Table of Contents Inside Front Cover Page 1 Pages 2 and 3 Pages 4 and 5 Pages 6 and 7 Page 8 Inside Back Cover Back Cover Application for Exhibit Space

Inside front Cover:

SLA can help youreach your twin goals in the twin cities Maximize sales and enhance your corporate image in the new era for information management

As the captains of information, special librarians require the best tools available for gathering, monitoring and evaluating the ever-growing sea of information. These professionals present value-added solutions to their organizations using your products and services. It is critical for you to be in front of them.

The cost of closing a field sales call is $1,080, but the cost of closing a sale from a qualified trade show lead is $594 (45 percent less). - Center for Exhibition Industry Research

Travel Guide writer Arthur Frommer named the Twin Cities as one of his five favorite places in the world to visit. - Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association

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Special Libraries Association 1700 Eighteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20009-2514 USA TEL 1.202.234.4700 FAX 1.202.265.9317 www.sla.org

Dear Prospective Exhibitor:
As a sales and marketing professional in the information and knowledge management industry, you know the value of qualified leads. And you know you can reach them at Special Libraries Association's 90th Annual Conference, June 5-10, 1999 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The ubiquity of information products and the value of professionals who use them have resulted in a consistent increase in attendance at SLA's conferences over the past few years. For 1999, I am projecting an eight percent increase for a total of 6,500 attendees. In addition, the number of booths will increase to almost 550. Don't wait until the prime spots are gone! Call me to reserve your space at 1.202.234.4700, ext. 650 or lorna@sla.org.

With so many attendees and exhibitors, you'll definitely want to maximize your presence. Tactics that exhibitors have used successfully at previous conferences include increasing the booth space, advertising in the conference program and Information Outlook (our monthly magazine), advertorial and special inserts in our publications, direct marketing campaigns with our mailing list, conference sponsorships, and links from SLA's Web Site.

With so many opportunities to reach the buyers of your products and services, your presence is imperative! Please contact me to help you with the terrific twos for 1999: signing up for a great booth location and gaining the most exposure through our marketing opportunities.

Warmest Regards,

Lorna C. Walls
Director of Exhibits

P.S. Patron and sponsor members of SLA receive preferential booth selection. Call today!

Sales and Marketing Opportunities? Where Else - The TWIN Cities Bring $1.5 Billion to Your Booth Step!

SLA understands that change is the only constant in the information and knowledge management industry. Change in information products and services, and change in the way information is accessed and used. Information and knowledge management professionals are only able to manage this change with the help of superior products and services. They need these to make the determinations and provide the advice necessary for organizations to survive.

In short, they need your products and services to succeed, and they purchase them at the rate of $1.5 billion a year. And only SLA brings these qualified buyers to your booth step and gives you the opportunity to target them with a sales message.

The 1999 conference theme, Knowledge Leaders for the New Millennium: Creators of the Information Future, is especially relevant in the Twin Cities. SLA members are 1) the best librarians in corporate, government, academic, non-profit and other environments today, and 2) they will continue to innovate and lead an ever-changing industry. Exhibitors at this conference are key players in helping SLA members achieve these twin objectives.

Exhibit Dates and Hours

• Sunday, June 6 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Monday, June 7 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 8 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

No conflict hours are Sunday, June 6 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. No conflict program time is Tuesday, June 8 from 10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. More than 80 percent of time and money at trade shows is spent on hardware (booth, location, designs and displays), but the side that yields more dividends is software (pre-show promotion, working the crowd in the booth and the post-show follow-up). - 88 Tips & Ideas to Supercharge Your Exhibit Sales, by Steve Miller

The Twin Cities is one of the cleanest, safest metropolitan areas in the country. - Fortune magazine

Booth Rental
All payments must be made in U.S. dollars collectable through a U.S. bank. Exhibitor Conference Registration Each exhibiting organization is entitled to register the number of representatives indicated in the Booth Rental section. Attendance at all conference events, except those ticketed, is included in exhibitor registration. Table Top Exhibits for Small Organizations Table top exhibit spaces are available to organizations with annual sales under $100,000. Table top exhibitors may only distribute brochures and other handout materials. Each table top space will include a sign, a 6' skirted table and a chair. The cost for a table top exhibit is $350. Please note, use of this space excludes electricity, computers and other equipment. No service kit will be provided. All table top displays must be staffed during exhibit hours. All general rules and regulations on the back of the Application for Exhibit Space apply. SLA has the right to refuse access to a table top exhibit. Call the SLA Exhibits Section at 1.202.234.4700, ext. 650 for more information and an application.

