• National Trust is the largest conservation charity in Europe with 77,000 members in Northern Ireland and 4.9 million across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Locally we own and manage 46sq miles of land, 22% of Northern Ireland’s coastline and some of the most treasured landmarks including the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Strangford Lough and Mount Stewart.

• Last year we welcomed over 2.5million people to our places and spaces across Northern Ireland.

Mount Stewart ConversationsA hothouse of creativity

About us

Following a small pilot event last year, 2017 will see the launch of Mount Stewart Conversations as an unmissable two-day festival that celebrates literature, music, politics and the arts on an international scale.

Revealing the unique history of Mount Stewart and its place in history as a hothouse of creativity and individuality, Mount Stewart Conversations will take the form of a truly contemporary, intimate and participative event that’s challenging, dynamic and fun.

The weekend will include a variety of talks, music, literature and live debates, ticketed events (pre-booked) and free activities located around the house and gardens which can be enjoyed by all.

In delivering this festival we will be working with a number of partners including BBC NI and Ards and North Down Borough Council.

Festival audiences In 2016 Mount Stewart attracted over 195,000 visitors from across Ireland, United Kingdom and international audiences from America, China and Europe.

This year our ambition is to deliver a festival that will appeal to new audiences, new markets and ultimately create a stand out contemporary arts festival for Northern Ireland.

Projected audience numbers for the festival are 3,000. The festival will include approximately 14 ticketed events as well as a host of free activities.

A fully comprehensive and integrated promotional plan will be developed and delivered in partnership with key stakeholders.

Marketing activity

Mount Stewart Conversations will launch the National Trust’s National Public Programme for 2018, which will focus on Women’s History and Suffrage and as such will celebrate Women, Ireland and the World.

The festival will explore the journey of women over the last 100 years using high profile speakers to spark engaging debate on emancipation, freedom, respect and equality.

The following subthemes will also be explored through debate, workshops and participatory events:

• Celebrating contemporary arts Collaborations with pioneering cultural

organisations will see the delivery of a fringe/alternative programme of contemporary art.

• International relations Today’s political landscape will be explored

through a series of high profile debates delivered in partnership with international organisations such as BBC, the US Consul, Universities and the Royal Oak Foundation (USA).

• Community engagement Working with volunteers, local artists and

community outreach groups we will develop and grow lasting relationships with new community groups and non-traditional audiences.

Festival programming: Women, Ireland and the World

The festival this year aims to attract a high calibre of guest speakers. Currently household names such as Dominic West, Jeremy Irons, Sinead Cussack, Ian Hislop and Bethany Hughes are all agreed in principle to attend with many more to be announced.

Embedded in the local community Mount Stewart Conversations will draw guests and audiences from across Ireland, the UK and beyond.

Sponsor packages

This year we are providing local businesses and partners with a unique opportunity to become the Platinum Sponsor for Mount Stewart Conversations.

This is a fantastic opportunity for your brand to work with the National Trust, a highly regarded national household name, in the delivery of an innovative event that will have local, national and international appeal.

Sponsorship guarantees your brand inclusion in a dynamic integrated marketing campaign allowing

Platinum sponsor • Logo included on all print advertising• Named mention in radio advertising • Named mention in all press releases• Named mention in editorial articles featured in

National Trust website, magazine and newsletter• Logo featured in festival email marketing • Logo on programme and e-tickets • On site marketing during festival – including

dedicated 6x6 space for experiential marketing and banners/pop-ups on site

• Tagging in social media posts (organic and paid)• Logo and link from Mount Stewart Conversations

landing page hosted on National Trust website • VIP festival ticket allocation• Family day passes for Mount Stewart during

the festival • Corporate volunteering opportunities From £15,000 (+vat)

Note: These benefits are suggested as a guide; we would be happy to tailor a sponsorship package to address any other needs you have identified.

Gold sponsor • Named mention in all press releases• Named mention in editorial articles featured in

National Trust website, magazine and newsletter• Logo on programme• On site event marketing including dedicated 3x3

space for experiential marketing and banners/pop-ups on site

• Logo and link from Mount Stewart Conversations landing page hosted on National Trust website

• VIP festival ticket allocation • Family days passes for Mount Stewart during

the festival• Corporate volunteering opportunities

From £7,500 (+vat)

Silver sponsor • Logo on festival programme • On site marketing during festival –

banners/pop-ups on site• Logo and link from Mount Stewart Conversations

landing page hosted on National Trust website • VIP festival ticket allocation • Family days passes for Mount Stewart during

festival • Corporate volunteering opportunities

From £3,000 (+vat)

Sponsorship opportunitiesyou to connect with target audiences, key social influencers and high-profile guest speakers before, during and after the event.

In addition, there will also be an opportunity to become a Gold sponsor and a Silver sponsor.

As a potential sponsor, you are warmly invited to Mount Stewart for a formal site visit where you will be given the opportunity to learn more about this unique festival and discuss the sponsorship proposal in more detail.

#MSConversations Share your conversationsMore details atnationaltrust.org.uk/conversations Registered charity number 205846