By Rachel Kerstetter, PR Engineer
What are you doing October 3rd?
I hope your answer is hosting (or attending) a Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) event.
Not sure what MFG Day is? Here’s the short answer:
MFG Day, started in 2012, addresses common misconceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers the opportunity to open their doors and show, through a coordinated effort, what manufacturing really is and what it isn’t. Manufacturers can address the skilled labor shortage, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.
For the long answer, visit MFGDay.com.
If you’re planning to host an event for MFG Day in October, here are some tips for making it successful:
- Set goals for your event. Do you want to improve your image in the community? Do you need to recruit new talent? Do you want to contribute to changing the image of manufacturing? Figure out what you want to accomplish with your event and then create your plan.
- Identify your target audience(s). Based on the needs of your organization, some potential audiences to invite include local technical school and high school administration, faculty and students; local and regional politicians; local and trade media; family and friends of your employees and/or the local community as a whole.
- Put together a simple agenda. Include time to introduce your company and tailor your event to the audience that you’re inviting.
- Plan informative and interactive activities. Facility tours, brief presentations on different roles and Q&A sessions are easy to arrange and are effective.
- Promote your event. Be sure to list your event with mfgday.com, use your network to promote, and personally invite your target audience and promote your event through your existing channels including on your website and social media.
October 3 might not be a good date for your company. No problem! Pick a day that works for you and invite the people you want to reach to an event or open house and talk to them.
The manufacturing sector still faces a myriad of misconceptions. Initiatives like MFG Day provide a great opportunity to dispel myths and shed some light on what the industry is really like.
Whether or not you have a successful event on October 3 (or another day) depends on your goals.
I had the opportunity to write a story on a highly successful MFG Day event that was planned on very short notice. Check out Production Machining Magazine to see what a successful MFG Day event looked like for Thuro Metal Products.
What are you doing October 3rd? Save the date for MFG Day!
