Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TLV now - formerly LAS
Programs: King of Rental Cars, AA MM Gold, A3 Gold, BA Gold, SK Gold,Virgin Atlantic Gold, Hotel SuperElite
Posts: 7,422
Important Policies
Important Policies:
Since the first Chicago Seminars, we have had the following polices, and by attending, you agree to such:- Tickets are nonrefundable but are transferable for a $25 charitable donation
- No chargebacks on tickets
- If you break any of the terms or are asked to leave by the organizers for any reason, you will not be allowed to attend any future Chicago Seminars
Seating:
In past years, Chicago Seminars has been near capacity limits with standing room only in some sessions. Attendance may be limited for some sessions due to room size and attendees will be asked to select which sessions they prefer to attend. Priority will be based on ticket purchase date with earliest ticket holders receiving the highest priority. If needed, this process will be detailed and implemented at least one month prior to the event. If a registration is transferred, the ticket purchase date will reflect the most recent issue date.
Schedule: The following is a tentative schedule and subject to change:
Friday, October 13, 2023
4:00 PM: Registration Opens
5:30 PM: Opening Remarks
6:00 PM: Friday Night Sessions
8:30 PM: Reception (Two drinks included)
Saturday, October 14, 2023
7:30 AM: Registration Opens
8:00 AM: Saturday Morning Sessions
12:00 PM: Saturday Lunch (Included)
1:00 PM: Saturday Afternoon Sessions
6:30 PM: Happy Hour
8:00 PM: Dinner (Not included)
Sunday, October 15, 2023
8:00 AM: Sunday Morning Sessions
12:00 PM: Sunday Lunch (Included)
1:00 PM: Sunday Afternoon Sessions
4:00 PM: Closing Remarks
5:00 PM Late Night Flight Hang – at Airline Lounges or Hotel Bar (Not included)
Hotel Booking Information: There are a limited number of rooms available at the host hotel, Holiday Inn Chicago - Elk Grove, for $129, which includes a continental breakfast. Once your ticket is purchased, the hotel booking link will be shared with you in the ticket confirmation email. Only ticketed attendees are allowed to reserve through this link or in the hotel room block. Each ticket holder can only reserve one room. If for some reason a person who has not registered for the event books within the hotel room block, the reservation will be canceled. Hotel rooms are on a first come, first served availability. The Hotel Booking Link will not work on the IHG app. Please use a desktop or mobile browsing app such as chrome.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsorship packages start at $500 and can be personalized to suit any needs. Potential benefits include:- Promotional email to attendees sent via event email account
- Complimentary registrations
- Presentation opportunities
- Sponsor table in lobby area
- VIP event seating at every session
- Access to Saturday Night Invite-Only After-Party
- Opportunity to donate raffle prizes
Please email [email protected] if you would like to be a sponsor or if you know a person or business which might want to be a sponsor.
Charity Raffle: Chicago Seminars raises thousands of dollars for charitable organizations through its Charity Raffle each year. 100% of these proceeds go to charity. In 2023, the selected charities are:
Miles4Migrants – Mile4Migrants’ mission is to uphold human rights by removing transportation barriers that impact the most vulnerable forced migrants
Airline Ambassadors International – Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) helps orphans and vulnerable children worldwide by leveraging connections with the airline industry towards humanitarian service
Both travel- and non-travel-related items are being sought for the Charity Raffle. If you have items to donate, please email [email protected] and bring the item(s) with you to the event. No value is too small. Raffle tickets can be purchased via credit card and you do not have to be present to win.
Volunteer Opportunities:
It takes a village to run an event such as this, and your help is still needed, especially during the event. If you would like to assist, please email [email protected]. Volunteering does not provide a complimentary registration, but is what allows the event to occur.
Volunteers are needed in the following areas:
During Event:- Registration
- Audio/visual set-up and monitoring
- Raffle ticket sales
- Room-entry monitors
- Errand running (if you have a vehicle)
- General help
Pre-planning of Event:- Publicity
- Logistics
- Printing
- Website updates
- Logo design
Etiquette and Rules: This is a volunteer event for the points and miles community. Each attendee is expected to be respectful during all official and non-official events. The following are a few rules that need to be expressed at each event as they are particularly important:
Recording any presentation in any way is not allowed without advance explicit permission from both the event organizer and presenter. Violators will be immediately dismissed without refund. This policy respects the speakers’ content and allows open discussion of topics, some of which are intended to not be made public.
The purchase of a ticket requires acceptance to all terms and conditions stated during the ticketing process including, but not limited to, liability of any kind.
Closing Remarks
Please remember this event is organized by volunteers and complaining takes a toll on the mental capacity of both organizers and volunteers. Even though you paid for the event, please keep negative comments to yourself. If you have a serious and immediate concern, ask to speak to one of the main organizers rather than explaining the situation to a volunteer or another attendee.
The following addresses in advance some prior issues:
Registration cost increased? This is a two-and-a-half-day event compared to some one-day events which are much more expensive. Plus, you’ve paid much more for annual fees. Also remember this is a charity event.
Nametag misprinted? We will print you a new nametag. Maybe not as fast as you prefer, but it will be faster than an airline will get you replacement elite bag tags.
Have to wait in a lengthy line for lunch? The lines for the Centurion Lounge and Delta SkyClubs are often longer.
Don’t like the food? You’ve had worse in Priority Pass lounges.
Meeting room is hot? You willingly flew on and survived Asia based airlines with no air nozzles.
Event isn’t hosted at your preferred hotel chain? The Holiday Inn Chicago – Elk Grove takes exceptionally good care of us.
Too many people seated around you? Become a sponsor and have access to VIP seating.
Last edited by Mrp Alert; Jul 19, 2023 at 1:01 pm
Reason: Formatting and minor edits