Exceler8s II: Project Charter



| |

|Exceler8s II: |

|First Deliverable |

| |

Brian Allison

brialliso@

650-996-8803

Steve Bauer

Steven.bauer@colorado.edu

407-701-3097

Aaron Bornstein

Aaron.bornstein@colorado.edu

720-641-8381

Sam Houpt

houpt@colorado.edu

970-618-8406

Joyce Jung

Joyce.jung@colorado.edu

719-231-3246

Sarah Martinez

Sarah.martinez@colorado.edu

303-881-4684

Leann Tatelman

Leann.tatelman@colorado.edu

303-589-4172

| |

Contents

Project Charter……………………………………………………………………………………...……….….3

Fall Roles & Responsibilities…………………………………………………………………………………..6

Risk Management Plan…………………………………………………………………………………………7

Schedule……………………………………………………………………………………………………….10

Stakeholder Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………………..12

Cost/Benefit Analysis……………………………………………………………………………………….....14

Colorado River Plan Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………..16

Exceler8s II Tentative Itinerary..……………………………………………………………............................21

Work Breakdown Structure…….……………………………………………………………….......................22

Similar Events Research……………………………………………………………………………….………24

Premise, Conflict, Tension, Turning Point and Resolution……………………………………………….…...26

Tentative List of Potential Sponsors and Donations…………………………………………………………..27

Project Charter

|Project Purpose: |

|The purpose of this year’s Exceler8s II event will be to bring the community together in support of the Colorado Nature |

|Conservancy’s Priority Rivers Project (PWP), a subset of the Colorado River Project. The event will focus on creating awareness of|

|the project over the span of a two and a half day fundraiser event that will encompass everything from a relaxing and fun |

|experience on the slopes of Winter Park to challenging guided tours through Jones Pass. |

|Mission Statement: Appreciate and celebrate the life experience of accomplishing achievements not thought possible by extending |

|oneself physically and mentally in a team environment. |

|Create an outlet for participants to develop team building skills. |

|The Winter Park Experience will offer a relaxing and fun environment. |

|The Jones Pass Experience will offer a challenging team-building experience. |

|Prioritized Measurable Objectives: |

|The mission of the subsequent objectives is to create an effective business model for the Exceler8s event by developing |

|relationships with individual donors as well as corporate sponsors to connect with attractive charities, in this case The Nature |

|Conservancy’s PWP. This will be accomplished through the completion of the following: |

|Marketing Plan: |

|Develop and implement a marketing and sponsor plan to explain Exceler8’s purpose and recruit 120 individual participants and |

|multiple corporate sponsors |

|Develop and distribute information packet and fliers containing specific details of the event and donation processes to potential |

|participants |

|Develop all marketing submissions (PSAs, Calendars, Articles, Website Content, Save-the-Date, Banners) |

|Develop a logo and other brand assets to create a sustainable identity for the event and increase awareness (t-shirts, banners) |

|Press release with corporate sponsor (news article) |

|Identify and implement appropriate organization structure and process for collecting and distributing money donations (Exceler8s |

|501C3 and website) |

| |

|Sponsorship: |

|Set up the individual participant sponsor program |

|Create solid relationships with a minimum of ten corporate sponsors to help fund the event |

|Develop marketing strategy to meet each corporate sponsors’ goals (incentives)- Utilize base template and modify for individual |

|companies |

|Raise at least $30,000 in donations from individuals and corporate sponsors |

|Drive attendance of no less than 120 people for each day and confirm no less than 75% of attendees in advance of the event (date to|

|be determined) |

|Reach out to community for support (businesses, CU, students, winter sports enthusiasts, environmental organizations) |

|Organize the participation of the corporate sponsors in the event based on agreements of sponsorship |

| |

|Logistics and Operations Plan: |

|Use Webex as main communication tool for managing the project |

|Develop and plan an itinerary for the 2 ½ day event, creating challenging team building events along with technical instruction |

|from the Winter Park and Jones Pass guides |

|Develop a budget and a management process for the two and a half day event |

|Determine personal expenses to the attendees (lodging, rental gear, transportation, food) |

|Secure banquet room and catering services for Exceler8’s happy hour day 1, dinner on Day 2 and breakfast each day |

|Technology Plan: |

|Design and develop a simple website for promotion and communication purposes such as information channels, marketing, registration,|

|and tracking donations |

|Update the website for online-donations and registration. |

|Utilize WebEx for internal communications |

|Project Manager Authority: |

|In order for this project to be successful, the project manager will need the authority to: |

|Approach potential corporate sponsors for donations |

|Communicate with Winter Park and Jones Pass management and resort for logistics and operations |

|Recruit attendees for participation |

|Communicate with charities |

|The project manager does not have the authority to do the following without first getting the project sponsor’s approval: |

|Distributing funds |

|Making final commitments and securing all reservations for event location, banquet hall, base camp and necessary equipments. |

|Project In-Scope: |

|Create awareness for individual and corporate sponsors about the Exceler8s event through marketing initiatives |

|Raise money for the selected charities by recruiting individual and corporate sponsors to donate through Exceler8s 501C3 |

|Plan events to foster team building skills and individual accomplishment |

|Create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for individual participants |

|Determine liability coverage for participants |

|Project Out-of-Scope: |

|Secure mountain reservation for Feb. 24-26 |

|Get access for all team members to Cisco technologies |

|Communicate fund matching with Cisco’s charity group |

|Gathering funds to distribute to charity |

|Project Assumptions: |

|Winter Park and Jones Pass will provide means necessary to accomplish this event such a mountain guides, rental equipment, lift |

|access, and mountain liability form. |

|Sufficient funds will be raised to positively impact TNC |

|Registration fees will help mitigate cost of event |

|Majority of donations will come from corporate sponsors with increased emphasis on a Silent Auction and incentives for individual |

|donations through competitive processes |

|The raised funds will go towards the Colorado River Basin Project, more specifically the Priority Waters Project |

|The increased appeal of Winter Park to the Front Range should help drive participation |

|Participants will be willing to pay the registration costs, lodging costs, and other costs to attend the event. |

|We will be able to hold all of our participants in the dinner venue chosen. |

|Deliverables: |

|A list of corporate and individual sponsors and committed donations |

|Promotional and informational website |

|Operating budget and donation tracking spreadsheet |

|Cross functional program plan including critical success factors |

|2 1/2 day event itinerary |

|Event T-shirt, banner, logo, wristbands (give a ways) |

|Marketing plan including logo, website, advertising submissions (PSAs, Calendar, Articles, Press Release, Fliers, Save-the-Date), |

|and information packet |

|Final contact list for sponsors |

|Meeting Notes and Status Reports |

|Sponsorship Plan |

|Communication Plan |

|Risk Management Plan |

|Cost Benefit Analysis |

|Quality Assurance Plan |

|Feedback from participants and sponsors on possible improvements for 2011 |

Approved by: Project Sponsor: Date:

Fall Roles and Responsibilities

|Steve and Joyce |Meeting coordinator with Brian, TNC and team members |

|Team Members |Plan group meetings |

|Marketing |Coordinate with external team members |

| |Design/distribute t-shirt, fliers, logo, information packet, |

| |email blasts, PSAs, press release, Joint Marketing and save the |

| |date |

| |Marketing Plan to intrigue participants |

| |Promote using Social Networking |

| |Design donation process with Jon and Brian |

| |Develop Website Content |

| |Update Email Contact List |

|Aaron and Sam |Recruit corporate sponsors |

|Team Members |Collect and facilitate donations |

|Sponsorship |Design sales pitch |

| |Determine Winter Park sponsor restrictions |

| |Coordinate with Chad about previous sponsorships |

| |Assist other groups as necessary |

| |Set up individual sponsor program |

| | |

|Leann and Sarah |Coordinate lodging |

|Team Members |Coordinate banquet rooms |

|Logistics |Coordinate food/happy hour |

| |Coordinate transportation between locations |

| |Coordinate events/competitions/pricing |

| |Determine base camp/registration location |

| |Plan event logistics |

| |Facilitate $30,000 participant donation event |

|Outside Help: Jon, Chad, Kathryn and Brian |Kathryn and Brian: |

| |Budget management |

| |Provide WebEx access |

| | |

| |Jon |

| |Website development |

| |Graphic designs |

| | |

| |Chad |

| |Help develop website content – history |

| |Sponsor support |

Risk Management Plan

|Risk/Cause |Likelihood |Impact |Minimize Cause |Current Status |Action Items |Responsible Person |

