Sponsorship with Greater Fort Wayne Inc. offers an excellent opportunity to elevate your brand identity and make a lasting impact within the business community.
By sponsoring our signature and networking events, supporting programs like Women’s Network, MadeByMe, Leadership Fort Wayne, and Onboard Fort Wayne, or investing in advertising opportunities in our publications, your company can gain valuable visibility.
For 2025, we’ve introduced new sponsorship opportunities designed to provide smaller businesses with flexible and meaningful opportunities to showcase their brand and connect with key audiences.
Ready to take your brand to the next level? Download our sponsorship guide to learn more, and reach out to our team today to start exploring how you can expand your brand identity to the local business landscape.
Signature Events
The Champions of Change Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals who inspire, empower, and advocate for women in Fort Wayne / Allen County. Together, we’ve shined a well-deserved spotlight on more than 100 champions in our community making a substantial impact in the categories of nonprofit, corporate, education, and public service.
Date: May
Projected Attendance: 250-350
Our biggest event of the year, the GFW Inc. Annual Meeting celebrates the accomplishments of the past year and looks toward a vibrant future in Allen County. Be there as we announce the winners of our Public Official of the Year Award, the Mac Parker Swagger Award, the Barb Smith Service Award, and the Small Business and Nonprofit of the Year. With time for networking, Q&A sessions about bold projects, and a pep-rally vibe, our Annual Meeting is an inspiring evening for all who love our community.
Projected attendance: 600
Tee it up to build relationships and promote your business! If you’re looking for a creative way to reach Allen County executives, our tournament provides a unique opportunity for budgets of all sizes. Don’t miss your chance to take part!
Projected Attendance: 300
As we build a nationally recognized economy, there’s always more to learn. That’s why we’re bringing together leaders from a variety of industries for this half-day summit. Featuring high-profile leaders from across the state, we’ll discuss economic trends and how we can work together to build a nationally recognized economy in Allen County. This is the perfect opportunity to put your company front and center with an exclusive group of decision-makers.
Projected Attendance: 400
Mix and mingle at the business community’s signature holiday gathering! Your brand can be part of the festivities as a crowd of hundreds enjoys an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and networking.
Projected Attendance: 400
Networking Events
Professionals flock to our Meet Me @ 5:05 networking events! Build brand awareness as attendees build professional connections.
Projected Attendance: 50-75 per event
Put your company on the agenda as area CEOs and community leaders present what’s new and what’s next in Fort Wayne and Allen County. These exclusive, member-only luncheons are hosted twice per year.
Advocacy Events / Publications
Before each legislative session, we host a preview of the issues highlighted in our Legislative Agenda. In addition, northeast Indiana’s state legislators will be invited to speak about topics they plan to address in the upcoming legislative session.
Projected Attendance: 150 per event
We host a mid-session Third House Forum to update investors on key legislation that affects the business community. Northeast Indiana’s state legislators will report on their activity at the Statehouse.
Projected Attendance: 150 per event
At the end of each legislative session, we host a Legislative Wrap-Up to discuss the ups and downs of the past session. Attendees enjoy breakfast with our state legislators and learn how the General Assembly’s decisions impact their business.
Projected Attendance: 150 per event
This premier print piece provides investors and legislators a list of Greater Fort Wayne Inc.’s broad policy positions on local, state, and federal issues, and our key legislative priorities for the year. The agenda is shared directly with government officials, investors, and community leaders throughout the year.
The GovConnect weekly e-newsletter covers local, state, and federal news stories that matter to the business community. The e-newsletter is sent out every Friday to about 4,500 contacts which include GFW Inc. investor members, elected officials, and key community leaders.
Throughout the year, we host unique events including:
- Luncheons with Legislators – Special listening sessions for legislators–particularly from the federal level–where business leaders can discuss pressing issues.
Signature Programs
Showcase your brand with the community leaders of tomorrow! For more than 40 years, Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) has trained emerging and seasoned leaders to embrace our community through civic engagement and leadership. More than 1,500 alumni have gone on to impact the community as mayors, judges, business executives, and more.
Program Duration: 9 Months
Showcase your brand and build relationships with a growing group of 1,500+ leaders at this exclusive breakfast that celebrates the impact of Leadership Fort Wayne alumni and marks the graduation of the current year’s class.
Projected Attendance: 200
The Onboard Fort Wayne continuum by Greater Fort Wayne Inc., is dedicated to integrating individuals into the Fort Wayne and Allen County community through a series of tailored programs:
- Best in Class: This program connects high-achieving high school seniors with local opportunities, encouraging them to envision their future within the community.
- The Intern Experience: A summer series designed for college interns, offering events that highlight the region’s professional landscape and vibrant culture, aiming to inspire them to consider long-term careers in the area.
- Newcomer Socials: These events assist new residents in building connections and discovering local amenities, ensuring a smooth transition into the community.
