Section Officers
- Section Chair: Dan Lentsch
- Vice Chair: Peter True
- Secretary: Daryl Rothamer
- Treasurer: Garrett Herning
- Program Manager: Garrett Herning
- Membership Chair: Kyle Matenaer
- Vice Chair, Student Activities: Randall Hoffman
- Student Activities Chairman: Todd Cimermancic
- Social Media: Drew Boyer
- Appointed Officer: Kurt Person
- Appointed Officer: Van Phifer
- Vice Chair, Math & Science: OPEN
- Webmaster/Newsletter: Isaiah Harmon
Thinking about hosting an event?
Overview
The SAE Section (Society of Automotive Engineers) is seeking industry partners to host technical events, facility tours, and networking sessions. These events connect engineering professionals, students, and emerging talent with companies shaping the future of mobility, manufacturing, and advanced technology.
This document outlines the value proposition and structure for companies interested in hosting an SAE event.
Why Host an SAE Event?
1. Direct Access to Engineering Talent
- Engage with highly motivated engineering students and professionals
- Connect with candidates specializing in automotive, aerospace, mechanical, and manufacturing disciplines
- Build early awareness of your company among future interns and hires
2. Employer Branding & Visibility
- Position your company as a leader in engineering innovation
- Showcase real-world projects, technologies, and facilities
- Strengthen your presence within the regional engineering community
3. Meaningful Industry Engagement
- Share technical expertise through presentations or panels
- Receive feedback and questions from engineers and students
- Foster relationships with local universities and professional engineers
4. Low-Cost, High-Impact Outreach
- SAE handles event promotion, registration, and attendee coordination
- Flexible formats minimize disruption to normal operations
- High return on engagement compared to traditional recruiting events
Event Formats
Companies may choose one or more of the following formats:
Technical Presentation Night
- 30–60 minute presentation by company engineers
- Followed by Q&A and networking session
- Ideal for showcasing innovations or technical expertise
Facility Tour
- Guided walkthrough of manufacturing, R&D, or testing facilities
- Highlights real-world engineering processes
- Strong engagement with students and early-career engineers
Panel Discussion
- Multiple engineers or leaders discussing industry topics
- Interactive Q&A with audience participation
- Great for topics like EVs, autonomy, materials, or manufacturing trends
Networking Reception
- Informal meet-and-greet format
- Focus on relationship building and recruiting visibility
Typical Event Structure
- 5:00–5:30 PM: Arrival & Networking
- 5:30–6:15 PM: Presentation or Tour
- 6:15–7:00 PM: Q&A / Discussion
- 7:00–7:30 PM: Open Networking
(Structure may be adjusted based on company preference)
Audience Profile
- Mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and industrial engineering students
- Early-career and senior industry engineers
- Faculty advisors and academic partners
- SAE professional members from the local region
Benefits to the Host Company
Recruitment Pipeline Development
- Early access to internship and co-op candidates
- Increased awareness among graduating engineering students
Technical Thought Leadership
- Opportunity to demonstrate engineering excellence
- Reinforce brand reputation within industry networks
Community & University Engagement
- Strengthen ties with regional universities
- Support development of future engineering talent
Customized Engagement
- SAE works with your team to tailor topics and audience size
- Events can be scaled from small groups to larger regional gatherings
Organizational Support from SAE
- Event promotion through SAE mailing lists and university networks
- Registration management and attendance tracking
- Coordination with student chapters and faculty advisors
- On-site support as needed
Optional Sponsorship Opportunities
Companies may also choose to enhance their engagement through sponsorship:
- Event Sponsor: Covers food, venue logistics, or materials
- Student Program Sponsor: Supports competitions or student teams
- Annual Partner: Multi-event collaboration and visibility throughout the year
Next Steps
If your company is interested in hosting an SAE event, the next step is a brief coordination meeting to discuss:
- Preferred event format
- Technical topic or focus area
- Scheduling availability
- Audience size and logistics
We look forward to partnering with you to support the engineering community and build meaningful industry connections.