|Weather | | | | | | |

|No Snow |Low |High |No Control |Unknown |Alternate Activity Plan |Collective |

|Blizzard |Medium |Med-Low |No Control |Unknown |Judge severity and implement|Winter Park & Jones Pass |

| | | | | |alternate activities |Guides |

|Avalanche for backcountry |Low |High |No Control |Unknown |Delegate to Jones Pass |Winter Park & Jones Pass |

|activities on Jones Pass | | | | | |Guides |

|Road Closure |Low-Med |Medium |No Control |Unknown |Suggest alternative routes |Collective |

| | | | | |and adjust schedule as | |

| | | | | |needed | |

|Ice / No Powder |Medium |Medium |No Control |Unknown |Adjust Schedule as needed |Collective |

|Technology | | | | | | |

|Insufficient Electricity for |Low |Low |Use battery powered |Functional |Change location and utilize |Cisco Tech. |

|Exceler8s Central | | |appliances | |generators | |

Risk Management Plan Continued

|Risk/Cause |Likelihood |Impact |Minimize Cause |Current Status |Action Items |Responsible Person |

|No Internet Connection |Low |Low |Eliminate Contest Tracking|Functional |Proceed with dinner |Brian |

| | | |from program | | | |

|Cisco Technology- WebEx- |Low |Medium-High |Individual documentation |WebEx accessible |Eliminate from program |Cisco Tech. |

|Not Available | | |backup | | | |

|Website Malfunction- |Low |High |Consult technical support |Forwarding current |Fix it |Jon and Steve |

|Donation and Registration | | | |website while waiting | | |

|Process | | | |on domain transfer | | |

|Website Development |Med |High |Work with Jon to ensure |Live site, not |Donation and Registration |Jon and Steve, and all|

|Delayed | | |timely development |completely functional |processes need to be |Teams |

| | | |Develop Website Work Plan | |implemented, additional | |

| | | | | |content development needed| |

|Donation or Registration |Low |High |Consult Brian and Jon and |Donation Process under |Repair Issue and track |Brian and Jon |

|Process Error: incorrect | | |Application technical |development |errors down | |

|information input, lack of| | |support |Registration Process | | |

|information tracking | | | |under development | | |

|IT Professionals don’t |Low |Medium |Confirmation |N/A |Improvise and set up |Collective |

|show up | | | | |available technology | |

|Schedule, Logistics, | | | | | | |

|Communication | | | | | | |

|Late Donation and |Medium |High |Reminders and confirmations: |Waiting on website |Assertively pursue |Collective |

|Registration could limit our | | |Email blasts and Early |application functionality|previously guaranteed funds| |

|ability to plan | | |registration | |and promote event early | |

|Unresponsive Contact for |Medium |Medium |Follow up emails and calls |N/A |Assertively communicate to |Collective |

|Joint Marketing, Sponsors, | | |Develop Communication Plan | |ensure participation | |

|Stakeholders, Winter Park, | | | | | | |

|and Jones Pass | | | | | | |

|Deliverables and deadlines |Med |High |Time management |Many original deadlines |Contribute as team and |Collective |

|not met due to scheduling | | |Regularly Scheduled Meetings |were pushed back due to |return deliverables | |

|conflicts | | |with Client and Stakeholders |Winter Park hosting delay|promptly | |

|Marketing Plan Fails to reach|Med |High |Determine Media submission |Advertising underway |Continue to Advertise |Marketing Team |

|potential participants and | | |deadlines |through email blasts, |through different media and| |

|sponsors in a reasonable time| | |Use news, radio, tv, |website, Calendars, |word of mouth | |

| | | |internet, and other varied |magazine articles, and | | |

| | | |forms for advertisement |fliers | | |

|Winter Park will not be a |Med |High |Contact Winter Park agent and|Moving forward with |Develop Event Details and |Brian and |

|viable hosting option | | |their bosses if necessary to |Winter Park Plan. |Finalize Itinerary |Logistics Team |

| | | |ensure timely interaction | | | |

| | | |Develop Contingency Plan | | | |

|Jones Pass will not be a |Med |High |Maintain contact with |Cancelled for Jones Pass |None |Logistics Team and|

|viable option | | |Berthoud Pass backcountry | | |Brian |

| | | |guides | | | |

|Jones Pass guides will not be|Med |High |Maintain contact with Power |Agreed to work with |Develop backcountry options|Brian and |

|able to host backcountry | | |Addiction guides |Exceler8s event | |Logistics |

|skiing | | |Provide them with business | | | |

| | | |incentives | | | |

|Participants are unwilling to|High |High |Promote early bird special, |Registration not started |Set up the registration |Jon |

|pay high registration costs | | |clarify what the registration| |process on website | |

| | | |costs covers | | | |

|Venue cannot hold all |Low |Med |Keep track of registered |Unknown |Talk to Devils Thumb about |Sarah and Leanne |

|participants | | |participants | |different options to expand| |

| | | | | |capacity | |

|Sponsorship Risk | | | | | | |

|Sponsors are not interested |Med |High |Creating a good sales pitch |In progress |Actively seek sponsorships,|Sam and Aaron |

| | | | | |aggressive contact methods | |

|Lack of response from |High |High |Multiple contact mediums |In progress |Follow up |Sam and Aaron |

|sponsors | | | | | | |

|Lack of title sponsor |Med |Med |Increase the number of |In progress |Utilizing Tom Wright to |Sam and Aaron |

| | | |interested sponsors | |facilitate communication | |

Risk Management Plan Continued

|Resources | | | | | | |

|Adequate facilities (base camp, |Low |High |Site Inspections and confirmation |N/A |Backup plan and respond as needed with|Winter Park |

|banquet room, and ski area) not | | | | |frequent communications | |

|available | | | | | | |

|Lack of donations from sponsors |Low-Medium |High |Active marketing and follow up |N/A |Implement donation process and |Collective |

|and participants | | |communications | |proactively obtain sponsors | |

|Suppliers do not deliver equipment|Low |High |Confirmation and Communication |N/A |Secure by scheduled date |Collective |

|or agreed items | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

Schedule

|Week |Tasks (*deliverables in bold) |

|9/11/09 |Meet with Brian and all group members |

| |Receive general information on project and start to discuss individual duties |

| |3. Meet with Hitachi consultants |

|9/16/2009 |Meet with Hitachi Consultants |

| |Meet Brian |

| |Stakeholder analysis and cost benefit analysis |

| |Meet with Brian to plan more specific sponsorship/participant opportunities and some event logistics |

|9/23/2009 |Meet with Brian |

| |Sponsorship |

| |Event specifics |

| |Develop Risk Management Plan |

|9/30/2009 |First Deliverable Due |

| |Develop presentation for client approval |

| |Meet with Brian |

| |Sponsors |

| |Event logistics |

| |Website teleconference with Jon |

| |Discuss marketing pitch and purpose |

|10/7/2009 |Meet with Brian |

| |Status Report |

| |Begin formulating list of sponsors to approach |

| |Inform Chad about event and understand his approach from last year |

| |Develop marketing plan |

| |Develop marketing contact list |

|10/14/2009 |Meet with Brian |

| |Sponsorship progress |

| |Logistics |

| |Talk with Jon about website development |

| |Investigate sponsor restrictions |

| |Formulate Sponsor letter with Executive Summary |

| |Devise plan of attack for conference and other sponsors |

|10/21/2009 | |

| |Meet with Brian |

| |Update Risk Management Plan |

| |Prepare and attend R.A.C.E. Conference |

| |Updates from Chad/Aaron/Sam |

| |Chad Contact Suunto, BCA, Black Diamond, Mammot |

|10/28/2009 |Meet with Brian |

| |Sponsors |

| |Event Itinerary |

| |Fundraising |

| |Develop Quality Assurance Plan |

| |Update team on R.A.C.E Conference |

| |Contact Wright Group, Outdoor Elevations, Headsweats, and CU |

| |Contact athletes for silent auction |

| |Breakdown of information needed for the website from team members |

|11/4/2009 | |

| |Silent Auction |

| |Transportation |

| |Sponsorship Benefits completed |

| |Sponsorship Deadlines Discussion |

| |Finalize Big name sponsor list |

| |Determine ineligible companies based on hotel, resort and restaurant selection |

