University Outreach (Invitation Only)

On Saturday, November 16, students will be issued an official PLMA University Outreach badge. The badge must be worn on Saturday, November 16 and through the conclusion of the Exhibitor Meet & Greet session on Sunday, November 17.

PLMA will provide accommodations for program participants at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, IL. Check-in begins at 3:00 pm on November 16 and checkout is by 11:00am on the day of departure.

Room and tax are billed directly to PLMA for your accommodation. Proper ID and a credit card will be required to cover hotel charges incurred during the stay. These hotel charges would include parking, non-food (i.e. apparel and alcohol) purchases at Perks (hotel store), business center expenses or F&B at the hotel restaurant & bar.

Non-reimbursable expenses include:
In-room Wi-Fi ($9.50/day)
Movie rentals
Transport by Uber/Lyft
Transportation to downtown Chicago 
Any non-meal related activities in the downtown area

A two-way shuttle service is available between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago. On arrival, proceed to  Terminal 2 Door 2A and look for a white shuttle van marked Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago. Do not take a shuttle without the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago logo. Unsure? Before boarding, ask the driver if the vehicle is going to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Airport return shuttles leave at regular intervals from the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago to the various departure areas. You can track shuttles in real time here.

Self-parking is also available at the Hyatt Regency for $25/day.

Transportation will be provided by PLMA for the store tour on Saturday, November 16.

Students and advisors should make their own plans for dinner on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, as well as for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Students are also welcome to accept an exhibitor’s invitation for dinner on Monday.
For dining out, there are several eating establishments in the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago, the Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare and area restaurants.

Meals will be provided by PLMA as follows:

Saturday, November 16
Lunch

Sunday, November 17
Lunch

Sunday evening, you are invited to PLMA’s Opening Reception at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago, 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.

Monday, November 18
Keynote Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago

Group Lunch on the 2nd floor of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Tuesday, November 19
Retail Trends Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago

Students and advisors should make their own plans for dinner on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, as well as for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Students are also welcome to accept an exhibitor’s invitation for dinner on Monday.

For dining out, there are several eating establishments in the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago, the Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare and area restaurants.
 

Appropriate attire for all classroom sessions, the opening reception and the trade show floor is business casual. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking and standing.

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. Suits and ties are not required. Casual dress such as jeans, hoodies and T-shirts are not allowed. 

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.

Students will be issued an official PLMA Private Label Trade Show badge at the conclusion of the Sunday, November 17 Exhibitor Meet & Greet session. 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. All show attendees have access during trade show hours to the mobile-optimized Show Navigator. It’s accessible via a QR code enabling quick product search, exhibitor search and detailed show information. The QR code will be posted throughout the event as well as the front inside cover of the Program Guide. 

Except in case of emergencies, students are asked not to make phone calls or text while they are on the show floor or attending classes and programs. As courtesy to all exhibitors and trade show visitors, there are strict limitations on the use of photography and video inside the exhibit hall and Idea Supermarket, especially capturing images of exhibitors, buyers, booths, and products for social media. Please ask your exhibitor sponsor and others who may be in the field of vision if they have objections before taking a picture.

In the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago: O’H AMERICAN GRILL (open for breakfast & lunch) - RED BAR (open for dinner)

BASIL’S KITCHEN, Embassy Suites Hotel 5500 N. River Rd. 

BENCHMARK RESTAURANT, 6100 N. River Rd. 

BUB CITY, 5441 Park Place 

CARLUCCI’S, 6111 N. River Rd. 

FIRE OVEN RESTAURANT, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5440 N. River Road 

FOGO De CHAO BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE ,5460 Park Place 

GIBSONS STEAK HOUSE, DoubleTree Hotel, 5464 N. River Rd. 

MARIA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT, Lowe’s Chicago O’Hare, 9440 Foster Ave. 

MORTON’S STEAK HOUSE, 9525 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

SUGAR FACTORY, 5445 Park Place 

THE ASBURN, Lowe’s Chicago O’Hare Hotel, 5300 North River Road