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A statewide bus tour showcasing Illinois manufacturing

Makers on the Move is a dynamic, statewide bus tour celebrating Manufacturing Month by shining a spotlight on the innovation, opportunity, and impact of modern manufacturing. Throughout the month, the tour will visit factories, technical colleges, and high schools across the state—offering an up-close look at today’s high-tech, clean, and sustainable manufacturing environments.

With each stop, Makers on the Move aims to inspire students, engage communities, and connect employers with the next generation of talent. This is more than a celebration—it’s a chance to redefine what manufacturing looks like and highlight the diverse, rewarding careers available in this vital industry.

Bus ScheduleSponsorship OpportunitiesRequest to Host a Stop

Tentative Schedule

Friday, October 3

Quantum Campus
8080 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Industrial Fence
1308 S Kilbourn Ave # 3, Chicago
Arc-Tronics
1141 Pagni Dr, Elk Grove Village
Mother’s Milk Bank
560 Bonnie Ln, Elk Grove Village
Happy Hour Block Party – CARR Machine & Tool, Inc.
500 Bonnie Ln, Elk Grove Village

Saturday, October 4

Sci-Tech
336 McKee Street, Suite P, Batavia

Monday, October 6

Ameren
10 Executive Drive, Collinsville
Capital Area Career Center
2201 Toronto Rd, Springfield
Ace Sign Company
2540 S 1st St, Springfield
Eaton
1725 1200th Ave, Lincoln
Bloomington Happy Hour
TBD

Tuesday, October 7

Three Rivers Manufacturing Event
1615 W Jefferson St, Joliet
LyondellBassel
8805 Tabler Rd, Morris
G&W Electric
305 W Crossroads Pkwy, Bolingbrook
Unilock
301 E Sullivan Rd, Aurora
Happy Hour
TBD

Wednesday, October 8

AmeriChem
1740 Molitor Rd, Aurora
DeKalb County EDC Event at the Suter Company
1015 Bethany Road Sycamore
Borg Warner
1350 Franklin Grove Road, Dixon
P&P Industries
2100 Enterprise Dr, Sterling
U of I / MOTM Manufacturing Reception
200 Prairie St, Rockford

Thursday, October 9

Rock Valley College Manufacturing Day
1400 Big Thunder Blvd, Belvidere
Midwest Packaging & Container
9718 Forest Hills Rd, Machesney Park
Hennig
9900 North Alpine Rd, Machesney Park
Snak King
3133 Industrial Drive, Freeport
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
105 N. Rochester Street, Lanark

Friday, October 10

Rock Island Arsenal
61299/500 Rock Island Rock Island
Quad City Lunch Event
TBD

Sponsorship Opportunities

Join us as a sponsor to help highlight and showcase our amazing manufacturing sector that employs 662,000 women and men in good, high-paying jobs who produce more than $600 billion annually in economic output. Manufacturing is our state’s leading economic sector and this is a great opportunity to add your name to our tour! Wrapped in a cool design that showcases modern manufacturing which is high-tech, clean, diverse, and sustainable, the Makers on the Move bus will visit manufacturing facilities, colleges, and high schools across the state to highlight the innovative manufacturing sector and amazing job opportunities that are available today.

Last year, the Makers on the Move bus tour crossed Illinois for seven days with 45 stops! Media will be invited to each stop along the route along with key elected officials from the federal, state, and local government. Students will be invited to visit during the tour and learn more about manufacturing careers. Want more information about sponsoring the bus tour? Contact Sarah Hartwick at shartwick@ima-net.org or by calling 217-718-4211.

Platinum

$25,000

The bus will make a stop at your facility, guaranteed. Your business name and/or logo will be displayed prominently on the bus and on all swag.

Gold

$15,000

Your facility will be prioritized for a stop, though it is not guaranteed. Your business name and/or logo will be displayed on the bus and on all swag, and you will be a MOTM VIP on one stop.

Silver

$10,000

Your business name and/or logo will be displayed on the bus and on all swag, and you will be a MOTM VIP on one stop.

Gift Bag

$5,000

Your business name and/or logo will be displayed on all gift bags. You can also sponsor at this level by donating 1,000 swag items.