Invite Your Team to Shape the Future Workforce at the 2026 Career Expo
You can’t apply for a job if you don’t know it exists. For thousands of New Orleans–area students, exposure to careers starts with the YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Career Expo. The Career Expo is a dynamic, hands-on experience designed to introduce public high school students to the world of work.
This year’s Career Expo will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the UNO Lakefront Arena. As the signature event of Future Connect, the Expo brings together education, industry, and community to help students see what’s possible and begin imagining their future careers.
More than 2,000 ninth-grade students from 25+ public high schools will attend, engaging directly with 50+ regional employers and 15+ training providers, colleges, and universities. For students, this is often their first opportunity to connect classroom learning to real-world careers. For employers, it’s a powerful chance to shape the future workforce.
Why Participate?
The YouthForce NOLA + Junior Achievement Career Expo is not a traditional career fair. It’s an interactive, high-energy experience that encourages students to explore, ask questions, and engage. Participating businesses have the opportunity to:
Inspire young people by sharing personal career journeys and the experiences that shaped them.
Excite a future workforce through hands-on activities that bring careers to life.
Energize your team by offering employees a meaningful volunteer experience tied to purpose and impact.
By introducing students to in-demand, good-paying career pathways early, employers help students begin planning for credentials, training, or college credit while they are still in high school—setting them on a path toward long-term economic mobility.
What Exhibitors Can Expect
Each exhibitor booth includes:
One 8-foot table and two chairs (more available as requested in registration)
On-site parking on the day of the event
Early set-up access at the UNO Lakefront Arena on Tuesday afternoon, March 17 (exact times to be announced)
Continental breakfast and boxed lunch for participating staff
Exhibitors are encouraged to think creatively about their booths and bring tools, equipment, or materials that make their work engaging and tangible for students. Support and resources will be shared in advance to help exhibitors design impactful experiences.
Register Today
Businesses ready to inspire, engage, and invest in the next generation are encouraged to register now at youthforcenola.org/futureconnect.
For general registration questions, contact careerexpo@jagno.org.
For booth fee questions, contact Tori McRoberts Hoffpauir at tori@youthforcenola.org.