ACES + LAS Career Fair(s)

In-person event
Sept. 25, 2025, 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. (registration opens June 1st)
Location:
Illinois Conference Center (attached to I-Hotel)
111 St. Marys Rd.
Champaign, IL 61820

Schedule:
11:00 a.m. - I-Hotel opens for employer set-up
12:00 p.m. - Lunch (visit Employer breakroom for a boxed lunch)
1:00 p.m. - Career Fair opens to students
6:00 p.m. - Career Fair closes

 

Visit Handshake @ Illinois to register.

Recruiter Registration

Registration Rates (*rates may change)

  • $600 Business and Industry - 1 table
    • Note: If you plan to bring more than 4 representatives, you must register for the 2 table option
  • $1200 Business and Industry - 2 tables
  • $350 Non-profit/government
    • Note: If you plan to bring more than 2 representatives, you must register for the regular business/industry rate. 
Business and Industry Registration

The Business and Industry registration fee includes:

  • one single 6 foot table and two chairs (table coverings are NOT included)
  • electricity (you are encouraged to bring an extension cord)
  • wireless internet
  • lunch for up to four recruiters (Please let us know how many recruiters are coming!)
  • public parking at the I-Hotel

You have the option of purchasing one additional career fair booth space and additional lunches (if you need more than four) when registering.

Help registering

Resources for Recruiters

Interviews & Events

For interviews with the following majors, note the contact who may best assist you:

Virtual Fair Resources

Below are resources for employers to review for a fantastic virtual career fair experience:

Virtual Fair Features on handshake @ Illinois include:

  • Pre-scheduled 1:1 (10-minute) sessions with candidates. Be sure to schedule lots of one on one sessions EARLY so you can meet all the great candidates.
  • 30 minute group sessions are available
  • Easy registration for employers who already use Handshake @ Illinois and for students as they automatically have accounts.
  • One stop shop for posting jobs and recruiting students.

Tips for your team:

  • Each team member that is recruiting needs to set their schedules in Handshake BEFORE the fair. We recommend at least 2 weeks before the fair so students can see your availability and sign up.
  • We suggest using Chrome as your browser. Do not use Internet Explorer.
  • Allow for pop-ups - otherwise you will not be able to proceed in the platform.
  • If you and/or the student misses a scheduled time, the student will not be able to signup for a later time. We suggest you arrange for an alternate time to connect.

Logistics for Recruiters

Travel

Traveling by Car

The University of Illinois is easily accessible by using Interstate 74, Interstate 72, and Interstate 57.

Parking

Parking at the I-Hotel is free.

Traveling by Air

The University of Illinois is serviced by the University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) which has American Eagle as a major carrier. CMI is located about 5 miles southwest of the University of Illinois. It offers a variety of ground transportation options including taxi service and onsite car rentals from Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National.

Other major airports within a 160-mile radius of Champaign-Urbana include: Chicago O’Hare (four-hour drive), Chicago Midway (three-and-a-half-hour drive), Bloomington (50-minute drive), and Indianapolis (two-hour drive).

Hotel Information

The I Hotel and Conference Center
1900 S. First Street, Champaign, IL 61820
217-819-5000

Hilton Garden Inn
1501 S. Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
217-352-9970

Hawthorn Suites
101 Trade Center Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
217-398-3400

Illini Union
1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-1241

The Hyatt Place
217 N. Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
217-531-2800

Shipping

Please have any display items needed shipped to: 

Illinois Conference Center
ACES + LAS Career Fair Event
Attn: (Name of person/vendor who will claim the shipment in the Conference Center)
111 St. Marys Rd.
Champaign, IL 61820

Shippers are responsible to track packages to ensure delivery has been made. At the conclusion of the conference, packages to be shipped from the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center should have prepaid labels attached to each package and vendor should confirm that Fed Ex, UPS, etc. agrees to pick up the package based on the label provided. Vendors must bring the packages to the Conference Center desk and not leave them at their booth.

For over-sized shipments that will arrive/depart by freight, the vendor should contact the Conference Center to discuss size and weight. We do NOT have a lift gate. Trucks must arrive with their own lift gate. We have limited storage and over-sized deliveries should be discussed in advance.