FX 2023 Portfolio Showcase

Kansas City Young Audiences, 3732 Main St., Kansas City, MO
(scroll down to FAQs for parking info and a map)

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Thank you to our volunteers

Attendees

Your Business Needs the Right Ingredients to Grow

The Portfolio Showcase is your farm-to-table access to success.

• A dash of copywriting creativity.
• Just a pinch of marketing moxie.
• And a smidge of SEO.

That’s what you need to expand your business. You can find your special ingredients at this year’s FX Portfolio Showcase. Get the skillsets that will increase your bottomline and not fall flat like a poorly cooked soufflé. 

Meet and view the portfolios of talented professionals like:

Find an entire team or go a la carte to fit your marketing/creative needs. The Portfolio Showcase is your buffet and there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

Put your name in the spotlight. Sponsor the 2023 Portfolio Showcase!

Exhibitors

The Portfolio Showcase is Your Chance to Show the World What You’re Cooking!

Recipe for a successful freelance career:

• Simmer positive attitude, skill, and accountability over medium heat.
• Add one cup of curiosity along with a pinch of persistence. Stir vigorously until a client base forms and separates from old ideas.
• Grease a presentation sheet with client focus, critical thinking, and adaptability.

Present it all at this year’s Portfolio Showcase and show the world what you’ve been cooking. Connect with clients, decision-makers, and industry professionals.

Whether you’re a designer, writer, photographer, or other advertising/marketing professional, this event is your chance to win your blue ribbon and take your freelance business to the next level.

You’ll meet people who want to hire creative contractors, chat, sip a cocktail and engage in a low-pressure sales pitch.

The Freelance Exchange invites scores of potential clients to the event, including:

Cost*

Early Bird registration closes Oct. 27th. All registration closes November 6th.

Early Bird: 4 ft. table—$20; 6 ft. table—$40

General: 4 ft. table—$25; 6 ft. table—$50

Want more space? Sponsor the Showcase and get a 8 ft. table. Scroll down to see additional benefits of becoming a sponsor and select the best level for your business.

Don’t miss out on this prime opportunity to learn, connect, and get in front of the very people looking for talent like you. Space is limited! Reserve your spot today and get ready to cook up the perfect recipe for your freelance success!

*You must be an FX member in good standing to exhibit. Not a member? Join today!

Exhibitors FAQ

How many companies are attending?
Obviously, we can’t say for sure how many will visit the event exactly, but we can tell you about our efforts and what we’ve experienced in the past:

• We email invitations to thousands of businesses and nonprofits, and many pass the information on to people in their network, so even more hear about the event that we don’t contact directly.
• We have a strong PR campaign that includes sending press releases to publications and media outlets, vying for air time on radio and television stations, and working with area professional organizations to promote our event.
• We have a killer social media plan going using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Meetup.
• We could have anywhere from 50-200+ people attend. However, we suggest you don’t spend a ton of money on that many giveaways, if you choose to hand out a brochure or promo item, figure for maybe 10-20 strong leads.
• We suggest inviting your own clients, prospects and peers! Not only will it bring more people to the Showcase, but it will help you. Your clients will appreciate you taking the time to tell them about it, as opposed to the standard “Just calling to see if you have any work for me” calls they usually get. Also, it gives you a non-sales excuse to contact prospects that have been tough to get to or that you really want to work with. Don’t view it as inviting them to check out your competition. View it instead as an opportunity to pair them up with a team of individuals to form a virtual agency. It’s their one-stop shop!

What types of companies are attending?

• We invite a wide variety of companies, ad agencies and organizations from various industries.
• The advertising, PR, design, and marketing sector has been heavily targeted, but that’s not all. We also specifically target small businesses that need outside help.
• We directly invited folks from the top companies in banking, insurance, real estate, engineering, architecture, Internet development, education, travel, retail, and more.
• There will be a good cross-section of company types and sizes, so plan accordingly with the samples you show.

When should I arrive?

Due to the number of exhibitors, we ask that exhibitors arrive early, with ample time to set up and get situated. The doors will open for exhibitors to set up at 3:30 p.m. and the Showcase officially begins at 5 p.m. A cash bar is available if you’d like to snag a beverage. Appetizers will also be on hand.

Where should I park?

