Panama’s upcoming national employment fair has already registered 18,000 job seekers, organizers announced, with a target of reaching 30,000 participants before the event closes. The fair will operate in two formats: an in-person event at Atlapa in Panama City on September 15 and 16, and a virtual platform open to participants nationwide from September 14 through 20.
What Happened
The employment fair, reported by TVN 2, has amassed 18,000 registrations so far and aims to attract as many as 30,000 job seekers in total. The event is structured in two modalities to maximize access. The in-person portion takes place on Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 16 at the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama City. The virtual edition runs for a full week, from September 14 to September 20, allowing candidates from across the country to participate remotely rather than traveling to the capital.
Background
Employment fairs have become a recurring tool in Panama’s efforts to connect job seekers with employers, particularly as the country continues working through economic pressures that have affected household employment in recent years. The dual-format model reflects a broader trend of hybrid recruitment events, which expanded after the pandemic demonstrated that virtual hiring platforms can reach candidates who face geographic, time, or mobility barriers.
The Atlapa Convention Center, located in Panama City, is one of the country’s principal venues for large-scale public events, making it a natural host for a fair expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees. Meanwhile, the weeklong virtual window gives residents of provinces far from the capital the same opportunity to engage with participating employers.
What This Means for Panama
The strong early registration figure suggests significant pent-up demand for employment opportunities among Panamanians. If the fair reaches its 30,000-participant goal, it would represent one of the larger workforce mobilization events of the year.
The hybrid format is particularly relevant for a country where access to job opportunities has historically been concentrated in the capital region. By keeping the virtual platform open for a full week, organizers are effectively extending the reach of the fair well beyond what a two-day, single-venue event could achieve.
Job seekers who have not yet registered still have time to sign up before the fair begins. The coming days will show whether the event can close the gap between the current 18,000 registrations and the 30,000 target, and how many of those participants ultimately secure employment through the connections made at Atlapa and online.
This story was originally reported by TVN 2.