The Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo is designed to promote your industry to 9th graders in Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo and area rural public and private schools. Each year over 4,000 students attend the Expo! Hands-on exhibits are a must to engage students.

Exhibit space is available in 10′ x 10′ configurations. Click here to view the 2023 floor map. The first exhibit space is $150 and each additional is $100. Items included with exhibit space rental are:

• one 8-foot table and two chairs per 10′ x 10′ space,
• electricity,
• pipe & drape,
• wireless internet access and lunch.

Sponsors receive exhibit space plus more promotion. See registration link below for levels and details.

Once you are a registered exhibitor for this event, the details below will help you have a successful experience.

 

The Expo’s main focus is on ninth-grade students because many that age have not yet determined their career choices or post-secondary education plans. Smaller schools sometimes bring students outside of their 9th grade classes. The Expo is open to home-school educators as well.

 

Thank you for supporting the Career Expo. We look forward to seeing you there!

Exhibitor Information

As the event draws closer, this page should answer any questions you have concerning the Expo and your role in this event.

 

Important: If you are a post-secondary school or industry representative bringing several departments or industry partners to the Expo, it is your responsibility to pass along these details to those individuals so that they are also aware of the information included in this packet. 

 

Move-In Reminders

• The Fargodome's east, west and north street-level doors open at 6 a.m. Nov. 30 for move-in.
• For those needing access to the overhead door to drive onto the field, a move-in schedule is now available here. 

Summary of Event Information

• Exhibitor list by company name, including booth assignments
• Updated Fargodome map
• Move-in schedule (only for those needing the overhead door) 
• Expo rules and regulations
• School schedule with student arrival times
• Career cluster and sample exhibitor questions. (Click the second link, then click the poster link associated with your sector to review the information students may ask about.)

Some tips:

1. Don’t forget to wear your company nametags.
2. Students will only have approximately one hour to tour the Expo. Check out the list of questions students may ask while visiting your exhibit space. Be prepared to answer them.
3. Make sure that your exhibit is interactive, colorful, and interesting. Showcase your industry to these students! Be sure to include the students in your demonstrations.
4. Promote and demonstrate safety to the students by providing and utilizing safety gear needed for your hands-on activity.
5. If possible, plan for adequate staffing so someone is available at all times to answer questions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

• Who can help me at the event?

Look for a volunteers in blue shirts with the Career Expo logo on the back to help you. It is our goal to help you, the exhibitor, as much as possible. 

 

• What food is provided for exhibitors at the Expo?

Breakfast: A light breakfast and coffee will be provided in the Exhibitor Hospitality area in the northeast corner of the Fargodome floor. It is first-come, first-serve.

 

Lunch: Subway box lunches and bottled water will be provided. Exhibitors can pick up their lunch during a short break between 11:30-noon. Please do not leave the Fargodome. Final lunch orders are required by Nov. 10.

 

Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

 

• What type of promotional giveaways are allowed/not allowed?

Having a promotional giveaway is encouraged and is a great way to draw students into your exhibit space. However, there are some giveaways that are more appropriate than others. Check the rules and regulations for specifics.

 

The Fargodome does not allow stickers or balloons.

The Fargodome and the Expo committee reserve the right to ask any exhibitor to stop handing out their giveaway.

 

When selecting giveaways, please make sure the items could not be used as a weapon or be something that can be thrown.

Not allowed:

• balloons,
• stickers,
• sharp items,
• bouncy balls,
• frisbees, etc.

Please follow these suggestions when selecting a giveaway for your exhibit space. If you have questions about an acceptable giveaway, please contact the HBA prior to the event.

 

Encouraged items:

• writing utensils,
• pop-sockets,
• candy (please no nuts),
• earbuds,
• chip clips,
• portable chargers,
• sticky notes, etc.

Finally, if you are considering a giveaway, please consider tying it to an activity in your exhibit rather than just being a straight giveaway. Many exhibitors have found success engaging students with hands-on activities in which they earn a “prize/giveaway." By doing so, you will encourage more meaningful conversations and interactions with students.

