Join The Equipment Donation Program
One of the pain points that we’re constantly hearing our members talk about is hiring and retaining qualified workers.
We’ve written multiple articles (and even had a section on it in our Annual Industry Report) but our lovely Education team is reviving a program that can give you a tangible way to help alleviate this pain point.
Right now. Today. Actually doing.
The Trade Show Equipment Donation program is exactly what it sounds like. If you’re exhibiting at our trade show (ProMat this year) you’re going to be taking equipment to demonstrate. Because people like to see to believe. But rather than shipping that all back to your warehouses or factories, you can send this gently used equipment directly into the hands of students who will be training on it to work in your companies in just a few short years.
Our Education team is actively working with schools in the Chicago area who would be interested in donations to help train their students, so in theory, your ‘return’ shipping should be less. It’s just a matter of shipping it down the street (relatively) rather than shipping it back across the country.
If that’s not enough of a reason (money is a great reason though) here’s some more reasons to join the program:
- Receive recognition in post-show articles and press releases as being a partner in MHI’s effort to build our industry’s future workforce.
- Give students the opportunity to learn how to operate your brand’s equipment before entering the industry.
- Save on your total trade show shipping costs by donating to a nearby school.
- Receive a tax deduction from your equipment donation.
Reasons still not enough to convince you? How about some testimonials?
“Throughout the years, the donated equipment has allowed our students to work with the actual equipment they will experience when they enter industry. It also benefits the companies donating, as our current students will likely be the future employees and managers that will be making purchasing decisions. These future leaders are more likely to purchase products and brands that they are familiar with through past experience.” – John Shaner, Supply Chain Management Instructor, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Deadline
To donate, complete the equipment donation form and return it to Laurie Walker (lwalker@mhi.org) no later than Friday, February 8, 2019. MHI will confirm your donation and the accepting school by prior to the trade show. You can download the application form here.
All donations must be submitted by Friday, February 8, 2019. Donation requests will not be accepted at the show.
Questions? Contact Laurie Walker at lwalker@mhi.org or by calling 704-676-1190.
