Construction Resource Fair: Building On Our Promise of Opportunity

In November, the Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC) hosted a Construction Resource Fair—and residents and business owners showed up ready to learn how they can compete, contribute, and thrive in the industry. 

Held at the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Training Facility, the fair attracted approximately 75 attendees and more than 25 partners, including contractors, government agencies, community organizations, contractors’ associations, workforce groups, industry leaders, and compliance professionals. This work is part of our commitment to leveraging the Bally’s Chicago Casino project to expand access for Chicagoans who have historically been excluded from the construction industry, and reflects our promise to foster a more inclusive, collaborative sector. 

Throughout the day, we met motivated residents and business owners eager for opportunity. Conversations flowed, business cards were exchanged, and new relationships took root. Everyone left with more connections—and more possibilities—than they came with. 

Whether attendees joined us to explore career pathways, grow a business, or build partnerships, the success of the event helped demonstrate what truly inclusive development can be. 

Miguel d’Escoto, Project Executive with CCBC and Senior Project Manager for d’Escoto Inc., welcomes attendees to the Construction Resource Fair.  

We are grateful to Alicia Garcia-Abner (on the right with green bag), President and CEO of Trinal Inc., Bally’s Chicago’s compliance and data reporting consultant, and all our community partners who helped make the fair a success.  

It was important to us to have organizations that support small businesses present like the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The fair presented a tremendous networking opportunity for community partners, small business owners, and jobseekers.  

Ernest Brown, CCBC joint venture partner and President of Brown & Momen, offered encouragement to attendees to pursue their dream of working in the construction industry. 

Denisha Broida (far right), the fair’s lead coordinator and Community Impact and Engagement Manager, and Gerri Harris, Community Impact and Engagement Lead, both for CCBC joint venture partner Gilbane Building, speaks with fair attendees at the Bally’s table. Harris proudly sports Bally’s red and a trademark bandana from CCBC workforce partner Chicago Women in Trades.  

A text or email cannot replace face-to-face interaction, and attendees took full advantage of the opportunity. 

A Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council representative shares information about its mission and services.