Events

On the GCAMP Calendar of Events you will find:

  • Career/Job Fairs – These are hiring events, often held in anticipation of an upcoming high school or community college graduation, meant to help graduating students find jobs.   Manufacturers - find your next employees here!
  • Career Expos - (also sometimes called Showcases or Trades Fairs) These events are slightly different from job fairs.   They are geared towards younger students to encourage them to pursue a career in industry.   The students at these events are not seeking jobs yet, but they are looking for information about possibly pursuing careers in industry.   Manufacturers are invited to these events to introduce the next generation to the field of manufacturing. 
  • Mock Interviews -These events are for students to learn interviewing skills.  Industry professionals are needed to help conduct the mock interviews, and employers sometimes find potential real-life hires at mock interviews.
  • Advisory Meetings – These meetings allow industry experts an opportunity to give their input on how educators can refine their programs for current trends and technology.  These are great events to connect industry with education.
  • Competition Judge Requests – Student skills competitions are great ways for members of industry to meet skilled students and educators.  Plus, they are often a fun way for those in industry to volunteer their time and give back to the community. 
  • Awards & Scholarships - Awards refer to contests or competitions for people, frequently students, in manufacturing.  Scholarships on our page are for students to help fund their education beyond high school.   See the scholarship descriptions for more details. 

Do you have an upcoming event that you would like us to add to the GCAMP Events calendar?  Tell us about it! 

Upcoming Events

mHub logo

mHUB ROBOT Build & Bash

Join mHUB for a family-friendly Build & Bash robot competition! Whether you're an amateur, a first-time builder, or an expert just looking to have fun and show how it's done, this event is for you. All attendees will have the opportunity to build DIY robots with technical guidance and take part in obstacles and a bracketed battle later in the day.

​Want a leg up? Purchase a "kit" at check-out to ensure you have all the materials you need to dominate.

​Feeling confident in your creation? Enter the bracket competition onsite and wrap up the day with epic head-to-head battles starting at 4PM.

*Kids 5-years old and under do not need a ticket

June 20th, 2026 01:00 PM - June 20th, 2026 04:00 PM

1623 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

Learn more

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

Smartforce Student Summit 2026 logo

Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2026

The Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2026 brings the latest manufacturing technologies to life through hands-on, engaging learning experiences designed for educators and students. The Summit showcases the industry’s vision for the manufacturing technology classroom of the future: where innovation, digital tools, ad real-world applications come together.

Now in its 28th year, the Summit inspires students to pursue STEM education pathways leading to manufacturing careers, while provide educators with growth opportunities and giving industry a meaningful way to support education systems. Open to students and educators at all levels: K-12 and homeschool programs, community and technical colleges, universities, and adult education.

The Summit is free to attend and includes access to all four IMTS 2026 exhibit halls, spanning more than one million square feet of technology shaping the future of manufacturing in America.

September 14th, 2026 09:00 AM - September 19th, 2026 01:00 PM

McCormick Place – North Building, Hall C

Learn more

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

Miles for Manufacturing 9.16.26 event

Miles for Manufacturing 5K

Miles for Manufacturing (M4M) 5K Run/Walk brings the Greater Chicago manufacturing community together to support the next generation of talent. 

The next M4M will occur during IMTS 2026. Registration is open to run or walk, or you can show your support through sponsorship or a donation. Join the movement to strengthen our talent pipelines, one mile at a time.

Early bird registration: $40 for the 5K, $30 for 1-Mile

Why Participate?

Sponsors: Put your brand in front of thousands of IMTS attendees while directly fueling our industry's talent pipeline. Every dollar drives visibility for your company and opportunity for students. Ready to sponsor? Contact Cat Ross at cross@amtonline.org.

Runners & Walkers: Connect with industry colleagues, get moving before a busy show day, and leave your mark by helping fund STEM programs across nationwide.

September 16th, 2026 07:00 AM - September 16th, 2026 12:00 PM

DuSable Harbor in Chicago, IL

Learn more

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

Elgin Community College

ECC Manufacturing and Technology Center Grand Opening and Open House

Elgin Community College (ECC) is developing a new, 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC) designed to advance workforce development and meet the needs of local employers. This cutting-edge facility will expand ECC’s academic programs in manufacturing, engineering, and technology while addressing the region’s growing demand for skilled workers.

Please join us as we celebrate this exciting new chapter for ECC and our commitment to providing cutting-edge education and training for the workforce of tomorrow.

