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Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association, Inc.
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Illinois LICA's Annual Convention & Members' Meeting
January 13-15, 2027 ~ East Peoria, IL
The Illinois LICA Convention at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in East Peoria, IL will bring together industry leaders for three days of networking, hands-on product demonstrations on the trade show floor, practical educational seminars, evening entertainment, and a live auction raising money for the ILICA Scholarship Fund. Register today for this exciting event!
Reserve your hotel room by December 23, 2026 to ensure a guaranteed room rate of $129/night, plus tax!
Hotel reservation details will be sent to the email address on your registration or you can reach out to michelle@illica.net / 309.932.1230.
Pre-Conference Tour (on own): NACADE
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Registration Open
3:00 - 6:00 pm
Convention Committee/Hotel Staff Meeting
3:00 pm
Nomination Committee
4:00 pm
Exhibitor Setup
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Awards Committee
4:30 pm
Trivia Night
6:00 pm
Start your convention experience on a high note! Join us for Trivia Night featuring delicious hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and plenty of friendly competition.
Registration Open
7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Devotions
7:30 - 8:30 am
FREE Trade Show
9:00 - 11:00 am
Take advantage of your last opportunity to visit over 40 industry vendors.
Break
10:00 - 10:30 am
Ladies Activity
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Associate Committee Meeting
11:00 am
Education: Digging into What's Next - Positive Response & JULIE's New Software
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
This presentation by JULIE's Brian MacKenzie will cover how to properly use the Positive Response System, why it matters for safety and legal compliance, and how it protects operators from violations and liability. JULIE’s newest ticket entry software features and benefits will also be showcased.
Lunch
12:00 pm
Education: Big Picture Drainage & Water Management Design
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Are you a contractor that installs tile drainage and water management systems? Do your designs account for current and future client needs? Do you design for a field, watershed, and community? Join this experienced panel session to learn more about drainage system and water management system design considerations. You will hear tips, learnings, and experiences from a few ILICA contractor perspectives - LaVerne Weber, Grade Solutions; Jon Seevers, Seevers Farm Drainage; Scott Day, Day Drainage
Exhibitor Teardown
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Education: Beyond the Transaction - Preparing the Business, the Owner, & the Next Chapter
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Tommy Pappas and Tony Perrelli of Northwestern Mutual will help owners assess readiness, identify the right successor or buyer, and align a future transition with their financial and retirement goals. Attendees will also gain insight into the buyer’s perspective and learn how early planning creates fair, sustainable outcomes.
Ice Cream Social
3:00 pm
Education: Tax Updates
3:30 - 4:30 pm
Stay ahead of the latest tax changes with Dustin Courson of Courson & Associates. Join us for a focused tax‑updates session designed to help contractors navigate new rules, maximize deductions, and plan confidently for the year ahead.
Education: Boosting Competitiveness - A Contractor’s Guide to the IL Works Bid Credit Program
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Curious how the IL Works Bid Credit Program can give you an edge on State‑funded bids? Join Rosalia Boccardi, Bid Credit Monitor, for a streamlined educational session covering the Office of IL Works, its creation under the Jobs Program Act (2019), and the core mechanics of earning and using bid credits to boost your competitiveness.
Final Board Meeting
6:00 - 6:30 pm
Dinner, Members' Meeting & Election of Officers
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Associate Hospitality Room
8:30 pm - 1:00 am
Pop into the Associate Hospitality Room one last time before calling it a night to chat about the day's events and to close out the event in the company of friends.
Registration Open
7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Devotions
7:30 - 8:00 am
Jump start your morning with scripture, testimony, and hymns.
Exhibitor Setup
7:30 - 11:30 am
Education: Septic Training
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Get 3 CEU's for the renewal of your Illinois Septic License(s) (installer, pumper, sanitation technition) during this training provided by Doug Ebelherr of Contractor Training Store.