| |Develop Save the Date |

|11/11/2009 |Contact/Follow up with Big name sponsorships |

| |Finalize Sponsorship Proposal |

| |Finalize Event Details for pitch |

| |Updates from Chad/Aaron/Sam |

| |Follow up with Winter Park Sponsors |

| |Determine involvement from other group members |

| |Update materials with signed-on sponsors |

| |Saved the Date contact list developed |

|11/18/2009 |Draft Presentations for feedback |

| |Update event planning, marketing, website, and sponsorship |

| |Draft Sponsorship Presentation for feedback |

| |Finalize Silent Auction donation list |

| |Determine involvement from other group members |

| |Update materials with signed-on sponsors |

| |Meeting with TNC |

| |Website front page in place |

| |Send out Save the Date |

|11/25/2009 |Fall Break |

| | |

| |Finish and finalize Sponsor Packet as coached by Wright Group |

| |  |

|12/2/2009 |Develop lessons learned |

| |Develop plan for closing project |

| |Update on sponsorships and donation items |

| |Develop post-class plan |

|12/9/2009 |Final deliverables |

| |Final Client Presentations |

| |Performance reviews |

| |Have a fully functional website in place |

Approved By:

Project Sponsor:________________________

Date: ________________________________

Stakeholder Analysis

|Name |Organization |Role |Interest |Influence |Expectations |Ways to Manage Expectations |

|Brian Allison |Exceler8 II |Project Manager/Project |High |High |Weekly status meetings, |Attend weekly meetings, get |

| | |Sponsor | | |budget/spending approval, |approval for every piece of |

| | | | | |part of the brainstorming |project, turn in |

| | | | | |process, successful and |deliverables, keep updated |

| | | | | |timely completion of | |

| | | | | |project, complete | |

| | | | | |deliverables | |

|TNC- Taylor Hawes |The Nature Conservancy |Project Beneficiary |High |Low |Funds raised to contribute |Reach donation goal of |

| | | | | |to Priority Water Project |$30,000 and attendees for |

| | | | | |and meet fundraising goal |awareness |

|Brad |Winter Park |Project Coordinator |Medium |Medium |Added business for Winter |Work together to establish |

| | | | | |Park resort, a successful |lodging, event location, |

| | | | | |event, PR |logistics, etc. |

|Sponsors |Sponsor Companies |Project Sponsors |Medium |High |PR/advertising, recognition |Establish ways to give |

| | | | | | |recognition and make sure |

| | | | | | |they are well known at event|

|Student Group |University of Colorado |Project Team |High |High |Successful and timely |Stay on task, don’t wait |

| |Boulder Students | | | |completion of project, high |until the last minute, |

| | | | | |grade |communication among team |

| | | | | | |members |

| | |Project Grader |Medium |Low |Complete and timely |Complete work ahead of time,|

|Jim Marlatt |CU Boulder Faculty | | | |deliverables |meet deadlines |

|Cisco |Cisco Systems |Project Sponsor |Low |Low | Put on a successful event, |None |

| | | | | |meet Brian’s standards | |

|Mentor |Hitachi |Project Supervisor |Medium |Medium |Successful communication |Maintain communication |

| | | | | |between all parties, |channels, get help with |

| | | | | |problems/issues solved |issues that come up |

|Markus Beck |Alpine World Ascents |Director of Guides |High |Medium |Communication about guided |Maintain communication |

| | | | | |trips, while staying within |through email and phone and |

| | | | | |limits of business. |expectations for |

| | | | | | |participating in the event. |

|Participants |n/a |Funding source |High |High |Have a good time for a good |Timely communication. |

| | | | | |cause and establish a |Experience meets |

| | | | | |successful marketing |expectations |

| | | | | |campaign to show that their | |

| | | | | |attendance is necessary for | |

| | | | | |the event. | |

|Jen Triplett |Devil’s Thumb Ranch |Event Coordinator |Low |High |Execute event at the |Communicate in timely manner|

| | | | | |location |and establish details before|

| | | | | | |signing the contract |

|Jamie Walter |PowderAddiction |Cat skiing tour guide |Low |High |Sign contracts |Meet communication deadlines|

| | | | | | |and sign contract |

.

.

.

.

. Cost/Benefit Analysis

This is our planned cost benefit analysis for the Exceler8s II Event. Our project has not reached the point where we are able to produce meaningful numbers for each of these categories.

The following considerations are currently guiding the parameters of our project:

1) Holding the event in Winter Park and Berthoud Pass this year instead of Silverton Mountain will present the project team with the benefit of Winter Parks proximity to the Front Range, which is the community we are trying to appeal to and support; however, working with a new city with a separate set of rules will present new challenges.

2) By dividing the location of our event we will be able to appeal to more participants, but we will also have to handle the logistics of coordinating the two parts of the event.

Within the planned project we are dividing the experience across two locations:

A) Winter Park: to provide a fun and relaxing experience that will bring the community together for a good cause

B) Jones Pass: to provide a strenuous team environment through guided tours that will push participants to realize what they are capable of doing.

We have developed this tentative chart to list our considerations for the cost benefits of the event.

| |2009-2010 |

|BENEFITS | |

|TANGIBLE | |

|Donations to The Nature Conservancy |$30,000 |

|Colorado River Project improvements |TBD |

|INTANGIBLE | |

|Work towards a good cause | NA |

|Exceler8 brand equity |NA |

|Exceler8 public recognition |NA |

|PR/advertising for Exceler8s, Winter Park, sponsors |NA |

|TOTAL BENEFITS | |

|COSTS | |

|DEVELOPMENT COSTS | |

|Advertisement/promotion of event |$500 |

|Meeting costs |0 |

|Communication costs |0 |

|Invitations, save the dates |0 |

|Website set up |0 |

|OPERATIONS/MAINTENANCE COSTS |0 |

|T-shirt costs |TBD |

|Covering sponsor costs for free attendance, etc. |TBD |

|Location rentals |0 (waived) |

|Cat Skiing |$3000 (covered by participants and prizes) |

|Custom Group Wristbands |$175 |

|Food/drink |~$8000 (depends on number of participants |

| |and is covered by the participants) |

|Transportation costs |TBD |

|TOTAL COSTS |TBD |

|BENEFITS LESS COSTS |TBD |

.

Colorado River Plan Executive Summary

.

.

. DRAFT

. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

. The Nature Conservancy

. Colorado River Program

. Contact: Taylor Hawes 303-541-0322 thawes@

.

.

. The Colorado River is one of the iconic symbols of conservation in the American West, if not the world. It has shaped the human history of the southwestern region from the earliest Native American inhabitants to the explorations of John Wesley Powell to modern day. The river is a source of life in an otherwise arid region. The Colorado and its tributaries are globally significant for the vast assortment of life it supports.

.

. Historically, the Colorado River drainage contained 49 native fish species, including 42 endemic species found in no other river system. The river basin encompasses a variety of freshwater ecosystem types, from mountain peaks to desert rivers and a great delta. It supports an astonishing array of plant and animal species that depend on a healthy, sustainable Colorado River basin, including the Colorado pikeminnow; Chiricahua leopard frog; Zuni Bluehead Sucker, alcove bog orchid; Southwestern willow flycatcher and hundreds of other species of migrating songbirds.

.

. It is also a critical source of water for human needs. It sustains 30 million people and their economies in both the United States and Mexico, irrigating more than 3 million acres of farmland. Hydropower, coal-fired electricity, and oil and gas development also depend on the river. World-class recreation, such as boating, fishing and nature tourism, is a significant economic engine in the region. Population growth in the basin is expected to increase by approximately 39% by 2035 – 12 million more people depending on this river. Yet, climate change studies vary, but predict a range of 5-20% decrease in water supplies by 2050.

.

