AIRNORTH PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL — 2026
  • About
  • Guests
  • Partnership
  • The Ask
  • Contact
TRANSMISSION ACTIVE
DOC REF: DEFCON-III-AIRNORTH
CLASSIFICATION: SPONSOR EYES ONLY
REV: 2026-A
SPONSORSHIP PROPOSAL // EMBER & HAILSTONE // WHITEHORSE, YUKON
// INCOMING TRANSMISSION

DEFCON III

Yukon's Board Game Convention

We're inviting Air North to help bring world-class board game designers and facilitators to the North — for the very first time.

2nd most northern board game convention on Earth
3× edition — sold out consecutive years
4–5 travel certificates requested
▸ VIEW THE REQUEST
About the mission

Built in the Yukon,
for the Yukon

Ember & Hailstone is a small, dedicated crew of Yukoners who've spent the last few years bringing people together to sling dice and shuffle cards with one simple directive.

Be Excellent to Each Other.
// The collective
We design events and board games that create wonder and build community for everyone — from total novices to seasoned strategists. No one gets left out in the cold.
// The convention
DEFCON III is the world's 2nd most northern board game convention, after Tromsø in Norway. A warm, inclusive environment where Yukoners gather to discover modern game design and leave with new friends.
// The track record
DEFCON was our first major public event. Last year's sold-out success is why we're running it again — doubling the size and making it even more epic. This year: Nov 20–22, 2026.
// The difference
Designed for everyone, intentionally welcoming. Not a tournament. Not a store event. A genuine gathering — awesome people, great games, new friends, and an honest celebration of what modern board games can do.
Incoming operatives

The talent your
support makes possible

For the first time in history, professional board game designers and facilitators of this calibre are coming to the North for a convention of this scale. Air North's support makes these visits real.

OPERATIVE 01
Flat Out Games
Molly Johnson & Shawn Stankewich · Co-Founders
The founders of Flat Out Games — acclaimed designers whose titles have earned devoted followings across North America.
● CONFIRMED
OPERATIVE 02
Starbound Myths
Shannon McLaughlin · DM Legend
A celebrated tabletop RPG facilitator and DM legend, bringing immersive storytelling and masterful facilitation to Whitehorse.
● CONFIRMED
OPERATIVE 03
Roxley Games
Calgary · In Negotiations
Home to the highest-rated board game in the world right now. Conversations are underway — Air North's support could seal the deal.
◐ IN TALKS
Strategic alignment

Why Air North

Air North's core values — community engagement, northern hospitality, environmental responsibility, and Indigenous partnership — are a natural match for DEFCON III's mission. Both are rooted in the Yukon. Both invest in the people who call it home.

Air North value How DEFCON III delivers
Community wellness
DEFCON III is offering a low and inclusive entry fee to create an open, inclusive event designed to strengthen community bonds across Whitehorse and beyond.
Northern hospitality
The convention's warmth-first philosophy mirrors Air North's own commitment to dignified, personalized service for all.
Supporting local
Ember & Hailstone is a homegrown Yukon project — no outside promoters, just locals building something real for the territory.
Economic development
Bringing southern professionals north opens doors for Yukon game designers (3 in attendance this year) and puts Whitehorse on the international convention map.
The request

What we're
asking for

4–5
Air North travel certificates
To bring professional board game designers and facilitators to Whitehorse for DEFCON III (Nov 20–22, 2026). All applicable taxes and fees will be covered by Ember & Hailstone.
What Air North receives in return
Branded booth and prominent signage at the event venue
Recognition across all marketing: posters, social media, and CBC Radio mentions
Complimentary tickets for Air North staff to attend
Post-event recap package with photos and attendance metrics
Named acknowledgement during event programming and announcements
Association with a nationally notable first: this calibre of guest has never come north for a convention
Air North banner and branding prominently displayed throughout the venue
Open to additional co-branding ideas — we're flexible and collaborative
Next steps

Let's make
it happen

We'd love to connect. If 4–5 travel certificates are a possibility, we're happy to provide a one-page logistics summary, share exact travel dates and guest details, or hop on a quick 10–15 minute call to brainstorm engagement ideas together.

// Organizer
Ember & Hailstone
Organizers of DEFCON III
Whitehorse, Yukon
jsoroka2020@gmail.com
// Event details
Nov 20–22, 2026
Whitehorse, Yukon
Thank you for considering this partnership. We're genuinely excited about the possibility of working with Air North to make DEFCON III something the whole Yukon can be proud of.

// EMBER & HAILSTONE — HIGH COMMAND
DEFCON-III · NOV 20–22, 2026 · WHITEHORSE, YUKON · DOC REF: AIRNORTH-PROPOSAL-2026
Ember & Hailstone
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