Komatsu Plant Tour
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Join us for an exclusive tour of Komatsu’s Peoria manufacturing facility, where some of the world’s largest electric-drive mining haul trucks are brought to life. These aren’t ordinary trucks—they can carry 200 to 400 tons of material and stand roughly 26 feet tall.
Closed toed shoes and long pants are required to enter the factory. PPE will be provided (hats, eye, and hearing protection).
Break
10:00 - 10:30 am
Welcome Luncheon
12:00 pm
Convention committee chairman welcome and new member recognition.
Ladies Activity
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Trade Show Open
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Explore 40+ industry vendors and connect with Associate members showcasing the latest in equipment, technology, and products.
Break
2:30 - 3:00 pm
Exhibitor Photo
4:00 pm
Happy Hour
5:00 - 6:00 pm
Speculate over the 2026 award recipients with a drink.
Awards Banquet
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Help us recognize those individuals and entities that have contributed so much to the Association over the past year during this formal event. Friends and family welcome.
Live Auction
8:00 - 10:00 pm
Bid on your favorite items from model toys to tools and everything in between during the Live Auction! All proceeds fund the ILICA scholarship.
Associate Hospitality Room
10:00 pm - 1:00 am
Before you turn in for the night, pop on in to the Associate Hospitality Room to congratulate the 2026 award winners one more time. We know they would appreciate it!
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SPONSORS
Education: Septic Training
Doug Ebelherr, Contractor Training Store
Doug is a seasoned industry expert with decades of field and training experience. He will deliver practical instruction for contractors looking to renew their Illinois Septic License(s) (installer, pumper, sanitation technician).
Tour
Komatsu Facility
Join us for an exclusive tour of Komatsu’s Peoria manufacturing facility, where some of the world’s largest electric-drive mining haul trucks are brought to life. These aren’t ordinary trucks - they can carry 200 - 400 tons of material and stand roughly 26 feet tall!
Live Auction
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Join us for a spirited live auction benefiting the Illinois LICA Scholarship Fund! Bid on toys, baked goods, collectibles, tools, and a wide variety of other items while supporting students pursuing post-secondary education.
Education: Digging into What's Next - Positive Response & JULIE's New Software
Brian MacKenzie, JULIE
This presentation will cover how to properly use the Positive Response System, why it matters for safety and legal compliance, and how it protects operators from violations and liability. JULIE’s newest ticket entry software features and benefits will also be showcased.
Education: Big Picture Drainage & Water Management Design
Jon Seevers, Seevers Farm Drainage Inc; LaVerne Weber, Grade Solutions; Scott Day, Day Drainage
Are you a contractor that installs tile drainage and water management systems? Do your designs account for current and future client needs? Do you design for a field, watershed, and community? Join this experienced panel session to learn more about drainage system and water management system design considerations. You will hear tips, learnings, and experiences from a few ILICA contractor perspectives.
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Education: Beyond the Transaction - Preparing the Business, the Owner, & the Next Chapter
Tommy Pappas & Tony Perrelli, Northwestern Mutual
Owners will learn how to assess readiness, identify the right successor or buyer, and align a future transition with their financial and retirement goals. Attendees will also gain insight into the buyer’s perspective and learn how early planning creates fair, sustainable outcomes.
Education: Tax Updates
Dustin Courson: Courson & Associates
Stay ahead of the latest tax changes. Join us for a focused tax‑updates session designed to help contractors navigate new rules, maximize deductions, and plan confidently for the year ahead.
Education: Boosting Competitiveness - A Contractor’s Guide to the IL Works Bid Credit Program
Rosalia Boccardi, Bid Credit Monitor
Curious how the IL Works Bid Credit Program can give you an edge on State‑funded bids? Join us for a streamlined educational session covering the Office of IL Works, its creation under the Jobs Program Act (2019), and the core mechanics of earning and using bid credits to boost your competitiveness.
Trivia Night
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Get ready to put your knowledge to the test! ILICA Trivia Night is back with fast‑paced questions, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs. Bring your crew and see who takes home bragging rights.