Exhibit Hall Passes
SLA will invite public, school and college librarians from the area to visit the Exhibit Hall as guests of the association. In addition, exhibitors are encouraged to invite clients to visit the exhibits. A supply of Exhibit Hall passes will be sent to you for your distribution.

The information professional market is a cornerstone of our online information business. We consider it so important that we have upgraded our booth consistently over the years.
Jane Kimpan, LEXIS-NEXIS

Claims to Fame for Minnesota: home to 18 Fortune 500 companies, including 3M, Honeywell and Control Data, and site of the 1999 Special Libraries Association Annual Conference.

Don't Be Subtle When You Can Be More Than Double!
Exhibitors regularly take advantage of SLA's marketing opportunities to get the most benefit from their trade show experience. Your visit to the Twin Cities should be no different! With an integrated marketing approach to the conference, you will:

• Increase awareness of your products and services.
• Educate information and knowledge management professionals on the benefits of your products and services.
• Enhance strong relationships with existing customers and suppliers. Identify prospective customers.
• Make a statement that your company is prominent in this industry.
• Evaluate the competition.

Preliminary Conference Program and Final Conference Program A great way to increase qualified traffic at your booth and generate excitement for your products and services is to advertise in the Preliminary Conference Program. The Preliminary Conference Program is mailed to all SLA members prior to the Annual Conference and the Final Conference Program is distributed to all conference attendees.

Information Outlook, SLA's Monthly Magazine
Information Outlook, SLA's monthly, color magazine, has been embraced by information professionals all over the world and boasts a circulation of more than 15,000. Maintaining an advertising presence in Information Outlook is an effective way to target your marketing message toward information professionals. Moreover, the May, June and July issues of 1999 will all have editorial coverage of the 1999 Annual Conference as well as bonus distribution at the show.

SLA also offers special advertising supplements, inserts and advertorial opportunities through Information Outlook. A program can be tailored to your unique needs and budget requirements.

Pre-Conference Mailing List
The pre-conference registration list is available for rent. A direct marketing campaign prior to the conference can generate excitement about your products and services, and steer information professionals to your booth. SLA also offers a variety of other mailing lists by division and/or professional interest. A list can be tailored to your unique needs.

Stand Above Your Competition with a Conference Sponsorship
Investing in a conference sponsorship can help raise awareness of your company and its products and services. Depending upon the sponsorship you select, youÕll receive valuable exposure through on-site signage, public address recognition, news release inclusion, editorial in our publications, and more.

SLA offers a variety of sponsorships - such as a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Internet room, awards reception, strategy sharing sessions and meeting space - at all budget levels. ThereÕs a sponsorship that can provide you added visibility at a price suited to your budget. For more information, please contact Betsy Blume at 1.202.234.4700, ext. 631 or by email, betsy@sla.org.

Link Up with SLA's Web Site
SLA's Web Site is a resource available to information and knowledge management professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It provides valuable information about all SLA programs, including continuing education, publications, conferences and meetings, and membership.

You may purchase a link from SLA's Web Site to your own for only $150 (conference exhibitors only). The link is available from September - August.
Please contact Lorna Walls at 1.202.234.4700, ext. 650 or by email at lorna@sla.org for information.

The average trade show attendee visits fewer than 30 exhibitors, which means competition for buyers' time on the show floor is fierce. - Over 88 Tips & Ideas to Supercharge Your Exhibit Sales, by Steve Miller

The Twin Cities is second only to New York City in live theater and first in ticket purchases per capita. - Minneapolis/St. Paul magazine

More than 9 of 10 attendees rate exhibitions as the No. 1 most useful source for gathering information about purchasing products and services because they can examine and evaluate competing products in one location. - Center for Exhibition Industry Research

In addition to a seven-acre amusement park, there are more than 400 stores in the Twin CitiesÕ Mall of America. Visitors spend an average of three hours in the Mall, three times the national average. - Mall of America

