Sponsorship Prospectus — The 2nd International Trans Studies Conference

Sponsorship prospectus.

Welcome to the Second International Trans Studies Conference.

Welcome to the Second International Trans Studies Conference (SITS). The SITS conference theme of State of the Post-Discipline invites trans studies scholars to reflect on the past, appraise the present, and map out visions for the future of our young field. It asks scholars to imagine what’s possible for trans studies as we work to make a difference both within the academy and in the wider world during a time of unprecedented crisis for trans and gender-minority communities globally.

The conference will be hosted by the Center for Applied Transgender Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA, as well as virtually via Ex Ordo’s Webex-based online conference platform, September 4–7, 2024. The conference is jointly presented by all four academic journals dedicated to transgender studies: the Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies (published by Northwestern University Libraries), the International Journal of Transgender Health (published by Taylor & Francis), Transgender Health (published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.), and TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly (published by Duke University Press). The aim for the conference is to build new bridges and shore up existing ones among the wide range of trans studies scholars working across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM.

Further details about the conference are available on our About the Conference page.

About the Center for Applied Transgender Studies.

The Center for Applied Transgender Studies (CATS) is the leading academic organization dedicated to scholarship on the social, cultural, and political conditions of transgender life. Founded in Chicago in 2021, CATS aims to facilitate and promote the empirical study of transgender issues with the ultimate aim of informing policy-making and public discourse in ways that improve quality of life for the transgender community. Currently, CATS boasts nearly 40 of the world’s leading transgender scholars working in 6 different countries on 3 different continents and at several of the world’s leading research institutions. Since its founding, CATS has been a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization registered in the United States of America.

In addition to its research and advocacy work, CATS proudly publishes the Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies—the leading venue for academic research on the social, cultural, and political issues facing transgender communities across the globe. With generous support from the Digital Publishing Services of Northwestern University Libraries, the journal offers a Platinum Open Access forum for research of all theoretical and methodological approaches oriented toward the identification, analysis, and improvement of the material conditions of transgender life.

Further details about CATS and its work are available on the Center for Applied Transgender Studies website.

About the organizers.

The SITS Conference is a collaborative effort of over 50 trans studies scholars from across the globe—the majority of whom are themselves trans. Across the Organizing Committee and the Steering Committee, the SITS team includes members working in 16 countries on all 6 inhabited continents. Among those ranks are editors of the four trans studies journals co-presenting the conference, as well as several of the field’s most influential voices and a host of future leaders. This team was carefully assembled to reflect the diversity of the scholarly community in terms of both personal identity and disciplinary background.

Further details about the conference organizers are available on our About the Conference page.

About the conference.

The Second International Trans Studies Conference will be held September 4–7, 2024 both in-person on the Northwestern University campus and virtually via a customized online conference platform.

Throughout the four-day conference, an estimated 550 in-person and 750 virtual scholars will attend nearly 500 presentations representing the latest advances in the field of trans studies. With a welcome reception, daily breakfasts and lunches, refreshment breaks, evening social events, and a robust virtual conference environment, there are ample opportunities for sponsors and advertisers to reach attendees both near and far.

To reserve your sponsorship or advertising opportunities, please complete the form at the bottom of this page or on our Sponsor the Conference page by June 1, 2024. Please note that there are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities. Sponsor reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis and are officially made when payment is received.

In addition to bundled sponsorship packages, your organization also has an opportunity to sponsor special events and services and to purchase additional advertising space in the conference program. The opportunities to put your organization in front of 1,300 professional attendees from 15–20 countries are varied and many.

Make your reservations today, as opportunities are limited! The official deadline to reserve your sponsorship and advertising space is June 1, 2024.

Conference attendees.

Our attendees come from around the globe and consist of researchers, teachers, students, publishers, health practitioners, and advocates of many kinds—each of whom have particular interests and expertise that will make your organization of particular interest.

Estimated in-person for 2024

Of the 1,300 attendees we expect to welcome to the SITS Conference, 550 of them will be in-person attendees who will be on-ground at Northwestern University, participating in conference sessions, enjoying melas and refreshment breaks, networking at evening social events, and navigating it all with a printed conference program in hand and sponsor-promoting signage all around.

