IMPORTANT INFO
05/13/2025
Welcome treasured Exhibitor! We are heading into the last days leading up to the Oregon Tradeswomen’s 2025 Career Fair and have lots of details to share with you.
Map links: Here are links to the most updated maps for the event. Maps may continue to change based on event needs. Please note that there are also updated sponsor parking assignments.
Meals: No longer for sale. Food truck (Mexican) Friday confirmed.
T-shirts: For sale online and at the event for $30. Cash and credit cards accepted.
Check-in and FAQ: Every Exhibitor needs to check in (Friday or Saturday) at the “Sponsor & Exhibitor Check-in” table in the Break Room (west of main lobby). Once you have picked up the packet for your company/organization, your people do not need to continue to individually check in. This packet will contain full details and instructions that you will need for the entire event, along with any Meal and T-Shirt tickets.
Throughout the event, this will be the main place to get any questions answered about the Career Fair or Oregon Tradeswomen.
This will also be where to redeem T-Shirt tickets. Sizes are first come, first serve (unless ordered specific sizes online). Sizing ranges from S – 4XL. There are two t-shirt colors this year. You will receive a T-shirt in black. Staff and volunteers will be wearing green T-shirts. So when you/someone else needs assistance, go “Ask someone in a green event shirt!”
Event Timeline: Security will be present Thursday – Saturday.
THURSDAY: Optional set-up from 10:00AM – 4:00PM
FRIDAY
- 6:30AM Set-up opens
- 8:00AM – 8:30PM Schools start to arrive
- 10:00AM Community Info 101 Session (PATP)
- 11:30AM – 12:30PM Tradesworker Showcase
- 1:00PM Community Info 101 Session (PATP)
- 2:30PM End of event
SATURDAY
- 7:00AM Set-up opens
- 9:00AM Event open to the public
- 10:00AM & 1:00PM Community Info 101 Sessions (PATP)
- 1:00 – 2:30PM Tradeswomen Portrait Studio
- 3:00PM End of event and teardown starts
More information will be provided to you onsite.
Please continue to spread the word about the public day (Saturday, May 17) and look forward to seeing you soon. Don’t hesitate to reach out with additional questions. Thank you.
05/05/2025
2025 OTW Career Fair updates: 2 week countdown edition!
A few more updates before we get down to the nitty-gritty.
Make sure you have what you need! If you are not a sponsor, you must purchase an equipment add-on, meals, and t-shirts separately from your registration. If you are a sponsor, you receive any necessary equipment needed, along with a certain number of meals and t-shirts, as outlined here. Unless you have spoken directly to us about making other arrangements, please reach out to Nami Bigos or Xavier Juhala to understand your onsite set up.
Map updates: Please check out the indoor and/or outdoor maps and review your spot! Make sure to get any feedback, edits, or questions to Nami ASAP.
Unloading & Parking: You will be greeted by traffic control at NIETC and directed to unload/load using the doors near the Welcome Tent (before Event Start). It is critical that you park in the designated parking lots and areas.
Sponsors: You will be receiving parking spot assignments soon (2 – 8 spots), based on your level of sponsorship. These will be in the larger NECA-IBEW lot.
Friday: Parking will be along the exit road and at the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters (4222 NE 158th Ave., Portland, OR 97230). 1 shuttle will rotate to NIETC and all parking lot locations (others may be added soon).
Saturday: The 4 ancillary lots are at the Carpenters, All Source Construction & Safety (12801 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230), McKinstry (16790 NE Mason St., Portland, OR 97230), and Wolcott Services (5224 NE 158th Ave., Portland, OR 97230). 2 shuttles will rotate to NIETC, all parking lot locations, and the E 181st Ave. Park & Ride.
Food/Beverages: Coffee, Decaf, and Tea will be served all day to Sponsors and Exhibitors by Gourmet Coffee Brew Master.