. Due to long-term and intensifying human use of this river system, the natural diversity of animals and plants that depend on it is at grave risk. Of the endemic species, four are extinct and 95% of the remaining species are endangered or threatened. In the Lower Colorado River Basin, less than 2% of the native riparian areas are natural. Conservation success in the basin is constrained by many factors: growing municipal water use, spreading invasive plants and non-native animals, land conversion, energy development and poor grazing practices. In the past, federal and state agencies and many conservation organizations focused on smaller-scale planning and projects to tackle localized problems. However, the lack of a basin-wide vision and strategy for conservation has hindered the Conservancy and other organizations from capitalizing on land and water initiatives taking place at a larger scale.

.

. In response to these concerns, the Conservancy undertook an assessment of freshwater plants and animals in the entire basin to determine its priorities and as a foundation for a conservation action plan at the basin-wide scale. The assessment helped the Conservancy identify potential cross-cutting strategies and a suite of site specific places where we can get the greatest return on our conservation investment. Building on that assessment, the Conservancy is developing a more detailed action plan that aims to protect globally threatened freshwater species and natural communities while recognizing the needs of people. This includes three major strategies and sixteen phase I priority river segments.

.

. The Colorado River supports some of the fastest growing municipal areas in the country: Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Los Angeles, San Diego and Denver. A growing demand for water, coupled with natural variability and the potential for decreased water availability due to climate change, increases the urgency of developing long-term solutions for both economic interests and conservation. To be successful, the Conservancy must work closely with other conservation organizations. No other organization is working in as many places in the basin as TNC or across the entire basin, but each one is a critical partner for the implementation of important aspects of the plan. We must develop and work toward a common vision for the basin.

.

. The West is on the cusp of the next generation of critical water management decisions. With several decades of water conservation experience, the Conservancy is poised to apply its scientific expertise and collaborative approach to ensure the future of water for people and nature. The Conservancy believes that human needs can be met without sacrificing the health of the freshwater systems upon which all life depends. Our basin-wide approach will provide a template for the protection of working rivers, particularly with growing demand and increasingly arid conditions—one of the most vexing global problems.

.

. The Nature Conservancy’s Vision

.

. The Conservancy’s vision is that streams and rivers of the Colorado River Basin will be managed to conserve the native species, natural communities, and ecosystems found in and along the river system. We recognize that this vision of sustainable biodiversity must incorporate the human dimension, including rural communities, vibrant cities, viable agricultural economies, and adequate water and hydropower supplies. Ultimately, TNC hopes to create a new paradigm that will allow it, and its conservation partners, to be more efficient and effective in freshwater conservation efforts of this magnitude. The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado River program is driven by the belief that conservation efforts in the Colorado River basin can balance environmental needs with human use.

.

.

.

. A Basin-wide Plan for the Colorado River

.

. This strategic plan describes how we might achieve many of the goals associated with a sustainable river system in the short-run, while creating a framework for sustainability in the future. TNC does not expect that it will perform all the elements and actions in this plan, but it will work with stakeholders and partners to identify means by which required actions can be taken and objectives can be accomplished. TNC also recognizes that ultimately any strategic plan must be an organic document and must provide a flexible framework that can adapt changing circumstances and opportunities.

.

. This plan describes a multitude of strategies to achieve conservation objectives in the Basin. All strategies must be considered within the context of local circumstances, including geography, politics and stakeholders; however, the plan also includes strategies at both basin-wide and site-specific scales. Cross-cutting strategies will support efforts in the priority segments by creating additional tools and mechanisms. River specific activities will help us meet our conservation goals for the basin. Working at the basin-wide and sub-basin scale is necessary to achieve long-term sustainability in the basin, together with the willingness to measure outcomes and adapt our strategies if we are not meeting our goals. Most importantly, the plan must remain focused on the fundamental organizing principles and goals that inform our vision for the basin.

.

. Major strategies

.

. Cross-cutting strategies are those that go beyond specific places and create a long-term framework for success and new tools to achieve the Conservancy’s bio-diversity goals while also fulfilling our guiding principles. The strategies identified in this section can be divided into the following ten major categories:

.

. 1. Imperiled Species Conservation.

. 2. Sustainable Funding for Freshwater Conservation.

. 3. Water Management Reform.

.

. Sixteen Phase I River Segments

.

. The Nature Conservancy has selected 16 Phase I on-the-ground projects throughout the Colorado River basin. These are river related projects from the headwaters to the sea in the United States and Mexico to restore native fish and streamside vegetation, to control non-native vegetation, to improve flow patterns, and to protect floodplain habitats. The projects were selected as Phase I sites for two main reasons: 1) TNC believes it will get the biggest return on investment working in these places first, 2) TNC is already working on these rivers or has some capacity to work here in the near future.

.

. These Phase I rivers include:

. 1. Bill Williams River (Arizona)

. 2. Dolores and San Miguel Rivers (Colorado & Utah)

. 3. Escalante River (Utah)

. 4. Gunnison River (Colorado)

. 5. Lower Colorado River & Delta (Arizona, California, & Mexico)

. 6. Lower Green Colorado (Colorado & Utah)

. 7. Muddy River (Nevada)

. 8. San Juan River (Colorado, New Mexico, & Utah)

. 9. San Pedro River (Arizona)

. 10. Upper Colorado River (Colorado & Utah)

. 11. Upper Gila River (New Mexico & Arizona)

. 12. Upper Green (Wyoming)

. 13. Verde River (Arizona)

. 14. Virgin River (Utah, Nevada, & Arizona)

. 15. Yampa, White and Little Snake Rivers (Colorado, Wyoming, & Utah)

. 16. Zuni Headwaters (New Mexico)

. [pic]

.

.

.

.

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.

EXCELER8S II TENTATIVE ITINERARY

EXCELER8S II ITINERARY

February 24-26, 2009

Winter Park, CO

February 24

12 pm: Check in and registration begins at base camp

Check in to hotels and lodging

1:30 pm: Seminar 1 (45 min- 1 hour)

2:45 pm: Seminar 2 (45 min- 1 hour)

5 pm: Happy hour and Brian/Katherine speech

Dinner independently after

February 25

8 am: Breakfast at base camp

9 am: Cat skiing meets at base camp- leave for Jones Pass (we need to confirm times with Jones Pass, I am just estimating)

Free ski begins

Lunch independently

12 pm: Transportation back from Jones Pass (again, needs to be confirmed with Jones Pass people)

5 pm: Cocktail hour at silent auction dinner (cash bar?)

6 pm: Opening speaker

Dinner

7:30 pm: Silent auction

February 26

8 am: Breakfast at base camp

9 am: Cat skiing meets at base camp- leave for Jones Pass (we need to confirm times with Jones Pass)

Free ski begins

Lunch independently

12 pm: Transportation back from Jones Pass

Check out of hotels and lodging begins

Work Breakdown Structure

[pic]

[pic]

[pic]

Work Breakdown Structure Continued

[pic]

Similar Event Research

1. University of Colorado Miss Greek Pageant:



Every year, the CU chapter of Sigma Pi fraternity hosts a pageant where the contestants are sorority members. Donations are made to support one of the contestants and the amount of donations each contestant receives fits into her overall score. All money raised is donated to Clinica Family Health Services, which is a community health center for low-income and underprivileged families in and around the Boulder area, and the Tennyson center, which is a center for treatment and education of abused, neglected, and at-risk youth. The Miss Greek pageant made over $120,000 in the two years it has been put on. This event can help us to establish some type of competitive registration or donation process with prizes at the end to give sponsors further incentive to raise more money or donate more goods/services to our event.

2. Relay for Life:



Every year, teams of people sign up around the country to participate in an overnight event to raise much-needed funds to fight cancer and to raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment. The team members take turns walking or running around a track or a path all night long. Each participant sets a goal of how much money they want to raise. This event is a way to bring people affected by cancer together to share their experiences and to support one another. It has become a signature event that people are aware of around the country and that has return participants every year. This could be a model we could use to bring return participants to the Exceler8 festival every year. By telling a compelling story that brings the tension of the Colorado River Project to peoples’ attention, they will be more willing and excited to help out, donate, and attend the event every year, helping our attendance grow year by year.

3. Swing Into Life Golf Tournament:



This tournament is very similar to the Exceler8 ski festival in that it is only in its second year and they are still trying to encourage more attendance and awareness for their event. The Lily Foundation puts on a golf tournament and donates proceeds from the tournament to the implementation of suicide prevention programs, support for people who have attempted suicide, and those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Their website also advertises sponsorship opportunities and donation opportunities for participants. We can use their website as an example of how to improve ours, as well as take a look at their brochure and donation process to perhaps use their ideas to implement our process in a simpler and easier-to-read format.

