Dear Exhibitor/Vendor:

Building on the success of last year’s event, we are pleased to announce and invite you to participate in our 4th Annual PAWS for a CAUSE, Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10, 2010 on the South Concourse at the Empire State Plaza.  Register here to be an exhibitor/vendor at this large, indoor and FREE to the public event about pets and people.  For those who register by January 31st, we are offering an early vendor fee “discount”.  Booth locations will be assigned according to the date your pre-paid completed application is received.

We will continue to promote a special focus on the invaluable contribution of therapy animals, good mental health and responsible pet ownership.  We plan to extend an invitation to a number of authors who have written about animals and are donating a portion of the proceeds of their book to a not for profit cause.  In an effort to enhance the educational portion of PAWS for a CAUSE, the Foundation is pleased to announce a continuance of our partnership with the Animal Protective Foundation and the Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society.  With their help, we are planning to present a number of informative and educational seminars, all free to the public, to be held in conjunction with the exhibits on the Concourse.  A listing of the seminars will be posted on the PAWS for a CAUSE website beginning early in March.

PAWS for a CAUSE will host an unprecedented variety of sponsors, vendors, demonstrations, entertainment and seminars.  With a built-in audience at the Plaza, exhibitors can expect to market products and services to an audience of 20,000 plus.  We are in the process of soliciting and adding corporate sponsors to our 2010 event and we will be designing a creative media plan as a means to promote this special event about pets and people.

Due to liability concerns, the only animals allowed at this indoor event will be service dogs and those pets pre-approved to appear in educational or entertainment demonstrations.  We encourage not-for-profit groups who wish to take part in PAWS for a CAUSE to plan a fundraising activity you can conduct during the PAWS event.  This event is a great opportunity to network for your cause; build a listing of folks who would like to volunteer for your group; consider being “foster pet parents” or perhaps would like to meet one of those pets you have available for adoption.  We encourage you to bring photo boards or computer generated programs to showcase the many animals needing homes.

Proceeds raised by this event will be used to develop and support educational programs that will help to improve the public’s understanding of mental illness, combat stigma, and ensure access to quality care.  The Mental Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit. Should you have additional questions, please contact the event coordinator, Judy Burgess at 518-426-7252 or by email at jburgess@nycap.rr.com. Click here to register!

We look forward to your participation in PAWS for a CAUSE at the Plaza on Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10, 2010.

Sincerely yours,

Stephen Madarasz
President