Restitching the Seams: Appalachia Beyond Its Borders

2018 Appalachian Studies Association 41st Annual Conference

April 5 – 8, 2018, Millennium and Hyatt Hotels, Cincinnati, Ohio

In April 2018, the Urban Appalachian Community Coalition (UACC) will host the Appalachian Studies Association (ASA) annual conference. For the first time ever, the conference will be sponsored by a community-based organization rather than an academic institution.  More than 1,000 local, national, and international leaders, scholars, educators, service providers, activists, advocates, and artists hailing from more than 40 states will convene in Cincinnati for a coordinated effort to address the issues faced by Appalachians throughout the country.

The 2018 Appalachian Studies Association conference will bring national attention to Cincinnati as an incubator for ideas and solutions to the critical issues facing Appalachians and, by extension, our entire country.

  • Greater Cincinnatians will be invited to participate fully in the 2018 Appalachian Studies Association Conference. Your input is valued! The conference program is a work in progress and there are many opportunities for input and participation in the planning from local sponsors and community leaders.
  • Conference attendees, including community participants, will address individual and community issues that affect the wellness the Appalachian population, including substance abuse, mental health, and physical and economic well-being. Presentations, panel discussions, and performances will feature both national and local community-based experts on specific aspects of Appalachian life and “what’s working” in addressing issues of concern.
  • Conference activities will provide educational opportunities for local teachers and health and human service providers to become more aware of the implications of working with Appalachians. A program for local teacher professional development and performances by Appalachian artists for local school children will take place during the school year prior to the conference.
  • Local musicians, poets, dancers, visual artists, and storytellers will be featured in performances at the conference and at multiple venues throughout the city, including an Urban Appalachian Artist Showcase at the Aronoff’s Jarson Kaplan Theatre on Saturday evening.
  • Bringing this conference to a downtown urban environment is costly. AND, in order to encourage the involvement of grassroots community members, service providers, scholars, artists and students to the fullest extent possible, we need to help make participation affordable for these individuals.
  • We need the support of our community – philanthropists, sponsors, educators, everyone – to effectively restitch the seams!

2018 Conference Sponsorship Opportunities

The key geographical feature of Appalachia is its majestic mountains. However, the seams that bind the landscape together are its rivers; rivers that provide life-giving water to 70% of the population of our country. We have named our sponsorship levels for four of the major rivers in Appalachia.

  • Presenting Sponsors:  $10,000 and up
    • Lead sponsors for the entire conference
  • Ohio River Sponsors:  $7,500
    • Lead sponsor for a major conference event: Friday or Saturday reception, Awards Dinner, or Appalachian Artist Showcase
  • Cumberland River Sponsors:  $5,000
    • Lead sponsor for a breakfast, lunch, plenary session, or community tours
  • Monongahela River Sponsors:  $3,000
    • Lead sponsor for a featured conference session
  • Tennessee River Sponsors:  $1,500
    • Supporting sponsor for a major conference event
  • Patron:  $500
  • Advocate:  $250

Sponsors will be recognized in publicity, conference publications, and at conference events. Exhibit space will be made available in the conference Exhibit Hall, and advertisements may be placed in the conference brochure. Sponsors may choose to participate in conference activities, including sessions, receptions, the Friday evening banquet, and the Saturday evening performance at the Aronoff.  A UACC volunteer will help each sponsor determine appropriate vehicles for recognition and conference participation.

For more information and to become a sponsor:

Contact Debbie Zorn, Past President of ASA and 2018 Conference Chair – [email protected]