4. San Diego Fire Run:



This event entails a 4 mile walk/run from La Jolla to Pacific Beach to raise money for the San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation, which supports local firefighters and paramedics. They had attendance of over 2,000 runners in this event. This event was set up extremely similarly to ours- they had an active event, a dinner afterwards, happy hour to celebrate, awards for highest donators and fastest running times, pre-registration, etc. This event can incentivize us in getting more participants because this was a local event, much like the Exceler8 festival and the number of participants they got was well over our goal of 120. With advertising and promotion of the event, we can reach our goal easily.

5. Base Camp Bash:



Base Camp Bash is an event put on in Downtown Denver to help fund the Community Adventure Program. This is a program for environmentally aware high school students designed to help them practice outdoor skills, discuss and debate local environmental issues, and make a positive impact on their communities. It teaches them camping and wilderness survival skills and provides them with resources so that they can tackle important environmental issues affecting their own communities. This event was held at the Wynkoop Brewing Company and they offered appetizers, cash bar, and live entertainment. There was a raffle held, a silent auction, information about the program, and an Environmental Stewardship Award given out. This event is also very similar to ours and includes many of the same elements as our event will.

6. Tall Stories Charity Challenge



This is a company in Europe that puts on challenging events to sponsor charities. Any organization can go to them and they will put on an event in support of the charity of choice. These events are challenging physical activities done in a group setting, either guided or not guided. There are two popular skiing challenges that are similar in nature to our festival—they are weekend long challenging courses designed to push participants physically while also giving back to a charitable cause. These have proven to be a huge success, and this is an encouraging organization to look at, as this could mean that our event could also become a big hit in Colorado this year and in future years.

1. Eskimo Escapades



This is an event much like Exceler8s that combines challenging physical activity with having a good time. This event has been going on for 15 years, and it is a winter water ski event held in Tennessee. Their event benefits The Dream Connection, which helps sponsor dreams for terminally ill patients and the Patricia Neal IRC, which specializes in recreational activities for disabled persons. Their website is set up much like ours, and has many of the same tabs. They have continually raised more money each year as the event went on and have also had more participants, even with road blocks such as freezing cold water temperatures and changes in venue. This can alleviate some of the stress we have about weather risks and changing the event to Winter Park.

2. Shred It Challenge



This is an event in England held to benefit the NSPCC, which is an organization that works against child abuse. It is a 12 hour event that features on and off slope events, time trials, and freestyle skiing with slaloms, moguls, and many other challenges. Their goal is to push participants with many different skiing options. We could not find any information about whether this event was a success, although we did find information that this event has morphed into a 25 mile walk instead of a ski event, so it probably was not a huge success. This is probably because skiing may not be as popular of an activity or because they did not advertise enough.

3. K2 Pink Chase



This event is a women-only ski event to raise money for breast cancer research. Teams of three women will compete against each other to see who can ski the most vertical feet. The teams are encouraged to dress up. They also offer prizes much as we will for competitions that we set up. These prizes include cat skiing, ski apparel, and much more. Their registration cost is far lower than ours, however theirs is a one day event while ours is 2 ½ and their registration fee does not include lift tickets. We may want to consider letting people buy lift tickets on their own, because it makes the registration fee much lower and much more appealing, and then we wouldn’t have to deal with people who already have passes, etc. They are doing an awards ceremony and an after party, so their event contains many of the same elements as ours does, but it just consolidates them into one day. This is something to think about for next year because we could cut costs by shortening the event.

4. Summit For Life



This is an event taking place in Aspen with a purpose of educating people on organ and tissue donation. It is a night time uphill race with dinner, awards, and a live musical performance. The event is a challenging way to have fun and have donations pledged on your behalf. When you pay the registration fee, you are committing yourself to raising a certain amount of money pledged for you. This is the third year this event has been going on, and they have received a lot of media coverage all over the web, as well as print, TV and radio.

Premise, Conflict, Tension, Turning Point, and Resolution\

Premise:

The premise of this year’s Exceler8s II event will be to bring the community together in support of the Colorado Nature Conservancy’s Priority Rivers Project (PWP), a subset of the Colorado River Project. The event will focus on creating awareness of the project over the span of a two and a half day fundraiser event that will encompass everything from a relaxing and fun experience on the slopes of Winter Park to challenging guided tours through Jones Pass.

Mission Statement: Appreciate and celebrate the life experience of accomplishing achievements not thought possible by extending oneself physically and mentally in a team environment.

Conflict:

The core conflict revolves around bridging the self-interests of stakeholders and the community with a perceived common goal as bridging these interests is crucial for the success of the event, which is to host a successful 2 ½ day fundraising event for The Nature Conservancy.

Tension:

The stakeholders of the Exceler8s II Festival have their own self-interests which must be bridged to our perceived common goal of giving back to The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado River Project.

Companies are struggling to bring in business and stay afloat, so their available resources for sponsorship are limited. Participants have to use money sparingly in these rough economic times and our event requires money. Winter Park and Jones Pass require specific numbers of participants to meet revenue goals. The Nature Conservancy expects our event to meet specific fundraising goals and awareness.

Turning Point:

The Exceler8s II team will successfully bridge the self-interests of the stakeholders to the perceived common goal of supporting TNC or their self-interests will not be met and the event will be unsuccessful leading to lack of financial support and awareness for the CO River Basin Project, and damage to reputation.

Resolution:

If people attend the event and we reach our donation goals, then we are able to bridge the gap by increasing awareness for the Colorado River Project among all parties and by increasing marketing opportunities for sponsors, Winter Park and Exceler8s.

Tentative List of Potential Sponsors and Donations

Costco

Omaha Steaks

Colorado Baggage Co.

Boulder Running Company

Mens Health

McGuckins

Boulder Body Wear

Impact Sports Performance

Dick's Sporting Goods

Kroenke Sports

Starbucks

Pete's

Flatirons Crossing

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

At Altitude

University of Colorado

Ralph Lauren

Rocky Mountain Racquet and Sport

Chik-Fil-A

Glacier Ice Cream

Paradise Bakery

Ink!

Rock Bottom Restaurants

Old Chicago

Red Robin

Noodles & Company

The Sink

The Rio Grande

Tokyo Joes

Hacienda Colorado

Buffalo Wild Wings

Cosmos Pizza

Cici's Pizza

Boulder Cork

Safeway

Hapa

Village Tavern

Turley's

Mimi's Cafe

Dark Horse

Chipotle

Baked in Boulder

Superior liquor

Liquor Mart

Whole Foods

Splitz

Boondocks

Denver Zoo

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Regal Entertainment Group

Colorado Cinema Group

AMC Theatres

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Six Flag Elitch Gardens

Colorado Rockies

Southwest Airlines (or any other)

Essentials Spa

Renaissance Suites at Flatirons

St. Julien

Coors Brewing Company

Boulder Beer

Intrawest

Salomon

Under Armour

Nike

The North Face

Columbia

Obermeyer

Celestial Seasonings

Change Management Plan

• Change winter park venue to other outside venues

• Changes to website deadline

• Broader Co River Project ( Specific Initiative

|Change Request #1 |Changing Berthoud Pass to Jones |

|Date |10/28/09 |

|Change Description |No longer providing back country guided tours and we are providing cat skiing |

| |tours instead |

|Reason for Change |Could not obtain proper use permit |

|Impact |We had to contact a new entity to replace back country guided tours |

| |Schedule set back, so unable to communicate to the participants the details of |

| |the event |

| |We will positively impact the quality of the event by working with reliable |

| |parties that can commit to deadlines and needs of the project (cat skiing and |

| |increased participant capacity) |

| |It increased our cost |

| |Increased team resources by reducing work required in relation to Berthoud Pass |

| | |

|Status |Approved |

|Approved Date |10/28/09 |

| | |

| | |

|Change Request #2 |Changing Tent provider for the base camp |

|Date |10/7/09 |

|Change Description |Instead of getting a tent for $15,000 from Winter Park, we are getting a tent |

