I am booked at the ORD Hilton. What would be the best way for me to get to the venue?

Walk outside to the O'Hare Shuttle Center and take the host hotel's shuttle.

You would have to check if this is doable via the hotel shuttle. But IMO, Lou Malnati's completely toasts Giordano's and Gino's for deep dish pizza.

http://www.loumalnatis.com/Locations/Details.aspx?ID=8

It is about 3 or 4 miles NW on Higgins Rd from your hotel.

poptarts, I'm sure my wife and I could be convinced to give you a ride (and join you for dinner).

Let's just say, that's debatable. :)

Though I shall not be judgmental and let the guests of the city pick. Either place is more 'local' than many other choices in the area.

To all the readers of the thread, be forewarned ... the "best" Chicago style deep dish pizza is a discussion here that is often approached with near religious intensity :D

Since "best" is always subjective and since this is the thread for the CHI Seminars, maybe you can continue the "best deep dish pizza in Chicago" discussion on Dining Buzz forum :)

SPG Properties close by
 

Anyone have thoughts on which is the better SPG property to stay at nearby the event, the Westin NW or the Sheraton Suites Elk Grove?

Not sure if either offers a shuttle to the event, but if they don't and anyone wants to split a cab let me know.

Unfortunately, no shuttles. I'm contemplating staying at the Sheraton Suites for 3,000 points on Saturday. It is closer than Westin according to the map, but then I'm mindful of real travel time and costs that can be an entirely different matter. Anyone local know how much a cab fare would be between those two properties?

Shouldn't be more than $12-$15 (plus extra pax and tolls, if any). Remember that this is a suburban area. You cannot flag a cab down; you or the hotel must call for one.

I use American Taxi (http://www.americantaxi.com/, (847) 253-4411) or 303 Taxi (http://www.303taxi.com/index.aspx, (847) 303-0303), but I imagine both hotels have their preferred companies, too.

The good news is that at both properties there's almost always at least one taxi from these companies waiting for a fare. And if not the hotel can usually get one there within 15 minutes. Going the other way I'm sure both companies will figure out that the host hotel will be a good source of business for evening fares.

+1 to legalalien on the two cab companies.

I live in the NW suburbs of Chicago and these are the two main cab companies for the area.

Both are large and have excellent reputations. I personally use American Taxi, but that is just a personal preference. I am sure there are lots of folks in my area that swear by 303 as well.

UA Discount Code
 

United has provided discount pricing for those flying in to attend Chicago Seminars 2012!

Here are the highlights:
Sorry but discounts do not apply to tickets already issued.

Let me know if you have questions, comments or problems and I'll do what I can to assist.

Just remembered I signed-up for this...getting excited!!

SFO-ORD Down to $237 w/UA Discount Code
 

If you haven't yet bought you ticket for Chicago Seminars 2012, live in the Bay Area and can extend your stay in the Windy City thru Tue - 10/16, then thanks to Virgin America's fare sale you can get your ticket today (9/4) only on United for only $237 RT!

Currently showing UA 734 SFO/ORD 0559/1209 752 and UA 1715 SFO/ORD 0938/1557 738 on Fri -10/12 as available with returns on TUE - 10/16 on almost every flight ORD/SFO although a few flights have only a handful of seats left (departure time / # seats left - * if many seats): 0605/*, 0705/*, 0818/4, 0921/4, 11055/3, 1222/*, 1318/7, 1533/*, 1939/* and 2045/*.

Book on United.com and use Offer Code = "ZNMN536026".

Thanks all for the taxi answers. I guess it's better than I thought.