Nine Innings of Networking Job Fairs
Presented by Spur impact
One of the areas two biggest job fairs of the year are the Nine Innings of Networking job fair events. In 2021, there will be two Nine Innings job fair events: Tuesday June 29, 2021 and Tuesday August 24, 2021. Both events take place during a Wilmington Blue Rocks game at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington, Delaware.
Who is being invited? Our job fairs are open to the general public. We also specifically invite recent graduates and current seniors from at least 15 of the colleges and other professional schools in Delaware and surrounding counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. We advertise to and invite different veterans groups to participate as well.
How many people do you expect to attend? The previous four Nine Innings of Networking events, have averaged more than 3,000 fans in attendance, and we have had as many as 300 people show up specifically for the job fair event at any given game. While the Wilmington Blue Rocks have a limited capacity restriction of 2,000 attendees currently, we still expect big turnouts. The Nine Innings of Networking games are typically one of the largest games of the year in terms of overall attendance.
What types of employers will be there? We focus on bringing employers who are hiring. Particularly, we are looking for employers who are hiring for either entry-level and more seasoned positions or both. The list of employers attending are posted online for registrants and participants at least two weeks ahead of the job fair. A list of the employers who have attended the Nine Innings of Networking event is available here.
I cannot hire enough (nurses, IT personnel, programmers, MBAs, doctors, etc.). Are you going to focus any of your job fairs on these particular skill sets or types of jobs? Yes. We can certainly work with you to promote any jobs you have related to health sciences or S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics/finance). Based on data from our applicant pool at previous Nine Innings of Networking job fair games, there were many candidates with those skill sets looking at opportunities.
Do I have to commit to hiring people from the job fair? No, but we strongly encourage employers to review and collect resumes or applications as your company sees fit and use the networking time with applicants accordingly. Based on feedback from last year, many of the participants appreciated being able to discuss potential opportunities with the company representatives in determining whether they were a good "fit."
What is my potential return? We believe that these type of networking events have the potential to increase your company’s brand to a large and diverse crowd in many ways. Various sponsorship levels provide alternative methods to promote your company before, during, and after the event. All employers who are part of our job fairs will have ample networking time for those visiting your booth. The potential return at the Nine Innings of Networking event is likely higher, in part because Nine Innings of Networking takes place both before and during the game, and anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 fans attend Blue Rocks games. In the previous games, we average more than 3,000 fans in attendance, which provides good marketing exposure for all of our employer sponsors and exhibitors.
Is there a dress code? We promote our job fair events as an informal, business casual networking event, but expect that many participants will come dressed in suits or other professional attire.
How big are the tables? The tables are six feet long and chairs will be provided.
What if I am not hiring, can I still get a table? Yes, but we strongly encourage you to consider any applicant who you may meet with that day as a potential hire, either for yourself or for one of your connections. For example, a clothier company may wish to sponsor or exhibit at the event and offer participants the opportunity to purchase appropriate interviewing attire at a discounted rate in advance or for some time following the event. While that company may be only hiring at the retail or sales level, it may nonetheless meet a potential candidate who would fit well there or with another company at which you may have a connection.
What is the #hashtag for the event? For our Nine Innings of Networking event, use #dejobfair on Twitter or Instagram and tweet or send pictures to @spurimpact or @WilmBlueRocks to promote the event!
What if I have other questions? Please contact us or email Charlie Vincent at info@delawarejobfair.net or call 302-566-8008.