The Greenville Drive, BMW, Michelin North America, Inc., Greenville County Schools, GE, and Greenville Technical College (GTC) will host Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering (AM&E) Night at Fluor Field on Tuesday, July 18. The goal is to build awareness and “ignite the passion” with students, parents, and guidance counselors across the Upstate about the exciting career opportunities that are available in the rapidly changing world of advanced manufacturing and engineering.
For the second straight year, AM&E Night will feature a panel discussion held on Fluor Field’s District 356 entertainment space about the best way for today’s students to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing and technology. The panel is comprised of leaders from across the Upstate including Scott Medley (HR Manager, BMW Manufacturing), Chingwei Shieh (Executive Leader, Data Science & Automation, GE Gas Power), Katie Porter (Director, Innovation Center, Greenville County Schools), Dr. Keith Miller (President, Greenville Technical College), and Carlton King (Site Manager, Michelin Starr facility). The panel discussion will be moderated by Alex Estevez (Venture Partner, Accel Partners).
“We look forward to this event each year because it allows students and parents to interact with industry leaders, educators, and apprentices with area companies,” said Dr. Keith Miller, president of GTC. “It’s wonderful to see families get excited about the technology these fields utilize and the career opportunities that are waiting.”
Students and all event attendees will be able to attend the panel discussion and visit interactive, hands-on exhibits on the stadium concourse from the region’s largest companies demonstrating the creative application of technology to the manufacturing process. Exhibits will include augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D animation and printing, and much more. As students visit each exhibit, they will be enrolled in the “Young Innovators Club” giving them the opportunity to win prizes. In addition, for the first time, AM&E Night this year will feature representatives from the Boston Red Sox talking about how data and technology are transforming professional baseball and the player development process.
“Our BMW Scholars team is always enthusiastic about Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night,” said Paul Sinanian, manager of Talent Programs and Training at BMW Manufacturing. “It gives them a chance to show students the innovations in manufacturing and educate parents on exciting careers such as robotics, mechatronics, and automotive engineering.”
“Michelin is committed to strengthening its ties with the communities where we live and work,” said Alexis Garcin, President and CEO of Michelin North America. “We’re excited to participate in AM&E Night to inspire the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent. At Michelin, people are at the heart of everything we do, and helping the next generation of talent understand their career choices is one way we can support students in reaching their full potential.”
All K-12 students can attend AM&E Night on a fully complimentary basis. Tickets for adults start at just $9.
Attendees are encouraged to attend the pregame activities on District 356 beginning at 5:30 pm. District 356 will come alive with music, entertainment, light food, and beverages, and the panel discussion beginning at 6 pm. Ballpark gates and all concourse exhibits also begin at 6 pm with first pitch of the Drive game against the Asheville Tourists scheduled for 7 pm.
“Our goal with Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Night is to change the image of advanced manufacturing in our community,” added Craig Brown, Greenville Drive Owner & Chairman. “It wasn’t always such an appealing career option for kids to consider but it’s amazing to see that dynamic evolve with each passing year. AM&E Night is the most talked about event we host every year at Fluor Field because it’s a topic that’s talked about most in our community and it’s so relevant to what manufacturers need in terms of workforce."
For full event information and details, including ticket information, visit www.greenvilledrive.com/ame.