February 2026

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Celebrating Illinois Innovation: Join the Makers Madness Contest

It’s time to put your craftsmanship on the bracket! The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s (IMA) 2026 Makers Madness competition officially kicks off on February 16, and they are searching for the next "Coolest Thing Made in Illinois."

Whether you manufacture heavy machinery or artisanal goods, any product made in Illinois is eligible for the award. The winner will earn recognition as the 2026 champion, a featured story in The Illinois Manufacturer and a spotlight at the IMA’s awards luncheon.

Nominations are open at makersmadnessil.com from February 16 through March 8. Don’t let your product sit on the sidelines; nominate your best work today!

3rd Annual Illinois Government Contracting Summit

Ready to scale your manufacturing operations through government contracts?

We’re inviting local manufacturers to connect with IL APEX Accelerators for an exclusive event focused on navigating the public marketplace. Join to gain direct access to upcoming contracting opportunities and insider details from:

• Federal agencies: U.S. Department of War (all branches), Department of Energy, NASA, Veterans Affairs, FAA and more.

• Prime contractors: Accenture, Caterpillar, Deloitte, General Dynamics, Parsons, Walsh Federal, Raytheon, along with others

• State & local entities: State of Illinois, Cook County, City of Chicago and additional municipalities.

• Small business financing: Access U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, private financing and defense venture capital initiatives.

• Innovation hubs: DEFENSEWERX, Fast Center at UIUC, Innovation DuPage and ARI.

Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your government contracting strategy and expand your professional network.

Join Next Street for a webinar bringing together experts from government, industry, and the small business ecosystem for a forward-looking discussion on the state of U.S. industrial transformation in 2026. Speakers will explore emerging macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, the rollout of major federal policy like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and the lessons regions are learning as they attempt to accelerate industrial capacity.

Join MxD and Immersive Labs for a hands-on workshop designed to equip manufacturers with practical solutions to defend against today’s most devastating cyber threats facing the industry. Whether you’re a cybersecurity novice, a seasoned pro, or an executive leader, you’ll walk away with practical and tested solutions to protect your manufacturing operations.

Do you want to implement automation within your business? This webinar hosted by IMEC helps manufacturers learn how to define automation opportunities with precision, clarity and impact. Participants will leave with a repeatable method for scoping automation projects that truly solve production problems.

Join the APEX Accelerator at the Southland Development Authority for a webinar covering the basics of government contracting. Whether you're a small business owner or a seasoned serial entrepreneur, this event is perfect for anyone looking to tap into the world of government contracts.

Join the TMA for fine cigars and discussion examining the March 17th primary election with political strategist Collin Corbett, the political team at Cor Strategies, and members of the TMA Advocacy Team. TMA is tracking the 150-plus candidates running for state and federal office in TMA members regions in the primary election.

Join the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) for a CFO Coffee Chat, bringing together a small group of finance leaders for an engaging discussion on the latest trends shaping manufacturing finance. Discover how manufacturers can use equipment financing to preserve cash and avoid tying depreciating assets to their primary bank lines. Note that this forum is designed primarily for manufacturing finance leaders and CFOs only.

CMMC 2.0 compliance is non-negotiable for defense manufacturers, but the path forward doesn’t have to be paralyzing. Join MxD for a practical roadmap for achieving certification without overspending or missing critical deadlines. Leave with actionable strategies and access to resources designed specifically for manufacturers navigating compliance.

The mHUB HardTech Summit convenes leaders, investors and founders building the physical technologies driving the next industrial era from advanced manufacturing and MedTech to climate, energy and infrastructure. Across one focused day, engage with industry experts and thought leaders as they discuss breakthrough technologies, challenges and opportunities through keynotes, startup pitches and live demos that showcase how hardtech moves breakthrough ideas from concept to commercialization.