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

There are no upcoming events at the moment, but check back soon.

Past Events

Directions 2025!

Directions Fair 2025

We are hosting our annual fair on Tuesday, September 30th and we hope you can join us. The fair showcases post-secondary options for students with IEPs and 504 Plans hosted by High School District 214, High School District 211, Barrington Unit School District 220, Harper College, and St. Viator High School. Representatives from colleges and post-secondary institutions will be available to distribute literature and discuss their programs.Combined, our schools serve more than 3,000 students who receive special education or Section 504 services. This event is intended to reach hundreds of potential future students.Please see the website for more details and the link to Directions Fair 2025 RSVP FORM to reserve a spot at our fair!Website RSVP here 

September 30th, 2025 06:00 PM - September 30th, 2025 08:00 PM

1200 W Algonquin Rd, Building A 2nd Floor, Palatine, IL 60067

NIU

NIU College of Engineering Job & Internship Fair

Join us September 30 from 10:30-3pm at the Barsema Alumni & Visitor Center for our bi-annual Engineering Job & Internship Fair.Meet over 300 students and graduate students from the college's six programs.Registration is $395.  Your registration will provide you with a 6' table, power (if needed), continental+ breakfast, lunch and parking for two reps. Additional reps can be added at registration for $30 each.Space is limited so register now!All proceeds go toward engineering student scholarships, organizations and competition teams.A logistics email will be sent 2-3 days prior to the event.

September 30th, 2025 10:30 AM - September 30th, 2025 03:00 PM

NIU Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, 231 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, IL 60115

National Workforce Development Day poster

National Workforce Development Day Program

Join us in celebration of National Workforce Development Day!GCAMP, in partnership with the Village of Hoffman Estates, IMEC Illinois, and Harper College will be hosting an event to provide manufacturers with solutions to their workforce challenges. A panel discussion and Q & A will follow the keynote by Ray Ziganto, Director of Innovation and Resources at Valley Industrial Association of Illinois.

September 17th, 2025 09:00 AM - September 17th, 2025 10:30 AM

Harper College 1200 W. Algonquin Road Wojcik Conference Center, Building W Palatine, IL 60067

flyer

GCAMP Trivia Night Fundraiser

Join us & support GCAMP's Trivia Night!Get ready for a one-of-a-kind Trivia Night Fundraiser—held at employee-owned Gripple, a world-leading manufacturer of wire joining & tensioning systems!Join us Wednesday, July 30 for an unforgettable evening of friendly competition, great food, and industrial-strength fun!Here’s what’s in store:Doors open at 4:00 PMTeam Trivia begins at 4:30 PM (teams of 3–5 people, come with your team or join one at the event!)Dinner included2 drink tickets per guestPrizes for the top TWO teamsWhether you're a trivia pro or just here for the fun, you’ll love this behind-the-scenes peek at a high-tech manufacturing facility—turned party zone for one night only!Location:Gripple, Inc.1611 Emily Lane, Aurora, ILSpace is limited, so grab your team and RSVP soon!Let’s raise some money and have a blast doing it—see you at Gripple on July 30!

July 30th, 2025 04:00 PM - July 30th, 2025 07:30 PM

Gripple Inc. 1611 Emily Ln Aurora IL 60502

College of DuPage logo

3D CAD Solid Modeling

Learn SolidWorks software and techniques to produce three-dimensional solids. Emphasis will be placed on creating and rendering 3D solid models, modifying, editing commands and dimensioning. This exploratory course is a good starting point for students interested in design and/or engineering.Monday to Thursday, July 28-3112:30pm-4pmYEHSC-0003-108, $299See page 46 for more information.

July 28th, 2025 12:30 PM - July 31st, 2025 04:00 PM

College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd, Technical Education Center (TEC), Glen Ellyn, IL 60137