Big E job fair attracts applicants

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - We’re 30 days away from the Big E, and hiring is underway for the long-awaited event.

“If you don’t love the Big E, you can’t work here,” Jessica Fontaine, Director of Human Resources and Eastern States Exposition said.

Although the Big E is quickly approaching, there are many jobs that still need to be filled. And what better way to fill those spots, than with a job fair?

“We hire around 100 people from the hiring fair, and sometimes even more,” Fontaine said. “We anticipate having between 150 to 200 positions open this year, and it gives us a great boost to start hiring.”

According to Fontaine, that as opposed to traditional methods, the hiring fair is special because of how many applicants they can get to know in-person.

“I love that we’re able to hire a diverse range of people, we have people from all over western Massachusetts and even further, and we get to meet so many people who have so much passion,” she said.

This sentiment is reflected by one applicant, Chris Robinson.

“I come in person, it gives me a better feel of the job and environment I’m gonna be working in,” Robinson said. “Here, it’s more free flowing. Get to meet the people I’m gonna be working with, see some of my future co-employees.”

But overall, it’s those lifelong memories at the Big E itself, that’s drawn many of these applicants back to the fairgrounds.

“I’ve been living in the area basically all my life... And now I got kids. So now I want to have them come with me now, enjoy it, I’m working here so they can see what I do. They might want to work here and try and preserve it for future generations.”

If you weren’t able to make it to the job fair on Tuesday, you can still apply online, or head to the next job fair, which is scheduled for September 2nd.