FAQ - For Exhibitors

FAQ for Exhibitors

Is there a cost associated with presenting at JA Inspire?

Please see the JA Inspire partnership packet for 2025-26 sponsorship levels. The Career Station partnership covers event site rental, pipe and drape, supplies, and administrative costs for your team. Your partnership ensures that JA Inspire can be offered at no cost to students and educators.

If your organization would like to present at JA Inspire but the Career Station partnership level is cost prohibitive, please contact Patience Wells, Programs Coordinator, at patience@jaoenc.org.

When should I set up my booth, and what time should I arrive at the JA Inspire Career Exploration Fair?

Exhibitors are welcome to set up their booths from 3 pm to 6 pm on December 8th. Exhibitor arrival times are listed below and based on your booth's career cluster:

Where do I park?

Exhibitors will park in a designated lot at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.

I will be bringing a large vehicle and/or equipment and may need additional set-up time. When can I arrive?

If your company is interested in bringing a vehicle as part of your career station, please reach out to Patience Wells at patience@jaoenc.org for more details.

I need Wi-Fi and/or electricity for my career station. How do I arrange that?

Wi-Fi access is available for all exhibitors. If you need electricity for your career station, please indicate this on your registration form.

My organization wants to feature multiple booths across different career clusters. What partnership level should we select?

If your company plans to host booths in more than one career cluster (e.g., STEM and Aerospace/Aviation), please contact Tim Lavallee, President & CEO, at Tim@jaoenc.org for partnership level details.

The registration packet states that my organization needs a hands-on activity for students. Can you give me an example?

Activities are specific to the exhibitor but should provide young people with a brief opportunity to look, touch, and feel what it means to work for your company or study at your school. You can bring equipment or tools for students to try out, have students make something they can take home with them, put together a game to play, or have a demonstration with your staff.

If you need ideas for activities, please join us for one of our virtual exhibitor information sessions or reach out to Patience Wells, Programs Coordinator, at patience@jaoenc.org or 919-821-2100 ext. 1003. When our staff contacts you regarding your hands-on activity, please free to ask them any questions or offer suggestions of what you have in mind.

As an exhibitor, what should I know as I engage the students?

Upon arrival, students will be welcomed, given their supplies, and escorted into the JA Inspire Career Fair. Students will have 40 minutes to interact with exhibitors in each of the three event zones.

Students have been prepped to make eye contact, shake hands, and introduce themselves. Students are encouraged to engage with Exhibitors by asking questions, taking notes, and participating in hands-on activities.

What are some of the questions students might ask me?

Some questions may include:

• What kind of skills do I need to work at your business?
- Soft skills: teamwork, responsibility, initiative, leadership, etc.
- Technical skills: math, information technology, etc.

• Are there any educational requirements for the job? (diploma, degree, certifications/trainings, etc.)

• How much money do you make?
- Offer a salary or hourly range for someone starting out.

Is there anything else I need to do with the students who participate at my exhibit?

Each Exhibitor career station will be given a hole punch, which will be used to mark the corresponding industry on the each student’s boarding pass. Students need to actively participate in order to have their boarding pass marked.

Can we bring giveaways for the students?

Yes! It is always great for students to have something to take away with them. For safety and cleanup of the floors, please do not bring stickers or anything sharp!

More than 600 students will participate in this event. Not every student will visit your booth, but please be aware that you will need a large amount of items. Additionally, giveaways should only be for students who participated in your activity or asked questions.

How many people should my organization send to support our event table?

At least two team members from your organization should always be present to staff your career station. If your hands-on activity requires a high level of staff staff support, we highly suggest that you bring three or more team members to this event.

What is JA providing for refreshments?

JA will provide snacks throughout the day and lunch for Exhibitors and Volunteers at the conclusion of the event.

When can I break down my booth?

JA Staff will announce when booth breakdown can begin. To ensure all students experience the career exploration fair to the fullest, please do not pack up your booth until ALL students have left your section for the day.

Who do I contact with additional questions?

For questions regarding exhibiting, please contact Patience Wells, Programs Coordinator, at patience@jaoenc.org or 919-821-2100 ext. 1003.

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