YALI 10 Summit Expo

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Invitation to Apply: YALI 10 Summit Expo

The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Africa Program, will host the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) 10th Anniversary Summit, “Ten Plus Ten: YALI and the United States Look Back, and Ahead, Together” an all-virtual event, which will take place from May 24-28, 2021. The YALI 10 Summit will highlight and celebrate the achievements of YALI alumni and Network members and demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa’s youth.

The Summit will host a virtual Expo featuring exhibitors from U.S. and African organizations and businesses. The virtual Expo will provide an interactive forum for exhibitors to present their organizations/businesses, engage with at least 15,000 participants from across the African continent, and foster engagement, partnerships, & actionable connections between the U.S. and Africa. Please note that a separate invitation will be sent in June requesting participation in the 2021 Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit.

Exhibitor booths will be hosted on the virtual event platform, Accelevents. Booths will be available for participants to explore throughout the entirety of the week-long Summit.

There will be a live Expo session on Thursday, May 27 from 09:30-12:30 ET (U.S.). If accepted, you agree to “staff your booth” during this session and be available for live networking and Q&A from booth visitors. You may have a staff person at your booth all week in addition to May 27.

After your Exhibitor application is confirmed by the Wilson Center, you will receive a confirmation email from Accelevents with an “Access Booth” link to set up your booth as an administrator. You will also receive a comprehensive Exhibitor Guide with instructions on how to create and manage your booth. It is your responsibility to upload and manage your booth content.

All applications for Exhibitor tickets are due no later than May 17, 2021. Please note that there are a limited number of Exhibitor tickets available and that receipt of this invitation does not guarantee you an Expo booth. Early applications are highly encouraged. If you are interested click below to apply.

Apply here:

About the Summit:

We anticipate at least 15,000 participants at the Summit, which will include alumni from various YALI programs and its vast network. The Summit will also feature several high-level speakers, policymakers, and YALI alumni and experts from the United States and across Africa.

Africa’s demographic trajectory and the critical role that youth will—and need to—play in securing the continent’s future led the U.S. government to establish the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) in 2010 as its signature initiative for investing in the next generation of African leaders. Over the past decade, YALI has grown to include the Mandela Washington Fellowship, four Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) in Africa, and an extensive digital community called the YALI Network. Through these programs and its network, YALI has engaged more than 700,000 youth working to strengthen democratic institutions and good governance, spur economic growth and prosperity, and foster peace and security in Africa. 

The YALI 10 Summit will celebrate YALI and its accomplishments over the past 10 years, strengthen U.S.-Africa relations in the governance, economic, and peacebuilding spheres, and offer a platform for American stakeholders to learn about the challenges and opportunities that Africa presents in the coming decade while providing YALI alumni with opportunities for skills development and greater exposure to new networks of thinkers and leaders in both Africa and the United States. Visit https://www.accelevents.com/e/YALI10 or https://yali.state.gov/ to learn more.

FAQ:

How do I apply?

• Click the APPLY HERE link above. Complete the application form no later than May 17.

Help! I applied and did not get an email from Accelevents.

• Check your Spam folder. If it is not there, email africa@wilsoncenter.org with your request.

What can I share in my booth?

• You may upload logos, videos, links to your website and social media pages, descriptions of your organization, as well as informational documents such as flyers, brochures, and service/product examples.
• You may also use your own Zoom account to host live meetings with booth visitors.

How many people will attend?

• The Summit will host at least 15,000 participants over the week that all have access to the Expo. Keep in mind ways to draw in visitors to your booth and engage them to amplify the number of visitors to your booth.

What is the time commitment?

• Accepted exhibitors must agree to set up and upload their booth content no later than May 22.
• All exhibitors must agree to provide live staffing of their booth from 09:30-12:30 ET (U.S.) on Thursday, May 27. You may provide live staffing at other times.

When will I hear if my application was accepted?

• You will be notified no later than May 20, but early applications are encouraged and will result in an earlier response.

By when do I need to upload my booth content?

• May 22

How many people can staff my booth?

• You may manually add up to 3 team members to staff your booth after your application is approved.

I am a YALI alumnus/network member. Can I apply and still attend the Summit?

• Yes! You can host a booth and still attend all of the Summit Sessions. You need to register as a regular ticket holder through Accelevents.
• While any team members added to staff your booth will be able to view the Expo, they will not be able to attend the Summit Sessions unless they registered for an event ticket separately.

What is the cost of a booth?

• There is no cost. We only ask that you meet the deadlines for uploading your booth and staffing the booth on May 27.

May I upload non-English content?

• Yes, booths in French or Portuguese are welcome.

May I sell products through my booth?

• No, we cannot facilitate sales through the Expo. You may share your website link with visitors.

Where should I go if I have questions about setting up/managing my booth?

• Please refer to your Exhibitor Guide (which you will receive upon acceptance) and Accelevents’ Exhibitor Resources:
  • https://support.accelevents.com/en/articles/4009021-i-m-an-exhibitor-at-a-virtual-event-what-do-i-do
  • https://www.accelevents.com/webinar-series-virtual-event-exhibitor-training/

DISCLAIMER

By applying to host an Expo Booth, you agree to the following terms:

1. You are responsible for uploading all necessary content to your Expo booth, and for staffing your booth during the mandatory session on Thursday, May 27 from 09:30-12:30 ET (U.S.).
2. The event administrators reserve the right to remove your booth for any reason.
3. You are not permitted to sell goods or services directly at the Expo. You may only link to products/services sold on your own website(s).
4. By allowing your organization to participate in the Expo, the United States Government and its partner organizations are in no way endorsing or sponsoring your organization or its opportunities/services, and you will not claim otherwise.