Manufacturer's Appreciation Week

 YOU'RE INVITED

    Dream it. Do It. Statewide Tour of Manufacturing

Minnesota Manufacturer's Week

Week of October 21-27, 2012

• The date of the statewide tour is October 21-27, 2012. Businesses can select the day they would like to participate, and establish the hours they would like to be open.  The suggested hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM if held on the weekend or 4:00pm-8:00pm if held during the week. Average attendance can range anywhere from 200-500 visitors throughout the course of the day.
• We encourage you to reach out to manufacturers in your neighborhood and coordinate the same day and time to be open.  This will allow a larger draw for the public as they can tour multiple manufacturing companies.
• Manufacturers who register will be identified on an online, interactive map highlighting the locations of all participating manufacturers. The website, www.tourofmanufacturingmn.com will include information about your business, the hours you'll be open for tours, and other pertinent information.  
• Safety is a primary concern. Tours are more interesting for visitors if at least a minimal amount of equipment can be in operation so that visitors get a sense of how work is done. It is especially helpful if businesses have high tech equipment running or being demonstrated during the tour.  At previous events, businesses found ways to demonstrate products or processes or had something "fun" to see or do without putting anyone in danger.
• You can conduct tours in whatever manner you think will work best at your company.  Two methods have been most popular.
  • Guided Tours:  Employees take a small group of people through the plant on a pre-determined route to both show and explain the business. 
  • Self-Paced Tour:  Rope or tape is used to mark a pathway that people can follow at their own pace with employees at key stations along the route to answer questions and see that visitors are staying within established boundaries. This second method will work with almost any number of visitors.              
• We will provide some statewide publicity for the event.  As mentioned above, some regions will develop a local event within the larger statewide plan. These local groups will develop and fund independent promotion of the event in their region.  (Past events featured magazine supplements that were distributed by local newspapers.)   Keep in mind that any manufacturer can participate in the statewide event, even if there is no local event being developed.
• Your company can be as creative as you wish to make the Tour of Manufacturing a fun event that will attract as many visitors as possible. Some businesses have offered hot dogs or cookies or something to drink. Some have had small door prizes. Others have demonstrated their products. Your business can do as much or little as you please.
• The feedback from past events has been extremely positive. This is your chance to show off your company and to provide an informative and fun day for the public.
• If your company is looking to fill open positions at the time of the event, you may certainly have applications and information about those positions available.
• Whether or not you decide to host a tour, we would appreciate your help in promoting the statewide website to your community: www.tourofmanufacturingmn.com.