| |from the Wright Group for $1000 |

|Reason for Change |Winter Park tent pricing is outside our budget |

|Impact |Decreased cost by $14,000 |

| |Changed our base camp location |

| |Have more reliable person who can commit and meet our needs to ensure quality |

| |Allowed members to further plan the details of the event |

|Status |Approved |

|Approved Date |12/2/09 |

| | |

|Change Request #3 |Changing Winter Park event venue to Devils Thumb Ranch |

|Date |11/04/09 |

|Change Description |Changed location of Exceler8s central and dinner |

|Reason for Change |Due to unresponsiveness from Winter Park, sponsors and donation limitations, and |

| |costs, relocated event location |

|Impact |Cost decreased |

| |Increased logistical concern of transportation between Devils Thumb and Winter |

| |Park |

| |Increase quality of menu |

| |Added experience to event with rustic mountain lodge |

| |Ability to finalize registration cost |

|Status |Approved |

|Approved Date |11/05/2009 |

|Change Request #4 |Change of venue from Winter Park to Breckenridge |

|Reason for Change |Increase level of responsiveness; increase of participant accessibility; More |

| |available facilities to host event; Cheaper ski rates |

|Impact |Decrease participant registration costs |

| |Increase number of participants |

| |Decrease event costs |

| |More response from venue –higher quality info |

|Status |Denied |

|Date |10/21/2009 |

|Objective/ Deliverables |Verification Method |Defects/ Discrepancies |Methods for Addressing |Status/ Due date |

| | | |Defects/ Discrepancies | |

|Event Itinerary |Confirmation from venues; |No cohesive flow; lack of |Multiple run-throughs of |10/28/2009 |

| |Approval from client |response or disproval from |logistics of event; |underway |

| | |venues; material necessary |confirmation and follow up | |

| | |not permitted |with venues; confirm | |

| | | |limitations and work around | |

|Website content |Group and client consensus |Unparallel information of |Conference call and constant|Constant update; Mostly |

| | |event info and web info; |email with web developer; |functional by second week of|

| | |irrelevant sponsor and |team member login in ability|December |

| | |mission info |for edits | |

|Contact potential sponsors |Confirm sponsor pitch and |No response or negative |Consistent and effective |Constant progress; five to |

|and fundraisors |utilize decided upon |response |pitch; follow up on |seven companies contacted |

| |communication methods | |contacts; congruent info |per week |

| | | |from event | |

Quality assurance for 10/28/2009

Quality assurance for 11/4/2009

|Objectives/ Deliverables |Verification Methods |Defects/ Discrepancies |Methods for Addressing |Status/ Due Date |

| | | |Defects/ Discrepancies | |

|Gather silent auction |Confirm products donated |Refusal/lack of delivery |Confirm pick up date/ verify|Constant progress |

|donations |with client and business | |address of location for | |

| | | |shipment; pick up items in | |

| | | |person | |

|Logistics: transportation |Confirm with client location|Cost; lack of resources for |Quotes from multiple |11/30/2009 |

| |of venue and in-scope means |transportation; lengthy |business; pay attention to | |

| |of participant |travel distances; unknown |pre-event registration | |

| |transportation |number of participant | | |

| | |transportation | | |

|Sponsorship Benefits |Sponsor team agreement; |Inability for Exceler8s to |Confirm motivational |11/4/2009 |

|established |client confirmation |complete; ineffective |incentives with Endurance | |

| | |incentives |Sports Marketing; agreement | |

| | | |with client based on past | |

| | | |experience | |

|Sponsor List |Confirm client expectations |Not congruent idea of |Communicate and discover |11/4/2009 |

| |for sought after sponsors; |obtainable and productive |expectations from client | |

| |agreement with sponsor team |sponsors | | |

| |over obtainable/ logical | | | |

| |sponsors | | | |

|Develop Save the Date |Develop logical layout with |Ability to send in mass |Format template to have |11/20/2009 |

| |necessary info developed by |email |capability of html format | |

| |team and client | | | |

Quality Assurance for 11/11/2009

|Objectives/ Deliverables |Verification Methods |Defects/ Discrepancies |Methods for Addressing |Status/ Due Dates |

| | | |Defects/ Discrepancies | |

|Sponsorship Proposal |Utilize agreed upon sponsor |Less than adequate product |Utilize Wright Group as |Being Finalized by Mentor; |

| |benefits; utilize pitch; |for effectiveness |mentor for proposal |12/3/2009 |

| |Get feedback from | |material; Continuous updates| |

| |group/client | |and revisions | |

|Itinerary/ Event Details |Client and group consensus; |Conflicts with venues; lack |Continual communication with|11/30/2009 |

| |Agreements with venues |of agreement with client/ |venues; sign contracts; | |

| | |team |continual communication | |

| | | |within team/ client | |

|Determine group member |Individual member agreement |Lack of time; lack of |Budget time in schedule; |In progress; efforts |

|involvement with sponsors |of efforts for their |response |clarify what efforts need |continue to early February |

|and silent auction |possible contribution | |attention; continual | |

| | | |reminders | |

|Update sponsor info on |Sponsor agreement of |No login ID for website; |Tireless communication with |Continuous through January; |

|website |involvement; clarify agreed |difficulty determining |sponsors; specific questions|in progress |

| |upon sponsor benefits |sponsor involvement |to be responded to by | |

| | | |sponsor | |

|Contact list for Save the |All team members collaborate|Unattainable contact info |Double check contact info |11/13/2009 |

|Date |to develop list | | | |

Quality Assurance for 11/18/2009

|Objectives/ Deliverables |Verification Methods |Defects/ Discrepancies |Methods of Addressing |Status/ Due Date |

| | | |Defects/ Discrepancies | |

|Draft of Presentation |Group collaboration and a |Incongruent material as directed |Continual feedback from |11/18/2009 |

| |consensus |by client |client | |

|Updates |Run-through with client; |Miscommunication of expectations |Discover client expectations|Continuous through early |

| |upload to website |for sponsors and marketing |and assumptions; follow up |February |

| | |efforts; lack of response from |with other parties | |

| | |intended respondents | | |

|Silent Auction List |Clear initial list of donors|Not congruent expectations for |Review expectations; budget |End of December; continuous |

| |with client; get group input|list between group and client; |time | |

| | |lack of time | | |

|Determine Group Involvement |Group agreement of support |Lack of time/ availability |Keep up with group |Continuous; in progress |

| |on all fronts | |schedules; determine | |

| | | |availability | |

|Meeting with The Nature |Set meeting time with client|Meeting material and time |Set time; agenda; |11/18/2009 |

|Conservancy |and Taylor Hawes | |clarification during meeting| |

Quality Assurance for 11/25/2009

|Objectives/ Deliverables |Verification Methods |Defects/ Discrepancies |Methods of Addressing |Status/ Due Dates |

| | | |Defects/ Discrepancies | |

|Finish draft of sponsor |Draft product; delivered to |Incomplete content |Finalize with Wright Group |11/24/2009 |

|packet |Wright Group | |12/3/09 | |

Quality Assurance for 12/2/2009

|Objectives/ Deliverables |Verification Methods |Defects/ Discrepancies |Methods of Addressing |Status/ Due Dates |

| | | |Defects/ Discrepancies | |

|Develop Lessons Learned |Consensus of group |Disagreement of lessons; |Budget time; communication |12/3/2009 |

| | |time |and agreement | |

|Develop Plan for Closing |Consensus of group; |Shortcomings of final event |Hard work; communication of |12/6/2009 |

|Project |agreement with client | |expectations from all | |

| | | |stakeholders | |

|Updates |Team collaboration and |Lack of response; lack of |Foster communication with |Continuous; in progress |

| |continued progress of event |communication |team members and outside | |

| | | |parties | |

|Develop post-semester plan |Team agreement with client |Break; time |Manage time; work over break|1/11/2010 |

Event Operations Plan:

Winter Park:

Contact: Brad Carothers BCarothers@

Wednesday:

Transportation from airport to Winter Park- Roger Headlund at Home James transportation company (970-726-5060)

Hotel Check-in at Winter Park Mountain Lodge or Devil Thumb Ranch

Registration at Exceler8s Central (Either Tent at base of mountain or Level 6 at West Portal Station)

Panel about Colorado River Project/ Guest Speaker TBA- Level 6 at West Portal Station

