2026 Today's Challenge, Tomorrow's Reward Conference

The Illinois Department of Transportation, through its Office of Business Workforce Diversity, is seeking a hotel partner in Peoria County to host and provide logistics for the 2026 Today's Challenge, Tomorrow's Reward Conference. This is a major statewide event aimed at fostering networking, education, and business opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises engaged in federally funded highway projects, with an emphasis on minority and women-owned businesses across diverse fields such as construction, trucking, engineering, and consulting. The event, running for over thirty years, is intended to help these businesses become more competitive and is aligned with federal objectives from the Federal Highway Administration. The successful contractor will need to accommodate approximately 400 attendees for a two-day conference on one of the specified date pairs in March or April 2026. Key requirements include providing event space for the general session, banquets, and at least four breakout rooms, all equipped with audio visual and wireless internet access. Catering is required for all meals with attention to dietary needs, and services such as event setup, takedown, janitorial, and parking must be included. Bidders must comply with relevant legal and regulatory commitments related to minority participation but do not face specific set-aside restrictions. The anticipated contract term covers eight months leading up to the event, with an estimated value range between $500,000 and $1,500,000.