See below for insider tips on exhibiting at the expo:

Engaging Successfully and Thoughtfully with Students

Think about your business from a teenager's point of view. 

What is eye-catching? What can you bring from your workplace that students can see, feel, touch, do, try out or try on? Don't be afraid to have a little fun. Need some inspiration? Check out some past  Expo Photo Highlights or our 1-minute Expo Highlight Video. 

Recruit booth volunteers thoughtfully. 

The people in your booth are your biggest asset. Teenagers are drawn to adults who seem open and friendly, and who are able to start a conversation. Take time to engage the students: Ask them questions, get them interested in your booth. Some students will come with questions to ask as a school assignment, however many will not. It is up to you, as the exhibitor, to talk with these students and engage them in your industry.

Remember your DEI goals. 

Students attending the Expo come from many diverse backgrounds. Your efforts to make your booth a welcoming space through your volunteers, visuals and materials will help students “see themselves” in your industry.

State the obvious.  

Bring a big sign. Bring a poster board or two describing your company, industry, careers and necessary education. Add some fun facts. Students may not know about your work or company. Your company may be a household name among adults, but if you're not Nike, teenagers may not be familiar with you.

Promote your jobs, internships or volunteer opportunities. 

If you have jobs, internships, summer jobs or other career-related learning experiences that are open to high school students, the Expo is a perfect place to promote them. You can direct students to your website or, if appropriate, have an email signup sheet.

Tips for a Successful Booth

Prepare your booth.

 Each 10’ x 10’ booth includes the following: 2 chairs and 1 – 6’ draped table, as well as complimentary wi-fi and complimentary 5-amp of electrical. Be interactive, with equipment, demos, videos, question wheels, etc. Having something the students can touch and feel is great! See this handout for move-in information. 

Prepare for peak hours: 

About 10 am to 11 am will be the busiest part of the day. Students are coming from Portland metro, SW Washington, and statewide. A list of attending schools can be found here. 

Bring snacks for yourself! 

 Your booth may have a lot of visitors, which can make it hard to break away for lunch. Also, lunch lines can be long. Exhibitors should consider bringing sack lunches or snacks for themselves. 

Stay until 1:30 pm! 

Reserve some energy for the afternoon schools. Arrival times for schools are staggered, with schools arriving every half hour and staying for about two hours. Students who arrive at noon need career inspiration just as much as the early birds. Please don't break down your booth until after 1:30 pm. (Thank you!) Move-out is from 1:30 pm until 6 pm on Expo Day. Exhibitors who break down their booths early will not be asked back, because of the negative impact it has on students. 

Pace yourself on freebies and handouts.

 Freebies and handouts are very popular, but remember we expect between 5,000 and 6,500 students! Reserve some business cards and handouts for the teachers and counselors who visit your booth. Don’t put out all your “freebies” or candy first thing in the morning. With the number of students coming, it is okay to run out and then when the next wave comes in you can restock. Have something that students can take home with them. (Note: OCC does not allow balloons, stickers, frisbees, balls, or other items that may cause damage to the building.)

Bring in equipment, trucks, and other types of demos! 

The students love hands-on activities. The more hands on equipment, trucks, vehicles, and other types of demos for the students, the better the Expo will be for both students and exhibitors. Students want to be able to actually see what the companies do and feel the equipment. In the past, we have had welding demonstrations, cranes, PGE trucks, CPR manikins, blood pressure activities, ambulances, etc.

“We have a virtual painting booth. There’s also a virtual welder – you flip the hood down and start, and it looks like you’re welding. What we’re trying to do is tie the construction industry to the relevancy of what they’re learning in high school. We’re trying to show them that there’s all kinds of opportunities and careers out there.” - Volunteer, Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute

If you are exhibiting a vehicle, please remember that the following fire marshal rules apply:

• less than ¼ of gas
• a locked or taped gas cover
• the battery will need to be disconnected

If you do not have all of these taken care of then you will be turned away when you arrive onsite. Please note that all vehicles must be approved by PWA staff in advance.  

How can we help? 

If you have a question and can’t find the answer, email expo@portlandworkforcealliance.org.

Additional Resources
Lists of all 2024 Sponsors and Exhibitors
Expo Highlights Video (1 minute)
Accessibility information at OCC