Estimated virtual-only for 2024

Of the 1,300 attendees we expect to welcome to the SITS Conference, 750 of them will be virtual-only attendees who will join us via a custom online conference platform powered by Ex Ordo’s Webex-based software. Within the virtual conference environment, attendees will participate in conference sessions, network in chat forums, peruse virtual sponsor exhibits, and navigate via an interactive online conference program.

Sponsorship packages.

Diamond sponsorship
US$10,000

A Diamond sponsorship package is the premier sponsorship available for this conference and there are only three available for purchase. A Diamond sponsorship package contains:

Exhibition

Largest-format logo display at the conference registration desk and on the landing page of the online conference platform.
Four conference registrations.

Sponsorship

Non-exclusive sponsorship of five events (e.g., meals, refreshment breaks, evening social events)

Online media

Logo display on the conference website landing page.
Two advertisements in the Center for Applied Transgender Studies monthly newsletter.
Social media mention.

Gold sponsorship
US$7,500

A Gold sponsorship package contains:

Exhibition

Large-format logo display at the conference registration desk and on the landing page of the online conference platform.
Three conference registrations.

Sponsorship

Non-exclusive sponsorship of three events (e.g., meals, refreshment breaks, evening social events)

Online media

Logo display on the conference website landing page.
One advertisement in the Center for Applied Transgender Studies monthly newsletter.
Social media mention.

Silver sponsorship
US$5,000

A Silver sponsorship package contains:

Exhibition

Medium-format logo display at the conference registration desk and on the landing page of the online conference platform.
Two conference registrations.

Sponsorship

Non-exclusive sponsorship of one event (e.g., meals, refreshment breaks, evening social events)

Online media

Logo display on the conference website landing page.
Social media mention.

Bronze sponsorship
US$2,500

A Bronze sponsorship package contains:

Exhibition

Small-format logo display at the conference registration desk and on the landing page of the online conference platform.
One conference registration.

Online media

Social media mention.

À la carte sponsorship opportunities.

If a full sponsorship package isn’t right for you, or if you want additional visibility beyond what’s included in the packages, there are a variety of à la carte sponsorship and advertisement opportunities available for purchase.

Welcome Reception | US$5,000

Be a major presence at the opening event in which attendees grab a drink and refreshments, see new faces, and reconnect with colleagues they haven’t seen in possibly years.

Logo recognition on Welcome Reception signage.
Recognition as a sponsor in the conference program and online schedule.
Sponsor can provide branded items such as cocktail napkins.

Keynote and Plenary Sessions | US$5,000

The conference will hold two keynote and two plenary sessions—one on each evening of the conference. These are the only sessions that every conference attendee will attend. Put your organization front and center during these mass gatherings by sponsoring a session.

Logo placement on the lectern from which keynote speeches are delivered or on stage behind the panelists of the plenary session.
Recognition as a sponsor in the conference program and online schedule.
Sponsor can provide a single-page advertisement for display on the theater screen while attendees find their seats and wait for sessions to begin.

Breakfasts and Lunches | US$5,000

The conference will hold breakfasts each morning of the conference to welcome in-person attendees and get them ready for a full day of sessions and hold lunches at mid-day to keep everyone energized and facilitate social connection. These meals provide the opportunity for attendees to not only fuel their bodies, but also engage in meaningful networking. Make your organization a host for one of these much-needed fuel-ups. Conference organizers make all necessary arrangements for the meals.

Logo recognition on signage in dining areas.

Recognition as a sponsor in the conference program and online schedule.
Sponsor can provide branded items such as cocktail napkins.

Evening Social Events | US$2,500

Sponsor one of the many exclusive evening social events held for in-person conference attendees at trendy venues in the Chicagoland area.

Logo recognition on event signage.

Recognition as a sponsor in the conference program and online schedule.

Refreshment Breaks | US$2,500

As attendees prepare for upcoming sessions, let them see your company’s name at the same time. Your company name will be on signage in the break areas, putting your company front and center as attendees relax during the refreshment breaks. Conference organizers make all necessary arrangements for the refreshments.

Advertising

All members receive a printed conference program on site at registration and have access to the virtual program. The conference program is a vital tool and souvenir for attendees, including scheduling and other essential conference-related information. The online conference program will be available to all attendees.

Quarter page | US$500

3.5” (89mm) W x 4.5” (114mm) H

Half page | US$800

7.25” (184mm) W x 4.5” (114mm) H

Full page | US$1,200

7.25” (184mm) W x 10” (254mm) H