Spark KC
Ready to land your first internship or job, build your portfolio, and meet KC’s top advertisers? Launch your career at Spark KC!
Connect with agency leaders and creative pros who have built successful careers right here in Kansas City. Hear firsthand how they got their start, what they're seeing in the industry today, and the advice they wish they'd received as students.
Spark KC Event and Ticket Details
Date: Friday, September 25, 8am-3pm
Location: University of Kansas Edwards Campus
Early Bird Ticket: $35 (Save $10 – only available for a short time!)
Whether you know exactly what you want to do, or you're still exploring the possibilities, you'll leave with new connections and insights to help launch your brand and your career.
Plus, don’t miss out on our 1-on-1 portfolio and résumé reviews to get personalized feedback and prepare for internships, job interviews, and everything that comes next.
Get your ticket now and prepare for career take off!
Prepare for career takeoff
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Prepare for career takeoff ➶
Become a Spark KC Sponsor
Help shape the future of Kansas City's advertising community while putting your brand in front of the region's next generation of talent.
Spark KC brings together 250+ students and young professionals alongside teachers, academic advisors, agency leaders, recruiters, marketers, creatives, and advertising professionals for a day of networking, career development, and inspiration. It's a unique opportunity to build relationships with emerging talent while demonstrating your organization's commitment to growing our local industry.
As a sponsor, you'll also extend your reach beyond the event through the KC Ad Club's engaged community of 270+ members and 14,000+ followers across email, social media, and our website.
Contact Mallory Scheelk, KC Ad Club Sponsorship Director, at sponsorship@kcadclub.com to discuss these opportunities.
Sponsorship Opportunities
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Our premier sponsorship opportunity with maximum visibility before, during, and after Spark KC.
Benefits include:
"Presented By" recognition across all marketing materials and promotions
Prominent inclusion on all event signage
Prime event visibility with a designated career fair table
Verbal recognition throughout the event
Direct access to connect with future advertising and marketing talent
Extended exposure to the KC Ad Club community of 270+ members and 14,000+ followers
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Show your commitment to developing the next generation of industry professionals while gaining meaningful brand exposure.
Benefits include:
"Supporting Sponsor" recognition on marketing materials and promotions
Inclusion on event signage
Designated career fair table
Verbal recognition during opening and closing remarks
Opportunities to connect with students and emerging professionals
Extended exposure to the KC Ad Club community of 270+ members and 14,000+ followers
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Our Breakfast Sponsor level is SOLD OUT!
Benefits include:
Visibility at the event with a designated career fair table
Inclusion in all event signage
“Breakfast Provided By” status in all marketing materials and promotions
Verbal recognition during breakfast + logo on the screen before speakers start
The opportunity to connect with future talent and inspire the next wave of KC advertising professionals
Extended exposure to the KC Ad Club community of 270+ members and 14,000+ followers
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Benefits include:
"Lunch Provided By" recognition on marketing materials and promotions
Designated career fair table
Inclusion on event signage
Verbal recognition during lunch, plus logo displayed before speakers begin
Opportunities to engage with attendees
Extended exposure to the KC Ad Club community of 270+ members and 14,000+ followers
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Benefits include:
"Official Print Sponsor" recognition on marketing materials and promotions
Showcase your print quality through all event programs and printed materials
Opportunities to connect with future talent
Extended exposure to the KC Ad Club community of 270+ members and 14,000+ followers
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Benefits include:
"Official Paper Sponsor" recognition on marketing materials and promotions
Showcase your paper through all event programs and printed materials
Opportunities to connect with future talent
Extended exposure to the KC Ad Club community of 270+ members and 14,000+ followers
Career Fair Exhibitor Opportunities
A career fair table gives your organization face-to-face access to the region's next generation of talent while showcasing your company, culture, and career opportunities.
KC Ad Club Members: $150
Non-Members: $200
Spark KC FAQs
About Spark KC
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Spark KC is designed for college students, recent graduates and young professionals within the first 1-2 years of their careers. Students from all majors and backgrounds are welcome.
You don’t need to have your entire career path figured out. Spark KC is a great place to explore your options, meet people in the industry and learn what your next step could look like.
Spark KC may be especially helpful if you’re interested in careers like:
Graphic design or art direction
Copywriting
Social media
Public relations
Photography or video
Strategy
Account management
Project management
Sales or business development
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At Spark KC, you’ll spend the day learning from local creative pros, connecting with peers, and meeting recruiters, hiring managers, and agency leaders.
You can expect:
Free breakfast and lunch
Career-focused breakout sessions and Q&As
Networking opportunities
A career fair with KC’s top agencies and companies
1:1 resume and portfolio reviews
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Yes! Spark KC brings you face-to-face with recruiters, hiring managers, agency leaders and creative professionals from across Kansas City. Some participating organizations may have internships or jobs available, but attending does not guarantee an interview or offer.
Spark KC gives you the chance to ask what employers look for, learn more about different agencies and companies, and build connections that could help in your internship or job search.
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Yes! One-on-one resume and portfolio reviews are part of Spark KC’s schedule.
More details about signing up for a review will be shared at the event.
Getting Ready
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We recommend:
Bringing a notebook and pen or a fully charged device
Updating your resume, portfolio and LinkedIn profile
Bringing a few printed copies of your resume or portfolio
Watching our Instagram, LinkedIn and this page for participating KC agencies, companies and speakers
Thinking about the careers or roles you want to explore
Preparing a few questions
Practicing introducing yourself in one or two sentences
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Aim for professional but comfortable.
Business casual is a safe choice, but you don’t need to feel pressured to wear a suit or blazer. Choose something that feels like you while still helping you make a strong first impression.
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You’re not alone! Spark KC is designed to make networking feel more approachable. You can start small by introducing yourself, asking someone about their job, or talking with another attendee who also came alone.
No need for a perfect elevator pitch. A simple “Hi, I’m ___, and I’m interested in learning more about ___” is enough!
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Definitely! Lots of students and young professionals attend on their own.
The event is built to help you meet people, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect throughout the day.
For Professors and Advisors
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Spark KC helps students connect classroom learning with the real world. They can explore career paths, hear directly from industry professionals, meet recruiters and hiring managers, and build skills and connections that can launch their career.
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Yes! Professors, teachers and advisors are welcome to bring or encourage groups of students to attend. Contact Director@KCAdClub.com for information about group registration, ticket options or other ways to help your students participate.
Event-Day Details
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Yes! Free parking is available in the North lots by the BEST Building Conference Center on the University of Kansas Edwards Campus. No permit required.
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Yes, free breakfast and lunch will be provided! During registration, please share any dietary needs so we can plan accordingly.
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Yes, we want Spark KC to be welcoming and accessible to everyone! Please share any accommodation needs during registration or contact Director@KCAdClub.com at least one week before the event.
About KC Ad Club
Founded in August 1902 by Russell Whitman, the Kansas City Advertising Club is one of the oldest and largest American Advertising Federation (AAF) clubs nationwide, boasting nearly 2,000 members across the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area. As a member of AAF District 9 and AAF National, the club is dedicated to serving the advertising and marketing industry through educational programming, volunteer opportunities and networking events.