Happy Hour at Cheeky Monk

Thursday:

Breakfast at Exceler8’s central

Free mountain skiing

Buses to Cirque available

Nastar racing allowed two runs

Transportation to Devil thumb

Silent Auction and Dinner at Devil Thumb Ranch – Contact: Jennifer Triplet jtriplet@

Transportation back to winter park

Friday:

Breakfast at Exceler8’s central

Free mountain skiing

Nastar racing allowed 2 runs

Bus to Cirque available

Check-out of hotels

Jones Pass:

Contact: Jamie Walters Jamie.Walters@

Thursday:

Transportation back and forth from Winter Park to Jones Pass

Guided Cat Skiing

Friday:

Transportation back and forth from Winter Park to Jones Pass

Guided Cat Skiing

Expenses:

Expenses to Exceler8’s:

1) T-Shirt

2) Bracelets

3) Exeler8’s central room or tent

4) Seminar Room Level 6 at Winter Park rental fee

5) Transportation to Devil’s Thumb

6) Transportation to Nastar Racing

7) Devil Thumb Ranch Room for dinner (waved with $1,500 worth of food)

Expenses to attendees:

1) Registration fee

a. Skiing for two days – lift tickets

b. Jones pass skiing

c. Dinner at Devil Thumb Ranch

d. Nastar two runs

2) Hotel fees (1 or 2 nights)

3) Lunch on Thursday and Friday

4) Donations and auction items

5) Transportation to and from airport

6) Any extra drinks during happy hour

7) Rental equipment for skiing and snowboarding

Booking Contract/Event Only

|ORGANIZATION: |EXCELLER8S |TODAY’S DATE: |11.30.09 |

|CONTACT: |LEANN TATELMEN |SALES MANAGER: |JENNIFER TRIPLET |

|ADDRESS: |1002 UNIVERSITY AVENUE |MASTER FOLIO: |12529 |

|CITY: |BOULDER |STATE: |CO |

|Post As: |S-EXCELLER |

| | |

This Agreement is made and entered into by and between Devil’s Thumb Ranch (“DTR”) and Exceller8s (“Group” or “Contracting Party”), for your event on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 (“Event Date”).

Overnight Accommodations

Devil’s Thumb Ranch will not hold any lodging accommodations; however the group has been offered a discounted rate of $210.00 per room.

Please ask your attendees to call Guest Services at 970-726-5632 and ask for Group Code-S-EXCELLER to make these reservations with special rate.

All room rates are subject to local sales and accommodations tax, currently 6.2% and a $5.00 per day per room for lodging related gratuities including housekeeping, baggage wrangler and concierge services. It includes WIFI, complimentary access to the fitness center and free parking. The group is solely and fully responsible for informing attendees of these charges and that they are a separate from the room rate and taxes. It shall be the group’s sole responsibility to disclose clearly to attendees, in advance of booking and making reservations for rooms supplied by Devil’s Thumb Ranch, any and all additional Devil’s Thumb Ranch charges specified herein.

Check-in time is after 4:00pm. Checkout time is before 11:00am.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch reserves the right to substitute equal or better-appointed accommodations in the event that a portion of the rooms in a particular location is not available due to circumstances beyond control.

Payment Arrangements

Billing instructions:

Incidentals: Individual Pays on Own except what group confirms in writing prior to the event.

Planned Food and Beverage: Group Master Account

Unscheduled Recreation, Individual Pays on Own

Advance Deposits:

The advance deposit indicated within this contract will be credited to the Group’s Master Account upon the Group’s check-in or, in the event of cancellation, applied towards the cancellation fees/liquidated damages set forth herein.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch requires a non-refundable deposit equal to 50% of the Food & Beverage Minimum.

Upon return of signed of contract: 50% of Food & Beverage Minimum equaling $1750.00

14 Days Prior to Event: Remaining Food & Beverage Minimum equaling $1750.00

7 Days after event with Authorized Credit Application: Any food & beverage amount over the minimum food & beverage estimate is due plus tax and service fee

Initial____ Date____

Please note that events booked within 90 days of the Event Date will require 100% deposit on food and beverage minimums. Site fee has been waived for this event.

Any and all charges, which are the direct responsibility of the individual attendee, must be paid in full upon departure either by cash or credit card. At least thirty (30) days prior to arrival, Devil’s Thumb Ranch must receive notification outlining any special billing arrangements, including name and address of the individual to whom the Master Account is to be charged, the names of those persons, if any, whose guest room accounts are to be charged to the Group’s Master Account, and the name of the person(s) who have the authority to post charges to the Master Account. Any unpaid balance(s) will be charged to the credit card on file within 7 days of departure.

Master Account: There will be a master account in conjunction with this event. Please fill out the provided credit card authorization form along with this signed agreement to your Sales/Catering representative. The credit card placed on file will serve as guarantee for all arrangements as outlined in this agreement.

Schedule of Events

Policies:

Due to licensing requirements and quality control issues, all food and beverage to be served on Devil’s Thumb Ranch property must be supplied and prepared by Devil’s Thumb Ranch. All food and beverage prices are subject to a 20% service charge and 3.9% sales tax (subject to change without notice).

Please note, if you are including external entertainment for your event, please ensure details are provided to Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Any potential threat to life or property will require approval prior to the event

Food and Beverage:

Based upon the number of guests and space reserved for this event, a $3500.00 food and beverage minimum will be required for your function. This minimum does not include service charges, taxes, labor charges, audio visual, room rental, parking or any other miscellaneous charges. If your final attendance drops below the approximate number of guests listed above, we will be happy to advise you on additional food and beverage selections to meet the required minimum. At the conclusion of the event, if the $3500.00 was not met, the balance will be assessed as a service charge.

Banquet event orders (‘BEO’) are due 30 days prior to the event. Final guarantees for meals must be specified no less than 30 days prior to the date of your function and is not subject to reduction. If no final guarantee is received, you will be charged the contracted attendance or the amount of guests present at the function, whichever is greater. Devil’s Thumb Ranch will prepare 5% over guarantee. If changes to BEO’s are made less than 14 days prior a 10% surcharge will apply to all BEO changes.

The following meeting and event space has been reserved in your name.

|Date |Start Time |

|Less than 6 months to one month prior from arrival date |75 % of food and beverage estimate |

|Less than 1 month prior from arrival date |100% of food and beverage estimate. |

Cancellations made under this provision shall be made by canceling party to the non-canceling party by written notice and payment of the liquidated damages due at that time.

Force Majeure

Except for any payment obligations, neither party shall be deemed to be in default or liable for any or damages resulting from claims arising out of or resulting from the acts of omission of your Group or any of its members or participants delays in the event and to the extent that performance thereof is delayed or prevented by acts of God, public enemy, war, civil disorder, fire, flood, explosion, riot, labor disputes, work stoppage or strike, any act or order of any governmental authority, the curtailment of transportation or transportation facilities that prevent or unreasonably delay at least forty percent of the Group participants or any other cause beyond the parties' control making performance impossible. Lack of snow or poor quality snow is not valid cause for cancellation of this contract.

Initial____ Date____

Indemnification and Hold Harmless

The Group hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Devil’s Thumb Ranch from and against loss, liability, costs, , unless such claim has resulted, solely, from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Devil’s Thumb Ranch or its employees acting within the scope of their employment.

INITIAL____ DATE____

Modification

This contract shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Colorado. Jurisdiction and venue shall conclusively be deemed proper in the Denver courts, state of Colorado. This contract shall be binding on and for the benefit of the parties and their successors and assigns. This contract contains the entire agreement of the parties with reference to the subject matter and provisions hereof, and may be altered, amended or modified only in writing by the parties. One or more waivers of any term or condition of this contract by either party shall not be construed as a waiver of subsequent breach of the same term or condition. The consent or approval by either party to or of any act by the other party requiring such consent or approval shall not be deemed to waive or render unnecessary consent to or approval of any subsequent act.

INITIAL____ DATE____

These arrangements are mutually agreed upon and create a contract between the Group and Devil’s Thumb Ranch for the reservation of rooms, meeting space and banquets as set forth herein and as may be supplemented by written agenda or Banquet Event Order.

