Proposal for Telework Conference
Spring 2014
Research Triangle Park Area, North Carolina

The Research Triangle Park (RTP) of Raleigh, North Carolina is one of the most prominent high-tech research and development centers in the United States. Recent estimates indicate that RTP is home to over 170 companies employing 42,000 workers and 10,000 contractors in Durham County and stretching into parts of Wake County. In November 2012, an update to the Park’s Master Plan was released which includes additional growth expectations for workers and infrastructure. A 2009 article in Bizjournals predicts Raleigh will be the fastest-growing metro area through 2025. Continued growth requires continued concerns for the infrastructure to handle the growth. A key concern in any major metropolitan area is transportation. Transportation infrastructure will be stressed and increased workers will require more updates to grow transportation support in conjunction with the increasing population. Ensuring strong business continuity, strong business environment and a viable environment for new business attraction will be critical in the future.
In order to bolster the trend of continued and attractive business environment in RTP, a telework model should be explored. Telework is a solution that has been embraced by businesses and government over last several years. Numerous studies have been done that address the advantages of telework for business, government, workers and the surrounding infrastructure favorably. However, the adoption of telework may often be cumbersome and daunting for many companies and agencies. Implementing a Telework conference will assist businesses and government agencies develop sound practices and reduce the strain on local infrastructure during the next generation of growth in the RTP area.
XXXX a strategic management and planning company, has wholeheartedly supported telework and a virtual business environment since 2006. Additionally, XXXX is fully capable of developing, planning, and executing conferences and events as a core competency. This proposal by XXXX to Triangle Transit will address a plan for developing a Telework/Remote Work Conference in the RTP area.
XXXX proposes to develop a plan that will allow Triangle Transit to implement a Telework Conference that will provide critical information to businesses, government agencies, and managers. The event would span 2- 3 days and consist of best practices, telework implementation, legal implications, Human Resources Department development and training, and legal/tax implications for work at home/remote teleworkers. The target audience is HR departments, training and development, managers, future telecommuters, and any business that wants to explore a virtual environment. Attendance is expected to be 400 – 600 over the course of the event for a nominal registration fee that may be offset with sponsorships or grants.

A key element of this event would be to establish some portion as a remote training component. If we are promoting a virtual environment, then the technology necessary to establish that environment should be on display. We see this component as being hosted by a sponsor. Development and implementation of a virtual component would require some expertise that should be contributed in kind.

XXXX plan will detail the budget, facility procurement, logistics coordination, website development, graphics and communications development, registration and programming development. Triangle Transit will assist with speaker procurement and program development and local marketing to include advertising. Triangle Transit will be responsible for the financial contracting of facility, event requirements, speaker participation and collection of all fees and payments. XXXX is eager to work with Triangle Transit on this endeavor and will provide strategic direction, logistics coordination, market/branding development, registration, print/online development and program direction. Once the plan is developed, Triangle Transit will have the option of proceeding with the event with their staff or utilizing XXXX to manage and coordinate the event as outlined.

Key budgeting areas will include facility rental, logistics coordination, and marketing to include website development, social media, audio visual, conference proceedings, and onsite personnel. These budget areas are unknown until a tentative plan is developed but can be estimated. The tentative budget consolidates grants and sponsorship monies into one line item. Key line items that could directly correlate to sponsorships as well as grant monies might be the remote conference component and speaker acquisition expense. Advertising line item is left blank as this item could be executed within existing contracts owned by Triangle Transit. Advertising may also be an area where sponsorship might be acquired or donated in kind from key markets. This plan would require a frequency/distribution parameters for advertising if contributed in kind. Frequency/distribution/market will be more effective for determining the reach for our audience.

XXXX strategic management fee to develop the proposal and execute the event as tentatively outlined above is $32,000. We estimate that the development of the plan will require 75 days for a draft presentation. The final plan will be completed 30 days after draft approval. Work on a draft presentation will commence with a 30% deposit. Upon completion of the plan, additional 30% of fee will be due. The remainder of the fee will be due 30 days prior to the start of the conference.

Telework Conference
Tentative Budget presented by Lodestar Group, LLC
(02/26/2013)

Revenues:
Registration
400 x $95 $38,000
Grants and Sponsorships $148,900
Total Revenues: $186,900

Expenses:
Facility Rentals/Insurance $15,000
Audiovisual $22,000
Remote/Virtual Component $45,000
Registration Badging/Print $ 8,000
Marketing $31,900 (Print, Website, Social Media)
Onsite Personnel Reqs. $ 6,000
Speaker Expense $25,000
Advertising – Radio/TV/Print $ ???
Strategic Planning – Lodestar $34,000
Expenses: $186,900