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

D219 Career Fair

D219 Focus On Your Future: Career Resource Fair

Niles Township High School District 219, Skokie, will be hosting its Annual Community-Wide FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE: Career Resource Fair.  

All area students (grades 8-12 from D219 and other public and private institutions), parents and community members are invited to attend this Career Resource Fair to meet with representatives from local companies, organizations and institutions which offer post-secondary, non-traditional options including associate degrees, certificate programs, apprenticeships, or other job training credentials, as well as gap-year, study-abroad experiences, and summer enrichment programs.

Note to Institutional and Industry Partners

If your business/organization/institution offers such post-secondary, non-traditional, career-oriented options as listed, this upcoming event may be of interest to you. Help current and soon-to-be graduating high school students discover fulfilling careers that can be attained through non-traditional education and training.

  • EVENT REGISTRATION: Please complete the registration form
  • SET-UP: D219 will provide 1 table and two chairs unless you notify us otherwise, and a table top sign with the business name and the brief description provided in the registration form.
  • ARRIVAL: 4:30pm - 5:45pm  (details included in confirmation email)
  • Light Dinner will be provided. 

*BUSINESSPERSON/GUEST WILL NEED TO BRING A VALID PHOTO ID: DRIVER'S LICENSE or STATE PHOTO ID to enter our campus

November 5th, 2026 06:00 PM - November 5th, 2026 08:00 PM

Niles West High School 5701 Oakton St. Skokie, 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.

St. Charles MFG Trades Summit Poster 11.10.26

St. Charles Manufacturing & Trades Summit

Manufacturers and trades businesses in Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties, join us for a one-day summit exploring career paths and workforce solutions. WorkNet Batavia will be bringing together employers, emerging workforce, training and education partners and economic development groups to respond to business needs and emerging workforce interests.

November 10th, 2026 08:30 AM - November 10th, 2026 04:00 PM

Q Center: 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

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.

Stevenson High School Logo

2027 Stevenson HS Summer Job Fair

Help students explore career opportunities!

Help Stevenson High School students explore work opportunities – jobs, volunteer opportunities, or internships – for Summer 2027.

800 students are expected to attend during their lunch periods.

FYI: The Expo is open to the community after 4:00 PM. Anyone can walk in.

Contact Linda Bloomfield, Career Resource Specialist, at lbloomfield@d125.org for more information or to register.

February 12th, 2027 10:45 AM - February 12th, 2027 02:00 PM

Adlai E. Stevenson High School 1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

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.

Waubonsee logo

Waubonsee CAD Club: Canstruction

Calling all Engineers!

Waubonsee's CAD Club is looking for volunteers to serve as architects for "Canstruction."

Your involvement would include:

  • Participating in meetings with the CAD Club to help them develop and refine their sculpture design.
  • Being present on February 17, 2027, when the students bring their design to life by constructing the sculpture out of canned goods.
  • Each team will design and construct a sculpture within a 10' x 10' x 10' space.

 

What is Tri-Cities Canstruction?

Canstruction® is an international hunger-relief charity that hosts "design and build" competitions featuring sculptures made entirely from unopened cans of food. The competition brings together creativity, engineering, architecture, construction, and philanthropy to raise awareness of food insecurity while helping fight hunger in our communities.

Teams, working alongside an architect, engineer, or professional contractor, will design their entry and build it onsite at Waubonsee Community College on February 17, 2027. Structures—averaging 2,000–2,500 cans and standing up to 10 feet tall—will be judged before being placed on display for free public viewing.

Tri-Cities Canstruction is a collaborative effort of the Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles Area Chambers of Commerce, hosted by Waubonsee Community College. At the conclusion of the exhibit, every structure is carefully dismantled, and 100% of the canned food is donated to the food pantry selected by the team.

February 17th, 2027 12:00 AM - February 17th, 2027 11:59 PM

APC Building on Waubonsee’s Sugar Grove Campus

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.

Stevenson High School Logo

2027 Stevenson HS Career Expo & High School Pathways

Career Ready, Trades, and Military Expo

This event is specifically tailored for students eager to explore vocational careers, trade programs, military service, and entry-level career pathways directly after high school.

We are actively seeking partners who offer high school student-focused programs or training pathways. Whether you can join us for the March expo or simply want to share details about your high school initiatives, we would love to connect.

Email Linda Bloomfield, Career Resource Specialist, at lbloomfield@d125.org to register.