SLA and Its Membership
Special Libraries Association is a not-for-profit organization of nearly 15,000 individuals located in 60 countries who serve as librarians and information managers in specialized information centers. Special libraries are located in business, industrial, research, government, academic, association and not-for profit settings. (See chart on next page.) Special libraries range in size from one- or two-person operations to staffs more than 100. Library budgets may range from less than $10,000 to more than $1 million. Information professionals attending the conference tend to be heads of their respective information centers, either controlling their own budget or having direct input to the managers who do. Nearly 90 percent of SLA members are responsible for purchasing decisions or for influencing these decisions. This is one of the highest levels across all library/information professional organizations.

SLA's Members Add Value to Information
Information professionals are experts in the application and management of information technologies and resources. In fact, most have advanced degrees in library and information science. In addition to locating and gathering information from electronic and paper sources, SLAÕs members are tasked with information analysis and, in many cases, strategic decision-making. They help their organizations more effectively harness the power of information. SLA Members Make Purchasing Decisions SLAÕs membership survey found that our professionals are responsible for purchasing decisions for a variety of different products and services.

SLA Members Make Purchasing Decisions

• 97% are responsible for or influence purchasing decisions for books, journals and periodicals.
• 86% make purchasing decisions for library software.
• 70% participate in decision-making for computer software.
• 73% purchase or influence the purchase of microforms and microform equipment.
• 88% are instrumental in the selection of database services.
• 84% decide or participate in decision-making on library furnishings.

SLA Chapter Boundaries and Divisions
SLA members are divided into regional chapters and organized into 25 divisions providing common technical and subject interests.

Using companion promotional products, such as a coffee mug coaster mailed with a show invitation that offers a matching coffee mug at the booth, is a method that is 61 percent more effective as a traffic builder than only offering a gift at the booth. - Center for Exhibition Industry Research

The 485-acre Minnesota Zoo is the second largest zoo in the United States and ranked as one of the top 20 zoos in the country by wildlife experts. - Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association

We have more exhibit space in Minneapolis than ever before. But, reserve early because the good booth locations go quickly. - Jim Mears, Senior Director, Special Libraries Association

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Terms, Dates, Times and Other Important Information for the 1999 Annual Conference

Payments
Applications must be accompanied by a check for the total booth rental amount. Should payment not be received, SLA has the right not to assign booth space. If the application is received after all space is exhausted, the payment will be refunded. Failure to comply with requirements forfeits all rights to space, which may in such case be reassigned to others, with no obligation on the part of SLA.

Cancellations
Cancellations by exhibitors will be accepted only at the discretion of SLA and then only based upon the following schedule of refunds:
Before December 1, 1998, 90%.
On or after December 1, 1998, 50%.
On or after March 15, 1999, none.
Percentages are based on total booth cost.
Except as the exhibitorÕs rental obligation may be reduced as set forth in the above schedule, the exhibitor is responsible for total booth rental irrespective of the reason of cancellation, including cancellations by the exhibitor because of failure of an exhibit to arrive for any reason, or cancellation by SLA of the exhibition, in whole or in part as the result of riot, strike, civil disorder, act of war, act of God, and any reason of any kind, whatsoever not within SLAÕs control.

Exhibit Equipment and Service
Special decorating table, display panels, shelving, chairs, etc. should be ordered from the official service contractor. The contractor will furnish each exhibitor with a packet containing complete service orders and shipping instructions. Exhibitor service kits will be mailed in April 1999. The colors available will match drapery.

Display Labor
Carpenters, electricians and laborers to assist in erecting exhibits can be obtained through the official service contractor. Additional information on labor and cost will be included in the exhibitor service kits.
Setup Times
Friday, June 4 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, June 5 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
All booths must be setup by 5:00 p.m., Saturday, June 5th. There will be no setup hours on Sunday, June 6th.

Dismantling Times
Tuesday, June 8 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 9 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
No dismantling or removal may be done during official exhibit hours. Dismantling and recrating must be completed by 5:00 p.m., June 9. Consult your service kit for any changes.

Direct Shipments
Labels will be included in your exhibitor packet with complete shipping instructions. All shipments should arrive at least two weeks in advance of the conference. They will be held without storage charge for as long as 30 days in advance.

