About the role#
The 500 Festival is seeking an intern to support our Strategic Partnership and Activation team. This role provides a behind-the-scenes look at the planning and execution of our events, including the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and the 500 Festival Parade. You will gain hands-on experience in corporate relations and event operations while helping us deliver programs that celebrate the legacy of the Indianapolis 500.
What you'll do#
- Create corporate partnership proposals and assist with membership sales.
- Develop and send communications to partners and corporate members.
- Research and identify new partnership opportunities and build prospect decks.
- Manage the 500 Festival suite at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including food and beverage coordination.
- Track and fulfill hospitality benefits to ensure partners have a positive event experience.
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications department to ensure accurate partner messaging and logo usage.
- Support onsite activations, event setup, tear down, and production.
- Maintain accurate event records and assist with the distribution of marketing materials.
What you'll need#
- Experience or training in marketing, event planning, tourism, or a related field is recommended.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail.
- A self-motivated approach and the ability to work independently.
- Stamina to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Enthusiasm and a willingness to adapt to changing deadlines.
Location & details#
- This is an on-site internship based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- The term runs from January 12 to June 3, 2027.
- This is a full-time position requiring 40 hours per week, though a part-time schedule of at least 25 hours per week may be considered based on candidate experience.
- This is a paid internship with a weekly stipend of $500.
- Interns receive 500 Festival branded apparel, two tickets to the Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade, and two tickets to the 111th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
About 500 Festival
The 500 Festival is a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1957, it organizes civic events to celebrate the Indianapolis 500. The organization hosts various programs including a half marathon, educational initiatives for students, and a large parade. It employs approximately 42 people and serves residents and visitors in Indiana.
How to get in at 500 Festival
Applying early to the 500 Festival gives you a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications before the pile grows. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you can be among the first to submit your materials. This timing often determines whether your resume gets a thorough look or a quick glance. You can improve your response rate by reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles directly to ask about the position or a referral. Intern Insider surfaces the specific people managing the 500 Festival hiring process, allowing you to bypass the general queue and connect with the team in a professional way.
