2026 PADDLEFEST & CT REUNION
SPONSORS AND VENDORS
PaddleFest 2026
Back to the Source - Silver Springs, Florida
The Florida Paddling Trails Association (FPTA) is excited to announce the 2026 FPTA PaddleFest! Our base camp will be in the Ocala National Forest at Camp Kiwanis - near Silver Springs State Park, April 16 – 19, 2026.
Silver Springs is Florida’s oldest tourist attraction, opened in the 1820s, and it became a commercial hub by the 1850s. Silver Springs is famous for the invention of the glass-bottom boat in the late 1870s, which spurred its popularity as a tourist destination for northern visitors via steamboats after the Civil War. Over the years, it became a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, and eventually transitioned into a state park, officially becoming Silver Springs State Park in 1993.
Our event offers guided paddles, local cultural and educational opportunities, and paddlers the ability to reconnect with their paddling community.
We are asking you to be a 2026 PaddleFest Event Sponsor. Your partnership plays an important role in supporting:
Our Paddling Community: FPTA PaddleFest is one of the few events of this kind in Florida. We come together as a community of paddlers, paddle clubs, and businesses who share a passion for exploring Florida's scenic waterways via canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
PaddleFest 2026 Mission: In addition to maintaining Florida’s Circumnavigational Trail and the paddlers that attempt it, we put new paddlers on the water! Through our Taylor Howard Youth Paddling grants and the many events hosted around the state of Florida by our Regional Directors, the FPTA introduces new paddlers to Florida’s waterways. The annual PaddleFest, now in its 4th year, provides us the opportunity to educate, connect, support, and strengthen the paddling community, including the ability to foster education with FPTA’s Taylor Howard Youth Paddling Fund grants. Few things in life are more memorable than our first trip floating down the shady corridor of a twisting river or skimming along a sunny coastline. Many of us equate our first significant experience in the outdoors with the first time we dipped a paddle, hoisted a sail, or connected with flowing water as children. And we feel gratitude towards those who led us there and helped kindle a life-long relationship with nature. Those of us who are fortunate to have had these experiences feel a need to reach out and share similar opportunities with younger generations. We are inviting you to share your passion for paddling and paddlesports with young paddlers of the future. Your event sponsorship makes possible the FPTA’s strategic plan to promote and support youth paddlers and ongoing support of Florida’s Circumnavigational Trail.
Event Success & Growth: Last year, PaddleFest attracted 70 passionate paddlers from all compass points and it continues to grow and connect more paddlers each year! This year’s event has a cap at 125 attendees.
Nearly 100% of event participants surveyed said that they would return the following year.
Our Volunteers: FPTA is a 501(c)3, all-volunteer organization. During PaddleFest, we use this opportunity to recognize our volunteers, whose selfless service is the strength and backbone of our organization.
Current & Future Hall of Famers: PaddleFest serves as the official “CT Hall of Fame” induction event (40 paddlers to date) for paddlers who have completed the 1,500+ mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (CT). This event also serves as a mentoring opportunity for Hall of Famers and future CT paddlers.
We are offering a variety of 2026 PaddleFest Event Sponsor options, ranging from financial sponsorship to in-kind donations, all which are intended to create a safe and fun event for paddlers. Your sponsorship, no matter what level you select, is key to making this event, like last year, a successful event!
EVENT SPONSORSHIP: We are offering the opportunity to be a 2026 PaddleFest Event Sponsor.
DEADLINE: February 1st, 2026 - SO DON’T DELAY!
BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR NOW! Registration link:
2026 FPTA PaddleFest Sponsorship Levels
First Magnitude: $1500/$1500 In Kind
Recognition as an OFFICIAL PARTNER of the FPTA 2026 PaddleFest.
Your organization’s name/logo placed in a prominent position (top of page) on:
FPTA’s website - 2026 PaddleFest Event & Registration page.
2026 PaddleFest email campaigns and social media pages; Reach is more than 24,000 subscribers/followers.
PaddleFest participants brochure and on electronic media throughout the event.
Event announcements on the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau
3. You can advertise that you are an OFFICIAL PARTNER of the FPTA 2026 PaddleFest.
4. FREE event registration for two people.
5. Official sponsor for the CT Hall of Fame Induction: An event that recognizes paddlers who have completed, are in the process of completing, or want to learn about paddling the 1500+ mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. The event includes mentoring, story boards, and historical artifacts about paddling the CT.
6. Additional options (select up to three):
Ten-minute presentation focused on your business.
Education or training event on the event schedule.
Equipment demo on the event schedule.
Display booth to promote your business.
Second Magnitude: $750/$750 In Kind
Recognition as KEY SPONSOR of the FPTA 2026 PaddleFest
Your organization’s name/logo placed in a prominent position on:
FPTA’s website - 2026 PaddleFest Event & Registration page.
2026 PaddleFest email campaigns and social media pages; Reach is more than 24,000 subscribers/followers.
PaddleFest participants brochure and on electronic media throughout the event.
Event announcements on the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau
3. You can advertise that you are a KEY SPONSOR for the FPTA 2026 PaddleFest.
4. FREE event registration for one person.
5. KEY SPONSOR for one catered meal for paddlers.
6. Additional options (select two):
Education or training event on the event schedule
Equipment demo on the event schedule
Display booth to promote your business
Third Magnitude: $500/$500 In Kind
Recognition as SUPPORTING SPONSOR of the FPTA 2026 PaddleFest
Your organization’s name/logo placed on:
FPTA’s website - 2026 PaddleFest Event & Registration page.
2026 PaddleFest email campaigns and social media pages; Reach is more than 24,000 subscribers/followers.
PaddleFest participants brochure and on electronic media throughout the event.
Event announcements on the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau
3. You can advertise that you are a SUPPORTING SPONSOR for the FPTA 2026 PaddleFest.
4. SUPPORTING SPONSOR for one catered meal for paddlers.
5. Additional options (select one):
Equipment demo on the event schedule
Display booth to promote your business
Fourth Magnitude: <$500/ <$500 In-Kind Sponsorship (donation for the raffle)
Recognition as SPONSOR of the FPTA 2026 PaddleFest Silent Auction
Your organization’s name/logo placed on:
FPTA’s website - 2026 PaddleFest Event & Registration page.
2026 PaddleFest email campaigns and social media pages; Reach is more than 24,000 subscribers/followers.
PaddleFest participants brochure and on electronic media throughout the event.
Event announcements on the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau
3. You can advertise that you are a SPONSOR for the FPTA 2026 PaddleFest.
