Hundreds of job seekers, including former Spirit Airlines workers suddenly left without paychecks after the carrier halted operations earlier this month, were expected to stream into the Port Everglades Career Fair & Expo on Wednesday at the Broward County Convention Center. The free four-hour event advertised nearly 40 employers across aviation, maritime, hospitality, security and logistics, with organizers promising on-site help to steer displaced airline staff toward hiring managers and training partners.
According to Local 10, the expo ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., came with free admission and parking, and encouraged job seekers to register through Eventbrite or by calling 311. Local 10 also reported that attendees could snag a $100 credit toward a Florida Atlantic University hospitality-industry certificate, and that organizers built in extra support for former Spirit employees. American, JetBlue and United were among the major carriers slated to staff recruiting tables at the fair.
Who is hiring at the expo
The Port Everglades event page listed a broad roster of participants, including the Broward Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Omni Hotels & Resorts and multiple maritime and logistics companies. Workforce partners such as CareerSource Broward, Florida Atlantic University and area technical colleges were also on tap, underscoring a push to plug candidates into both skilled-trade and customer-service positions. Port officials framed the fair as part of a larger effort to connect residents with one of Broward County’s largest economic engines.
Why it matters for laid-off airline workers
Spirit Airlines’ abrupt wind-down on May 2 left roughly 17,000 employees and contractors out of work nationwide, according to The Associated Press. Local coverage put more than 4,800 of those job losses in Florida, a hit that quickly ramped up demand for rapid re-employment help in South Florida. Organizers said the Port Everglades expo was tailored in part to give displaced airline staff immediate access to employers that hire for roles closely aligned with aviation experience.
Turnout and what comes next
WSVN reported that organizers expected more than 1,700 applicants to show up, following a stretch of busy hiring events across Broward County. CareerSource Broward and training partners planned on-site resume reviews and short-term credential guidance to help candidates move quickly into available jobs. County officials described the fair as a practical step aimed at stabilizing households rattled by the aviation shakeup.
Job seekers looking for more information were directed to the official registration materials, and organizers urged applicants to bring printed resumes and be ready for on-the-spot interviews. For details and check-in instructions, see the Eventbrite listing or visit the Port Everglades career-fair page. Attendance and parking remained free for participants.
