Attaining sponsorship is often done through contacting potential sponsors via a letter, and following up with a phone call/visit. The latter builds a personal rapport with a potential sponsor, which may include local universities, government organisations (e.g. State Geological Surveys) and local mining/exploration companies and service providers. The committee will need to consider whether there will be different levels of sponsorship (e.g. platinum, gold, silver), and what the potential sponsor can be offered for their money (e.g. advertising at the event/in the abstract volume, a short speech for the top sponsor). Some GESSS Committees also send potential sponsors a sponsorship prospectus package highlighting the benefits or different levels of sponsorship.