Bring Your Child To Work Day event showcases Walser Automotive's family-first nature

Walser Automotive
Walser Automotive

Minneapolis-based dealership Walser Automotive recently celebrated “Bring Your Child to Work Day,” highlighting the importance the dealership puts on family.

“The celebration is open to all children of Walser employees, but we don’t look at it as just a free day out of school,” Dayna Landgrebe, manager of corporate communications, told Mega Dealer News. “We’re good at creating an entire day of activities for about 40 kids ages 7 to 14.”

Activities for the youngsters in the all-encompassing day of experiences included a logo design session with the graphic arts team, sales training where children work on their own pitch, plus lessons in vehicle inventory. The day was topped off with a kids’ choice car show and an “Ask the CEO” session where children can pose any question about the business.

“Our employees have communicated to us that family is the most important value to them, and Walser has a continued commitment to connect families to the work our employees do,” said chief human resources officer Sherry Schultz in a news release. “We believe in bringing your whole self to work each day, and that includes the commitment that our employees hold to their families. We’re excited to educate children on the important work that Walser moms and dads do every day.”

With the entire automotive industry in the throes of a growing worker shortage, the hope is that some of the youngsters involved can someday see themselves following in their parents’ footsteps.

“Walser is committed to making opportunities in the field more accessible through education and development of the local workforce,” said the company in the news release.

In business for more than six decades, Walser has 25 dealerships and affiliated businesses, including operations in Minnesota, Kansas and Illinois.

As for the “Bring Your Child to Work Day” activities, Landgrebe said this is the first time the company has played host to the event on such an advanced scale, but it almost certainly won’t be the last.

“It’s taken on other versions before but I would say this was a great success,” she said. “An event like this is focused on family and definitely tied to our core values as a company.”