GTTI
SPECIALTY SPONSORSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
We are excited to announce new Specialty Sponsorship Opportunities for the 2025 Sea Island Christmas Celebration, taking place December 4–7, 2025, in Beaufort, South Carolina. Each year, this celebration brings together thousands of visitors and residents to experience the joy, faith, and beauty of Gullah culture through storytelling, music, food, and fellowship. As we expand our programming for 2025, we are pleased to introduce several specialty events that invite deeper cultural connection and community participation—offering meaningful opportunities for businesses and individuals to get involved.
Become a Specialty Sponsor for
2025 Sea Island Christmas'
Cultural Symposium or Rice Cookoff!
This year’s new Specialty Sponsorships highlight two signature experiences: the Gullah Taste of Christmas & Rice Cookoff, featuring Celebrity Chef BJ Dennis and larger prize offerings, and the Sierra Leone Cultural Symposium, celebrating the enduring ties between the Gullah Geechee people and our ancestral homeland. We are honored to welcome author and Cultural Ambassador, Amadu Massally as our keynote speaker and Diplomat Ibrahim Fofana from the Embassy of Sierra Leone as a special guest participant at the Symposium, which will include cultural presenters, artisans, and community discussions focused on heritage, sustainability, and connection.
Each sponsorship offers unique recognition and marketing benefits, along with the opportunity to underwrite powerful cultural experiences that educate, entertain, and inspire. Whether supporting the Rice Cookoff, the Symposium’s Royal Court, or one of our artisan workshops, your partnership will help us preserve and promote the Gullah story while enriching Beaufort’s holiday season.
Rice Cookoff Sponsorships
Naming Rights Sponsor - $10,000
Celebrate the heart of the Gullah culinary tradition through this lively competition featuring local chefs, food enthusiasts, and Celebrity Chef BJ Dennis. Your sponsorship supports cash prizes, entertainment, staging, and promotional visibility throughout the event.
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Rice Cookoff (Entire Event Sponsor) – $10,000
Includes exclusive naming rights, on-site recognition, logo placement in all promotional materials, and full-season advertising benefits. -
Da’ Chillin Cookoff Sponsor – $2,500
Supports the youth division of the Cookoff, encouraging creativity and intergenerational storytelling through food. -
Adult Cookoff Sponsor – $7,500
Underwrites prizes, chef appearances, and audience engagement activities during the adult competition.
Naming Rights Sponsor - $5,000
Honor the deep ancestral ties between the Gullah Geechee people and Sierra Leone through this meaningful gathering of scholars, artisans, and cultural ambassadors.
Your sponsorship supports the event’s programming, presenters, and community participation.
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Sierra Leone Cultural Symposium (Entire Event Sponsor) – $5,000
Includes co-branding on all symposium materials, stage recognition, and full-season advertising benefits. -
Royal Court Sponsor – $2,000
Supports the participation of cultural presenters and special guests from the U.S. and Sierra Leone. -
People’s Court Sponsor – $1,500
Underwrites the community lunch for symposium attendees, fostering fellowship and cultural exchange. -
Artist’s Court Sponsor – $1,500
Supports artisan-led workshops celebrating traditional crafts and creative entrepreneurship.