the festival.

FAST PASS SPONSOR Fast Passes are a key component of the festival, entitling the bearer to

guaranteed entrance into a variety of free shows during the festival. Fast

Passes can be picked up from LaughFest Central beginning mid-February.

There are more than 20,000 Fast Passes produced.

IMPROV & SKETCH SERIES LaughFest features more than stand-up comedy! Improv and sketch events

take place almost every day of the festival at downtown Grand Rapids

venues – predominantly at Dog Story Theater and Ladies Literary Club.

HEADLINER’S CLUB PRESENTING SPONSOR LaughFest is a great opportunity to entertain clients and coworkers alike,

and Headliner’s Club is the central hospitality space during the ten days

of the festival. Located in “Eve” on the top floor of The B.O.B., Headliner’s

Club pass holders can enjoy a beverage, light snacks, and a chance to

network before hopping on a LaughFest trolley to a show.

OPENING SPONSOR PARTY Kicking off the festival in style with laughs, libations, and a toasting to our

sponsors. It’s the start of another hilarious LaughFest on the opening night

of the festival. Details and venue TBD.

SERIOUSLY FUNNY FAMILY ADVENTURE CHALLENGE This family fun-filled challenge will involve teams (of two or four) racing

across the downtown areas of Grand Rapids to engage in fun and exciting

timed challenges requiring fast thinking, fast acting, and reckless abandon.

THE LAUGH OUT LOUD CROWD

($10,000-$14,999)

COMMUNITY KICKOFF SPONSOR LaughFest kicks off the festival each year with a bang! Thousands gather

in downtown Grand Rapids to celebrate laughter for the health of it and

participate in family-friendly opening ceremonies.

FUNDERWEAR RUN LEAD SPONSOR This unique race invites participants to wear their finest (and funniest!)

underwear over their running clothes in support of Gilda’s Club Grand

Rapids! Help us bring laughter and awareness of emotional health to the

streets of Grand Rapids.

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE PROJECT The “What Makes You Smile” project happens in schools, and gives children

the opportunity to sign a smile and share what makes them laugh. The

smiles are then displayed prominently in each community.

MCFADDEN’S, WEALTHY THEATRE, or PYRAMID SCHEME STAGE SPONSOR LaughFest is proud to present a diverse lineup of programming at a large

number of venues across West Michigan. By becoming a stage sponsor at

one of our small venues you have the opportunity to be recognized at all

programming that takes place at that venue throughout the festival.

SUPER SATURDAY KIDS ZONE Just one of the events in the Family Friendly Series of programming,

Super Saturday is a themed kids’ carnival for all ages featuring surprise

guests, inflatable games, and much more! All activities, lunch, snacks, and

entertainment are included at a low ticket cost.

LAUGHFEST’S BEST SERIES 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!

LOWELL SERIES The Lowell Series includes of a headlining ticketed show, several community

showcases, kids events, LaughteRx events (focused on the health benefits of

laughter) and co-programmed LaughFest events that collaborate with Lowell-

based arts and cultural organizations such as the Lowell Arts Council.

EDUCATION SERIES Our education series targets school-age children with programming,

contests, and exhibitions that highlight laughter’s role in emotional health

and engage students’ creativity in the classroom.Continued

THE CHUCKLERS ($5,000-$9,999)

SCHEDULE SPONSORThe LaughFest Guide, produced in conjunction with MLive Media Group,

has a distribution of more than 100,000 pieces and lays out the full festival

schedule. This piece is the “must have” guide to the hundreds of events that

take place during the 10 days of the festival.

LOWELL HEADLINER

The Lowell headliner is a ticketed comedy show that’s clean in content (yet

still seriously funny!) and is the largest LaughFest event that takes place in

the Lowell Series of programming.

LAKESHORE HEADLINER 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

LaughFest event that takes place in the Holland Series of programming.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM UNDERWRITER We need many volunteers to help out in many different ways before,

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

dedicate their time to the festival.

KIDS JOKE SERIES 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. Kids Joke events take place in Lowell,

Holland, and Grand Rapids.

PEOPLE & PETS UNDERWRITER 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

contest. There will also be a photo booth, giveaways, entertainment, treats,

and more!

FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT UNDERWRITER LaughFest has seriously funny stuff for kids and families, too! Past family

friendly events include Baby Loves Disco, hip hop artist Secret Agent

23 Skidoo, and kids rock band Milkshake. We aim to cater to all ages of

children, and these events are part of the Family Friendly Series.

BRIAN KELLY PHOTO EXHIBIT SPONSOR Official festival photographer Brian Kelly presents an exhibit of his

LaughFest portraits throughout the years. Highlighting both LaughFest

artists and community leaders, this exhibit is sure to bring a smile to your

face.

THE GIGGLERS ($2,500-$4,999)

HEADLINER’S CLUB UNDERWRITER LaughFest is a great opportunity to entertain clients and coworkers alike,

and Headliner’s Club is the central hospitality space during the ten days

of the festival. Located in “Eve” on the top floor of The B.O.B., Headliner’s

Club pass holders can enjoy a beverage, light snacks, and a chance to

network before hopping on a LaughFest trolley to attend a show.

FUNDERWEAR RUN UNDERWRITER This unique race invites participants to wear their finest (and funniest!)

underwear over their running clothes in support of Gilda’s Club Grand

Rapids! Help us bring laughter and awareness of emotional health to the

streets of Grand Rapids.

YOUTH SHOWCASE The LaughFest Youth Showcase takes place on the closing day of the

festival and brings together and highlights seriously talented children and

their families. Students apply to perform and showcase their talent –

singers, musicians, comedians, dancers and more!

LAUGHFEST CENTRAL UNDERWRITER LaughFest Central is the headquarters for all things LaughFest before and

during the festival. Starting mid-February in downtown Grand Rapids, you

can stop in to get information, merchandise, festival tickets, and Fast Passes

to free shows.

TROLLEY SPONSOR 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

most nights of the 10-day festival, taking sponsors from show to show.

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE PROJECT UNDERWRITER The “What Makes You Smile” project happens in schools, and gives children

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

of LaughFest.

LAUGHTERx SPEAKER UNDERWRITER The LaughteRx series is an important track of programming within the

festival that specifically focuses on laughter and health. Our speaker

series features local, regional, and national experts in this area, discussing

the health benefits of laughter and more. Each speaker is available to be

underwritten.

LAUGHFEST’S BEST UNDERWRITER 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!

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Continued.

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 CHALLENGEEngage 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 OPPORTUNITIESGroup 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 PURCHASESWant 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 PACKAGESExclusive 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 PURCHASESWant 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 101We 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