PLEASE SIGN (DATING AND INITIALING EACH PAGE) AND RETURN IT ALONG WITH YOUR DEPOSIT BY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15TH OR SPACE WILL BE RELEASED. THE UNDERSIGNED HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BIND THEIR RESPECTIVE PRINCIPALS TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Date: Date:

|Jennifer Triplet | |Leann Tatelman |

|Authorized to sign for | |Authorized to sign for |

|Devil’s Thumb Ranch | |Exceller8s |

BUDGET

|Budget | | | | | | |

| |Day 1 AM Cat |10 |175 |1750 | | |

| |Skiing | | | | | |

| |Items |40 |50 |2000 | | |

| |New Belgium | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

| | | | | | |

| | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | |T-shirts |200 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Swag Bags | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Credentials |200 |0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Application fee | | |750 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Leeds team fee | | |500 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Merchant account fees | | |900 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |39374 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Distribution to TNC | | |20000 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Marketing Deliverables

I. Marketing Plan

II. Logos

III. Joint Marketing

IV. Save the Date

V. Website

VI. Website Plan

VII. Press Release

VIII. Marketing Contact Lists

Marketing Plan:

The Exceler8s Marketing team planned an advertisement plan with the help of Brian Allison and Kathryn Zwack.

The plan will focus on reaching out to the community for potential sponsors and participants to support TNC and the CO River Project by attending a 2 ½ day fundraising Festival.

The plan is in place to make up for a lack of advertising for the 1st annual Exceler8s Festival in Silverton.

Advertising should get the word out early enough to help drive the attendance numbers we are seeking for the event.

Advertising Methods:

- Develop advertising based around the purpose of the 2010 Exceler8s Festival and defining the qualities of the Mission Statement:

o The purpose of this year’s Exceler8s II event will be to bring the community together in support of the Colorado Nature Conservancy’s Priority Rivers Project (PWP), a subset of the Colorado River Project. The event will focus on creating awareness of the project over the span of a two and a half day fundraiser event that will encompass everything from a relaxing and fun experience on the slopes of Winter Park to challenging guided tours through Jones Pass.

o Mission Statement: Appreciate and celebrate the life experience of accomplishing achievements not thought possible by extending oneself physically and mentally in a team environment.

- Website:

o Develop a promotional website that will handle registration, donation, information, cross promotion of sponsors and joint advertising partners, and direct sponsors and participants to the information they need to attend our event.

- Save-the-Date:

o Email blast to let email list know about the event

- Other Email Blasts:

o Update about Registration opening and bring attention to new details leading up to the event

- Fliers:

o Develop fliers to distribute throughout the front range in stores, on campus, and at related events.

- Media:

o Reach out to newspapers, TV stations, and magazines whether online or in print.

o Develop PSAs, Calendar material, and articles to be featured.

o Focus on finding free methods of advertising

o $500 for feature advertising

- Joint Marketing:

o Work out plans to market through related parties.

o Advertise through TNC and its affiliates through website links and new letters.

o Advertise through websites, word of mouth, and store fronts of related parties, including sponsors, Winter Park, Jones Pass, CU Foundation, and any other organizations willing to distribute our event information.

- Contact Lists:

o Develop contacts to add to the master list held by Brian and Kathryn for email blast distribution.

Logos:

Logos used for Sponsorships, Fliers, Email Blasts, and Save the Date

[pic]

[pic]

[pic]

Joint Marketing:

Banners for and other Joint Marketing Efforts

[pic] [pic]

Save the Date:

The purpose of this document was to drive initial interest in the event by contacting parties on our email distribution list.

The actual Save-the-Date was sent out via an email blast which was developed by Kathryn Zwack, but the information was based on this file. You should have received this document on Nov. 20th.

[pic]

Website:

The website can be reached at and is currently being forwarded via a redirect.

You will find that the Front Page, the About Page and its subsequent links are updated with content we have currently.

The remainder of the website is still a work in progress and will be mostly completed by the second week of December pending work outside the team’s hands.

Picture of our Website front page:

[pic]

Website Plan:

o The website and all major additions requiring technical expertise will be completed by Jon Hartman. The website content will be updated by Steve Bauer and to an extent the Sponsor Team for Sponsorship additions. The website will run off concrete 5 and is based on an original plan by Jon Hartman.

o The website plan consisted of a template originally developed by Jon Hartman and can be seen on the webpage as the core template. All pages will have pictures, sponsor advertisements, cross-promotional links, and other forms of advertisement.

o You will find a website plan document that lays out how website work has been distributed and the content expected for each part of the site. The final work is what you see on the website at this point.

o Front Page: List the purpose of the event, event highlights, prizes, a link about TNC, sponsor banner, and Logo.

o About Page: Will list the mission statement and team profile

▪ Winter Park & Jones Pass info: List travel, hotel, and area information.

▪ Event Details: List the Itinerary and specific details of the event.

▪ Last Year’s Event: Discuss the history of the event.

▪ TNC and the CO River Project: List what TNC does and the purpose of the project, and provide links to TNC content.

o Sign Up: List the sign up process and have the registration program built into site.

o Donate: List the Donation Process and have the donation process built into the site.

o Results: List the results for highest donations and other event competitions.

o Sponsors: List how to become a sponsor and have sponsor incentives listed.

o FAQS: Put up questions regarding registration process, donation process, and the event.

o Contact: House contact information for the event.

Press releases:

First Track and Elevations Outdoor Magazine

First Tracks Online Ski Magazine: Article Published on Nov 19th 2009

o Boulder, CO - Brian Allison, a Boulder native who serves as Director of Business Development at Cisco Systems, used to make an annual pilgrimage to Silverton Mountain in southwestern Colorado with his brother and close friends. Together they would share a long weekend of steep skiing and male bonding. Then one day, Allison had had the notion to use that experience to give back to the community.

Out of that grew Exceler8s, an organization dedicated to inspiring individuals to accomplish physical and mental achievements in a team and community environment while also giving back to their communities. The group aspires to raise awareness of global issues of concern and provide funds for non-profit organizations to continue their work in those areas.

The group's first gathering was held this past April, when roughly 50 participants from Colorado, Texas, Massachusetts, and California gathered for two days of guided skiing and camaraderie at Silverton. Proceeds from a silent auction, private and corporate donations, totaling $13,000 were donated to The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado River Basin Project, which aims to restore native fish and streamside vegetation, control non-native vegetation improve flow patterns and protect river, spring and floodplain habitats. It also addresses issues such as water use and rights, climate change and ecosystem services valuation along the river's run from its headwaters to the Gulf of California.

This year’s annual Exceler8s Festival will be held Feb. 24-26, 2010 on Jones Pass and in Winter Park, Colo., near the river's headwaters. It will feature seminars on back-country/avalanche awareness, water sustainability issues in the Front Range and Grand County, and other related topics. Cat skiing will be offered for half days on Wednesday, and guided skiing for full days on Thursday and Friday through Powder Addition, a new backcountry skiing operation on Jones Pass. Participants with Exceler8s who elect to ski in more conventional surroundings can enjoy reserved terrain at Winter Park Resort at discounted prices.

A dinner with speaker and slide presentation (and footage of the day’s fun) will be hosted on Thursday night at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash. A silent auction will be held during the dinner and participants will be encouraged to have friends and family donate to The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado River Basin Project. Organizers hope to at least double, if not triple, or attendance at the event this year.

For more information, visit the group's website, .



Elevations Outdoor Magazine Article

o TBD - The article will be featured in their February issue

o This article will be featured along with an advertisement for the event.

Marketing Contact Lists:

o This is a list of the advertising groups we have been or plan to work with for the Exceler8s II Festival. We are contacting newspapers concerning feature articles and Calendars. We are contacting Radio Stations for Advertising announcements and PSAs. We are contacting TV stations for announcement opportunities as well.

o There is a master list that is compiled by Kathryn Zwack for the project email list. Our current file is attached in our file.

o The actual lists and contact information will be attached with our files.

o Newspapers:

Colorado Daily, Daily Camera, Boulder Weekly, Denver post, Denver Daily News, Westward, Summit Daily News, Independent, Gazette, and Sky Hi News

o Magazines:

Ski Tracks, First Tracks, Powder, Backcountry, Skinet, Ski Central, and Snow West

o TV News Station:

9 News, CBS 4, ABC 7 News, KKTV 11, FOX 31, News First 5

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