The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) will host its third annual Airport Expo and Job Fair on Thursday, May 16 at the UIC Forum. The expo will connect hundreds of job seekers, contractors, and small business owners with employment and procurement opportunities available both within the department and Midway and O’Hare International Airports.

"The Airport Expo and Job Fair is a vital platform for connecting Chicagoans with diverse career and business opportunities at our airports, serving as a key step towards economic empowerment and community development," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "By engaging directly with industry leaders and potential employers at this event, our residents can access the tools and pathways needed to thrive in the aviation sector and contribute to the growth of our city."

CDA leaders will guide interested candidates through the various job opportunities available with the department. Attendees will also be able to interview and apply for jobs with dozens of airport employers, including airlines, cargo operators, concessionaires. Other city agencies like the Department of Procurement Services will be on hand to provide more information on the process of bidding on City contracts and becoming certified as a minority-owned or disadvantaged business.

“Our airports provide incredible economic opportunities for Chicagoans of all experience levels and backgrounds. Connecting residents and local entrepreneurs with those opportunities is a priority for Mayor Johnson and the CDA,” said Aviation Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “Midway and O’Hare International Airports are two of the regions biggest economic engines. Through outreach events like the Airport Expo, we can ensure that all Chicago communities benefit from them. The CDA isn’t just in the business of creating jobs, we’re in the business of creating generational wealth.”

May’s expo will also feature several breakout sessions where attendees will hear firsthand from leaders in the aviation industry, who will guide them through getting into a trade, responding to a Request for Proposal, the procurement and certification processes, and updates on the O’Hare 21 capital improvement project.

Last year, more than 700 Chicagoans attended the expo and met with dozens of exhibitors representing a variety of careers in aviation including construction, design, retail and law enforcement. Several employers even conducted job interviews on site.

The Airport Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road. To learn more or register either as a job seeker or vendor, visit flychicago.com/airportexpo.