The South Central Tour of Manufacturing Partnership invites all manufacturing businesses from across South Central Minnesota to participate in the 2017 Tour of Manufacturing. This year we will be expanding the experience and hosting TWO days; Thursday, October 5 from 9 am — 3 pm (focusing on the student population of South Central Minnesota) and Saturday, October 7 from 9 am — 1 pm. The events will be open to everyone. The tour is similar to a “Parade of Homes” that is FREE to students, job seekers and the general public. Community members will be able to stop by throughout the day for a self-guided tour or a guided tour of any of the participating manufacturers.

The Tour of Manufacturing lifts back the veil on what is made right here in our community. The event is publicized on KEYC, Radio Mankato and Alpha Radio. The Mankato Free Press (along with two other newspapers) insert a full color magazine into their circulation which is distributed to more than 31,000 households. There will also be a big social media push to drive traffic to the locations on the tour.  Manufacturers can expect up to 250 people to visit and thousands to read your one-page profile in the Tour of Manufacturing magazine.

Main reasons manufacturers participate include: 

• workforce recruitment (you can have employment applications available for anyone interested)
• promoting new locations or celebrating milestones
• general marketing purposes
• providing employees the opportunity to celebrate their work

Not all manufacturers do “traditional tours.”  Some set up displays, provide refreshments, have employees provide tutorials on their role to visitors, or have a video on their company history and operations…lots of options.

To sign up to be a host location or to advertise in the Tour of Manufacturing Magazine, visit:  tourofmanufacturing.com.