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

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.

5.12.26 West Aurora Mock Interviews

West Aurora Weisner Center Mock Interviews

You are invited to an employer advisory meeting and mock interviews of West Aurora High School Weisner Center students from the Building Trades, Machining and Welding programs.

Who is invited: 
1.) Employers in the Aurora area interested in learning more about the current programming at the Weisner Center in Building Trades, Machining and Welding.
2.) Employers in the Aurora area hiring for positions in Building Trades, Machining and Welding.

You don't need any past experience with high school students or in other events like this to participate. We will supply mock questions and all the support you need to be successful.

May 12th, 2026 07:35 AM - May 12th, 2026 02:45 PM

Weisner Center, 1920 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora

Learn more

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. Breakfast is included.

June 11th, 2026 08:30 AM - June 11th, 2026 10:30 AM

West Aurora Weisner Center - 1920 W. Galena Blvd. Aurora

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.

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.

Past Events

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

3.25.26 Job Fair pic

Annual Regional Job Fair

Alignment Collaborative for Education and the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System Region 110 invite you to their Annual Regional Job Fair.This job fair provides a valuable opportunity to connect with students from the following high schools:Community Unit School District 300Dundee Crown High School Jacobs High SchoolHampshire High SchoolCommunity Unit School District 301Central High SchoolCommunity Unit School District 303St. Charles EastSt. Charles NorthSchool District U-46Bartlett High SchoolElgin High SchoolLarkin High School South Elgin High SchoolStreamwoodStudents from the region’s CTE programs will come prepared with resumes in hand, eager to meet with you, learn more about your organization, and explore potential entry-level job opportunities within your company. The job fair is also a wonderful opportunity to promote part-time summer positions with sophomore, junior, and senior level students present. Why Participate?✅ Meet motivated, work-ready high school students✅ Promote your organization and available job opportunities✅ Support local workforce development and talent pipelinesREGISTER by FEBRUARY 20th- it is free, quick, and easy! If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out:📩 Alignment Collaborative for Education – Edgar Montes | montesace@align4edu.org📩Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System – Todd Stirn | t.stirn@central301.net

March 25th, 2026 09:00 AM - March 25th, 2026 02:00 PM

Elgin Community College’s Field House Events Center (Building J)

Lake County Tech Logo

Tech Campus Career Expo Registration

Tech Today: Dedicated to TomorrowRegistration opens Friday, January 16 at 8:00 a.m.: Tech Campus Career Expo 2026 RegistrationRegistration closes March 4th$25 registration fee, with all proceeds supporting our Career Expo Partnership ScholarshipThanks to you, we raised $4,000 for students last yearCareer Expo Day logistics will be shared in mid-FebruaryAdditional Ways to PartnerGuest speaking opportunitiesTeam-Based Challenge MentorshipCTE Month (February) engagementsAnd so much more… Give Me TEN+TECH50 Work-Based Learning ProgramStudents are still seeking internships. We assume liability, and students receive a stipend after completing 60 hours.Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our future-ready students.

March 19th, 2026 12:00 AM - March 19th, 2026 11:59 PM