OFFICIAL - 12th Chicago Seminars - [cancelled] 2021
 

Update December 7, 2021: there will be no 2021 virtual event. See you October 21-23, 2022 in Chicago.

Update September 30, 2021: the 2021 virtual event date will be December 11, 2021.

Update: August 17, 2021: to give people as much lead time as possible, and considering extensive feedback from attendees, volunteers, and speakers, we have made the decision to hold 2021 virtually on Saturday, October 16. More details to come. Tentative in-person dates are October 21-23, 2022.

Update: August 1, 2021: The Delta variant is causing an increase in cases nationwide amongst both those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated albeit with different levels of severity. Cook County capacity controls and other measures could be introduced. It is still our intention to hold an in-person event, but a final decision will not be made until September 1. Plans for an online event are in place, if necessary. Please stay tuned here for further details. In the meanwhile, stay safe and vaccinate as recommended by your doctor.

Welcome to Chicago Seminars 2021.

Details and guidelines to be filled in this post over the coming week. Check back for updates.

Ticket capacity will be released in stages. As we approach the event date, we then have the flexibility to expand if conditions recommend that.

READ and ACCEPT - Participation Requirements
 

Event will be virtual.

We are amidst a global pandemic. The situation and consideration of hosting this event will be monitored up to the event. Attendance is not anyone's entitlement or forum for political statement.

Federal, state, and local regulations will provide the minimum guidelines for the event.

This is a community event that has thrived for a decade grown from goodwill and care for each other. For that spirit to continue, that may mean some personal accommodation on event precautions that you may personally feel to inconvenience you or you feel to be unnecessary. You can swallow such thoughts and instead focus on the joy we all have of being together in person.

By purchasing a ticket, you agree to follow the event Participation Requirements, which will adapt up to and including the event:

• Mask policy - we will make a decision on masks shortly before the event based on the current conditions. Don’t register for the event if you are not okay with needing to wear a mask at the event. No exceptions / exemptions.
• Vaccine policy - you must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and you must be prepared to prove it in advance of the event. Vaccine 'passports' / verification is a work in progress for the world and we will work on a suitable process. No exceptions / exemptions.
• Good conduct policy - social distancing and similar policies will be adjusted as the situation evolves. You will conduct yourself at the event in a spirit of civility in line with the conduct required by the organizers and on-site volunteers. Should you wish to argue with someone, please limit it to the mirror in your hotel room.
• No chargeback policy - this is a charity event and has operated since inception on a no refunds policy. If the event cancels due to pandemic considerations, your ticket will be used to cover event costs to the degree they cannot be waived, with the balance, as with prior events, going to the designated charities. If you purchase a ticket and your plans change, regulations prevent you from traveling, or you decide you cannot meet these participation requirements, there will be no refund. If at the event you violate the participation requirements, you will be required to immediately depart the event, and there will be no refund. In all cases, you will not make a credit card chargeback for your event ticket. Should you file a chargeback you will be banned from attending future Chicago Seminars events. Be happy that the event charities will benefit from your graciousness, even if you find yourself in that position from lack of graciousness.

Hotel Booking Information
 

Speakers
 

Honorary speakers:

• Rick Ingersoll (event founder, Frugal Travel Guy founder)
• Howie Rappaport (event host for the past decade)

The first round of speakers are:

• Greg Davis-Kean of Frequent Miler
• Tiffany Funk of One Mile at a Time
• Dave Homyak, bikeguy
• Richard Kerr
• Stefan Krasowski of Rapid Travel Chai
• Shae & Stephen Pepper of GC Galore, No Home Just Roam, Frequent Miler
• Nick Reyes of Frequent Miler

More speaker announcements to come!

Sponsorship Opportunities
 

Please contact [email protected] with expressions of interest for the virtual event.

Sponsorships can include:

• 8' Table near the registration desk
• Speaking slot at the Sunday morning Sponsors Workshop
• Raffle prizes

Event Schedule
 

Virtual event schedule TBA.

Schedule coming in July.

To space out lunch crowding, we are looking to have two lunch groups, with sessions ongoing during both, the same topics presented twice so both groups can hear them.

See the 2019 schedule for a sense of what to expect. Sessions start the Friday evening and go to Sunday afternoon.

Event Schedule Outline:

Friday, October 15th

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Registration Desk Open

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Welcome to Chicago Seminars & Conference Sessions

Saturday, October 16th

8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Registration Desk Open

8:30am - 6:15 pm: Conference Sessions

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Happy Hour

Sunday, October 17th

8:00 am - 4:00 pm: Conference Sessions

Charity Raffle & Donations
 

Virtual raffle info TBA.

SkiAdcock says, "Get-t-t your raffle tickets!" Mrp Alert echoes, "GET-T-T YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS!!"

If you'd like to donate anything to the charity raffle, please contact [email protected].

Things like drink chits, lounge passes, amenity kits, upgrade certificates, etc.

Volunteer Opportunities
 

Specific volunteer needs will be posted here.

Alternately, contact [email protected] with your ideas. This is a charity event. We have a group of volunteers that have worked hard for years to steward the event. Non-serious 'volunteering' is not the way to wheedle a free ticket.

We welcome back our veteran volunteers:

• Jerry, Jigger
• John
• Mark, rubesl
• Marty, Mrp Alert
• Prat, HMPS
• Sharon, SkiAdcock
• Ulla
• Win, toomanybooks

Anncouncement Placeholder
 

Placeholder for further event updates.

I will be there!

Woohoo!

(Re)Wedding is the next weekend so I will be able to attend. I am so excited for this.

Will be there.

Hoping I can be there!

It's on my calendar! I'm glad that Southwest is now flying to ORD.

Is it possible to just pay for Friday? I have a guys weekend planned in Chicago that weekend and my friends arrive Saturday morning. Thx