Make an Impact as an Exhibitor

Apply to Exhibit at Skill UP

Create an Interactive Experience Students Will Remember

Skill UP is a large-scale, industry-led career exploration event for Northern Kentucky middle school students—made possible through an Allied Construction Industries (ACI) and TradesNKY partnership.

We invite companies and organizations in the essential trades to apply to exhibit by proposing an interactive, experience-based activity that will capture students’ attention and introduce them to real career pathways in an engaging way.

Apply to Exhibit Here

Exhibitor Selection

Exhibitor participation is application-based. Exhibitors will be selected to ensure the event delivers the highest-value student experience and includes a strong mix of industries.

We’re looking for activities that are:
✅ engaging for middle school students
✅ easy to understand and quick to join
✅ interactive, experience-based, and safe
✅ led by professionals who can encourage participation and
answer questions
✅ designed to keep students involved (not just observing)

Exhibitor Categories

Skill UP showcases careers across five essential trade areas:

BUILD

Design/Engineer • Construction • Plumbing • Electrical • HVAC

MAKE

Manufacturing • Machining • Robotics • Fabrication • Welding

MOVE

Logistics • Transportation • Supply Chain

POWER

Energy • Utilities • Environmental Systems • Lineman

PROTECT

Facility Operations • Public Safety • Community Infrastructure • Cybersecurity • Disaster Response

What to Expect

Selected exhibitors can expect:

  • structured student rotations- 12-15 mins each

  • dedicated space for your activity

  • high participation and strong engagement

  • on-site support from TradesNKY + ACI staff

Ready to Exhibit?

If your organization is ready to create an engaging experience students will remember, we’d love to help. Apply to exhibit here:

Apply to Exhibit Here

Frequently Asked Questions

  • There are no fees to exhibit. The investment in your student experience, along with the time of your staff and leadership shows a commitment and support that we appreciate.

    Thanks to the generous support of the Spirit of Construction Foundation and BeNKY, we are able to waive all exhibitor fees.

  • Your interactive exhibit should be fun, age-appropriate for middle school students, easy to understand, and quick to join.

  • Safety demonstrations or professionally led explanations can be a good way to begin your activity, but the students should be involved, not just observing.

  • 10’ x 20’ is the standard size, with an 8 ft table included. However, if you need more space or have special requirements, please let us know and we will work with you.

  • Aim for 12-15-minute activities.

  • Groups will be approximately 10 students and a chaperone.

  • Yes, we'll do our best to accommodate requests, but we cannot make guarantees.

  • You may bring up to 6 staff members, or rotate staff through during the day.

    Note: all adults on campus will need to be registered with event staff prior to the event.

  • Small, branded items may be given to students (they will have an event bag) We discourage handing out food or candy.