September 24th, 2026 04:00 PM

Elgin Community College 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL 60123

Learn more

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

10.21.26 Barrington HS Career Fair

Barrington High School Career Expo

Save the Date for Barrington High School's 4th Annual Career Expo. 

As part of their ongoing commitment to preparing students for life after high school, this event gives students the chance to explore different career paths, connect with professionals, and gain insight into what it takes to pursue their interests.

More information to come! Email Career Counselor Marie Mirabella at mmirabella@barrington220.org with questions.

October 21st, 2026 12:00 AM - October 21st, 2026 11:59 PM

Barrington High School: 616 W Main St, Barrington, IL 60010

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

Past Events

East Aurora Career Fair 4.22.26

East Aurora High School Career Fair

Please join East Aurora High School at our Career Fair on April 22nd, 2026 from 12pm - 2:30pm. This event is an excellent opportunity to expose our students to job opportunities, vocational training, and other post-secondary avenues. We expect nearly 3,000 freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors to attend!

April 22nd, 2026 11:00 AM - April 22nd, 2026 02:30 PM

: East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane, Aurora, Illinois 60505

Thomas Jefferson Middle School logo

TJMS Career Fair

We are excited to invite you to participate in the Thomas Jefferson Middle School Career Fair. This event allows students to explore different career paths, ask questions, and begin thinking about their futures. FORMAT: Students will visit tables for each Career. No presentations or substantial preparation are necessary! Note: there will not be a long break for lunch as all students will visit during their social studies classes, which occur during every class period. Breakfast and lunch items will be easily accessible for "grab and go" and you are welcome to take breaks as desired. WE WILL PROVIDE: Table space and a chairBreakfast items + coffeeLunch (please let us know of dietary restrictions on the REGISTRATION FORM)Table signage with your name, title, and professionExcited studentsYOU BRING: Fill out the REGISTRATION FORM (LINK BELOW)Enthusiasm for your career and anything you can think of to engage the students or spark their imaginations about your career typeYour Driver's License - for security/check-in purposesProviding your full name and Date of birth in advance will help TJMS office staff to expedite the security process (tell us on the REGISTRATION FORM)"Low tech" visual aids - Electricity access will be difficult due to the layout in the gymnasium, however we may be able to make it work. SCHEDULE: 7:00 - 7:15 am - Check-in (morning and all-day participants) - most participants are attending for the full day, so it may take a few minutes to get everyone checked-in.7:30 am - School day begins2:10 pm - School day ends - however, it may be difficult to get out of the building and parking lot immediately due to student pick-upFAQ: Do I need to create a presentation? No, just come with enthusiasm for your career. Students will only have a few minutes to get inspired. Can I bring candy/swag items for the students? No, thank you. District 15 policy does not allow food/candy to be distributed to students. Swag may be acceptable, however it should be small, with an educational focus and there should be enough for all 620 students. We would like the students to focus on the opportunity to learn about careers. 

April 22nd, 2026 07:00 AM - April 22nd, 2026 02:10 PM

3805 Winston Drive, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 (enter through the main doors)

SD 308 logo

Oswego SD 308 College and Career Fair

SD 308 is hosting a College and Career Fair at Oswego East High School to allow students the opportunity for postsecondary exploration and planning. This event is open to all SD 308 students and students from surrounding areas.Industry partners who are interested in hosting a table should complete the interest form connected to this event page.Due to limited space and the need to ensure representation from all career pathways, we will reach out and confirm spaces once the industry partner attendee list is finalized.

April 16th, 2026 06:00 PM - April 16th, 2026 08:00 PM

Oswego East High School

In the Workplace Aurora series 2026

Develop Your Workforce with East and West Aurora School Districts

Join leaders from East and West Aurora School Districts and the P-20 Network for a dynamic professional development event exclusively for employer partners in the greater Aurora area. Discover how engaging in career awareness, work-based learning, internships and much more can strengthen your workforce strategy and build a future-ready talent pool. Invest two hours with us and help the next generation of Aurora's workforce while advancing your organization's talent goals. This project is supported by the Dunham Foundation.  Lunch is included.

April 16th, 2026 11:30 AM - April 16th, 2026 01:30 PM

Aurora Regional Economic Alliance - 43 W. Galena Blvd. Aurora

FMA Sparkforce

Scholarships for Students with a Manufacturing Focus

SparkForce, The FMA Foundation, awards scholarships twice each year to students pursuing degrees or certifications related to manufacturing careers. Explore 3 scholarships open now.March 31st deadline.

March 29th, 2026 12:00 PM - March 31st, 2026 11:59 PM