AAAEA ANNUAL EVENT 2026

AAAEA-IL ANNUAL EVENT 2026

Celebrating 30 Years of accomplishments

Save the Date

About the Evening

October 27th, 2026

Our annual event draws over 300 guests from the engineering community each year, headlined by distinguished speakers. The main program is preceded by an exclusive reception for our VIP guests and high-level sponsors.

Drury Lane Theatre & Events

100 Drury Ln, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Get directions

2026 AAAEA-IL ANNUAL EVENT

TBD

Our Annual Event draws over 300 guests from the engineering community annually. The event has always been highlighted by distinguished speakers. The main program will be preceded by an exclusive reception for our VIP Guests and high-level sponsors.

STARTS IN

The Evening Program

Our Main Event Features

An evening of recognition, insight, and connection — here's how it unfolds.

4:30 – 6:00 PM

Registration & Networking

Includes the VIP Reception — sponsors only

6:00 PM

Main Event Begins

AAAEA-IL President's Remarks
Scholarship Awards
Keynote Speech
Dinner
Panel Discussion

OUR MAIN EVENT FEATURES

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Registration and Networking
(VIP Reception For Sponsors Only)
6:00 PM
Start of Main Event
AAAEA-IL President’s Remarks
Scholarship Awards

Keynote Speech

Dinner

Panel Discussion

Distinguished Invited Guests

Our Invited Guests

Leaders from the agencies shaping Illinois infrastructure join us for the evening.

Special Guest

Gia Biagi

Secretary

Illinois Department of Transportation

IDOT

Illinois Department of Transportation

Tom Carney

Assistant Secretary

Lora Rensing

Director of Highways & Chief Engineer

José Rios

Region 1 Engineer

Steve Schilke

Bureau Chief of Programming, Region 1

TOLLWAY

Illinois Tollway

Cassaundra Rouse

Executive Director

Manar Nashif

Chief Engineering Officer

CDWM

Chicago Dept. of Water Management

Randy Conner

Commissioner

CDA

Chicago Department of Aviation

Michael McMurray

Commissioner

Frank Grimaldi

Deputy Commissioner

Jeff Wytaniec

Assistant Commissioner, Design & Construction

With Gratitude

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Their support makes this evening possible.

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Invited Speakers

Gia Biagi
Illinois Secretary of Transportation

Cassaundra Rouse
Executive Director, Illinois Tollway

Issam Rayan
Region 1, Engineer of Project Implementation, IDOT

Jose Rios
Region 1 Engineer of IDOT

Jennifer “Sis” Killen
Superintendent of Cook County, DOT

Lora Rensing
Director of Highways, IDOT

Manar Nashif
Chief Engineering Officer, Illinois Tollway

OUR INVITED GUESTS

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Gia Biagi

Illinois Secretary of Transportation

Lora Rensing

Director of Highways, IDOT

Jose Rios

Region 1 Engineer, IDOT

Issam Rayyan

Region 1, Engineer of Project Implementation, IDOT

Cassaundra Rouse

Executive Director, Illinois Tollway

Manar Nashif

Chief Engineering Officer, Illinois Tollway

Randy Conner

Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Water Management

Stephen M. Travia

Director of Transportation, DuPage County

Catherine O'Connor

Director of Engineering, MWRD

Jennifer "Sis" Killen

Superintendent of Cook County, Department of Transportation and Highways

Be Part of the Evening

Attend or Sponsor

Reserve your seat for the 30th Anniversary Gala — or put your firm's name behind the celebration.

Individual Tickets

Buy Individual Tickets

AAAEA-IL Member$100
Non-Member$350
Government Employee$65

Purchase your ticket

AAAEA-IL Member Tickets: 100 USD
AAAEA-IL Non-Member Tickets: 350 USD
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE TICKET REGISTRATION: 65 USD

Brand recognition at the event
Logo featured on promotional materials
VIP reception access
Premium event seating
Speaking opportunities at select levels

2025 Annual Event Sponsors

AAAEA-IL · 30th Anniversary Gala

2026 Annual Event Sponsorship Levels

Partner with us to celebrate thirty years of achievement. Every level puts your firm in front of the region's engineering and architecture community — choose the one that fits.

Presenting Tier · Limited spots

Scholarship Guardian

$7,500

per sponsorship · only a few available Become a sponsor

1-minute speaking opportunity to showcase your firm — or a 1-minute media session played during the event*
Verbal recognition during the event
Logo on the website & all promotional material*
4 passes to the VIP Reception (sponsor-exclusive)
Full table — 8 premium seats

Platinum

Platinum Sponsorship

$5,000

per sponsorship

Up to 30-second media session played during the event*
Verbal recognition during the event
Logo on website & all promotional material*
3 passes to the VIP Reception (sponsor-exclusive)
Full table — 8 premium seats

Become a sponsor

Gold Plus

Gold Plus Sponsorship

$3,500

per sponsorship

Verbal recognition during the event
Logo on website & all promotional material*
2 passes to the VIP Reception (sponsor-exclusive)
Full table — 8 premium seats

Become a sponsor

Gold

Gold Sponsorship

$3,000

per sponsorship

Verbal recognition during the event
Logo on website & all promotional material*
2 passes to the VIP Reception (sponsor-exclusive)
Half table — 4 premium seats

Become a sponsor

Full Table

$2,000

per table

Verbal recognition during the event
Logo on website & all promotional material*
Full table — 8 premium seats

Reserve a table

*All business logos and media must be emailed to the Communication Director at comm@aaaea.org no later than TBD.

2026 ANNUAL EVENT SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

SCHOLARSHIP GUARDIAN ($7,500)
Limited spots available

Verbal recognition during the event

1-minute speaking opportunity to showcase your firm/organization during the event or Up to 1-minute media session to be played during the event*