March 3rd, 2027 02:00 PM - March 3rd, 2027 07:30 PM

Adlai E. Stevenson High School 1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

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

Naperville 203 logo

Career Motive-8

This year marks the fifth Career Motive-8, and we are excited to continue connecting more than 1,200 Naperville 203 eighth grade students with businesses and professionals from across our community.Career Motive-8 is a school-day career exploration event where students participate in a field trip experience at Naperville Yard, interacting with businesses through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and conversations about careers and future opportunities.Set-Up: Thursday evening, October 15 (times will be shared closer to the event)Thank you for helping connect students to future career pathways and opportunities in our community.

October 16th, 2026 08:00 AM - October 16th, 2026 02:00 PM

Naperville Yard, 1601 Legacy Cir, Naperville, IL 60563

MCC logo

MCC Manufacturing Industry Council Breakfast

Manufacturing and industry partners are invited to join McHenry County College for our 16th Annual Manufacturing Industry Council Breakfast.EVENT SCHEDULE 7:15–8 a.m. — Breakfast, Networking, MCC Resource Zone & Self-Guided Tours8–9 a.m. — Main Program9–10 a.m. — Advisory Committee Meetings

October 7th, 2026 07:15 AM - October 7th, 2026 10:00 AM

McHenry County College Main Campus, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012 Engagement Hall & Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation

Mfg Day Oct 6 pic

Three Rivers Manufacturing Association MFG Day

Showcase your company — be an exhibitor at the 11th Annual MFG Day!We are excited to announce that TRMA’s MFG Day event will be held this year on October 6th, and exhibitor registration is open!Each year, MFG Day gives students the opportunity to explore the incredible career paths available in manufacturing, connect with local companies, and experience firsthand the innovation happening in our industry. We are expecting around 900 students to attend this year, and your company’s presence truly helps make this event such a meaningful and successful experience for them.If you already know your company would like to participate as an exhibitor, we encourage you to register early.We are looking forward to another amazing year and appreciate your continued support in inspiring the next generation of manufacturers!

October 6th, 2026 09:00 AM - October 6th, 2026 01:00 PM

JJC Event Center 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431

Foster Hiring Fair

Congressman Bill Foster’s Job & Career Fair

EmployersCongressman Bill Foster, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and Waubonsee Community College, invites employers to participate in an upcoming Job & Career Fair designed to connect qualified candidates with businesses looking to hire.Why Participate? This event offers employers the opportunity to meet job seekers face-to-face, showcase career opportunities, and fill open positions with top talent from our community.Registration Deadline: Register by September 25, 2026

October 1st, 2026 08:30 AM - October 1st, 2026 01:00 PM

Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove Campus Academic and Professional Center

NIU logo

Fall 2026 All-Majors Internship & Job Fair

The Northern Illinois University All-Majors Internship and Job Fair is open to all majors and is for employers seeking current students, graduating seniors, alumni, and community members for internships and full-time, part-time, and on-campus jobs.Students: There is no fee to attend, and pre-registration is not required. To help with checking in at the career fair, download the Huskie Career Launchpad (Suitable) app before you arrive. This event is Business Passport, Honors Engaged and Huskie Career Launchpad approved.Parking and Entrance:No parking pass required.Employers follow signs for "Employer Parking" to Lot C1 and use Entrance 1.All others follow signs for "Candidate Parking" to Lot C2 and use Entrance 2. Huskie Bus Routes: 2R and 2L will take you to entrance 5 of the Convocation Center.Employer Registration Packages and DeadlinesEmployer Registration Deadline: September 23, 2026.Employer Registration Rates (includes 1 table, 2 recruiters, and parking)Standard Package: $450.00Non-Profit/Government Package: $200.00DCEDC and DCNP Member Package: $100.00NIU Department Package: No FeeEmployer Additional Purchase ItemsAdditional Recruiters: $25 per recruiterElectricity: $25Additional Table: $250 – Employers bringing more than 4 recruiters must purchase a second table.Payment: MasterCard, Visa, American Express and checks accepted. Registration is not final until payment has been received. Cancellation Fee: Cancellations received after September 23, 2026, will not be refunded.No Shows: Registration fees will not be refunded.

September 30th, 2026 01:00 PM - September 30th, 2026 04:30 PM

NIU Convocation Center: 1525 West Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60115