The All-Employee Expo, held at State Farm Center, a popular on-campus event was in full force. Thousands walked the halls of SFC and were able to learn about colleges, units, and efforts of the university, as well as other local vendors. F&S was well-attended, hosting eight tables of teams and shops that had giveaways, tokens of appreciation, information, examples, and stories of success.

Machinists & Locksmiths

Machinists had metal wafer keychains giveaways, while also showing a few larger-scale items made for campus-wide projects for University Parking, Gies Memorial Stadium, and more. Key covers were made available from the locksmith shop, also promoting its different door lock mechanisms.

Painters and Ironworkers

The painters shop, which also does signage inside and outside, was joined by the ironworkers shop. Many attendees enjoyed the different types of signage available, and seeing tangible examples you can see and touch offered a higher level of satisfaction and customer confidence.

Utilities & Energy Services

Utilities & Energy Services team members were on hand to put passers by to the test, both mentally and physically!

One station at the UES table was a pair of stationary bikes that, as you pedal, turns on a light and pushes out some air that lifts a ball into the air.

Meanwhile, at another end of the table, folks could take a 5-question quiz, the “Watt’s Your Campus Energy IQ?”

Of 172 test-takers, the average score was a 133, or “Energy Genius” level. Additionally, nine of those who took the quiz were selected at random and have won a solar power bank. Those winners are from Housing; Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES); F&S; McKinley Health Center; Illinois State Water Survey; School of Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics; and, Gies College of Business.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

TDM shone a light on the importance of biking and other active modes of transportation — essentially, encouraging people to not use a single-occupant vehicle. They reflected light too, with slap bracelets available in the safety orange which can also help drivers identify bikers.

Safety & Compliance

S&C belonged with other safety professionals, and did so, co-hosting a table with Department of Research Safety, which is an administrative unit that oversees research-specific safety in labs on campus. The two came together last year for the Be Smart, Stay Safe promotional and informational campaign, highlighted on a website here https://besafe.illinois.edu/. F&S has more safety responsibilities than only labs, which need specialized HVAC, extraordinary energy needs, and specialized needs like waste compliance or rope-aided high elevation rescue.

Sustainability and Environmental Compliance

Folks who would like to keep campus green, in more ways than one: Morgan White, director of strategic initiatives & sustainability, and Betsy Richardson, coordinator of special programs with S&C. White has led and continues to lead many F&S responsibilities in sustainability and practices that can help the campus reduce its energy use. Betsy’s work includes helping organize, run, and promote the Boneyard Creek Community Day, when hundreds across Champaign-Urbana-Savoy head to clean up local waterways and green areas.

Transportation & Building Services

TBS might have been one of the most visited tables thanks in part to its own folks: Building Services is the largest unit on campus, by number of team members. At the table, they could find information, a game with giveaways, and chat with knowledgeable, friendly faces Pete Varney, director of TBS, Shawn Patterson, assistant director of fleet services, and Neil Franzen, transportation manager.

Mill Shop

Perhaps the crown jewel of F&S’ presence at the All-Employee Expo. Or maybe not a shiny emerald, but rather expertly-crafted wood. Scott Schmidt and Ryan Ritter in their space could easily recall years worth of work, both having more than 10 years of experience. Some of their crafted goods used to draw visitors in included wooden Block Is that were two inches tall, perhaps a foot, and the eye-stopping 5-footer.

Wanna see more?: https://fs.illinois.edu/millworkers-shop-image-gallery/