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2024 Annual APRIL Conference Registration Information!

 
30th Annual APRIL Conference. Sharing Pearls of Wisdom in Chicago. All "o's" in the words are pearls. Outline skyline of Chicago in blue color is at the bottom of the image and says "2024" with a star made of pearls.

October 11-13, 2024
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

2233 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616

 

 

2024 Conference Schedule

Friday 10/11/24 Pre-Conference, Lead On, and Youth Conference Day

 8:00 AM (Regency Foyer, 2nd Floor) Registration for Pre-Con and Youth Events ONLY and Sensory Free Room Opens in Lake Shore Drive – 2nd Floor and is all day Friday

 

 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Grant Park C) Youth Conference: "Eras:" Breakfast starts at 8:00 AM (Regency CDE, 2nd Floor)

*Gender Neutral Bathroom located outside Grant Park

 

 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Adler AB) APRIL "Lead On" Collaborative: Breakfast starts at 8:00 AM (Regency CDE, 2nd Floor)

*Gender Neutral Bathroom located outside Grant Park

 9:15 AM- 4:00 PM (Regency A, 2nd Floor)

Pre-Conference in partnership with ACL (morning session only). 

AM Session: ACL new reporting tool (Mcfadden);

PM Session Panel of Experts: Are you Audit Ready? (Fonseca, Fox-Quamme, Dolan, Pike, Mitchell)

Breakfast starts at 8:00 AM (Regency CDE, 2nd Floor)

 

 Noon - 1:30 PM LUNCH (Regency CDE, 2nd Floor)

 

 2:00 – 5:00 PM (Regency Foyer, 2nd Floor) Registration opens for All Attendees

 

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Prairie B) Annual Membership Meeting

 

6:30 PM- 7:30 PM (Tap Room) Welcome Reception and Meet & Greet with APRIL's New Executive Director. Light snacks provided

 

Saturday, 10/12/2024 – CONVENTION CENTER SIDE

8:00 AM (Grand Ballroom Lobby – Convention Center Side)

Registration Opens, Vendor Booths Set Up, T-Shirts go on Sale,

Sensory Free Room opens (S101B)

 

9:00 - 11:00 AM (Grand Ballroom – S100A)

Welcome Session

(LaBelle, Gibson, Local Reps, IRRC, Access Living, Blessing)

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Grand Ballroom Lobby) Visit Vendor Booths

12:00 -1:30 PM (Grand Ballroom – S100 BC)

Plated Luncheon

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM Transition to Workshops

 

2:00 PM-3:00 PM Workshops Block 1

 

S102A: The ABCs of Advocacy: Moving from Me to We (Clift)

 

S102BC: Rural Communication Strategies Roundtable: Working with Public Libraries and Local Partners (Gutierrez, Hoard)

S102D: Ethical & Professional Compliance: Addressing Rehabilitation, Psychotherapy & Service Profession Concerns (Dr. Lewis)

 

S103A: Starting with SoIL: How our CIL Youth Program is Growing (Hayes, Nevins)

 

Saturday, 10/12/2024 Continued

S103BC: Engaging IL Partners in SPIL Implementation (Wilson, Leviton, Richardson, Wilcox, Mitchell)

 

S103D: Emergency Preparedness: Creating a Way for CILs to Provide Training (Talley)

3:00 PM- 3:30 PM BREAK

3:30 PM-5:00 PM Workshops Block 2

 

S102A: 3 Duties of Board Service and How to make them relevant to a CIL (Mitchell)

S102BC: Social Media, Marketing, and Branding for CILs (Patterson)

S102D: Lobbying vs Advocacy (Stonemeier, Endres)

S103A: Youth Leadership Forum was great!  What’s next?

NCILS (Hermanson, Besaw)

 

S103BC: Creating Resource Disaster Response Teams with the Whole Community (Mann, Garrett, OEM Panel)

S103D: RAP (Restaurant Access Points) Everyone Deserves a Seat at the Table (Butler)

 

8:00 PM - 12:00 AM (S100A)

Dance for Youth and Young at Heart (Light snacks provided)

 

Sunday, 10/13/2024 – CONVENTION CENTER SIDE

9:00 AM (Grand Foyer) T-Shirts Go on Sale! Vendors Open!

