Tourism & Hospitality Job Fairs:
Where to Go & How to Stand Out
Tourism and hospitality job fairs are one of the most effective ways to connect with employers, explore professional options and take a real step toward a career in hotels, restaurants, tourism and events. Across Cook County, these events bring together job seekers and hiring managers to fill roles in one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors. Some of these events, like Hospitality Hires, are large-scale hiring events with strong employer participation and interview opportunities on the spot. Whether you’re starting out, switching careers or expanding your business team, hospitality job fairs are worth paying attention to.
What to Expect at a Hospitality Job Fair
Job fairs are more than just informational booths — they’re often packed with employers who are actively hiring. You’ll find opportunities in hotel operations, restaurant service, event support, catering, tourism and customer-facing transportation roles. Many employers interview candidates on-site, and some even extend offers during the event. These fairs attract a range of businesses, including hotels, independent restaurants, catering companies, event venues and regional attractions. In many cases, local small businesses participate alongside larger hotel groups and restaurant chains, offering a range of career paths. Some job fairs also include resume-review stations, interview-prep workshops or sessions on building a career in hospitality, making them especially valuable for job seekers entering the industry for the first time or changing fields.
Annual Hospitality Job Fairs in Cook County
01
Tourism Alive Hiring Events
Throughout the year, Cook County Tourism Alive promotes hospitality job fairs and career events across the suburbs. These hiring events focus on roles in hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions and seasonal tourism support. They often highlight both part-time and full-time opportunities for entry-level workers and experienced professionals alike.
02
Hospitality Hires Chicago & Suburban Cook County
Hospitality Hires, organized by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, is one of the region’s most prominent hospitality-focused hiring events. Held in both suburban Cook County and Chicago, this event connects job seekers with dozens of hospitality employers under one roof. In addition to open interviews, it typically includes career-readiness workshops and screening support to help attendees prepare.
03
Community-Based Hiring Events
Local municipalities and community organizations also host smaller, neighborhood-based job fairs throughout the year. Towns across Cook County regularly hold events focused on hiring for hospitality and tourism jobs. These events are often promoted by local chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureaus — and can be great places to connect with employers who are looking to hire locally.
04
Youth & Seasonal Hiring Fairs
During spring and summer, many Cook County communities and organizations, like the Youth Job Center, host hospitality job fairs aimed at young workers, students and entry-level candidates. These fairs often focus on seasonal roles in food service, park events, festivals and summer tourism. They can be a strong first step for job seekers looking to build early work experience in a high-demand industry.
Tips for Making a Great Impression
01
Come Prepared
Show up with several copies of your resume, dressed professionally and ready to speak confidently about your interests and experience. You don’t need a long work history — employers are often just as interested in your attitude, communication skills and willingness to learn.
02
Practice Your Introduction
Have a short, clear introduction prepared. A simple summary of who you are, what kind of role you’re looking for and what you bring to the table can help break the ice and make your conversation more memorable.
03
Ask Questions & Be Engaged
Employers notice when candidates take initiative. Asking questions about training, career paths or day-to-day responsibilities shows that you’re serious about the opportunity.
04
Follow Up After the Fair
Grab business cards or contact details when possible and follow up with a brief thank-you message. It’s a small step that helps you stand out and keeps the conversation going.
Why Job Fairs Matter for Employers
For tourism and hospitality employers, job fairs are an efficient way to connect with a broad pool of candidates. Whether you're hiring for seasonal roles, expanding a service team or opening a new location, attending a job fair helps you meet applicants face-to-face and assess soft skills that are hard to gauge on paper. Participating in job fairs also raises your visibility in the community and helps build a stronger pipeline of local talent. These events are especially useful for small businesses that may not have dedicated recruiting teams or large marketing budgets. With the right presence at a job fair, employers can fill multiple roles and connect with candidates who might not have come through traditional job postings.
How Employers Can Get Involved
Hospitality employers interested in participating in job fairs can connect through several channels:
● Cook County Tourism Alive regularly promotes events that highlight tourism and hospitality roles in local communities.
● The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership coordinates large-scale events like Hospitality Hires, which offer employer registration, candidate pre-screening and interview support.
● Local chambers of commerce and municipal workforce development teams often organize community-focused fairs and can provide outreach support to help employers find the right candidates.
● Partnering with local high schools, community colleges and training programs is another great way to connect with emerging talent entering the hospitality field.
Connecting Communities Through Hospitality Careers
As the hospitality and tourism sectors continue to grow across suburban Cook County, job fairs remain one of the most effective ways to connect employers with people ready to work. Whether you're a job seeker hoping to land your first role or a business looking to build your team, these events create opportunities that go beyond a resume — they build relationships, open doors and support a stronger tourism and hospitality workforce across the region. If you're serious about building a future in hospitality — or strengthening your team — there’s no better time to get involved. Learn more.
