Hospitality Industry Career Fair

You and your colleagues are invited to participate in the first-ever collaboration between Greater Midwest Chapter PCMA, Choose Chicago and Chicago Public Schools.

We are hosting a Hospitality Industry Career Fair with the CPS Career and Technical Education team with the goal to introduce students pursuing culinary and hospitality programs to opportunities within our industry.

Representatives from the following areas will be included:
Hotels, major chains and independents
Convention & Visitor Bureaus, Destination Marketing Organizations
Third Party Meeting Companies, large companies, small
Destination Management Companies
Culinary including Restaurants and Catering
Local colleges & universities with hospitality majors, minors, courses

The Fair will be held at McCormick Place Chicago south building, on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 9:30am – 3pm. Set-up can begin at 7am and tables should be ready by 9:15am. You will have a 6’ table and two chairs. This is at no cost to you.

We are asking you to come prepared to have engaging and interactive conversations with approx. 300-400 diverse high school students. Share job descriptions and talk about your personal experience getting to your present position. Share what employers in your area of expertise are looking for and discuss the best path to an entry level job. Discuss skills required to grow within the industry. Also, include any information on internships and freelance opportunities, if applicable.

We also encourage bringing diverse representation from your organization, along with representatives across departments.

We are looking for cool giveaways that would be attractive to young people, perhaps a string bag with swag included that is convenient and useful.

We would like to have everyone signed up by October 18 so we can share a complete list of representatives with the students attending.

If you have any questions, we are happy to assist. Please email Barb Thavis at [email protected] and Patty Olejnik at [email protected].