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.

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.

Miles for Manufacturing 9.16.26 event

Miles for Manufacturing 5K

Miles for Manufacturing (M4M) 5K Run/Walk brings the Greater Chicago manufacturing community together to support the next generation of talent. 

The next M4M will occur during IMTS 2026. Registration is open to run or walk, or you can show your support through sponsorship or a donation. Join the movement to strengthen our talent pipelines, one mile at a time.

Early bird registration: $40 for the 5K, $30 for 1-Mile

Why Participate?

Sponsors: Put your brand in front of thousands of IMTS attendees while directly fueling our industry's talent pipeline. Every dollar drives visibility for your company and opportunity for students. Ready to sponsor? Contact Cat Ross at cross@amtonline.org.

Runners & Walkers: Connect with industry colleagues, get moving before a busy show day, and leave your mark by helping fund STEM programs across nationwide.

September 16th, 2026 07:00 AM - September 16th, 2026 12:00 PM

DuSable Harbor in Chicago, 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.

Past Events

FVCC Open house 11/6/25

FVCC Open House

November 6th, 2025 05:30 PM - November 6th, 2025 08:00 PM

Maple Park, 47W326 Keslinger Rd, Maple Park, IL 60151, USA

GCAMP MFG Breakfast 11.6.25

GCAMP Manufacturing Breakfast and Facility Tour

The VIA, GCAMP and Waubonsee Community College invite Manufacturers and Community Members to a Manufacturing Breakfast at the new Technical Education Center (TEC) on the Sugar Grove Campus.A strong community needs a competitive workforce. Enter Waubonsee’s Technical Education Center (TEC) — a building specially designed to meet the rigorous training and educational needs of 21st century technicians, the makers and doers that drive the regional economy and beyond.This exciting new building gives students, the local workforce, and the wider community more of what they need — increased enrollment capacities, enhanced curricular possibilities, greater opportunity for industry partnerships, and more.

November 6th, 2025 08:30 AM - November 6th, 2025 10:30 AM

Waubonsee Community College Route 47 @ Waubonsee Dr. Sugar Grove, IL 60554

Manufacturing Job Fair 10.24.25

Career & Job Placement Center Manufacturing Job Fair

Explore career opportunities in one of the fastest-growing and most innovative industries. -Connect directly with recruiters and hiring managers-Network with professionals and learn about career paths in modern manufacturing-Discuss job openings & learn how to apply-Gain insights into industry trends

October 24th, 2025 11:00 AM - October 24th, 2025 01:00 PM

College of Lake County Grayslake Campus Student Street

Illuminate Career Pathways 10.24.25

Illuminate Career Pathways

Business & Industry Partners NeededSupport City of Aurora freshmen, including those from East and West Aurora High Schools, Batavia High School, and Kaneland High School, as they explore careers in the greater Aurora area.Host an interactive booth!

October 24th, 2025 07:30 AM - October 24th, 2025 02:00 PM

Waubonsee Community College, Route 47 @ Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL, Akerlow Hall--Room 202 (Use the North Entrance)

Waubonsie Valley High School logo

Waubonsie Valley High School Career Fair

Waubonsie Valley High School would like to cordially invite you to participate in our Career Connections Program designed to help students explore future career and educational choices. Our Career Fair is back this year, and we could not be more excited for our students to participate in this great event. Our Career Fair will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with arrival at 8:30 am. This day serves as a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain insights regarding potential careers and the preparation necessary to pursue their post-secondary plans.Professionals are invited to host a booth in our field house where students will rotate through during our five lunch periods from 9:18-1:33. All freshmen will attend the fair the first half of each lunch period, and upperclassmen will have the opportunity to participate throughout all lunch periods or by attending the fair with a class. Continental Breakfast, starting at 8:30 am, and boxed lunches are provided to all fair attendees.We truly feel that your real-world experiences will help motivate students to continue exploring the vast opportunities they have available upon completion of their education at Waubonsie Valley High School. Please feel free to share this invitation with others in your network! We thank you in advance for sharing your valuable time and insight with our students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

October 23rd, 2025 08:30 AM - October 23rd, 2025 02:00 PM

Waubonsie Valley High School 2590 Ogden Avenue Aurora, IL 60504