SCD 2006: Sponsor ROI

Attendees to the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days (SCD) for the last several years know that the prominent players in the event – besides the students themselves – are the event sponsors.

For seven years, outdoor equipment manufacturer STIHL has served as the event’s biggest sponsor, this year contributing $35,000 for the platinum sponsorship position. Also making a major contribution is the Ariens/Gravely/Stens company as the SCD gold sponsor. Additionally, Caterpillar, Husqvarna, John Deere Landscapes and The TruGreen Companies served in silver sponsor capacities, and Brickman, host school Brigham Young University, Outside Unlimited, Pavestone and Toro were bronze sponsors.

Despite competition among some of these companies in the marketplace, representatives from all of the organizations agree that, come Student Career Days, they all share the same goals.

“Our sole goal here is to support PLANET,” said John Keeler, national training manager for Stihl, in an interview with Lawn & Landscape. “We want to do as much as we can to raise awareness of the industry and bring the X and Y generations along with us.”

Keeler says those individuals passionate about the industry “bubble to the top,” and those at the top attend SCD. Ron Marcellus agrees. “This event brings together the best and the brightest and Ariens is so proud to be a part of it,” said Ariens’ director of national accounts, during SCD opening ceremonies. “Our mission statement is ‘Passionate people, astounded customer,’ and we want to encourage everyone here to let your own passion propel you to victory.”

Undoubtedly, PLANET is among the most thankful of the sponsors’ contributions, saying that it’s the sponsors that make the whole event possible. “Our sponsors are the most unbelievable group of people,” said SCD chair Jim McCutcheon. “It’s such a relief when these great companies come and tap you on the shoulder wanting to get involved and offering new ideas. To them, it’s not just about writing a check. We’re very thankful for that.”

Keeler says Stihl looks forward to adding a new element to their sponsorship every year. This year, the company sponsored a student lounge outside the career fair area, as wel las an Internet café to help attendees stay connected. Keeler says on Tuesday he and his SCD team will already begin planning for the 2007 event. “The attitude of the students and what they’re doing with their own time to better themselves by participating in Student Career Days is inspiring,” he says. “Every year, the bar keeps being raised and we’re so glad we’re able to be a part of it.”