REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS To be an EXHIBIT SERVICE PARTNER for the inaugural Wiser Living exhibit at the 2013 Minnesota State Fair In partnership with Aging Services of Minnesota, Older But Wiser Living & the Minnesota State Fair Proposals Due: April 30, 2013

2 WISER LIVING: Smart Solutions for Aging at Home State Fair Exhibit Request for Proposals I. INTRODUCTION a. WISER LIVING Background Aging Services of Minnesota is proud to partner with the Minnesota State Fair and Older but Wiser Living to bring a new, interactive and relevant exhibit to the MN State Fairgrounds this year WISER LIVING: Smart Solutions for Aging at Home. WISER LIVING is designed to help all of us as we age, or as we care for others who might be facing the challenges of aging, to become wiser about the products and services that exist in our communities to help support independence. Using an idea house concept, the exhibit will showcase innovative product solutions to common aging and caregiving challenges, ranging from simple household goods to new wireless technology. Each exhibit room will also feature home and community-based services that support older adults and caregivers to maximize independence and choice. Together, interactive product displays combined with service solutions will help fair-goers better envision how they can transform their current homes into more user-friendly spaces as they age in place, or care for loved ones. The goal of WISER LIVING is to educate consumers, caregivers and the general public about the exciting products and services available to maximize independence and choice as we age. In addition to the products and services showcased throughout the exhibit, a Front Porch Stage will feature daily speakers, demonstrations, entertainment and more to attract fairgoers and provide additional opportunities for public education. Who should be interested in WISER LIVING? BABY BOOMERS: The Baby Boom generation has hit its peak and more than ever, is feeling both the pinch of aging themselves along with caring for aging parents. People age 65 and older will double in Minnesota over the next 15 years (660,000 today to 1.3 million by 2025). More people will want and need to age in place, often with chronic health conditions, and will benefit from getting wiser about solutions they can use to age well at home OLDER ADULTS: People who are already over 65 and living at home are often not aware of how possible AND affordable it can be to live more comfortably and independently in their own homes. Older adults will enjoy this hands-on opportunity to touch and feel and try-out products to better know what they might want to purchase in the future. (There are no on-site sales, so no pressure to buy only to learn!) CAREGIVERS: Both family and professional caregivers are often struggling to solve problems that do not always have clear solutions. Caregivers will find new, smart solutions and connections to products and services to support their journey. PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES OR DISABILITIES: It is estimated that nearly 1 of every 2 Americans is living with at least one major chronic health condition or disability. WISER LIVING will showcase new possibilities for living life with ease, comfort and independence. So the real question is who ISN T interested in WISER LIVING? b. Purpose of Request We are seeking Aging Services members and business partners interested in joining us as an inaugural EXHIBIT SERVICE PARTNER for our first year of the WISER LIVING exhibit. Our publicity value will be high as the Minnesota State Fair will showcase this exhibit in their what s new at the Fair media and promotions. Limited space is available for this select opportunity. As a WISER LIVING Service Exhibit Partner, you will receive the following benefits for your investment:

3 Exposure to approximately 2 million Minnesotans throughout all 12 days of the 2013 Minnesota State Fair: o Opportunities throughout the 12-days to interact with fair-goers in the exhibit and to hand out special premiums or business cards from your organization-or-display your services without having to man a booth for 12 hours a day you decide! Premium signage on exhibit posters outside the space, as well as inside the exhibit displays. Your name and logo on 20,000 brochures distributed at the exhibit to fair-goers during the 12 days. Your name as part of our/the fair s media press kit, with possibilities for interviews and additional exposure before and during the fair. Year-round listing as a Service Partner on the fair s WISER LIVING exhibit website. An opportunity to host a speaker, demonstration, information or entertainment on our Front Porch daily stage area. Ongoing social media opportunities throughout the 12-days of the State Fair, through our exhibit Facebook page and Twitter account. And a great opportunity to reach out to your own constituents and audience groups with the bragging rights to Come see us at the Minnesota State Fair! c. Investment Your investment for this unique opportunity is $5,000 for the full 12-day run of the State Fair, August 22- September 2, If selected, this participation fee is due by May 17, Checks are payable to Older But Wiser Living. II. PROPOSAL FORMAT a. Applicant Information: Organization/Company Contact Person Phone Describe your geographic market/service area Describe your participation/support of Aging Services of Minnesota b. Indicate the Product or Service to be Featured in the Exhibit: Home Care/Personal Care Assistance Hospice Wellness Rehab/Therapy Adult Day Technology (sensors, cognitive fitness, PERS, alarm/safety, telemedicine, etc.) Community Services (transportation, meals, chore, etc.) Caregiver/Respite Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing Transition Assistance Legal Financial Insurance Home Modifications