Housing
Hotel information will be sent to all exhibitors along with a Preliminary Conference Program in April 1999. Room reservations should be made early. If an exhibiting organization wants to reserve a suite or meeting room, please contact SLAÕs Conference & Meetings department at 1.202.234.4700.

Exhibitors Meeting
The 19th Annual Exhibitors Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 8th from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. A review of the conference will be held along with a discussion of the 2000 Annual Conference and Exhibits in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Inside Back Cover

Back Cover

2000 June 10 - 15
91st Annual Conference
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2001 June 9 - 14
92nd Annual Conference
San Antonio, Texas

2002 June 8 - 13
93rd Annual Conference
Los Angeles, California

2003 June 6 - 12
94th Annual Conference
New York, New York

2004 June 5 - 10
95th Annual Conference
Nashville, Tennessee

2005 June 4 - 9
96th Annual Conference
Toronto, ON, Canada

Special Libraries Association
Headquartered in Washington D.C., the Special Libraries Association (SLA) is the international association representing the interests of nearly 15,000 information professionals in 60 countries. Special librarians are information resource experts who collect, analyze, evaluate, package and disseminate information to facilitate accurate decision-making in corporate, academic, and government settings. The Association offers myriad programs and services designed to help its members serve their customers more effectively and succeed in an increasingly-challenging environment of information management and technology. SLA is committed to the professional growth and success of its membership.

Annual Conference
The SLA Annual Conference offers the most direct access to librarians who make purchasing decisions for the $1.5 billion a year special library market. Exhibitors include software developers, information technology organizations, publishers, subscription agents, government information services, indexing and abstracting services, manufacturers of audiovisual equipment, microform equipment, furniture, computer hardware and copiers, and more.

We hereby apply for exhibit privilege and space Uune 5-10, 1999) at the 90th Annual Conference of Special Libraries Association, Minneapolis Convention Center and agree to make payments at the rates listed in the 1999 Exhibitor Prospectus for booths chosen, and to abide by all regulations given in the 1999 Exhibitor Prospectus and on this Application.

Organization_____________________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Telephone_____________________________ Fax No.___________________________________
E-mail Address________________________
Send all Exhibit Information to the attention of:______________________________________

All personnel staffing Exhibit Booths will be required to register and wear an exhibitor badge, available at the Exhibitor Registration Desk. The number of exhibitor registrations is relative to booth size, as listed in the Exhibitor Prospectus. Only authorized personnel wearing these badges will be allowed into the exhibit area immediately prior to the opening hours of the exhibit area and immediately following its closing. Overall security guard service will be available for the exhibit area at all times during the Conference. Arrangements can be made by the exhibitor for special protection and/or storage of valuable items at his/her expense during hours when the exhibit area is closed.

Please list below, by number, eight choices of space. Please do not select booths in the same general location. If one or more of your preferred booths is not available, assignment of the most comparable booth still available will be made by the Association. Exhibit space will be assigned in order of receipt of Applications with payment. Should payment not be received within 30 days, the Association has the right not to assign and/or hold booth space. (Payment must be made in U.S. funds.)

Total Booths Needed ________

1st Choice_____ 2nd Choice_____

3rd Choice_____ 4th Choice_____

5th Choice_____ 6th Choice_____

7th Choice_____ 8th Choice_____

We prefer that our booth not be adjacent to or facing the following probable exhibiting companies: ______________________________________________________________________ (SLA will try to comply with such requests as much as possible)

Send the Conference Pre-registration mailing list of approximately 2,000 names in May 1999 for direct mail follow-up. I am enclosing an additional $500 for the list.

Link my web address to the SLA Web site for $200. Web Address_________________________________________

For Office Use Only Amt. paid__________ Check No.__________ MasterCard or Visa Card #____________________________ Exp. Date_______________________ Name on Card_____________________________ 1999 Booth Assignment ______________________

Cancellations by exhibitors will be accepted only at the discretion of SLA and then only based upon the following schedule of refunds: -Before December 1, 1998, 90%. -On or after December 1, 1998, 50%. -On or after March 15, 1999, none. Percentages are based on total booth cost. Name/Title_____________________________ Signature______________________________