Show students what your industry has to offer.
Career Quest gives local middle school students the opportunity to explore careers through interactive, hands-on experiences with employers from across the Roanoke Valley, New River Valley, and Alleghany Highlands.
Why Participate?
Career Quest is an opportunity to:
+ Introduce students to careers they may not know exist
+ Showcase your company, industry, and workplace
+ Build awareness of future career opportunities
+ Connect with thousands of students, educators, and community partners
+ Strengthen the future talent pipeline for our region
Business Expectations
Businesses should be prepared to:
+ Staff their exhibit for the full, two-day event
+ Provide an interactive student experience
+ Engage students in age-appropriate conversations
+ Follow all event and venue safety requirements
+ Keep exhibit spaces staffed and organized
+ Share information about careers, education, credentials, and skills within their industry
What We Provide
Career Quest will provide:
+ Exhibit space
+ One (1) table and two (2) chairs
+ Volunteer/event support
+ Access to electricity upon request, if available
+ Exhibitor information and setup instructions before the event
+ Snacks and drinks (coffee, water, soda) during the event
+ Promotion and recognition as a participating employer
What Makes a Great Career Quest Exhibit?
The best Career Quest exhibits are hands-on, visual, and easy for students to understand.
Think beyond brochures or giveaways. Examples of good exhibit activities include:
+ Trying a tool or piece of equipment
+ Completing a short job-related challenge
+ Demonstrating a technology or process
+ Building, assembling, testing, or troubleshooting a product
+ Using a simulator or virtual experience
+ Practicing a skill used by employees
+ Seeing or touching products your company makes
+ Meeting employees in different roles
Think experience, not presentation. Students should leave your exhibit having done something, not just listened to something.
Business Registration FAQs
No. There is no cost for businesses or organizations to participate in Career Quest. We simply ask exhibitors to come prepared to create an engaging, hands-on experience that helps students learn about careers in your industry.
Yes, businesses must participate both days so that students attending each day have access to the same career exploration opportunities. Many employers rotate staff throughout the day so that no one staff member is present for the full two day event.
We recommend bringing at least two to three representatives so your exhibit can remain fully staffed while team members take breaks. Interactive exhibits or activities that require more hands-on assistance may benefit from additional staff.
Yes, limited access to electricity is available upon request. Please indicate your electrical needs during registration, including the type of equipment you plan to use. We will do our best to accommodate requests based on venue capabilities and availability.
Standard exhibitor spaces are approximately 10′ x 10′. Larger exhibit spaces are reserved for Career Quest sponsors and are available based on sponsorship level and event layout. If your organization needs additional space, we encourage you to explore our sponsorship opportunities.
Standard exhibitor spaces include one table and two chairs. Additional tables, chairs, and expanded exhibit setups are benefits available to Career Quest sponsors, depending on sponsorship level. If your organization needs a larger setup, please review our sponsorship opportunities or contact our team for more information.
Yes, in many cases! Large equipment, machinery, vehicles, and other real-world displays can make great Career Quest experiences. Please provide details about anything oversized during registration so our team can plan for space, access, and safety requirements.
The rear entrance to the Special Events Center is 12′ wide by 12′ high and includes a ramp. The side doors are 12′ wide by 14′ high, although access through those doors requires a tight turn, which may limit the size or type of equipment that can enter.
Please note that electric vehicles are not permitted inside the facility due to Fire Marshal requirements. Our team will review large equipment and vehicle requests in advance and work with you to determine whether they can be accommodated safely.
Career Quest is a career exploration event rather than a recruiting event. Businesses should not collect students’ personal information, including names, phone numbers, email addresses, or other contact information. Exhibitors are welcome to share information about careers, future employment opportunities, internships, apprenticeships, educational pathways, and ways students can learn more about your organization.
Please do not take identifiable photos or videos of individual students for your organization’s use without prior approval from Career Quest staff. Because participating students are minors and school divisions may have different media permissions, photography and video involving students must follow Career Quest and school division guidelines. You are welcome to take photos of your exhibit, staff, equipment, and activities when students are not identifiable.