SLIP Etiquette Luncheon 2026 prepares more than 100 St. Louis high school interns for summer jobs with hands-on training in business dining, communication, networking, and workplace professionalism. Hosted by the St. Louis Internship Program, the event helps students build confidence before internships begin on June 8.
The SLIP Etiquette Luncheon, hosted by the St. Louis Internship Program on June 5, 2026, brings together more than 100 high school students at The Coronado Room for hands-on training in business dining, communication, and networking — preparing them to launch their summer internships on June 8.
What Is the SLIP Etiquette Luncheon?
The SLIP Etiquette Luncheon is an annual workforce readiness event hosted by the St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP), a program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. It gives high school interns a structured, real-world setting to practice the professional skills employers expect from day one.
This year’s professional development luncheon takes place on Friday, June 5, 2026, at noon at The Coronado Room, 3701 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108. More than 100 students will attend just days before they begin their paid summer internships on June 8.
Event Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Annual SLIP Etiquette Luncheon |
| Date | Friday, June 5, 2026 |
| Time | Noon |
| Location | The Coronado Room, 3701 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108 |
| Attendees | 100+ SLIP interns, business professionals, mentors, and community leaders |
| Internship Start Date | Monday, June 8, 2026 |
What Students Learn at This Internship Preparation Event
The business etiquette luncheon is designed to build confidence and professionalism in a setting that mirrors real workplace and networking situations. An experienced etiquette facilitator leads each table, guiding students through professional conversations and workplace expectations.
Training at this student workforce event covers four core areas:
- Business dining etiquette — proper table settings, dining behavior, and professional meal conduct
- Communication skills — how to speak clearly and confidently in professional environments
- Networking — making introductions, maintaining eye contact, and building genuine professional relationships
- Social and workplace etiquette — professional conduct standards that apply across industries and settings
Why Professional Etiquette Matters for Young Interns
Building Confidence Before Day One
Entering an internship for the first time can feel overwhelming. This internship preparation event gives students a low-stakes space to practice before they’re on the job.
Shanise Johnson, executive director of career and workforce readiness for SLIP, explains the impact clearly: “This experience helps students develop the confidence and professional skills they need to succeed in internships, college and future careers. We’re preparing young people not only to enter the workforce, but to thrive in it.”
Setting the Standard for Workforce Readiness
BGCSTL President and CEO Brandon Williams echoed that commitment. “These students have worked hard to prepare for their internships, and this luncheon gives them another opportunity to build confidence and practice the professional skills they’ll use throughout their careers.”
Williams added, “We’re proud of the young people in SLIP and excited to see them succeed.”
About SLIP: Connecting St. Louis Students to Career Opportunities
The St. Louis Internship Program provides hope and opportunity for high school students across the St. Louis region through:
- Paid summer internships with employers throughout the region
- Career exploration across a wide range of industries
- Workforce development experiences that prepare students for long-term professional success
This year, approximately 200 students will begin summer internships with regional employers on June 8, 2026. SLIP has grown into one of the leading workforce readiness programs for high school students in the St. Louis area.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) inspires and enables all young people — especially those who need it most — to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports, and summer programs to youth across the Bi-State Region. The organization operates six club locations, including Adams Park Club, Bethalto Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, and the Teen Center of Excellence. BGCSTL also operates Mentor St. Louis and the St. Louis Internship Program.
Learn More and Stay Connected
For more coverage of workforce development and community programs shaping St. Louis, visit The Narrative Matters — your source for stories that matter in the African American community and beyond.
Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and the programs they offer at bgcstl.org
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