Foley High School students took a deep dive into the world of marketing during the Marketing and Career Day, held Thursday, November 21. Organized by The Gateway Workforce Initiative and local businesses, the event provided students with hands-on experiences and insights into marketing's critical role across various industries in Baldwin County.
The day began at Legendary Marina & Yacht Club, where students were welcomed by Jeremy Holcolm General Manager of Legendary Marina, followed by a guided tour and the importance of branding.
The next stop was Springhill Suites, where Brook Jones of Red Door Marketing offered further marketing insights. Students heard from Tara McMeans of Design Print Promote, who discussed innovative approaches to branding, and Jonie Flynn, who shared her experiences with Gulf Shores Orange Beach Tourism, highlighting the importance of tourism marketing.
After lunch, Michelle Davis from Springhill Suites spoke about the lodging industry's role in effective marketing strategies. The group then visited Printing Pros, where Scott and his team demonstrated the significance of print marketing and provided an in-depth look at their operations.
“This event demonstrated the power of partnerships between education and local businesses,” said Daniel Catlin of The Gateway Initiative. “We are thrilled to have helped inspire the next generation of marketing professionals through real-world learning experiences.”
Marketing and Career Day underscored the importance of connecting students with professionals to help them explore career opportunities and develop skills to succeed in the workforce.