Common Ground Exchange – Sponsor Landing Page
✦ Inaugural Event
Bringing influential leaders together across the Midwest.
Economic & Community Development | Nonprofits | Local government | Philanthropy | Healthcare | Corporate
Less Talk. More Solutions.
Become an inaugural sponsor
Book a meeting with Natalie DePhillips
Natalie@issuemediagroup.com
Downtown Grand Rapids, MI
About the Conference
What Works, and How to Do It
This isn’t a conference about problems. It’s a conference about proven solutions and the leaders putting them to work.
Common Ground Exchange is a first-of-its-kind regional convening for community leaders across all sectors. We cut through the noise to deliver real-world blueprints from communities that have already done the hard work; we share those models so others can replicate and accelerate them.
Attendees will leave with actionable strategies, new cross-sector relationships, and renewed conviction that progress is possible. Speakers include national thought leaders and boots-on-the-ground practitioners who’ve implemented transformative ideas in communities like yours.
Produced by Issue Media Group, a trusted multi-local media network dedicated to solutions journalism, this event is backed by two decades of community storytelling and connection-making across the Great Lakes region and beyond.
Community Vision
Housing · Planning
Civic Leadership
Mobilization · Media · Storytelling
Economic Innovation
Economic Development · Workforce Development
Community Vitality
Sustainability · Health & Wellness · Education
Who Attends
Decision-Makers Across Every Sector
Common Ground Exchange is designed for community leaders who hold the levers of change and are actively seeking proven solutions.
These aren’t just attendees — they’re decision-makers with budgets, influence, and urgency to find and fund solutions.
Why Sponsor
Be Part of the Solution
Your sponsorship doesn’t just put your logo on a banner — it demonstrates your organization’s commitment to the communities you serve.
Direct access to 400+ leaders
Two days of meaningful interaction with the problem-solvers and decision-makers from local government, nonprofits, and civic organizations across the region.
IMG’s trusted media platform
Your brand is aligned with Issue Media Group’s portfolio of local and national publications, reaching a community-focused audience of over 2 million annual readers.
Inaugural positioning advantage
Be recognized as a founding sponsor of what promises to become the region’s essential community leadership convening. Early partners shape the event’s identity and legacy.
Authentic community alignment
Solutions journalism audiences are discerning and community-minded. Sponsoring Common Ground Exchange signals that your organization genuinely shares their values.
Integrated on-stage presence
Premier sponsors receive speaking and panel opportunities, not just logo placement — giving your team a platform to share your work and perspective with a highly engaged audience.
Measurable visibility
Conference signage, program branding, digital promotions, and post-event coverage ensure your investment generates visible recognition before, during, and after the event.
Sponsorship Tiers
Find Your Place at the Table
Each tier is designed to create meaningful visibility and engagement — not just logo real estate.
Looking for something custom? Get in touch and we’ll create a package that aligns with your budget and vision.
Legacy Builder
- CEO mention during the welcome reception
- Two mainstage panel speaking opportunities and one sponsored workshop session.
- Dedicated feature reporting on two organizational leaders in our national publication, Common Ground.
- 12 complimentary conference passes with reserved seating for your team.
- Prominent digital advertising on our national platform, Common Ground.
- Logo placement across the event site, all newsletters, and event collateral.
- Attendee engagement: Priority exhibition booth and a CSV file of all registered attendees.
- Two dedicated social media spotlights highlighting your sponsorship
Community Architect
- One mainstage panel speaking opportunity and one sponsored workshop session.
- Dedicated feature reporting highlighting one organizational leader in our national publication, Common Ground.
- 9 complimentary conference passes with reserved seating for your team.
- Prominent digital advertising on our national platform, Common Ground.
- Logo placement across the event site, all newsletters, and event collateral.
- Attendee engagement: Priority exhibition booth and access to the CSV file of all registered attendees.
- Dedicated social media spotlight highlighting your sponsorship.
City Catalyst
- One sponsored workshop session to lead an in-depth conversation.
- 6 complimentary conference passes for your team.
- Prominent digital advertising on our national platform, Common Ground.
- Attendee engagement: Priority exhibition booth and a CSV file of all registered attendees.
- Logo placement on event site, newsletters, and all event collateral.
- Dedicated social media post highlighting your organization’s commitment.
Neighborhood Navigator
- 6 complimentary conference passes for your team.
- Prominent digital advertising on our national platform, Common Ground.
- Attendee engagement: Priority exhibition booth and a CSV file of all registered attendees.
- Logo placement on event site, newsletters, and all event collateral.
- Dedicated social media post highlighting your organization’s commitment.
Civic Connector
- 4 complimentary conference passes for your team.
- Attendee engagement: Exhibition booth and a CSV file of all registered attendees.
- Logo placement on event site, newsletters, and all event collateral.
- Dedicated social media post highlighting your sponsorship to our regional audience.
Pricing shown is preliminary and illustrative — all sponsorship packages are customizable. Interested in a different level of support or a custom arrangement? Reach out directly and we’ll build the right fit.
Produced By
Issue Media Group: Two Decades of Community Journalism
Issue Media Group is a multi-local network of digital news publications laser-focused on the people and projects moving communities forward through solutions journalism. We don’t just cover problems; we cover what works.
Our publications are trusted by the exact leaders attending Common Ground Exchange, making sponsorship here a direct connection to an already-engaged, solutions-minded audience.
Get in Touch
Ready to build something together?
We’re now accepting founding sponsors. Reach out today to secure your place and discuss a package that’s right for your organization.
Oct 28–29 · DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI