DAVENPORT, Iowa — For IowaWORKS, it's a special time of year.
The organization is hosting its 8th annual Quad Cities Success Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The event was created to assist veterans and transitioning service members. It is now open to the public.
"It's like that legacy that keeps on going every year," James Stout, Home Base Iowa coordinator and veteran, said.
"We are excited to help the community connect with employers and the needed resources to help people succeed in diverse careers," Stout added in a press release. "We want to help those people that have recently been job displaced."
There will be a diverse group of employers set to attend Wednesday's fair. 80 companies are expected to come this year, which is almost twice 2023's total.
"We don't focus on industries. We wanted to be rounded," Stout said. "We want to be able to have every [type] of business there... [and] have people who may not consider a career field [walking up] to a table to an employer they've never heard of."
IowaWORKS needed a bigger space to host its expanded hiring fair, so it partnered with NorthPark Mall to host this year's event. They are hoping this space is more accessible to Quad City residents.
"We wanted it to be very accessible to public transportation. Individuals with disabilities, and a well known location," Stout said.
A number of companies are offering on-site interviews, so job-hunters are recommended to have their elevator pitches ready. If you need help creating a resume or want to go through a mock interview, IowaWORKS is also offering assistance as the event gets closer.
"Don't be shy. You've got to get out there and network, and you can find the job you've always wanted," Stout said.
The Quad Cities Success Fair takes place at the NorthPark Mall, in Davenport, Iowa, near the Von Maur department store from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.