The 2015 Sponsorship Package - University of Toronto Concrete

Sponsorship Information Package
University of Toronto
Concrete Toboggan Team 2015
Finance Director
Evan Boyce
finance@toboggan.skule.ca
647-989-4131
www.toboggan.skule.ca
Team Contact Information
University of Toronto
Concrete Toboggan Team 2015
Department of Civil Engineering, GB 105
35 St. George Street
Toronto, ON M5S 1A4
Introduction
The annual Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race (GNCTR) traces its
roots back to the mid 1970’s, with a small group of Alberta engineering
students. The idea was simple and uniquely Canadian; build a toboggan with a
concrete running surface and compete to see who could get five riders to the
bottom of an icy hill the fastest. Now, sliding into its 41 st year, GNCTR features
over 400 engineering students from across Canada and the United States, all
competing with this very same purpose in mind. The rules and toboggans have been
updated – to include steering and braking systems, for instance – but the heart of the
competition remains the same. In recent years, this innovative and highly enthusiastic
event has earned local and national attention, being featured on CTV News, Discovery’s
Daily Planet, The Rick Mercer Report, and many local newspapers.
The Competition
GNCTR 2015 will be hosted by the University of British Columbia Okanagan, located in
Kelowna, BC. The competition, which takes place in late January, consists of two main
events: Technical Exhibition (Tech-Ex) and Race Day.
Technical Exhibition
Tech-Ex is a one day event where each team shows off their toboggan and design process to
fellow competitors, industry professionals, judges and the public. A panel of judges rank the
best designs in a number of categories, including concrete mix composition, frame, braking
and steering design, structural and mechanical innovation, and aesthetic appeal. Teams are
also awarded points by a panel of “spirit” judges for the uniqueness, creativity, and enthusiasm
of their display. This one day exhibition provides excellent exposure for our sponsors to
students, the media, and industry professionals.
Race Day
The main event. This final day of competition
sees the teams head to a nearby ski slope for
the much-anticipated races. Teams begin by
completing speed runs and a slalom course
which are judged on time, braking distance,
steering, and top speed. The afternoon event
pits toboggans against each other in a suddendeath elimination format known as “King of
the Hill”, which continues until only one
toboggan is left victorious. The races frequently
attract public spectators, sometimes even
making national television. In 2011, CBC’s Rick Mercer Report covered race day.
Meet the Team
The University of Toronto Concrete Toboggan Team is a talented and
extremely enthusiastic group of students, with nearly all engineering
disciplines represented amongst our 30+ members. GNCTR provides a valuable
opportunity for our members to apply their theoretical knowledge to a practical
project. Roles on the team are divided across our core areas of focus, which include
concrete design, superstructure, sustainability and other key support roles.
For more about us, check out our team video on YouTube.
Concrete Design
It’s in the team name, so it must be important!
The concrete team is responsible for all aspects of
the toboggan’s running surface. Throughout the
design process, the concrete team pours many
different mixes, analyzing samples of each in
bending and compression tests. The results of
these tests inform the mix selection and ensures
that the skis can withstand race conditions.
Superstructure
The superstructure team is responsible for the design and construction of the toboggan’s
frame. In order to experiment with various
structural elements and designs, the team creates
3D models which are then tested in a Finite
Element Analysis (FEA) simulation. Once the
designs have been checked through both analytical
calculations and FEA, the best design is selected
and the team begins fabrication with support of
our material and fabrication sponsors. Members
spend several weeks machining the necessary
components before assembly and testing begins.
Sustainability
This year, our team is doubling down on our efforts to address sustainability, with plans to use a
quantitative life-cycle approach to identify and mitigate negative environmental impacts of the
toboggan. Upstream impacts will be considered during material selection for the concrete skis
and superstructure. During construction, focus will be on waste reduction and reuse of parts
where possible. Downstream impacts will be addressed through use of recyclable materials.
Theme
Last year’s locomotive-based theme proved to be a winner as our team captured the “Best
Spirit” award. While the theme for this year has yet to be determined, we can guarantee
that another energetic group of individuals will be assembled to defend our spirit title!
Accomplishments
After a strong 2nd place overall result at GNCTR 2013, our team arrived at
GNCTR 2014 in London hungry for more. Following months of hard work and
lots of help from our generous sponsors, we left the competition satisfied,
earning a 3rd place overall finish (out of 21 teams) along with many of the
hotly-contested awards, including:
 1st place, Shortest Braking Distance
 1st place, Best Technical Report
 1st place, CSA “Building For
Tomorrow” Award




1st place, Best Team Spirit
2nd place, Best Steering Design
2nd place, Best Braking Design
2nd place, CIRCA Most Effective
Use of Fly Ash in Concrete
 3rd place, Best Frame Design
Our team happily accepting our award for 3rd place
overall at GNCTR 2014
Why Sponsor Us?
Run entirely by students from a world renowned engineering school – ranked as the best
engineering school in Canada and 22nd in the world – the University of Toronto Concrete
Toboggan Team has the technical knowledge and commitment required for a winning effort.
After two consecutive top 3 finishes (2nd in 2013, 3rd in 2014) our team continues to strive for
improvement, and envision coming away from GNCTR 2015 with even better results. When
sponsoring us, your company can be confident that your donation is helping a dedicated,
knowledgeable and hard-working team of
engineering students get closer to their goal of
success.
The team shows off our sponsor list at GNCTR 2014
Furthermore, the event will be attended by
over 400 engineering students and is a great
opportunity to showcase your company to
students and industry professionals from
across the country. The competition also
attracts numerous members of the media,
corporate spectators, and the general
public, providing an excellent opportunity
to further build your corporate image.
Sponsorship Levels and Benefits
In addition to the levels of monetary donations outlined below, any in-kind
sponsorship is greatly appreciated and will receive the appropriate benefits.
(Please make all cheques payable to “U of T Concrete Toboggan”)
Bronze Sponsor - Under $499

Company logo and link will be displayed on our website
Silver Sponsor - $500 to $999

Company logo will appear on our t-shirts, our Tech-Ex display, and our website
Gold Sponsor - $1000 to $1749
Large company logo will appear on our
team shirts, website and at Tech-Ex
 Company will receive a signed team shirt
to recognize their substantial contribution
 Company logo will also be displayed on
our toboggan at the competition

YOUR LOGO HERE
Platinum Sponsor - $1750 and Over
Company logo will appear at the head of
all promotional media
 Large company logo will be displayed on both sides of our toboggan
 Company will receive a signed team shirt and an appreciation plaque from our team to
recognize their generous contribution towards making our team a success
 Opportunity to distribute your company’s promotional material at our Tech-Ex

Title Sponsor - Most Generous Contribution

In addition to the above benefits, your company name will be presented alongside our team
name on all promotional media and will receive extra recognition at the competition
Financial Breakdown
Here’s a summary of how we plan to allocate funding this year:
Expenses
Revenues
Registration
$6,000 Member Fees
Accommodation
$5,500 Engineering Alumni Association (requested)
Transportation (team)
$12,900
$19,500 Engineering Departments (requested)
Transportation (toboggan)
Materials
Team Media
TOTAL
$3,000
$2,000 Engineering Society (requested)
$6,500 Carry-Over from 2014 Budget
$2,800 Corporate Sponsorships (goal)
$42,300
$1,000
$1,000
TOTAL
$6,000
$18,400
$42,300
Thank you very much for your time, and we hope you will consider being a part of the
University of Toronto Concrete Toboggan Team for GNCTR 2015. We also look forward
to meeting you at our Sponsor Appreciation Lunch.