Society of Women Engineers WE24 at McCormick Place in Chicago
WE24 expanded the traditional career fair model by fostering a community atmosphere, where participants found both career opportunities and a powerful support network—embodying this year’s theme, ‘Together We Rise'. Learn more »
This October, thousands of aspiring engineers convened at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center for WE24, the Society of Women Engineers‘ annual meeting and career fair. Professional opportunities abounded, from interviews with Fortune 500 companies to resume workshops. Yet beyond these visible goals, participants discovered something equally crucial: a vibrant community committed to lifting each other up.
SWE is the world largest advocate for women in engineering. Shepard’s nearly two decades long partnership with SWE has supported their mission as the annual meeting has grown, tracking steadily with the rise of women in engineering and tech.
SWE had a landmark year in 2024, taking home the highly esteemed ASAE Gold Circle award for Best Convention/Meetings Marketing Campaign earlier in the spring, so expectations were high going into this year’s fall gathering.
To keep the momentum going, SWE once again tapped Shepard to ensure seamless execution of their vision and dedicated operational support on the ground. We worked closely with SWE’s planning team and the David James Group to build a vibrant campus-like environment that embodied the organization’s mission and this year’s theme: Together We Rise.
WE24 drew over 19,000 attendees from more than 40 countries, marking a 192% increase since we first partnered with SWE in 2008.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout features that made WE24 one to remember.
More than a career fair: building resumes and community
Managing an event of this scale presented complex logistical challenges – from coordinating multiple concurrent sessions to orchestrating crowd flow throughout the massive venue. Thanks to Shepard’s proven expertise in handling these operational demands, event organizers and vendors could focus on their core responsibilities. The result was a polished, professional experience for everyone involved.
WE24 went beyond the traditional career fair, embracing a shift toward more wellness-centric and community-building activities. The new social and yoga lounges proved especially popular. Here, attendees found a quiet place to rest, reflect, and connect socially with their professional peers.
As experiential designers ourselves, we love to see SWE embrace the growing attendee wellness trend. It’s important for any large convention to have a place of respite from the hustle and bustle, and for this group in particular it added something intangible to the conference experience: opportunities to make and nurture the professional connections that they’ll need to lift each other up as they embark on their careers.
Building on SWE’s year-round digital engagement
The Diverse podcast is one of several digital products SWE deploys to drive engagement and build community year-round. Shepard supported SWE’s digital strategy by constructing a dedicated podcast booth in the lobby for livestreaming during event days.
The podcast booth added to the buzz, while the popular Tech Talk Theaters offered participants educational sessions on hot topics like AI and sustainability. These components added value to the experience and helped foster an environment of knowledge exchange.
We were also pleased to see the large corporate sponsorship wall in the Member Center embraced as a backdrop for group photos. Attendees who shared photos on social media lent the sponsors positive brand exposure within their networks, while the sponsors got to show their collective support for women in STEM: a win-win.
Looking to the future
WE24 marked another big milestone for SWE, drawing over 19,000 participants and generating record-breaking revenue. What began as a hotel-based gathering of around 6,000 attendees has transformed into a major convention that now brings in upwards of 20,000 people.
But the event’s successes extended beyond traditional metrics—by creating spaces for connection, learning, and mutual support, WE24 embodied its ‘Together We Rise’ theme. Participants left not just with professional opportunities, but with a powerful network of support and a shared sense of purpose.
We’re proud to be part of the continued success of SWE’s mission, and how our partnership has evolved over the years. So it was heartening to hear Alicia Schuster, Director of Events at SWE, share that “Shepard has proven to be an invaluable partner, growing and evolving with us each step of the way.” Schuster added, “We’re excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to exploring new avenues for collaboration in the future!”
We couldn’t agree more!
Drive Results on the Show Floor
Client
Society of Women Engineers
Industry
Engineering/Tech
Service Type
Venue
McCormick Place Convention Center
Location
Chicago, IL
Year
2024
