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

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

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.

Township High School District 211

2026 District 211 Senior Job Fair Application

Space is limited!

This event is for graduating Senior students from Palatine, Fremd, Conant, Schaumburg, and Hoffman Estates High Schools who have indicated upon graduation they will be entering the workforce and seeking full-time employment opportunities.

Company reps arrive at 8:00 a.m. 

Students will attend between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Please complete the linked form if you are interested in participating in the D211 Senior Job Fair and email your responses to Paula Waterman at pwaterman@d211.org 

If you submit your application before Monday, February 9, 2026, we will reserve and confirm your space at our event by Friday, February 13, 2026.  

Applications received after Friday, February 13, will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified by March 26th if space is available.

April 23rd, 2026 08:00 AM - April 23rd, 2026 12:00 PM

Schaumburg High School 1100 W Schaumburg Road

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.

4.8.26 Spark Career Extravaganza

Spark! Career Extravaganza

On April 28, 2026, Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES) will be organizing an interactive event for ninth graders. Students from Indian Valley Vocational Center (participating high schools include Earlville, Hinckley-Big Rock, Indian Creek, Leland, Newark, Plano, Sandwich, Serena, Somonauk and Yorkville) will attend this career exploration event in the gym at the Fox Valley Family YMCA in Plano, Illinois. 

Expected attendance is between 500-600 9th graders.  Students will visit each of the 7 Pathway Endorsement Areas (Agriculture; Arts and Communications; Finance and Business; Human and Public Services; Health Sciences and Technology; Information Technology and Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades). It is strongly encouraged that industry experts bring hands-on activities for students. 

VALEES will provide breakfast and boxed lunch.

Please follow the steps below to complete your registration.  Contact our College and Career Pathway Endorsement Coordinator, Josi Moran at jmoran1@waubonsee.edu or 630-466-2953 with any additional questions.

April 28th, 2026 07:30 AM - April 28th, 2026 02:30 PM

Fox Valley Family YMCA 3875 Eldamain Road- Plano

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.

5.7.26 Network Event

Naperville 203 Network Event

You are invited to join us for the Naperville 203 Network Event, an opportunity to connect with community leaders, business professionals, internship hosts, and partners who share a commitment to supporting Naperville 203 students.

Hosted by the Workforce Innovation Council, this open house-style gathering brings together those already making a difference and those interested in getting involved. It is a chance to build relationships, exchange ideas, and explore new ways to collaborate in preparing students for their futures.

Optional Post-Event Invitation

After the networking event, all attendees are invited to stay and join us for Naperville 203’s INCubatoredu Pitch Night.

Where: Same Location - Embassy Suites 

Schedule:

  • 6:00 – 6:45 PM: Student Showcases & Wild Card Presentations
  • 6:45 – 9:00 PM: Pitch Competition

Come support Naperville 203’s young entrepreneurs as they present their innovative ideas and compete for funding to bring their businesses to life. We hope you will stay and celebrate the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of our students.

May 7th, 2026 04:00 PM - May 7th, 2026 06:00 PM

Embassy Suites 1823 Arbriter Ct. Naperville

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.

Past Events

Lake Park High School logo

Lake Park High School District 108 Career Fair

The purpose of this event is to create awareness and exposure for students about career paths and opportunities across a variety of industries and to have our students engage in conversations with industry professionals as they plan for their postsecondary options. The event will provide students with an immersive learning opportunity to connect with industry professionals to learn about their many career options and paths after high school. Lake Park values our professional community and we are looking forward to including you in this important educational event for our students. Sign up by February 20th.Have fun talking about your career with our students! We ask that each participant provide some sort of hands-on activity or demonstration (video, activity) to engage students in learning about their industry.  Our goal is to have individuals represent their organization/industry/businesses to provide engaging, practical, and informative booths that represent all of the Illinois recognized career pathway endorsements. Approximately 1200 students will be visiting the various participants from grades 9 and 10 at the Lake Park East Campus. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.  

March 16th, 2026 07:55 AM - March 16th, 2026 02:56 PM

Lake Park High School - East Campus 600 Medinah Rd Roselle, IL 60172

Spark Save the Date 2026

2026 Spark Awards Gala

Join us and celebrate the accomplishments of manufacturers in the areas of Culture, Innovation, Operational Excellence, Safety, Social Responsibility, and Workforce Development.  Also celebrate GCAMP Awards: The Manufacturing Student and Manufacturing Educator of the Year, and the winner of the Developing Our Future Award.Join us at The Abbington in Glen Ellyn on March 11th as we celebrate manufacturing excellence.  We have so many brilliant companies who have made it to the finals of our Benchmarking competition, and the winners will be revealed at our Awards Dinner. We cherish this event as an opportunity to form amazing connections, learn about the innovative things happening in our community, and celebrate some of our incredible members.5:00 Registration/Networking5:30pm Dinner6:30pm Awards7:30pm Dessert Reception/NetworkingYour ticket includes dinner, dessert, and 2 drink tickets (good for soft drinks, beer, or wine) and coffee bar. A cash bar will also be available.

March 11th, 2026 05:00 PM - March 11th, 2026 09:00 PM

Abbington Banquets 3S002 Route 53 Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

3.6.26 Bolingbrook High School Career Fair

Bolingbrook High School Career Fair

College, Trade, and Military Career FairAs a valued exhibitor, your presence will help inform and inspire students about the many possibilities that lie ahead—whether through college programs, trade schools, apprenticeships, or direct workforce opportunities.Let us know if you are interested in partnering with Valley View School District. We hope you’ll join us in shaping the future of our students!

March 6th, 2026 09:00 AM - March 6th, 2026 01:30 PM

365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

3.5.26 ACC Career Fair

Wilco ACC Tech & Trades Career Fair

You are cordially invited to the 2026 Wilco Area Career Center Tech & Trades Career Fair. If you are looking for your next Entry-Level new hire or Apprentice then look no further. Wilco ACC will have our best & brightest High School Seniors on hand to meet with you and discuss their possible role in your organization. Seniors will have copies of their resume available for your consideration.The event will be hosted at the Wilco ACC campus from 8am to 2pm. Refreshments will be provided for our Guests. Please see the link below for the registration flyer. If you have any additional comments, questions or concerns please reach out to me at: nmoran@wilcoacc.org

March 5th, 2026 08:00 AM - March 5th, 2026 02:00 PM

Wilco Area Career Center, 500 Wilco Dr, Romeoville, IL 60446, USA

College Career Readiness header 2.27.26

College, Career & Wellness Fair

West Aurora High School, Batavia High School, and Yorkville High School are pleased to announce a collaborative College, Career & Wellness Fair on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 9:00–11:00 a.m. at West Aurora High School.This annual event has drawn strong student participation from across Kane, Kendall, and DuPage counties, and we are excited to continue that tradition. We would love for your organization to join us in providing students with valuable resources and opportunities that support their college and career readiness.

February 27th, 2026 09:00 AM - February 27th, 2026 11:00 AM

West Aurora High School 1201 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506