From Good to Great: What Employers Want from Clinton County’s 2026 Job Fair

Clinton County’s Spring Job and Community Resource Fair continues to deliver value for local employers, job seekers, and community partners. But good isn’t the goal. As a founding partner of the Clinton County Workforce Collaborative, the Clinton County Port Authority is listening closely to employer feedback to ensure this annual event becomes an even stronger workforce development tool in 2026 and beyond.

A Strong Foundation to Build On

This year’s job fair drew high marks for coordination, location, and communication. Employers from various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and media, praised the smooth logistics and professionalism of the event.

Several partners, including Ahresty Wilmington Corporation and Wilmington Christian Academy, reported no changes needed. Others echoed similar sentiments, noting the event was “awesome,” “great,” and “well run.”

These comments validate the strategy behind the event’s structure and confirm that the fundamentals are sound. But employers also pointed out clear opportunities to build on what works and strengthen the fair’s overall impact.

What Worked and How to Amplify It

Marketing and visibility will continue to be a primary focus heading into the next fair. While internal communication with partners was strong, employer feedback made it clear that reaching potential job seekers remains a top priority.

Employers were consistent in what they wanted to see in future fairs: increased visibility, deeper engagement, and broader reach. Turnout and applicant quality were recurring themes.

The Port Authority plans to evaluate timing, messaging, and channel strategy to increase reach and relevance, particularly to ensure qualified job seekers are aware and engaged. The event’s timing within the year, alignment with community events, and outreach methods will all be part of the strategy refresh.

Planning for 2026 Starts Now

Planning for the next job fair is already underway. The Port Authority and its Workforce Collaborative partners, including OhioMeansJobs Clinton County, the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center, and the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, are using this year’s feedback to shape 2026 priorities.

These include:

• Expanding employer participation to a broader geographic range
• Increasing pre-event marketing and jobseeker outreach
• Adding value-added services such as resume reviews or on-site coaching
• Identifying additional amenities to drive foot traffic

Employer satisfaction remains a central metric for event success. Ongoing input from participating companies ensures that future events continue to evolve in ways that are relevant, efficient, and impactful.

Join the Effort to Strengthen Clinton County’s Workforce Pipeline

The success of this job fair depends on cross-sector collaboration. Employers, educators, community organizations, and workforce partners all play a role in strengthening Clinton County’s workforce ecosystem.

If your business wants to help shape the 2026 Job Fair, contact the Clinton County Port Authority to get involved in planning.