University Outreach (Invitation Only)

On Saturday, November 11, each student will be issued an official PLMA University Outreach badge. The badge is required to be worn at all times on Saturday and Sunday through the Exhibitor Meet & Greet session. Displaying the badge is also a courtesy to group leaders, instructors, staff and fellow students, and exhibitor hosts.

Accommodations for program participants are at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, IL. Check-in starts at 3:00 pm on the day of arrival and checkout is by noon on the day of departure. Self-parking is available.

Room and tax only are billed directly to PLMA for student accommodations. Upon checking in, proper ID, a credit card will be required to cover hotel charges that may be made in the course of the stay – such as food and beverages purchases at a hotel shop, the business center or the hotel restaurant; parking ($25/day).

Expenses which are not reimbursable are in-room Wi-Fi ($9.50/day) and movie rentals; transport by Uber/Lyft, transport to downtown Chicago and any activities outside of meals in the downtown area.

In order to be reimbursed all expenses must have a receipt. Following the program, reimbursable expenses, as approved by the university advisor, are to be submitted no later than the 2nd Friday in December.

There is a two-way shuttle service available between Chicago O’Hare airport and the Hyatt Regency O’Hare hotel. On arrival, follow signs from your arrival gate to the Bus and Shuttle Service Center. Proceed to Door 3 and look for a white shuttle van with Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago markings. Do not take a shuttle without these markings. To be sure, ask the driver if the vehicle is going to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Return shuttles from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare leave at regular intervals for the various O’Hare Airport departure areas.

For the store tour on Saturday afternoon, transportation will be provided.

Meals will be provided by PLMA as follows: lunch-Saturday and Sunday, Sunday evening at the Opening Reception, Monday-breakfast and lunch, and Tuesday breakfast. Students should make their own plans for dinner on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, as well as for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday evening, you are invited to PLMA’s Opening Reception at the Hyatt, which is attended by exhibitors and visitors to the Show. A full selection of small plates will be offered at the reception, featuring a very wide variety of foods served buffet-style. Note: The minimum age for drinking in Illinois is 21 and state law applies strict penalties and fines for violations. Students should not ask to be served beer, wine or alcohol at any PLMA event.

On Monday, PLMA’s Keynote breakfast is at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, and a group lunch will be provided on the 2nd floor of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. On Monday, if an exhibitor invites a student to join them for dinner this is perfectly acceptable.

On Tuesday, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, students attend the Retail Trends breakfast.

For dining out, there are a number of eating establishments in the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, the Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare and nearby areas.

Appropriate attire for all classroom sessions, the opening reception and the trade show floor is business casual. Suits and ties are not recommended. Casual dress such as jeans, hoodies and T-shirts are not allowed. Appropriate dress includes slacks or khakis, a dress shirt or blouse, an open-collar or polo shirt with a seasonal sport coat optional, a dress or skirt at knee-length or below, a tailored blazer, or a knit shirt or sweater. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes – no sneakers or flip-flops – as you will be doing a lot of walking and standing. Outdoor temperatures for November in Chicago can range from the 30s at night to the 60s during the day, so pack and dress accordingly. Monitor your weather app for the forecast. Inside temperatures can also be chilly, so dressing in layers is recommended. Proper hydration and lip balm are advisable since the air in hotels and the convention center can be extremely dry.

Sunday afternoon, November 12, at the Exhibitor Meet & Greet each student will be issued an official PLMA Trade Show badge. Starting Sunday evening at the Opening Reception through Tuesday, the badge is required to be worn at all times while attending events and must be shown to gain access to the trade show floor and to all official functions. Displaying the badge is also a courtesy to group leaders, instructors, staff and fellow students, exhibitor hosts and trade show visitors. Badges are time-consuming to replace, so safeguard yours.

Each student will also receive a copy of the PLMA Program Guide, a retail attendee list and trade show floor map. These are used by all attendees to navigate the show floor and access exhibitor contact information. Like the badge, keep the Guide secure. Demand for the books is high and PLMA cannot guarantee replacement if you lose it. All show attendees have access to Show Navigator, a mobile-optimized site for any connected device, which is accessible via a QR code enabling quick product search, exhibitor search and detailed show information. The QR code will be posted throughout the event and in the front inside cover of the Program Guide. It is operational during official trade show hours.

Except in case of emergencies, students are asked not to make phone calls, text or post to social media while they are on the show floor or attending classes and programs. In consideration for all exhibitors, as well as trade show visitors, there are strict limitations on the use of photography and video inside the exhibit hall, especially as it relates to capturing images of exhibitors, buyers, booths, and products. The same holds true with respect to photography inside the Idea Supermarket. Before you consider taking an image, please first ask your exhibitor sponsor and others who may be in the field of vision if they have objections. Free WIFI will be available on the trade show floor.

RED BAR Hyatt Regency O’Hare 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. 847/696-1234

O’H AMERICAN GRILL Hyatt Regency O’Hare 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. 847/696-1234

GIBSONS STEAK HOUSE DoubleTree Hotel 5464 N. River Rd. 847/928-9900

BUB CITY 5441 Park Place 847/261-0399

BASIL’S KITCHEN Embassy Suites Hotel 5500 N. River Rd. 847/678-4000 CHICAGO

FIRE OVEN RESTAURANT Crowne Plaza Hotel 5440 N. River Road 247/928-3860

MORTON’S STEAK HOUSE 9525 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. 847/678-5155

CARLUCCI’S 6111 N. River Rd. 847/518-0990

MARIA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Lowe’s Chicago O’Hare 9440 Foster Ave. 773/992-2288

FOGO De CHAO BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE 5460 Park Place 847/678-7200

SUGAR FACTORY 5445 Park Place 847/233-9010

BENCHMARK RESTAURANT 6100 N. River Rd. 847/698-1389