Annual Conference Registration

Registration for the 186th Northern Illinois Annual Conference will open on April 1 and close on May 23 at noon. 

There will be NO LATE REGISTRATIONS.
A REMINDER: Only those who have registered and have voting credentials will be seated within the bar of Annual Conference. If your church has a Lay Member who is unable to attend, a registered official Alternate Lay Member can take their place. If your Alternate Lay Member has not yet registered for Annual Conference, you MUST contact Rev. Ryan Sutton, chair of the Credentials Committee, no later than Sun., June 8. Alternates needing to register due to health issues or unforeseen circumstances will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Because no registrations will be taken at Annual Conference, alternate lay members must be approved before annual conference convenes. Please contact Ryan at  815-499-6314 or via email by June 8 to request consideration of your situation.

Cost:

• Voting Members (clergy and laity):
  • April 1-30: $155 
  • May 1–23: $170
    New for the 2025 Annual Conference: registration includes a box lunch for Tuesday, June 10.
    NOTE: Payment will be accepted only via credit card. We are no longer able to accept check payments.
• Guests
  • Guests are welcome to attend, but may not vote.
  • Guests must also register. 
    • There is no cost for guests to attend services and plenary sessions, except on Tuesday, when registration is $25 for those interested the box lunch.
  • If guests wish to have conference meals (including the box lunch on Tuesday), they must register. 
  • The conference will be streamed live on the NIC YouTube channel.
• Volunteers
  • Volunteers who can serve as registration assistants, ushers/plenary pages, greeters, information desk helpers, and more to help annual conference run smoothly and efficiently. They also get to see up close how annual conference works.
  • Volunteers can choose to serve for the entire conference, one day or even part of a day. No previous experience is necessary. 
  • Volunteers need to be at least 16 and cannot be voting members.
  • Those interested in volunteering should fill out the volunteer form by May 5.
  • Volunteers must also register.
    • There is no cost for registration, except on Tuesday, when registration is $25 for those interested the box lunch.
  • Please contact Ariel Alonso, event coordinator/administrative assistant, if you have any questions.

If you have questions about your registration or if you need assistance completing it, please contact Ariel Alonso by email.

Registration includes the following items:

• Accessibility
  • Indicate any accommodations you need (for vision, mobility, hearing, etc.) when registering. Large-print programs will be available near the hall entrance.
  • Scooters: The conference committee will again make scooters available for those with mobility limitations. Members must reserve these in advance and there is an additional cost. No extras will be available onsite. If you or someone you know might benefit from a scooter, please urge them to reserve one.
• Meals, including Lunch-and-Learn choices 
  • Onsite meals require prior registration and may include a cost.
  • On Tuesday, June 10 from Noon to 1:30 p.m., all registered participants will receive a box lunch. Box lunches are available for guests as well, but they will need to register. Click here to learn more.
• Sessions (Clergy or Laity)
  • Clergy Session will be Tues., May 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Naperville: Woori UMC. It will entail the business session of Clergy session, with no program before hand. The cost is $15. Registration closes May 5 to ensure proper coordination.
  • Laity Session will be the morning of Mon., June 9 at the Convention Center.

Notes:

• Clergy: Active clergy who are not attending Annual Conference need to send their reason for absence in writing to Episcopal Administrative Assistant Marva Andrews either by e-mail or by postal mail to Northern Illinois Conference, Attn: Marva Andrews, 303 E. Wacker Dr, Suite 2020, Chicago, IL 60602
• Laity: If a church's Lay Member is going to be different from those currently listed in the portal, s/he must contact the Conference office to be included.
• Payment will only be accepted via Credit Card. We are no longer able to accept check payments.

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Child care 

The Annual Conference Committee has worked hard to organize a child care option for the AC members. Childcare will be provided during session times hosted by Schaumburg: Our Saviour's UMC in conjunction with Schaumburg: Our Redeemer's UMC.  - Click here to learn more.

Registration will open April 1 and close May 23 at noon.

*Note:
Only registered members of Annual Conference will be able to use Annual Conference Child Care.
There will be NO drop-in childcare available for anyone during any part of Annual Conference. 

 

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Display Table

Display Tables will be set up in the ballroom foyer and hallway. Table displays will be open on Monday afternoon, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning.

Display Tables registration is closed as the slots we have available are filled. Assignments will be made one week prior to AC. 

View the guidelines here.

Send questions to Erica McIntosh or Craig McGregor

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Hotel Reservations

Reservations with a group discount are again available at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. Room reservations are available to be reserved Sunday night, June 8 - Tuesday night, June 10.

Cost: $190 per night + applicable state and local taxes

How to Reserve Rooms:

• Web: Online Reservation Booking Link
• Phone: 847-303-4100.  Ask for Northern Illinois Conference Special Group Rate.
• Rooms are available in our booking first come first serve until May 18, 2025 at 5 p.m. Booking will close when rooms are filled up.

Note: The dates listed on the hotel's reservation page are those reserved for our block. You may choose to make overnight reservations for any of these nights: June 8, June 9 and June 10. Check-out deadline is 11 a.m. on June 11.

Click here for a list of near by hotels.

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Media and Video Requests

Announcements during AC will be projected on the screen after approval. Submissions can be sent to Randy Hayes.

Media and Videos to be projected on the screens during AC will need to be submitted and preapproved.

• Final decisions regarding scheduling are made by the Daily Proceedings Coordinator in conjunction with the Annual Conference Committee.
• We will do our best to schedule presentations as time and agenda permit.  Most presentations will be shared as pre-recorded video via the NIC website and/or possibly during breaks at the annual conference.
• The Presentation Request Form is available here. Requests are due April 15.
• An email from the Director of Connectional Ministry by April 20 with the answer to presentation requests.
• Videos are due to Lisa Smith in video file by May 8. No YouTube links - only original videos. Videos WILL NOT be accepted on site.

Print Materials will have limited distribution as we continue to be good stewards of the environment.

• The Annual Conference Secretary, Randy Hayes, must preapprove any material to be distributed on the AC floor. Submissions can be sent to Randy Hayes.
• Only ushers may distribute materials.
• Groups may provide handouts at their display tables.

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Blueprint for Wellness 

Blueprint for Wellness Health Screenings are planned for Tuesday, June 10 at the hotel. The screenings are available for those who participate in the conference health insurance plan. Testing involves one blood draw and a few measurements. The results provide valuable information about several common health risks. Learn More.

Registration occurs two ways via Phone or Online via Virgin Pulse.

• Phone: 855-623-9355 Employer group: HealthFlex or United Methodist Church
• Online: Log in to your WesPath/Benefits Access account. Click on the "Wellbeing" Tab and find the "Go to Quest Diagnostics" button. When there is an option to schedule a wellness screening, choose "at an event" then choose "Northern Illinois Conference UMC".

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