Sensory Free Room – S101B opens

9:00 - 10:00 AM (Grand Ballroom – S100A)

General Session: Building Strength and Momentum within your state IL Networks (Wisconsin IL Network panel)

10:00 AM- 10:30 AM: Transition to Workshops

 

10:30-12:00 Workshops Block 3

 

S102A: Enhancing Access in Physical Spaces Through NaviLens (Harper)

 

S102BC: Reaching Rural: Building Connections Using the Rural Outreach Toolkit (Greiman, RTC: Rural)

S102D: Keeping to the Path: A Roadmap for Pedestrian and Transportation Advocacy (Brooks)

S103A: Expanding CIL Public Health Expertise: The Pandemic and Beyond (Fox-Quamme, Dr. Williams)

S103BC: Caring for the Mental Health of Caregivers in Rural and Agricultural Communities (Nicoletti-Martinez)

S103D: Better Together! How to Standardize Home Modification Programming Among CILs (Sithong, Home for Life Design)

12:00-1:30 PM LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

 

Sunday, 10/13/2024 Continued

 

1:30 PM- 2:30 PM Workshops Block 4

 

S102A: Solutions to Cultural Diversity Challenges and the Intersection of Race and Disability (Dr. Lewis)

 

S102BC: The Role of Centers for Independent Living in the Veteran Directed Care Program (Stonemeier)

 

S102D: Paving the Way to Self-Determination (Fortney, Kooy)

 

S103A: Empowering Future Leaders: The Young Adult Advocates Leadership (Y.A.A.L) Club (Hunter, Shepard)

 

S103BC: Empowering Remote Caregiving with Assistive Technology (Scheibe)

 

S103D: Stimming in Public (Adira)

2:30 PM-3:00 PM BREAK

Sunday, 10/13/2024 Continued

3:00 PM- 4:30 PM Workshops Block 5

 

S102A: Are you a CIL or SILC Board Member? (ILRU)

 

S102BC: Beyond the Storm: CILs Leading the Way in Disaster Recovery and Community Support (Shipton, panel)

 

S102D: How Does Your Accessible Garden Grow (Jones)

S103A: Partnering for Research at Your CIL: An interactive workshop on strategies for success (Standley, Sage, Shepard)

S103BC: Importance of Individualized (Prison) Re-Entry Plans (Sharif Brown)

 

S103D: Disability Voices: How to Launch a Successful Podcast (Kendra Brown)

6:30 - 9:00 PM (Regency Ballroom – HOTEL SIDE – 2nd Floor)

Awards Banquet and Plated Dinner, Raffle, Board Recognitions, Youth Final Word

That’s a Wrap!

 

 

 

2024 APRIL Linda Gonzales Award Nominations Closed on September 13, 2024

 

 

APRIL Youth Conference Scholarship Applications Closed August 1, 2024

 

 

Hotel Reservation Information:

 

We know that airports and transportation can be complicated, so we want things to be as smooth as possible.

When you are getting into the airport in Chicago, there are 2 main airports: One is Chicago O’ Hare International airport or (ORD) as you may see it on airline tickets and google or Apple Maps. This airport is 1 hour away from the hotel, which is a lot of additional commute as well as Uber money. If this is the only airport your airline will take you, that’s not your fault; however, we strongly encourage you to find flights that land in the Chicago Midway International Airport or the (MWD) as you may see on the airline ticket or google or Apple Maps. 

From there, (no matter which airport you are in) you will follow the signs to go to your baggage claim, get your bags and go out to the exit. Once outside the exit, look around for signs that tell you what terminal you are in; A lot of times, the map on your phone will let you know which terminal you’re in too. If you are still unsure what terminal you are in, ask a staff member at the airport that is by the exit. Then, usually across the street from the airport or right in front of the curb, there should be signs of Uber/Lyft pick up area. Go to the Uber/Lyft pick up area and then order the transportation so they pick you up right where you are. You put in the hotel address for the destination. 

Hopefully this helps people who have never flown before, or get anxiety about getting to the hotel.

 

Location:

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

2233 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago, IL 60616

October 11-13, 2024

[Pre Conference and Youth Conference are held on October 11, 2024]

 

A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at a rate of:

  • $219/night + tax = $257.08; single or double
  • This rate is good 3 days pre / post conference dates

Click this link to be taken directly to the Hyatt Group Booking Page for the APRIL Conference

These rates were guaranteed to APRIL conference attendees until September 18, 2024. 

Any reservations received after this date are subject availability.

If you would prefer to call and book your reservation, you must mention the APRIL group when booking. Phone Number: 312-567-1234.

 

 

Travel & Other Important Information for Conference Attendees:

 

Helpful Travel Resource Information:

 

AIRPORT / TRAVEL INFORMATION

  • Midway Airport (MDW) is 9 miles from Hyatt Regency McCormick      
  • Airport website: www.flychicago.com 
  • You can fly into O’Hare but please note: it is a 50+ minute commute to the hotel due to traffic.  **Southwest flights into O’Hare land at the International Terminal which is at least a mile walk to baggage claim.