Lunch will be served at 12PM. We do not have access to the IBEW auditorium this year. We will be serving meals from the Check-In area. There is seating in the Picnic Shelter and Room 3. Food plan is pending, but we are hoping to serve Nicholas (Lebanese), Khao San (Thai), Tamale Boy (Mexican), and Miss Delta’s (Southern).
Friday: Food truck pending
Saturday: Food trucks Bobablastic (all day) and Habu Smoke Cart (10AM – 2PM). Open to the public and event staff.
Wi-Fi: NIETC’s wi-fi is limited and does not reach outside. Use hotspots and other tech to support your needs.
Power: Be aware that there’s only one location for a spider box for outdoor exhibits (on the NE side of the building). Pack extension cords and other cabling as needed. OTW will not have supplies to share in this capacity.
Some additional important reminders:
- You are responsible for any carts/dollies/lifts needed to transport your supplies. We can only offer staff/volunteer muscle to help you out.
- Please pack up what you bring in! ($250 clean-up fee, if necessary)
- Mixing cement? Please bring a boot cleaner (or two).
- No signage can be hung from NIETC’s ceilings. Only bring self-supported signage.
Still plenty of Yard Signs & Posters for pick-up or delivery. Just let us know.2
04/22/2025
2025 OTW Career Fair updates: 3 week countdown edition! Just a quick update this week with a draft of maps. Please make sure to get any feedbacks, edits, or questions to Nami ASAP. When reviewing, make sure:
- Your location(s) is correct indoors and outdoors
- Your outdoor footprint is big or small enough
- Your tent size is adequate for your activity
- If you will only be present one day at one location, that it’s marked correctly
- Your company name represented/spelled correctly
- Indoor Exhibitors
- Outdoor Exhibitors – Footprint
- Outdoor Exhibitors - Tents
Still plenty of Yard Signs & Posters for pick-up or delivery. Just let us know.
04/14/2025
Are you registered for the correct package that matches your Career Fair needs? Xavier Juhala will be contacting you (if he hasn’t already) to verify what package you currently have listed in our records. Please respond to us ASAP with these details to make sure that we reserve the correct number of items for the event (and for you!). This may include the following:
- Activity Partner vs. Table Host
- Indoor vs. Outdoor space
- Power and Water needs
- Quantity of:
- Meals
- T-Shirts
- Tents
- Tables & Linens
- Chairs
Yard Signs & Posters: We have plenty of both at OTW’s offices (16790 NE Mason St. Suite 100, Portland OR 97230). You are welcome to stop by and pick up your share or let us know if you would like a delivery. Feel free to get these out at your location and other high-visibility areas to increase Saturday’s event attendance.
Ads for Platinum & Gold Level Sponsors: If you are interested, you are welcome to have an ad in the printed program that goes to all event attendees. All ads are due May 1 and are full color.
- Platinum specs: 5.2778 in. W x 5 in. H
- Gold specs: 2.5556 in. W x 5 in. H
Listings for Activity Hosts: If you are hosting an indoors or outdoors activity, please submit a write up of what is happening to be included in the printed program. We are looking for 1-2 sentences briefly written. This will drive attendees to your station! Write-ups due May 1.
Event Set-up: Happening on Thursday, May 15 will be from 10AM - 4PM at NIETC. Security will be provided that evening, as well.
New things for this year: Allocated parking spots for sponsors, Friday shuttle looping to auxiliary parking lots, clear traffic routes published for Friday, new Saturday shuttle spot at E 181st Ave. Park & Ride (replacing Gateway Transit Center). Stay tuned for more details soon!
Maps are coming! A draft of the maps will be shared with the next update.
Questions? Please contact:
Nami Bigos, Deputy Director
nami@oregontradeswomen.org
We encourage representatives at every exhibit to offer information about their open positions, how to get started in careers, available training opportunities, and other information about their work or industry.
Sponsor the Career Fair!
Learn More about Sponsorship by Contacting Nami Bigos at nami@oregontradeswomen.org
platinum sponsors
gold sponsors
silver sponsors
bronze sponsors
Event Host