- C-Suite Socials: Tailored for newly relocated executives and their families, this program provides exclusive networking opportunities to help them integrate seamlessly into their new environment.
Through these initiatives, Onboard Fort Wayne fosters a sense of belonging and engagement, contributing to the region’s growth and vibrancy.
The Women’s Network by Greater Fort Wayne Inc. connects, inspires, and empowers women through a series of high-impact events and programs. Showcase your brand with this growing group of emerging and seasoned leaders during any of six events throughout the year.
Projected Attendance: 150-250 per event
MadeByMe by Greater Fort Wayne Inc. sparks students’ interest in 21st-century manufacturing and skilled-trades careers, working alongside a coalition of business leaders, educators, and community members.
This program focuses on in-class presentations, career exploration fairs, educator externships, and other outreach opportunities.
Additional Opportunities
Reach business leaders in a smaller, more focused environment! Our monthly Maximize Your Membership presentations teach GFW Inc. investors how to make the most of their membership benefits. And as a sponsor, you can make your company the center of attention.
Projected Attendance: 20-30 per session
HOST A MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP EVENT!
We’re always looking for ways to collaborate with our members! By hosting a Maximize Your Membership event, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your workspace to current and prospective GFW Inc. investors, all while getting a little extra foot traffic through your doors.
Top Five E-Newsletter
Send your message directly to GFW Inc. investors’ inboxes—more than 5,000 total recipients. The “Top Five” is an e-newsletter with the five items the business community needs to know each month. It includes the latest about GFW Inc. programs, economic development projects, the names of our newest investors, and the events to keep an eye out for.
Upcoming Events Email
Each month, we invite nearly 10,000 contacts to the GFW Inc. events that bring the business community together. Now, you can invite them to learn more about your business, too.
Bring your brand on the road with a group of community leaders!
As we build a nationally recognized economy, there’s always more to learn. That’s why GFW Inc. organizes annual Inter-City Visits. Each year, 40-50 community leaders join us on Inter-City Visits to gain firsthand insights from America’s best-in-class communities. Attendees return with renewed enthusiasm and newfound ideas for improving Allen County. Several of our community’s bold projects originated—or were shaped—by Inter-City Visits.
The next Inter-City Visit will take place in 2025.
Throughout the year, we host unique events including:
- Sneak Peek Tours (Visionary Investors Only) – Have a newly built location? Our sneak peek tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at Allen County’s most anticipated bold projects—often before they open to the public. Let our team help showcase your new space to other Visionary Investors and high-level community leaders.
- Workforce & Waffles (Visionary Investors Only) – Get an edge when it comes to workforce, talent retention, and company culture. These Visionary Investor-only breakfasts include tips and insights from expert panels, tailored specifically for executives, HR professionals, and rising leaders.
We are eager to explore grants and sponsorships that support GFW Inc. programs such as:
- GFW Inc. Mastermind Sessions – At Greater Fort Wayne Inc., we are committed to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. Our Mastermind Sessions are a cornerstone of this mission—designed to inspire, support, and challenge local business leaders to reach new heights with advice from some of the areas’ top business minds.
- GFW Inc. Small Business programs – In addition to Mastermind Sessions, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. is launching exciting new initiatives to support small businesses in tackling their most pressing challenges. Similar to our Workforce and Waffles programming, the Small Business events will provide relevant topics that help small businesses scale and grow.
When it comes to celebrating your biggest milestones, we’re the experts. After all, who else has giant scissors, miles of ribbon, and gold-plated shovels? We’re ready to showcase your company and make the biggest splash possible.
Bronze Level: $600
(Free with NEW GFW Inc. membership over $1,000)
- Photography of your celebration, with up to 15 photos posted to the GFW social media channels (38,000+ followers)
- GFW Inc. staff to attend and direct the celebration
- GFW Inc. staff member to speak at event
- Includes ribbon and scissors (or shovels)
Silver Level: $800
(Free with NEW GFW Inc. membership over $5,000)
Includes all the benefits in the Bronze level, plus:
- GFW Inc. executive or vice president to speak (based on availability)
- GFW Inc. to create event agenda
- Event listed on GFW Inc. online events calendar (228,000+ hits per year)
Gold Level: $1,000
(Free with NEW GFW Inc. membership over $10,000)
Includes all the benefits in Bronze and Silver levels, plus:
- GFW Inc. CEO or Chief executive to speak (based on availability)
- GFW Inc. to create (if needed) and distribute media release prior to the event and press release after the event
- GFW Inc. to invite the Mayor to speak/attend (based on availability)
- GFW Inc. to send event invitation to GFW Inc. board and elected officials
- GFW Inc. to provide sound system and podium (if requested)
For more information, contact Shelby Nichter at snichter@gfwinc.com.
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