 

TRANSPORTATION

NOTICE TO CONFERENCE ATTENDEES:

Please make sure when you arrive at the airport in Chicago (Midway or O’Hare) that you FOLLOW THE SIGNAGE to the designated Taxi stand or Uber/Lyft stands.  You may see people at or near baggage claim holding signs for TAXI.  DO NOT use them!!  Charges will be triple what the regulated Taxis / Uber / Lyft are allowed to charge.  IT IS A SCAM.

  • There are a wide variety of taxi options to the hotel. 
  • Uber and Lyft are also available.

 

PERSONAL ASSISTANT SERVICES & DME REQUESTS

  • PSA: Access Living Chicago (312) 640-2100
  • Scooter Rentals: available on-site at the Convention Center

For wheelchairs, mobility scooters, power chairs and oxygen equipment rentals, contact our preferred service partner, Scootaround Mobility Solutions at 888-441-7575 or visit https://locations.scootaround.com/en/chicago

 

To read all this information in a PDF form, click this link to download

 

Reminders: 

  • The APRIL Conference is fragrance-free
  • There are no mask requirements for this year's conference
  • APRIL is not responsible for underage attendees

 

 

You can now register with Standard Registration prices (both as an APRIL member and non-APRIL member), register to vend/exhibit at the Conference, and register to be a sponsor of our milestone 30th Annual APRIL Conference.

See links below for more information:

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Elissa Ellis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 501-753-3400.


Standard Conference Registration:

 

  • APRIL Member Price = $400
  • Non-Member Price = $500
  • Youth Conference Price = $100
  • Pre-Conference Sessions (both) Price = $100
    • Afternoon Pre-Conference Session: Are you Audit ready?
    • Morning Pre-Conference Session:  ACL and the new reporting tool

Click here to be taken to our registration form

 

Vendor/Exhibitor Registration Now Open:

 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a vendor at the Annual APRIL Conference.  Our event will begin with our Pre-Conference and Youth Conference on October 11th, and will end with our annual banquet on October 13th at 9 PM Central Time. Your vendor table may be set up any time during these hours. Please note participants may visit your booth at any point during the event. We will have a dedicated time carved out in the agenda on October 12th for participants to visit booths. You will want to be set up by 9:00 am Central Time on October 12th in order to maximize your reach.

  • Conference Vendor/Exhibitor Price (1 table) for Non-Profit Organizations = $500
  • Conference Vendor/Exhbitor Table Price (1 table) for For-Profit Organizations = $750
  • Additional Vendor/Exhibitor Table Price (for a total of 2 tables) = additional $250

Click here to be taken to the 2024 APRIL vendor/exhibitor registration form

 

APRIL Conference Sponsorship Opportunities

Your conference sponsorship would be greatly appreciated by our membership and the community in which we hold our conference. We have several support and payment options listed below for your convenience.

 

Corporate Sponsorships:

Corporate sponsors receive waived conference fees, exhibit booth if requested, full page color advertisement space on the Conference website, Newsletter and Annual Report recognition, and recognition on the APRIL website! You will also receive an honorary membership in APRIL.

 

Corporate Sponsor Levels:

  • Gold = $50,000
  • Silver = $25,000
  • Bronze = $15,000

If you want to help sponsor the APRIL Conference in other capacities, check out some options to give back and support us:

 

Food/Break Sponsorships:

  • Break Sponsor - $4,000
  • Co-Sponsor of Luncheon = $7,000
  • Luncheon Sponsor = $11,000
  • Co-Sponsor of Banquet = $10,000
  • Sponsor of Banquet - $25,000

 

Workshop/Programming Sponsorship:

  • Youth Dance = $2,000
  • Youth Conference = $10,000
  • CART Sponsor = $4,000
  • ASL Sponsor = $3,500

 

Conference Website Ad Space:

  • Conference Website Advertisement = $600

 

Please note that you can donate in multiple categories as well as provide a general donation. Any and all donations help ensure our conference runs as smoothly as possible! With your help, we can make this year's 30th Annual Conference a huge success and one to remember!

 

Click here to be taken to the 2024 Conference Sponsorship form

 

 

As our 30th Annual Conference, we are thrilled to celebrate in Chicago, Illinois because of the common theme surrounding pearls.

The Fox River in Illinois has historically been known for it's pearls. Fun Fact: A 1911 article in the Record, a local newspaper, reported that $2 million in freshwater pearls were being harvested in Illinois annually.

This meshes perfectly with this year being our 30th Annual APRIL Conference, as 30th anniversaries are known as the "Pearl Anniversary".