The summer is winding down, and although we have not yet seen Labor Day, there are already schools starting classes in some states, and getting ready to start in others. Like a big sleepy bear coming out of hibernation, the world of education is stirring again, and with that awakening comes a realization in many places that the school assemblies have not been scheduled for the coming year yet.

“Oh, no! I meant to do it before I left for the summer but things got hectic and suddenly I was out the door with assemblies yet to be booked!”

What to do?

Well, it is OK. Relax. In fact, although many school representatives like to get their school assemblies scheduled in the spring to get the best selection of dates, some actually people prefer to wait until the Fall, especially in areas where they can attend performer showcases.

Showcases bring together many different performers and school assembly companies under one roof at one time so that reps from schools can talk to them all in person, make comparisons and get a good feel for what they will be getting if they book a certain program. 

School assembly showcases take place in several cities around the country. In Chicago there are two. The newer of the two, catering more to the newer western suburbs, is the Premier Showcase which will take place this year on September 13. Started in 2005, this event took place in previous years  at the Carlisle in Oakbrook but this year I cannot see on their website where the event will be.

But the “mother of all” of showcases is the Centre East Showcase in Skokie, Illinois on the north side of Chicago. This year Centre east takes place on August 31, and bring your schedules as many fine performers and school assembly companies (Mobile Ed included!) will be there to meet you and answer your questions and give you a chance to see what is new, comparing it directly to other shows on display.

If you have not yet booked your season of school assemblies and you are in Chicago or anywhere close, showcases like these are the place to be! C’mon out to Skokie and say hi!

Geoff Beauchamp is the Regional Manager of Mobile Ed Productions where "Education Through Entertainment" has been the guiding principal since 1979. Mobile Ed Productions produces and markets quality educational school assembly programs in the fields of science, history, writing, astronomy, natural science, mathematics, character issues and a variety of other curriculum based areas. In addition, Mr. Beauchamp is a professional actor with 30 years of experience in film, television and on stage. He created and still performs occasionally in Mobile Ed's THE LIVING LINCOLN.