LEARN Member...
LEARN Charter
Mentor Contacts
Current LEARN Executive Members
How do you get leads?
1. Current or Prospective Students
Use your database to run a list of students receiving tuition reimbursement by company and then contact the HR department. Call or write a letter enclosing a LEARN brochure and then follow-up after a week or so.
2. Corporate Visits
When visiting a company, ask if they might be interested in an ed fair. Pitch the ed fair as a "benefit" or "service" to them. Give them the LEARN brochure. Follow-up within a week or so.
3. Newspapers
Regularly read business sections of the Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Denver Business Journal, Boulder County Business Report, or other newspapers. They are excellent resources for information about companies. Contact the HR department.
4. Previous Ed Fairs
Look over the list of previous ed fairs provided by the LEARN VP. Reestablish a relationship with a company that previously hosted an ed fair.
What Should be Accomplished in the Initial Contact?
1. Explain the benefits of LEARN and an education fair — you serve as a liaison between the company and area schools (this saves the HR person time and hassles). Some HR reps know exactly what it is, others don't. Keep it simple but discuss the basics.
2. Explain HOW an ed fair works….
● usually 10 — 12 schools attend
● usually scheduled during the lunch hours (11:00 — 1:00) to ensure highest turnout,
● preferably located in a high traffic area (e.g. lunch room, cafeteria, main lobby or atrium)
● can other companies in the building/area attend the fair?
● discourage Mondays and Fridays and days before and after a holiday
● company is expected to advertise event and publicize thoroughly
● give them a brochure if they do not already have one
3. Gather Information about the Company
● number of employees
● education benefits
● education level of the employees
● interest in education on both the employer and employees part
● location (address)
4. Get a Date Commitment
If they need to check with management, agree to call back in one week. Call back in one week. A date at least four to six weeks in the future with at least one LEARN meeting in between is ideal.
Organizing the Ed Fair and Timetable
1. Once a date is confirmed, call the LEARN VP to secure the date on the LEARN master calendar.
2. Send a confirmation letter to the corporate rep that includes the date, time, location and advertising/publicity ideas for the ed fair. Sample Confirmation Letter.
3. Set a date to visit the site, four to six weeks before the ed fair is ideal.
● This visit should set the stage for a successful education fair. You really want to make this an easy and positive experience for the corporation. Some hosts will know exactly how and where they want to offer a fair. Others will need guidance and assistance from you. It is essential that you maintain close contact with the host to facilitate planning and implementation of each aspect of the fair.
● Very early in the process, set specific timelines with the host, defining who will be responsible for each task.
● Bring with you LEARN posters, brochures, a copy of the grid, and samples of publicity ideas.
● Discuss during the meeting:
● Ask if company wants an open or invitation only ed fair, or if they want certain schools in particular to attend. Make a note of schools.
● Ask for a copy of their education benefits
● Ask HR rep to have someone at the ed fair to answer any questions about ed benefits from employees
● Check out the ed fair location, ensure sufficient space for tables. One 4-6 ft. rectangular table with two chairs per LEARN rep all in one room or area is best. LEARN members will provide signs and banners for tables. If the location is really poor, encourage "super" advertising. (See also...Initial Contact above.)
● Encourage the corporate rep to treat this as a "festive" event (use balloons, door prizes, give aways, posters, refreshments, etc.)
● Get directions to the location and a map if possible. Find out about parking arrangements (free, validation, etc.). Ask about any security restrictions (list of names/social security numbers in advance, check in requirements, etc.)
● Ask corporate rep to start advertising now (four to six weeks before the ed fair, again two weeks prior, the day before, and again on the day of the fair). This is vital to success! Brainstorm ideas: newsletter, payroll stuffers, P.A./broadcast announcements, e-mail, voice mail, posters, flyers, local papers, electronic media, staff meetings, matrices, other. Samples of Publicity.
4. Complete the LEARN Announcement/Information Sheet fully, indicating the type of fair open (O) or invitation only (IO, list schools). Prepare an additional sheet with a map, directions, parking and security information if necessary. Fax all information to the LEARN VP. Make copies of all information for distribution at the next LEARN meeting. If crunched for time, fax information to members or send out on e-mail. If specific schools were requested, call them personally.
5. Three to four weeks before the ed fair:
● Present information about the ed fair to LEARN members at the next LEARN meeting (if there is a meeting before the fair).
● Make sure some advertising has already taken place (e.g. newsletter)
6. Two to three weeks before the ed fair:
● Additional publicity has started and is ongoing
● Call LEARN members who have not signed up who you think might benefit (or if they were specifically invited)
● All information has been distributed to LEARN members (map, etc.)
7. One week before the ed fair:
● Discuss progress with host, see if anything more is needed. If host needs assistance, do it.
● Fax or email school names of attendees to employer for posters/security
● Insure location is firm, and that sufficient tables, etc. will be available
● Furnish matrices to employer for duplication
8. Day of ed fair:
● Arrive one hour to fourty minutes prior to fair to assist host and LEARN reps, answer any last minute questions
● Review check-in and set-up procedures for LEARN reps
● Ensure that set-up is correct (location, tables, etc.)
Check that matrices are available for attendees
● Stay alert during fair — make sure things are running smoothly. Periodically check in with corporate rep and LEARN members to see if they need any assistance.
● About three-fourths of the way through the fair, circulate the Ed Fair Evaluation form to LEARN members. Note specific comments.
● Provide the Education Fair Summary Sheet to host. Collect completed summary sheet at the end of the ed fair.
● Thank the host and LEARN members. Ask host if they would like additional materials from schools for reference. If so, help host collect materials.
9. Day after ed fair:
● Send a Thank You Note to the host including a summary of the comments from LEARN members about the fair.
● Collect all forms, maps, etc. for historical file and submit to the LEARN VP at the next meeting.
GREAT JOB! Thank you for all your hard work in coordinating the Education Fair
Email:
info@learncolorado.org
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