Chicago Department of Aviation Hosts Annual Small Business Summit and Job Fair

The daylong event will feature workshops, networking, and job opportunities at O'Hare and Midway airports.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:23pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a polished metal briefcase, a stack of business cards, and a pen arranged elegantly on a clean white background, conceptually representing the professional networking and career opportunities available at the CDA's annual small business and job fair event.The CDA's annual small business summit and job fair connects local entrepreneurs with airport procurement opportunities and job seekers with airport industry positions.Chicago Today

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is hosting its fifth annual Airport Small Business Summit and Job Fair on Tuesday, May 12 at the UIC Forum in University Village. The event will be divided into two sessions - one focused on small business resources and the other on job search skills. Workshops will cover topics like resume writing, interviewing techniques, and the CDA's Aviation Career Pathways Program.

Why it matters

The CDA's annual summit and job fair provides a valuable opportunity for local small businesses to connect with airport procurement opportunities, while also connecting job seekers with openings at O'Hare and Midway airports. These events help support the growth of small, minority, and women-owned businesses in the Chicago area and create pathways to airport industry jobs.

The details

The Airport Small Business Summit and Job Fair will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 12. The morning session will focus on small business resources, while the afternoon will be dedicated to job search skills workshops. Participants can earn a certificate by completing the abbreviated Aviation Career Pathways Program. Registration is now open on the CDA's website.

  • The event will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
  • Registration is currently open on the CDA's website.

The players

Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)

The government agency responsible for managing and operating O'Hare and Midway International Airports in Chicago.

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What’s next

Registration for the event is now open on the CDA's website at flychicago.com/summitandjobfair.

The takeaway

The CDA's annual small business summit and job fair is an important resource for Chicago's local business community and job seekers, providing access to airport procurement opportunities and pathways to airport industry jobs.