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

TREP 2026 Scholarship Program

TREP Scholarship Deadline

The Three Rivers Education Partnership (TREP) is proud to launch a new scholarship program supporting local students pursuing careers in STEM and manufacturing-related fields

Who Can Apply? 

Graduating high school seniors from TREP member districts and career centers who plan to enroll in: 

  • College or University STEM programs 
  • Community College technical degrees 
  • Trade or vocational schools
  • Registered apprenticeship programs 

Fields of Study Include: 

  • Manufacturing & Industrial Technology 
  • Engineering & Engineering Technology 
  • Skilled Trades 
  • Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics 
  • Science, Technology, and Applied STEM fields or other related fields

Deadline: April 1, 2026

February 7th, 2026 12:05 PM - April 1st, 2026 11:59 PM

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.

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

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.

3.6.26 Bolingbrook High School Career Fair

Bolingbrook High School Career Fair

College, Trade, and Military Career Fair


As 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

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.

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/Networking

5:30pm Dinner

6:30pm Awards

7:30pm Dessert Reception/Networking

Your 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

Learn more

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 engagingpractical, 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

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

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

D300 2.5.26 Event

District 300 Postsecondary, Career, & Transition Fair

Purpose:To provide D300 junior and senior students with opportunities to explore and plan for life after high school.What to Expect:Students from all 3 D300 high schools will have the opportunity to interact with various employers, community partners, and postsecondary institutions to learn more about career options available and planning their lives after high school.If you are willing to host a table and interact with students sharing information related to various career paths, then we could use your help!*Lunch will be provided to our partners who are in attendance. 

February 5th, 2026 08:00 AM - February 5th, 2026 01:00 PM

Dundee-Crowd High School: 1500 Kings Road, Carpentersville, 60110

TCD Spring Open House

TCD Winter 2026 Open House

Please join us for our Winter Open House.Experience programs that ignite curiosity and drive resultsMeet educators who truly care about your successJoin a vibrant community where learning comes aliveFor more information contact Izzy Castillo, Coordinator of Regional Partnerships, at izzyc@daoes.org

January 15th, 2026 06:30 PM - January 15th, 2026 08:00 PM

301 South Swift Rd Addison, IL 60101

Award applications now open. Application deadline: February 8th.

GCAMP Outstanding Manufacturing Awards Application Deadline

Don't miss the deadline for submitting applications for the:Outstanding Manufacturing Student of the YearOutstanding Manufacturing Educator of the YearDeveloping Our Future AwardThe Outstanding Manufacturing Student Award celebrates future makers and creators.  The winner receives a $500 cash prize and is honored at the VIA Spark Awards.The Outstanding Manufacturing Educator Award recognizes educators who are instrumental in developing the next generation of makers and creators. The winner receives a $500 cash prize, $500 for classroom needs, and is honored at the VIA Spark Awards.The Developing our Future Award recognizes a manufacturer who is going above and beyond the rest to support the next generation of manufacturers. Winners are honored at the VIA Spark Awards.

December 18th, 2025 11:40 AM - February 8th, 2026 11:59 PM

Dekalb Mfg roundtable 12.3.25

Dekalb Manufacturing Workforce Roundtable

The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation and Valley Industrial Association invite you to a Manufacturing Workforce Roundtable on Wednesday, December 3, from 3:30–5:00 PM.This session is designed to be an open, exploratory discussion about the current and emerging workforce needs of DeKalb County manufacturers. Across the region, different counties have adopted different strategies to strengthen their talent pipelines. We’d like to better understand what an ideal workforce support structure could look like specifically for DeKalb County.We will share regional workforce insights and examples of practices used elsewhere—to help guide conversation. The direction of any future efforts will be shaped entirely by the perspectives and priorities shared in this room.

December 3rd, 2025 03:30 PM - December 3rd, 2025 05:00 PM

2179 Sycamore Road, Suite 102 Dekalb, IL 60115