Please unload your vehicle up front and then move it to a space further away so that attendees can have easy parking. There is plenty of parking available including:

• at KCYA
• across Main St. to the east
• at The Whole Person, just north of KCYA

What is provided?

• Each exhibitor will receive either 4 ft. or 6 ft. of a rectangular table. Member sponsors will get 8 ft. of table space and prime placement. Corporate sponsors will also get a 8 ft. table and prime location. All tables will be covered by a black tablecloth. You may bring your own tablecloth if you prefer a different color.
• Name tag
• Chair
• Free WiFi access
• Requested electrical outlets. Please note this on your registration if you need to be placed by one.

What should I bring?

• Self-promotional materials (biz cards, brochures, postcards, buttons, giveaways, etc.)
• Your portfolio! (… if you have one. If you’re not a creative type, feel free to bring signage, résumés, case studies, etc.)
• Supplies to set up your table (display holders, extension cords, etc.)
• Any needed office supplies (pen, paper, tape, scissors … you never know!)

What can’t I bring?

• Easels (tabletop is fine, as long as they’re small. But NO standing easels or large ones that could block your neighbor’s view or even your own!)
• Traditional exhibit-type backdrops/booths
• Wall hangings or floor pop-up / pull-up banners or displays
• Non-table props
• Items that block views or interfere with your neighbors
• Any items that would be a distraction (noise, smell, strobe lights, etc.) to your neighbors or would cause a fire hazard (i.e., candles)
• Confetti of any kind

What should I wear?

• Whatever you feel comfortable in … especially shoes!
• Most exhibitors dress as they would for a client meeting. You’ll see everything from jeans and T-shirts to business suits.
• Most attendees come in biz casual attire, so feel free to dress accordingly.

Still have questions? Contact Shauna at [email protected].

Sponsors

Thank you for considering a sponsorship of The Freelance Exchange 2023 Portfolio Showcase! It takes a lot to put on this event, and we couldn’t do it without your support!

Agency/Corporate/Vendor Sponsorship
Level 1 – $1,000

• Honorary one-year Associate Membership ($125)
• Waived entry fee to exhibit
• Prime table and placement to exhibit and showcase your company
• Prominent logo placement on all promotional materials (time-permitting)
• Prominent logo placement and web link on all event-related pages 
• Acknowledgement on all our social media channels
• Verbal mention during the event
• Opportunity to place promotional materials at the event
• First access to be included in future FX events
• Large banner ad (1150 x 315px, JPG, PNG or GIF) on FX website* for one year
• Mentions and/or logo placement in event-related FX emails

Level 2 – $500

• Waived entry fee to exhibit
• Prime table and placement to exhibit and showcase your company
• Logo on event promotional materials (time-permitting)
• Mentions and/or logo placement in event-related FX emails
• Logo on event signage and fliers handed out at event (time-permitting)
• Large banner ad (1150 x 315 px, JPG, PNG or GIF) on FX website* for six months
• Verbal mention during event
• Acknowledgement on all our social media channels

Level 3 – $250

• Waived entry fee to exhibit
• Table to exhibit and showcase your company
• Logo on event promotional materials (time-permitting)
• Logo on event signage and fliers handed out at event (time-permitting)
• Small banner ad (550 x 315 px, JPG, PNG or GIF) on FX website* for three months
• Verbal mention during event
• Acknowledgement on all our social media channels

Member Sponsorship (Exhibitor)
Level 1 – $250

• Waived entry fee to exhibit
• Prime table size & placement to exhibit and showcase 
• your company
• Logo on event signage and fliers handed out at event (time-permitting)
• Large banner ad (1150 x 315px, JPG, PNG or GIF) on FX website* for six months

Level 2 – $150

• Waived entry fee to exhibit
• Larger table to exhibit and showcase your company
• Logo on event signage and fliers handed out at event (time-permitting)
• Small banner ad (550 x 315 px, JPG, PNG or GIF) on FX website* for three months

Level 3 – $100

• Waived entry fee to exhibit
• Table to exhibit and showcase your company
• Logo on event signage and fliers handed out at event (time-permitting)
• Small banner ad (550 x 315 px, JPG, PNG or GIF) on FX website* for one month

Need more info? Contact: [email protected].