Despite 'lofty goal' for 5,000 attendees, job fair meant to find workers for Denver International Airport concessions only drew about 100 people

A job fair meant to find workers to fill some of the numerous job openings at concessions at the Denver International Airport drew around 100 people, far fewer than had been hoped.

"We've got anything from entry-level positions all the way up to top executive management available out here," Denver Concessionaires Association President Dennis Deslongchamp said, according to KMGH-TV. "We've got a very lofty goal to see about 5,000 people show up today."

But, according to Deslongchamp, only around 100 individuals showed up at the event.

A news release, which indicated there are hundreds of opportunities up for grabs, declared that more than 160 concessions had joined together to host the event at Empower Field at Mile High in the United Club Level West.

Deslongchamp's team and airport leadership helped organize the event, according to KMGH, which reported that the job fair included representatives from almost 170 concessions and that the aim was to hire around 1,000 people.

"We are at such a staffing deficit that we'd be grateful for just five, but we're looking to hire over 150," HR director for Skyport Hospitality Elisa Lalama stated, according to the outlet.

"We were expecting the masses to come knocking on our door," Concessions International director of operations Derik Mortenson said, according to KMGH.

The outlet reported that while the company has multiple concessions at Denver International Airport and needs to pick up at least 38 workers, just two individuals applied.

"These are very brick-and-mortar jobs, brick-and-mortar positions, and there's just a change in what's possible now today to earn an income," Mortenson noted. "It's just tough on brick-and-mortar operations to fill the positions that once ... had stacks of applications."

Last week during an interview on Fox Business, Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary said that there are thousands of job positions open.

"We currently have over 5,000 open co-worker positions throughout our company. We have 125 management positions," Trenary said.