When you think of small business, you might not immediately think community events. But this longtime Regions customer may change your mind given it brings together more than 500,000 people, generates $22 million in economic impact and creates 200-plus jobs annually. During National Small Business Month, we share how this nonprofit keeps up with the pace of it all.
The deafening roar of the engines. There’s nothing like it; nothing can stop it.
Except one thing.
“You can plan, plan and plan and if the weather doesn’t cooperate that day, you’re out of luck,” said Jamie Stremming.
It’s something Stremming knows firsthand as a Program and Event senior manager with the 500 Festival, an organization hosting 30 community events – most outdoors – leading up to the Indy 500.
Regions Bank in Indianapolis has supported the 500 Festival for 20-plus years, including sponsoring the nonprofit’s free Education Program for more than a decade which Stremming manages. Beyond the bank’s financial donation, associates also volunteer their time guiding fourth-grade students around the grounds of one of sports’ most iconic destinations, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
More than 200,000 people attend the 500 Festival Parade, making it the nation’s third largest. Klus greets fans stationed around Monument Circle.
“It’s my favorite day of the year,” said Amy Klus, a Treasury Management relationship manager with Regions and a nine-time Education Program volunteer. “I enjoy seeing the kids’ excitement and awe as they experience the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time.”
This experience allows us to share the financial advice and guidance we do every day in a fun and experiential way.
Amy Klus, Treasury Management relationship manager at Regions
But entering those gates, kissing the bricks and standing atop the victory podium isn’t a given. With so much interest, there’s a lottery to select the 120 participating schools statewide each year.
“We try to serve as many schools as we can,” said Stremming of the planning that begins in October for the following May. “There’s so much involved with each trip – you’re managing buses, you’re managing chaperones. It takes 30 volunteers to pull off each day.”
Driver Alex Palou captured the 2025 Indy 500 checkered flag. Palou rolled right behind the Regions Big Bike float during the Parade.
And each day includes a walking tour around the Speedway grounds covering topics like physical fitness, flags, timing and scoring, history, racing careers and a numbers station where students form their own race team and make business decisions about sponsorship, budgets and expenses.
“We call it sneaky math,” said Stremming. “The kids get so competitive; I love to watch their brains work.”
Klus does, too.
“The whole day is devoted to helping students learn and understand things like physics and math in a unique venue,” she said. “This experience allows us to share the financial advice and guidance we do every day in a fun and experiential way.”
Regions Mid America Commercial Banking executive and Greater Indy market executive Erik Miner and his wife, Jennifer, drove 2025 Indy 500 runner-up David Malukas during this year’s 500 Festival Parade. Miner serves as a 500 Festival director.
It’s deepened our culture of teambuilding and creating personal connections.
Erik Miner, Greater Indy market executive for Regions Bank
Erik Miner has seen this community partnership offer associates benefits beyond an enjoyable day at the track.
“It’s deepened our culture of teambuilding and creating personal connections,” said Miner, Mid America Commercial Banking leader and Greater Indy market executive for Regions Bank, who also serves as a 500 Festival director. “We encourage associates to bring their families to 500 Festival events like the Parade, as participants or spectators, to feel part of something bigger. When team members across business groups join together for these traditions, they’re not only helping thousands of families create lasting memories, they’re also creating them with each other and their families.”
Stremming witnesses a lot of those special moments occur for students each spring.
A spirit of Pacers and racers was on display during the May 2025 Parade, with Indy’s National Basketball Association team competing in the playoffs.
“There’s something so magical seeing a kid see a race car for the first time,” she said. “Seeing the scope and size of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is awe-inspiring to them. Many students have never been exposed to racing, thought of it as something that pertains to them or considered it as a career they could explore. We couldn’t have the Education Program be the size it is without support from community partners like Regions. We know we can always count on Regions to send out volunteers and bring those smiles, memories, and experiences to the students.”
More 500 Festival Fast Facts:
- In 1996, the 500 Festival established a Foundation to support its educational programming. Regions head of Private Wealth Management Leslie Carter-Prall serves as a director of the nonprofit which has raised over $3.5 million.
- Mini-Marathon runners and walkers consume approximately 20,000 bananas, granola bars, protein bars and bottles of water each year.
- The 13.1-mile course features more than 50 entertainment acts.
- The finisher medals weigh a total of two tons.
- This year, the 500 Festival reached its 500,000th student through the Education Program following its launch in 2004.
- The 500 Festival Parade TV zone is 528’ long, taking most bands two minutes and 20 seconds to march through it at 120 steps per minute.
- Each year, 3,000 people serving in 100-plus roles volunteer with the 500 Festival.