AAAEA-IL ANNUAL EVENT 2026
Celebrating 30 Years of accomplishments
Save the Date
About the Evening
October 21st, 2026Our 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
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
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
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
Sponsorship
Sponsor Our Event
- Brand recognition at the event
- Logo featured on promotional materials
- VIP reception access
- Premium event seating
- Speaking opportunities at select levels
Buy Individual tickets
- AAAEA-IL Member Tickets: 100 USD
- AAAEA-IL Non-Member Tickets: 350 USD
- GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE TICKET REGISTRATION: 65 USD
Sponsor Our Event
- 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
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
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
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
Full Table
Full Table
$2,000
per table- Verbal recognition during the event
- Logo on website & all promotional material*
- Full table — 8 premium seats
*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*
Sponsor logo displayed on the website and all promotional material*
4 Passes to the VIP Reception (Available For Sponsors Only)
Full Table – 8 Seats Premium Seating
PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP ($5000)
Verbal recognition during the event
Up to 30-second media session to be played during the event*
Sponsor logo displayed on the website and all promotional material*
3 Passes to the VIP Reception (Available For Sponsors Only)
Full Table – 8 Seats Premium Seating
GOLD PLUS SPONSORSHIP ($3500)
Verbal recognition during the event
Sponsor logo displayed on the website and all promotional material*
2 Passes to the VIP Reception (Available For Sponsors Only)
Full Table – 8 Seats Premium Seating
GOLD SPONSORSHIP ($3000)
Verbal recognition during the event
Sponsor logo displayed on the website and all promotional material*
2 Passes to the VIP Reception (Available For Sponsors Only)
Half Table – 4 Seats Premium Seating
Full Table
($2000)
Verbal recognition during the event
Sponsor logo displayed on the website and all promotional material*
Full Table – 8 Seats Premium Seating
*All Business logos and media must be emailed to the Communication Director at comm@aaaea.org no later than TBD