- Stay Updated
Make sure you stay up-to-date with everything RFN and register with an email you have easy access to. ILA communicates important pre-event and post-event information to our attendees via email. Already registered but need to change your email address? Email ila@ila.org and we’ll take care of that for you.
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Plan Ahead
With a full day of programming ahead of you, take some time to view the entire conference schedule on the event website to determine the programs you want to attend.
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Know Where You’re Going
The conference will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, at 5555 N. River Road in Rosemont. Visit https://bit.ly/3xBKTUL for driving directions. Parking is $15.
From the parking garage, take the elevator to the Sky Bridge (SB) level. There will be signs leading you to the conference area.
For those taking public transportation, the Convention Center is a quarter mile south of the CTA Rosemont Blue Line station. Visit http://www.transitchicago.com/ for full information.
From the drop-off area, take the elevator or escalator to the 2nd level. Signs and a committee member or two will be on the 1st floor to help point the way.
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Grab Your Badge and Avoid the Line
Confirmation letters and badges for attendees, speakers, and committee members will be mailed via USPS on April 23. Don't forget to bring your badge so you can skip stopping by the Help Desk and instead, grab your registration materials and lanyard and then enjoy some coffee or browse exhibits. We'll have duplicate badges for everyone on-site at the ILA Help Desk.
Sponsors and exhibitors will pick up their badges on-site at the Exhibitor Check-In. Sponsor and exhibitor badges are not mailed.
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Review ILA's Statement of Appropriate Conduct
Make sure you have read over the Statement of Appropriate conduct.
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Dress for the Day
As much as we try, it’s difficult to control the climate in a large building. Consider dressing in layers so you can adjust to changing temperatures. A handheld fan may be useful. Remember to wear comfortable shoes – you may be covering a lot of ground!
- Go Green
Bring your refillable coffee mug or water bottle! Coffee and tea are served until 10:00am, so you may want to grab one last cup to get you through the afternoon. There is a Starbucks located on the 1st floor of the conference center and in the Hilton Hotel accessible via the Sky Bridge. Water stations are available throughout the venue but to cut down on plastic waste and help avoid spills from cups with no lids, bring your own reusable bottle.
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Stay Energized
Registration for Reaching Forward North includes morning coffee* and lunch.
*Morning coffee DOES NOT include breakfast. Be sure to eat before you arrive or feel free to bring along a mid-morning snack.
Did you indicate your dietary restrictions when you registered? Please remember that we are feeding close to 1,000 people. This means that we ask for your dietary restrictions to help us provide an accurate catering order to the venue. If you have dietary restrictions, we encourage you to review the menu before registering - or emailing ila@ila.org to update your dietary restrictions if you've already registered - so our count is accurate. We do our best to choose a menu that provides options for attendees with common dietary restrictions - vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, or a combination of these - but if you have specific dietary restrictions that cannot be accomodated by the menu, you're welcome to bring your own meal.
If you have dietary restrictions and DID NOT indicate this on your registration, email ila@ila.org ASAP so that we can update your registration and our catering counts.
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Post Away
Be social with #ILARF2025! Share photos and fun comments for your fellow attendees to view and be part of the conversation.
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Visit the Exhibits
Exhibits will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Take some time to check out what our exhibitors have to offer – library materials, continuing education opportunities, and something special for yourself. Exhibits help to underwrite the cost of the conference and keep registration fees down – so please help us make our exhibitors feel welcome. Visit the event website to see a full list of exhibitors.
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Challenge Yourself
Step outside your comfort zone –attend a program outside your experience or sit with someone you don’t know at lunch. Seating is open, so take a chance and make a new connection!
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Catch Your Breath
If you need a moment away from the hustle and bustle stop by the Quiet Room to rest and relax. Please respect others in the room and take conversations into the hallway. Room location will be indicated in the printed program book and with a sign by the door.
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Mothers’ Room
A private room for nursing mothers, with a refrigerator, is available. Room location will be included in the printed program book and with a sign by the door.
- Handouts
Handouts will be available on the event website if speakers have made them available. Search by session or schedule; files will be listed underneath the program’s description if available.
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Tell Us What You Think
Your feedback will help us plan next year’s conference. Please take a moment to fill out the conference evaluation, which will be sent via email. We really do listen to our attendees!
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Take the Next Step
If you enjoy your experience at Reaching Forward North, consider filling out the ILA committee interest form available on the ILA Committees webpage. We’re always looking for new ideas and fresh faces! Contact Kristin Pekoll at ILA – kpekoll@ila.org for more information.
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