VALEES SPARK! Career Extravaganza 4/28/2026
On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, President/CEO Renee Kryger and Membership Assistant Kelly Waynauskas attended the SPARK! Career Extravaganza at the Fox Valley Family YMCA - Central Branch, on behalf of the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce, reinforcing the Chamber’s commitment to workforce development and youth engagement in our community.
The event welcomed nearly 600 ninth-grade students from 10 local high schools, providing an exciting opportunity for students to explore a wide variety of career pathways through hands-on activities and meaningful interactions with industry professionals.
Chamber staff connected directly with students by hosting an interactive industry-interest poll, asking participants what fields they might be interested in pursuing after high school. The conversations that followed were lively, insightful, and encouraging, highlighting students’ curiosity and enthusiasm for future career possibilities.
A sincere thank you to our Premier Member, Mars Wrigley, for their generous candy donation that helped keep students energized throughout the day—your support truly added a sweet touch to the event.
We also extend a special thank you to VALEES for hosting the SPARK! Career Extravaganza and for their continued dedication to encouraging career exploration and real-world learning opportunities for our young adults. Events like this play a vital role in preparing the next generation for success.
Several Chamber members were present, representing a variety of industries and contributing to impactful conversations that helped students envision their futures close to home including:
- Earthmover Credit Union
- Engineering Enterprises, Inc.
- BrightFarms
- Edith Farnsworth House
- Waubonsee Community College
- Kendall County Health Department
- TANJ Cybersecurity Technology
- Rush Copley Medical Center
The Chamber is proud to support initiatives that connect education, business, and workforce development.