Phoenix DREAM Job Fair Returns to GateWay Community College Oct. 22

Published: September 22, 2026 | By LocalJobPage Team

PHOENIX, AZ — One month from today, the Copper Room at GateWay Community College fills with recruiters who came specifically to hire people the rest of the market too often overlooks. The Phoenix DREAM Job Fair returns to the college's campus on 40th Street on Thursday, October 22, with a focus on inclusive hiring for people living with disabilities, veterans, college students, youth and job seekers who have had a harder road into work.

Three hours of face-to-face time with Valley employers, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, plus a prep workshop one week earlier with mock interviews and resume reviews. Register ahead on the organizer's site.

Ready to search? Skip straight to the job links and start searching now →

📍 At a Glance

Event	Phoenix DREAM Job Fair (Fall 2026)
Date	Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time	10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Arizona time)
Location	GateWay Community College, IE Building, Copper Room, 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85034
Prep workshop	Thursday, October 15, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, same venue
Format	In person
Registration	Job seeker registration
Focus	People living with disabilities, U.S. veterans, college students, youth and disadvantaged job seekers

What the Phoenix DREAM Job Fair Is

The DREAM Job Fair has run in Phoenix since 2012 as a volunteer-driven community effort, and it now happens twice a year. The spring 2026 edition was held at GateWay in April, and the fall edition lands in October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Community partners listed by the organizer include UnitedHealthcare, GateWay Community College, Mercy Care, WEDCO, Beacon Group, COPA Health and Banner Health. That mix matters: employment agencies and support providers are part of the picture, not just hiring managers.

It has grown steadily. According to GateWay Community College, the first fair drew 16 employers, and the October 2024 edition brought 40 employers advertising 2,882 open positions. The fall 2026 exhibitor list has not been published yet, so treat those as prior-year numbers, not a promise for this one.

📋 Don't Skip the October 15 Workshop

A week before the fair, on Thursday, October 15, the organizers run a Pre-DREAM Workshop from 9:00 AM to noon in the same Copper Room. It offers mock interviews with employers, resume reviews, and introductions to employment agencies that can help after the fair is over.

If it has been a while since your last interview, this is the low-pressure rehearsal. You walk into October 22 having already practiced with a real recruiter, in the same room.

✅ How to Show Up Ready

Register first. Use the job seeker registration page so employers can see you are coming.
Bring printed resumes. Ten to fifteen copies is safe at a fair this size.
Know the building. The fair is in the Copper Room of the IE Building on GateWay's Washington Street campus, not a hotel ballroom.
Have a 30-second introduction ready. What you do well, what you want next, and when you can start.
Ask about accommodations. An inclusive-hiring fair is exactly the place to raise the question.

The organizer has not published an admission fee for job seekers. Questions about access or accommodations go to the organizers at dreamjobfair@cox.net.

🔎 Where to Aim Your Search

The partner list leans into health care and human services, so start there, then widen to customer service, office and warehouse work. Searching now means you walk in knowing which booths to hit first.

Start here:

FAQ

When is the Phoenix DREAM Job Fair?

Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Arizona time.

Where is it held?

The Copper Room in the IE Building at GateWay Community College, 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85034.

Who should attend?

The fair focuses on inclusive hiring for people living with disabilities, U.S. veterans, college students, youth and disadvantaged job seekers.

Is there a prep event?

Yes. The Pre-DREAM Workshop runs Thursday, October 15, from 9:00 AM to noon at the same venue, with mock interviews and resume reviews.

Do I need to register?

Registration is available on the organizer's job seeker page, and signing up ahead is the smart move.

Which employers will be there?

The fall 2026 employer list has not been posted. The October 2024 fair drew 40 employers.

Walk In With a Plan, Walk Out With Leads

Don't wait a month to start applying. Create a free LocalJobPage profile and put your resume in front of Valley employers today, then browse the Career Center for pay and requirements by role.

Employers: committed to inclusive hiring in Phoenix? Post your openings on LocalJobPage.