The ultimate assist: Sports and Event Management Club to connect students with industry at career fair

Contact: Chris Hybels

March 16, 2026

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Seeing the need and filling it, Western Michigan University's Sports and Event Management Club is hosting its own career fair on March 20 at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo. An opportunity to meet face-to-face with full-time and internship employers, the fair will connect WMU students with organizations eager to have Broncos as part of their teams.

"The club's leadership found that there weren't specific career fairs in the area recruiting for their industry," says Deborah Droppers, club coordinator and faculty specialist I. "They believed that organizing this career fair would be a benefit to students in both programs and a learning tool they could use for resume building."

Three smiling young women dressed in Western Michigan University event staff t-shirts and lanyards, showing the WMU "W" hand sign. Behind them, an outdoor amphitheater stage, a food truck, and event tents are visible, along with other attendees. — Sport and event management students at WMU have opportunities throughout the year to participate in Experience-Driven Learning, including Festival Fridays at Arcadia Creek Festival Place.

Built through Droppers' "Managing Meetings, Conventions and Expos" course, students worked with prospective employers and the venue to plan the upcoming career fair. As a result, they successfully recruited 10 organizations offering immediate job openings, summer internships and professional pathways. In addition, students organized a panel with industry professionals to discuss behind the scenes challenges that make the profession challenging and rewarding.

Employers and partners in attendance will include Discover Kalamazoo, the City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation Department, Greenleaf Hospitality—including opportunities at the Kalamazoo Event Center and Athletic Performance Center, Kalamazoo Country Club and the Radisson—as well as Western's College of Education and Human Development, the Kalamazoo Growlers, the Grand Rapids Gold, the Battle Creek Battle Jacks, the Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center, Zoo City FC and the WMU Sports and Event Management Club.

"We really wanted students to have an opportunity that was catered to them," says Isabella Fiorentino, Sports and Event Management Club president. "There are so many career fairs happening at Western throughout the year, and we hope to add the sport and event management fair to that annual rotation."

As part of the registration fees, attendees of the SW Michigan Sports and Events Career Fair will also receive tickets to attend the K-Wings hockey game taking place immediately after the fair as they face off against the Rapid City Rush. Registration is available to students, alumni and general public—with fees waived for high schoolers.

To learn more about the career fair and to register, visit their Eventbrite webpage.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.