4 Product: Other: Describe the service/product exhibited and how it helps older adults and caregivers maximize independence and choice at home or in the community. c. Proposed Exhibit Features: Within the space available, we are looking for interactive displays that showcase products and services in a home-like setting where people can actually see, touch, and try things. So rather than long aisles of table-top displays with people sitting behind them, imagine walking through a home with products placed in their appropriate settings, and services represented in the corresponding space (e.g. adaptive utensils and meal services in the kitchen.) Please indicate which features are envisioned as part of your exhibit: Video Signage/Poster Product/Service Demo Representative Onsite (for all or a majority of the days) Display Only (no onsite representative present) Brochures/Flyers Distributed Premium or Promotional Item Distributed Other Describe the envisioned exhibit including: elements of interactivity, opportunities for consumer/caregiver/public education and use of space. d. Exhibit Requirements: Indicate the infrastructure needed to accommodate the exhibit: Electricity Wi-fi Estimated space needs (square footage, wall space, etc) Other: e. Front Porch Stage (Optional): Describe a speaker, topic, demonstration, information session, etc. that you would like to present as part of our Front Porch Stage. Suggestions include: a) Interviews with prominent older Minnesotans; b) Authors or researchers on key aging topics; c) Demonstrations: cooking, technology, exercise/wellness, etc.; d) Information sessions: caregiving, financial planning for LTC needs, Medicare/Medicaid, etc.; or e) Entertainment: dancing, music, comedy, etc. III. RFP PROCESS a. Responders Questions Please direct any questions regarding this RFP to Lori Meyer at or lmeyer@agingservicesmn.org. b. Process Timeline 4/9/13 RFP Released 4/30/13 Proposals Due 5/10/13 Selections Completed/Applicant Notification 5/17/13 Participation Fee Due

5 c. Proposal Submission Applicants must submit their proposal electronically to Lori Meyer at Please put State Fair RFP in the subject line of the . All proposals must be received no later than 4:00 pm Central time on April 30, Faxed proposals will not be accepted. IV. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION Proposals will be evaluated by a Proposal Review Team comprised of Aging Services staff and board members who have not submitted a proposal. Criteria used in the evaluation will include, but not be limited to: Connection to purpose of WISER LIVING exhibit: To educate consumers, caregivers, and the public about home and community based products and services to enhance independence and choice Diversity in geographic markets/service areas Diversity in products/services featured Creativity and interactivity of exhibit Applicant participation/support of Aging Services of Minnesota V. ABOUT THE PARTNERS Aging Services of Minnesota is the state s largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors. Nationally recognized for leadership on aging issues, the mission of Aging Services is simple to create the future of older adult services through excellence and innovation. Aging Services members are diverse but share a common focus on person-directed living, missions of service to their communities and deep commitment to elevating the older adult services workforce of the future. The Aging Services membership encompasses over 1,000 organizations statewide. Together with more than 50,000 caregivers, our members serve 63,000 older adults every day in all of the places they call home, including through home care and community-based services, independent senior housing, assisted living communities and not-for-profit skilled care centers. Older but Wiser Living is a company dedicated to helping consumers get wiser about the products and services available to them to live life with greater ease, comfort and independence as they grow older. OWL is especially passionate about creating relevant and entertaining ways to showcase affordable products and technology that help people age and give care in their homes more simply and affordably. OWL accomplishes this through producing innovative "hands-on" demonstration events, such as the Wiser Living exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair, and developing online communication tools to connect consumers with great and wiser ideas, and with each other. The Minnesota State Fair often referred to as the Great Minnesota Get-Together is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The fair attracts nearly 1.8 million guests annually. This end-of-summer tradition is always held the 12 days leading up to and through Labor Day. The 2013 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug Sept. 2. The Minnesota State Fair s mission is to educate and involve our guests by providing a world-class showcase that is innovative, entertaining and fun. They strive to: a) Showcase Minnesota s finest agriculture, art and industry; b) Present an unparalleled forum for knowledge and ideas; c) Provide outstanding customer service; d) Offer exceptional value; e) Provide a safe, clean environment that is accessible to all; and f) Create unique experiences.