Construction Industry Conference Returns to Chicago

CHICAGO, IL – Contractor Advisors Business Development has announced that the 9th annual Construction Industry Conference (CIC) will return to Chicago on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, after being canceled the previous three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CIC provides opportunities for minority, women and veteran-owned construction, architecture, engineering and professional services firms to connect with prime contractors, GCs and project owners (private and government).

This year's conference at the Illinois Institute of Technology (3241 S. Federal St.) includes contracting presentations, educational sessions, networking events, an exhibit hall, private engagement sessions and a new Construction Trades Job Fair.

Opportunities for Growth

“We are ecstatic to bring CIC back after a three-year hiatus,” said Suzanne Stantley, the founder and conference director of CIC. “This conference serves a vital role in connecting diverse businesses in construction and design with opportunities to grow their firms.”

Stantley founded the conference in 2013, bringing decades of experience working with small businesses in construction. A Corporate America-trained marketer, Stantley founded and was CEO of the National Black Expo, which saw attendance of up to 125,000 in the ‘90s. She later founded BE Group Inc. and Contractor Advisors Business Development, its nonprofit arm, to create a path for small firms in the building industry to elevate their knowledge about the field and expand their businesses as her firms exposed them to the commercial construction sector.

The conference provides a venue for large contractors, developers, project owners and other firms to meet diversity goals while connecting with a broad range of potential MBE/WBE/VBE subcontractors and partners. Sponsors and exhibitors will gain exposure to hundreds of engaged small firms and can participate in private engagement sessions for one-on-one meetings.

The CIC will also feature procurement presentations where GCs, primes and project owners can present upcoming contracting opportunities to the attendees. Educational sessions will cover best practices in construction business management on a host of topics.

Job Fair

The new Construction Trades Job Fair is in response to extreme labor shortages in the industry. The job fair will connect workers with potential job opportunities, apprenticeships and training programs across Chicagoland.

“With major developments underway across Chicago, the job fair provides an opportunity for contractors to meet a new pool of prospects who may assist them in meeting the demand for more workers,” said Stantley.

CIC is open to owners, executives and all personnel from small construction firms looking to grow their business. Registration and event details are available at www.ConstructionConference.net.