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

St. Charles MFG Trades Summit Poster 11.10.26

St. Charles Manufacturing & Trades Summit

Manufacturers and trades businesses in Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties, join us for a one-day summit exploring career paths and workforce solutions. WorkNet Batavia will be bringing together employers, emerging workforce, training and education partners and economic development groups to respond to business needs and emerging workforce interests.

November 10th, 2026 08:30 AM - November 10th, 2026 04:00 PM

Q Center: 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

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.

Stevenson High School Logo

2027 Stevenson HS Summer Job Fair

Help students explore career opportunities!

Help Stevenson High School students explore work opportunities – jobs, volunteer opportunities, or internships – for Summer 2027.

800 students are expected to attend during their lunch periods.

FYI: The Expo is open to the community after 4:00 PM. Anyone can walk in.

Contact Linda Bloomfield, Career Resource Specialist, at lbloomfield@d125.org for more information or to register.

February 12th, 2027 10:45 AM - February 12th, 2027 02:00 PM

Adlai E. Stevenson High School 1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

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.

Waubonsee logo

Waubonsee CAD Club: Canstruction

Calling all Engineers!

Waubonsee's CAD Club is looking for volunteers to serve as architects for "Canstruction."

Your involvement would include:

  • Participating in meetings with the CAD Club to help them develop and refine their sculpture design.
  • Being present on February 17, 2027, when the students bring their design to life by constructing the sculpture out of canned goods.
  • Each team will design and construct a sculpture within a 10' x 10' x 10' space.

 

What is Tri-Cities Canstruction?

Canstruction® is an international hunger-relief charity that hosts "design and build" competitions featuring sculptures made entirely from unopened cans of food. The competition brings together creativity, engineering, architecture, construction, and philanthropy to raise awareness of food insecurity while helping fight hunger in our communities.

Teams, working alongside an architect, engineer, or professional contractor, will design their entry and build it onsite at Waubonsee Community College on February 17, 2027. Structures—averaging 2,000–2,500 cans and standing up to 10 feet tall—will be judged before being placed on display for free public viewing.

Tri-Cities Canstruction is a collaborative effort of the Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles Area Chambers of Commerce, hosted by Waubonsee Community College. At the conclusion of the exhibit, every structure is carefully dismantled, and 100% of the canned food is donated to the food pantry selected by the team.

February 17th, 2027 12:00 AM - February 17th, 2027 11:59 PM

APC Building on Waubonsee’s Sugar Grove Campus

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.

Stevenson High School Logo

2027 Stevenson HS Career Expo & High School Pathways

Career Ready, Trades, and Military Expo

This event is specifically tailored for students eager to explore vocational careers, trade programs, military service, and entry-level career pathways directly after high school.

We are actively seeking partners who offer high school student-focused programs or training pathways. Whether you can join us for the March expo or simply want to share details about your high school initiatives, we would love to connect.

Email Linda Bloomfield, Career Resource Specialist, at lbloomfield@d125.org to register.

March 3rd, 2027 02:00 PM - March 3rd, 2027 07:30 PM

Adlai E. Stevenson High School 1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

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

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-MileWhy 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

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

Jacobs High School Volunteer Fair 2026

Jacobs High School Volunteer & Employment Fair

Jacobs High School is excited to invite local employers and community organizations to participate in this event, which will provide juniors and seniors with an opportunity to connect directly with community partners offering part-time employment, volunteer opportunities, community service, career exploration, and other real-world experiences.This event will be the first industry, employer, and community partner event of the school year supporting the College and Career Readiness Department. It is designed to help students build connections, explore future opportunities, and continue working toward becoming college and career ready.We hope your organization will consider joining us and hosting a table for this opportunity to engage with Jacobs High School students.

August 11th, 2026 10:45 AM - August 11th, 2026 01:45 PM

Jacobs High School- Field House. 2601 Bunker Hill Dr. Algonquin

North American Die Casting Association Logo

North American Die Casting Association Scholarships

Who is eligible: College/university/technical school students (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral) who have worked at a die casting company in the past 12 months (David Laine Intern and Scholarship Program) or graduate engineering students (Steven J. Harmon Scholarship).

August 1st, 2026 12:00 AM - October 1st, 2026 11:59 PM

Gripple 2026 poster

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tour: Gripple

Join us for a FREE summer tourExplore the educational pathways that align with high wage, high tech careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how things we use every day are made.Meet engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Middle school, high school, and college students, along with parents, teachers, and counselors are all encouraged to attend; however, limited spots are available. Registration is required for all participants. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path! Gripple is an employee-owned business that was established in 1989 as a means of joining agricultural wire fencing together. Today, it's a globally recognized manufacturer, delivering innovative solutions to construction and agricultural markets.Join us to:See the automated machines they build in-houseLearn about jobs in the industrySee manufacturing in action!

July 29th, 2026 09:00 AM - July 29th, 2026 11:00 AM

1611 Emily Lane Aurora, IL 60502