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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

Industrial Fence
Chicago
Arc-Tronics
Elk Grove Village
Mother’s Milk Bank
Elk Grove Village
Carr Machine & Tool, Inc.
Elk Grove Village
Happy Hour Block Party 
Location TBD

Saturday, October 4

Sci-Tech
Batavia

Monday, October 6

Ameren
Collinsville
Capital Area Career Center
Springfield
Ace Sign Company
Springfield
Eaton
Lincoln
Bloomington Happy Hour
TBD

Tuesday, October 7

Three Rivers Manufacturing Event
Joliet
LyondellBassel
Morris
G&W Electric
Bolingbrook
Unilock
Aurora
Happy Hour
TBD

Wednesday, October 8

AmeriChem
Aurora
DeKalb County EDC Event at the Suter Company
Sycamore
Borg Warner
Dixon
P&P Industries
Sterling
U of I / MOTM Manufacturing Reception
Rockford

Thursday, October 9

Rock Valley College Manufacturing Day
Belvidere
Midwest Packaging & Container
Machesney Park
Hennig
Machesney Park
Snak King
Freeport
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
Lanark

Friday, October 10

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.