The Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association returns to Bloomington Jan. 22-23 with a free trade show, education sessions and more than 40 vendors.
BLOOMINGTON - “Turning Soil into Success!” will be more than a slogan when the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association opens its annual trade show and convention Jan. 22–23 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington. The two-day event, which is free and open to the public, marks another chapter in a tradition that has spanned more than 65 years. Long a centerpiece of the Illinois LICA Annual Convention and Members’ Meeting, the trade show again invites contractors, landowners, producers and curious newcomers to explore the latest tools, techniques and trends shaping land improvement and conservation across the state. This year’s program blends hands-on learning with networking and entertainment. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and Grossinger Motors Arena, while also taking part in educational sessions designed to deliver practical, job-ready knowledge. Septic license continuing education units will be available, and more than 40 vendors will be on hand to showcase equipment, technology and services related to earthmoving, drainage, utilities and conservation practices. Education remains a cornerstone of the convention. One featured session will examine the impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the sweeping federal tax and spending package passed in May 2025. Dustin Courson of Courson & Associates will break down how the changes apply to construction and land improvement businesses. Another session focuses on job costing and edge-of-field practices, offering guidance for contractors interested in expanding into conservation drainage solutions such as bioreactors and saturated buffers. Presenters include Jon Seevers of Seevers Farm Drainage, LaVerne Weber of Grade Solutions and Joe Streitmatter of Streitmatter Land Improvement. When the workday winds down, the convention shifts into celebration mode. Evening activities include the ILICA awards banquet, a live auction supporting the ILICA scholarship fund, dueling pianos, and a hospitality room designed to keep conversations going long after the sessions end. Organizers say reopening the trade show to the public reflects the association’s commitment to education and outreach. The event is designed not only for contractors, but also for agribusiness professionals, conservation partners and landowners interested in understanding how modern land improvement practices support productivity and sustainability. The trade show will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23. Additional information is available at http://www.illica.net/events or by calling 309-932-1230.
