The Greenville Drive, BMW, Michelin North America, Inc., Greenville County Schools, GE, and Greenville Technical College (GTC) will host Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering (AM&E) Night  at Fluor Field on July 18.

The goal is to build awareness and “ignite the passion” with students, parents, and guidance counselors across the Upstate about the exciting career opportunities that are available in the rapidly changing world of advanced manufacturing and engineering.  

For the second straight year, AM&E Night will feature a panel discussion held on Fluor Field’s District 356 entertainment space about the best way for today’s students to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing and technology.

The panel is composed of leaders from across the Upstate including Scott Medley (HR manager, BMW Manufacturing), Chingwei Shieh (executive leader, Data Science & Automation, GE Gas Power), Katie Porter (director, Innovation Center, Greenville County Schools), Dr. Keith Miller (president, Greenville Technical College), and Carlton King (site manager, Michelin Starr facility). The panel discussion will be moderated by Alex Estevez (Venture Partner, Accel Partners).  

“We look forward to this event each year because it allows students and parents to interact with industry leaders, educators, and apprentices with area companies,” said Dr. Keith Miller, president of GTC.

“It’s wonderful to see families get excited about the technology these fields utilize and the career opportunities that are waiting.” 

Attendees can hear the panel discussion and visit interactive exhibits on the stadium concourse from the region’s largest companies demonstrating the creative application of technology to the manufacturing process.

Exhibits will include augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D animation and printing, and much more.

As students visit each exhibit, they will be enrolled in the Young Innovators Club, with the opportunity to win prizes. In addition, AM&E Night will feature representatives from the Boston Red Sox talking about how data and technology is transforming professional baseball and the player development process.   

All K-12 students can attend AM&E Night free. Tickets for adults start at $9.    

Pregame activities on District 356 begin at 5:30 p.m. District 356 will come alive with music, entertainment, food, and beverages, and the panel discussion begins at 6 p.m. Ballpark gates and all concourse exhibits also begin at 6 p.m. with first pitch of the Drive game against the Asheville Tourists scheduled for 7 p.m.  

 “Our goal with Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Night is to change the image of advanced manufacturing in our community,” added Craig Brown, Greenville Drive owner and chairman.

 “It wasn’t always such an appealing career option for kids to consider but it’s amazing to see that dynamic evolve with each passing year.”