ACDC to hold career showcases in Othello, Ritzville

OTHELLO — The Adams County Development Council will hold the 2023 Othello Career Showcase on Oct. 24 at Othello High School and the 2023 Lind-Ritzville and Washtucna Career Showcase on Oct. 19 in Lind-Ritzville High School, according to announcements from the council.

ACDC wants businesses operating in Othello to take part in the event, which will be held inside the gyms of each respective high school.

“Last year’s Career Showcase was a huge success — we had over 1,500 students tour through the showcase engaging with our local employers,” the announcement said. “This year’s showcase will bring all local employers together to demonstrate and display the array of career choices available right here in Othello and our surrounding area.”

The Lind-Ritzville and Washtucna event announcement also said the event is meant to showcase businesses and organizations in Eastern Adams County. As such, both vents will be limiting employers from outside of Adams County to key industries with a significant presence in the county.

“High school and middle school students will be touring the trade show floor, exploring career pathways available to them right here where they live. This showcase will focus on attracting, developing, supporting and retaining local students to create a sustainable pipeline of employees for your business,” the announcements said.

For students, the benefit of this event comes from being able to network with potential future employers.

“Students will practice valuable career-readiness skills by engaging with businesses to learn more about each business and the pathways available to the student that could lead to a career with these future employers,” the ACDC announcement stated.

The council is encouraging businesses at both showcases to bring informative and interactive materials or displays for their booths, which are limited to 10 by 10 feet, 10 by 20 feet or 10 by 30 feet for indoor booths — outdoor space has no limit, according to ACDC materials. The flyers also said exhibitor space is free.

The events will integrate a passport system where each student will be able to collect a stamp or punch at each vendor they visit representing an active conversation had with the employer, according to event organizers. The stamps will be used to gauge student engagement and to enter students in a drawing for various prizes. Donations of raffle items are welcome.

Booths and displays must be set up by 8 a.m. for the Othello Showcase on Oct. 24 and by 7:45 a.m. for the Lind-Ritzville and Washtucna Showcase on Oct. 19. There will be a scheduled opportunity for exhibitor set-up for the Othello Showcase on Oct. 23 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., as well as an hour before the event itself Oct. 24. Organizers said the Lind-Ritzville and Washtucna showcase set-up time will be from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 as well as from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Oct. 19.

The tentative schedule for the Othello Showcase lists sessions for different grades. From 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m., eighth graders will tour the showcase, followed by freshmen from 9:05 a.m. to 10 a.m. and sophomores from 10:10 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. After a lunch break, seniors will tour from 12:15 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. and juniors will tour from 1:30 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. Tear-down and move-out is scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

During the Lind-Ritzville and Washtucna Showcase, freshmen will tour from 8:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.; seniors will tour from 9:45 a.m. to 10:55 a.m.; sophomores from 11:00 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. and juniors from 12:50 to 2 p.m. after a lunch break. Tear-down and move-out will be from 2 to 5:30 p.m.

For both events lunch will be provided for all exhibitors, as well as Wi-Fi access and electricity, organizers said.

For questions or more information, contact the Adams County Development Council Executive Director Kyle Niehenke at 509-398-2410 or via email at kyle@growadamscounty.com.

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