 

• How and when do I move my supplies into the Fargodome?

Important: Exhibitors MUST provide their own extension cords. 

 

Move-in: Move-in begins at 6 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30.

 

Walking in Your Supplies: Most exhibitors will walk in their supplies. Entry and parking from the east side main entrance or west side lot are suggested. Staircases to the Fargodome field level are located on the east and west sides only.  All doors will be accessible from all parking lots from 6 - 8:30 a.m.

 

Elevators: The regular consumer entrance elevators are located on the east side main lobby (behind escalators), and bring you to the mid-field level in the north hallway near the NDSU locker rooms.

 

Drive-in Requests:  Please review the move-in schedule to find your time when it becomes available.

 

A scheduled move-in time is required only if you need to drive into the Fargodome to park or unload large equipment. 

 

The overhead door is located at the north end of the field level. Use of it ends at 8:15 a.m. If you need the overhead door, you must have a prescheduled time. If special arrangements are needed, such as overhead door usage, special electrical requirements, or forklift needs, they will need to be made by Nov. 10. 

 

• When should my exhibit be set up and when do students arrive?

On the day of the Expo, students will begin arriving at 8:30 a.m. Exhibitors must have their exhibit set up and staffed by 8:15 a.m.

 

• What are Career Clusters and what is the student activity surrounding them?

A great first step in exploring a professional career in North Dakota is to investigate the sixteen Career Clusters and the associated pathways to that profession. Educators are encouraged to have their students learn about the Career Clusters and identify their "top three" areas of interest before the Expo.

 

You/your company or organization will be assigned to a Career Cluster(s) by the event's steering committee. If you would like to learn more about each individual Career Cluster and the questions students may ask you, click here.

 

The exhibitor list with corresponding Career Clusters will be released to exhibitors and schools as the event gets closer. You will be provided a color-coded Career Cluster sign to display in your exhibit at the Expo. 

 

• What kinds of activities are prohibited?

Rules and Regulations: Please refer to the Rules and Regulations for building-related questions. Respect the floor surface of the Fargodome by using only wrestling mat tape and proper surface coverings for construction.

 

The Fargodome does not allow drones.

 

Photographing or video recording students is not allowed by exhibitors.

 

• How do I find the hospitality area?

Look for directional signage or ask someone in a blue shirt with the Career Expo logo on the back. The hospitality area will be located at the northeast end of the Expo. Breakfast, coffee, water and lunch will be available at this location.

 

• Who do I contact for decorating needs?

For decorating needs other than those that come with the exhibit space, contact Jordan Holte at (701) 232-5846. A 10' x 10' exhibit space comes with 1 8 table and 2 chairs, 8’ high back drape, and 3’ high side rails.

 

• When can I start moving out after the Expo?

Students will be on the floor of the Fargodome until 2 p.m. An announcement over the loudspeaker will be made after all students have left the floor and when it is safe to start packing up your exhibit space. For safety purposes, please refrain from tearing down before all students have left the floor. 

 

Move-Out Information: Move-out begins after all students have left the floor. Everything must be removed, including garbage, before 3:30 p.m. Please contact the HBA if special arrangements for move-out need to be made.

 

The Career Expo is not responsible for items or contents left after the event concludes. Exhibitors are responsible for cleaning up trash in their exhibit area. During move-out all doors will be accessible for items to be carried out. The overhead door of the Fargodome will not open until all students have left the floor. If you need to drive in to pick up your supplies at the end of the Expo, please have patience and use caution.

 

• What happens if we have inclement weather?

Check this website for Expo cancellation communications.

 

If all metro schools (Fargo/Moorhead/West Fargo) are in session, the Expo will take place. If rural schools open late, they may not arrive when scheduled but as they are able to.

Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo

Managed by Home Builders Association of F-M

1802 32nd Ave S | Fargo ND 58103

701.232.5846 | info@hbafm.com