‘WaterFire’ wants small partners too

“WaterFire Providence” has launched a new corporate sponsorship program aimed at smaller businesses than have traditionally provided funding for the signature event downtown.

The nonprofit arts organization recently introduced the Brazier Society, which gives companies access to a VIP tent and boat rides during all full “WaterFire” events this season, in exchange for three levels of corporate sponsorship that range from $5,000 to $10,000, and from $1,500 to $10,000 for nonprofit organizations.
Benefits of the Brazier Society rise at each level of sponsorship, with those in the highest level being allowed to invite the greatest number of guests into the VIP tent, which is catered with hors d’oeuvres, wine, coffee and dessert at all the full lightings. Sponsors at the highest level also receive the highest priority in booking gondola rides.
The Brazier Society is meant to encourage sponsorships by law firms, accounting firms, insurance firms, real estate agencies, small businesses and organizations that want to reward employees and entertain clients at “WaterFire” but can’t afford to spend $15,000 on a single event.
“One of the most thrilling things is to have an opportunity to take a client right on the river with you in a small boat and go right through the middle of the fires,” said Barnaby Evans, who created “WaterFire”. “It’s something we’ve been doing with our larger sponsors, and we wanted to open that opportunity up to some of the other businesses in town.”
Now 12 years old, “WaterFire” attracts more than 1 million people every year who come to Providence’s Waterplace Park to experience the free art installation, which includes bonfires lit on the rivers in downtown Providence, broadcasting of classical and world music and dancing to a live band at Turks Head Plaza. The events are credited with helping revitalize the capital city.
Revision Inc., a real estate and financial software company in Providence, participated in a pilot of the Brazier Society last year. Steven Palmer, Revision’s president, said “WaterFire” quickly became a popular draw for the firm’s out-of-town clients, who schedule their visits to Providence to coincide with the lightings.
“We attend all the events, take our clients out for boat rides, have them enjoy the features of the hospitality tent,” he said.
Palmer said the event’s unique ambience offers an atmosphere conducive to entertaining clients that cannot be re-created in a swanky restaurant or in a luxury box at Gillette Stadium or Fenway Park.
“ ‘WaterFire’ is a very unique event, and it has a very unique spirit to it – the music, the smell of the wood embers, the soft summer nights,” he said. “It’s a very romantic experience, very congenial. Taking [clients] to the Red Sox or the Patriots or [Providence College] Friars games is also a lot of fun, and we enjoy that, but that’s more of an excitement adventure. “WaterFire” is a very mellow, relaxing time, and everybody seems to enjoy it.”
Brazier Society sponsors who pay $10,000 and up join the program’s Golden Circle, which enables them to book a private, catered pre-lighting reception for 50 guests in the Brazier Society tent on one evening of this season. Golden Circle members also get high priority when reserving the event’s piloted boats, and unlimited access to the tent for up to six people at every full lighting.
For a $7,500 sponsorship, Brazier Society members join the Silver Circle and gain access to the tent for up to 20 people during one full fire lighting, and reserved use of a “WaterFire” boat for that evening. Silver Circle sponsors also get unlimited access to the tent for up to four people at every full lighting, and are given priority when reserving boats.
Bronze Circle sponsors, who pay $5,000, get unlimited access to the Brazier Society tent for four at all full lightings, and access to boats subject to availability.
Each Brazier Society member – at any level – also receives a poster of “WaterFire,” autographed by Evans, as well as recognition in the season program.
For more information or to join the Brazier Society, contact Bronwyn Dannenfelser, director of resource development for “WaterFire Providence,” at (401) 751-1221 or bronwyn@waterfire.org.

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