Welcome to the 30th Annual APRIL Conference
Sharing Pearls of Wisdom in Chicago
October 11-13, 2024
October 11: Pre-Conference & Youth Conference
October 12: General Conference
October 13: General Conference
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".
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Hotel Information
2024 Conference Hotel Information:
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.
Airport, Travel & Other Important Information for Conference Attendees
Closest Airport:
Midway Airport
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.
Helpful Travel Resource Information:
- PVA: https://youtu.be/YuPKQWKbJ3A?si=2LcvS_ylUjHlv8Q1
- Ways to Overcome Travel Anxiety: What Is Travel Anxiety and Ways to Help Overcome It (aarp.org)
- Layout of the Chicago Midway Airport: Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) | Terminal maps | Airport guide
- Layout of Chicago O’Hare Airport: Chicago OHare Airport Map: Guide to ORD's Terminals (ifly.com)
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:
Access Living Chicago
PSA: Access Living Chicago Phone Number: 312.640.2100
Scooter Rentals
Scooter Rentals: available on-site at the Convention Center
Additional DME Rentals
Scootaround Mobility Solutions: For wheelchairs, mobility scooters, power chairs and oxygen equipment rentals, contact our preferred service partner, Scootaround Mobility Solutions
Phone Number: 888.441.7575
Website: https://locations.scootaround.com/en/chicago
To read all this information in a PDF form, click this link to download
General Reminders:
The APRIL Conference is fragrance-free
There are no mask requirements for this year's conference
APRIL is not responsible for underage attendees
Interested in Sponsoring our 2024 Conference?
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
Follow along on social media and post your own images and photos
using the following hashtags:
#PearlsOfWisdom
#APRILCon2024
Youth Conference hashtags:
#APRILYouthCon2024
#InMyAdvocacyEra
Greetings from Joan Labelle, Executive Director
Hello and welcome to APRIL’s 30th Annual National Rural Independent Living Conference: Sharing Pearls of Wisdom. This year has been a coming home experience for me as I have been a part of APRIL for many years. I was on the APRIL board while Linda was transitioning to our first Executive Director. I am so honored to be a part of APRIL, following her legacy as APRIL’s Executive Director.
APRIL is thrilled that you are here. We have an incredible line-up of speakers and workshops. We want this conference to be one you will remember! Whether you are also “coming home” or this is your first APRIL conference, please take advantage of the opportunities to meet those with shared vision and share your own Pearls of Wisdom. Thank you for being here and all the things you do in your community to enrich the lives of our brothers and sisters with disabilities.
Of course, our annual conference would not be possible without our awesome sponsors. I would like to extend our gratitude to our conference sponsors. Thank you sponsors!
Joan LaBelle
APRIL Executive Director
Greetings from Kim Gibson, APRIL Board President
Welcome to the 2024 Annual Conference, celebrating “The Pearls of Wisdom” in honor of APRIL’s 30 years of dedication to the Independent Living Philosophy and movement! This milestone reflects our rich history and the ongoing commitment each of you has as we move forward together.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our Board of Directors for their tireless efforts over the past year. Your dedication to our mission and the Independent Living Philosophy has laid a solid foundation for APRIL's future. Your leadership in building a stronger, disability-led organization has been truly commendable, and I am grateful for the time and energy you have devoted to keeping our values at the forefront of everything we do.
I am thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Joan LaBelle. Joan brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that will undoubtedly enhance our work in independent living, particularly in rural America. We are eager to support her vision and leadership as we continue to drive positive change in our communities.
As we gather, we have a valuable opportunity to refresh our understanding and application of the principles of the Independent Living Movement. As a Network, we embrace the Independent Living Philosophy by advocating for and supporting each other to ensure inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment for all. This conference serves as a platform to engage deeply with these principles, reinforcing our commitment to creating a society where everyone has access and opportunities.
I also want to take a moment to acknowledge our incredible APRIL staff, including the new faces who have joined our team. Your dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment behind the scenes make all the difference. You are the backbone of our organization, and it is your hard work that enables us to fulfill our mission and provide crucial learning opportunities across communities.
To all conference attendees, thank you for being here and for your commitment to the independent living movement. This conference is a unique opportunity for us to share our experiences, ideas, and best practices. Your contributions enrich our discussions, and I encourage you to engage with one another throughout the event. Let’s celebrate our successes, learn from our challenges, and harness the power of peer support to strengthen our unity.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for believing in our mission and supporting disability justice. Your generosity ensures that our work continues to be recognized and that we can develop future leaders within the independent living community. Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive environment for everyone.
Finally, if you haven’t already, I encourage you to consider joining or renewing your membership with APRIL. Our strength lies in our community, and the more we come together, the greater our impact. Invite others to join us in this vital work, as each member contributes to our collective strength.
I am excited for the days ahead and the connections we will forge. Thank you all for being a part of this journey. Together, we will continue to advance independent living and make a meaningful difference in the lives of many.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Kim Gibson, DSW, LMSW
APRIL Board President
Thank you to our 2024 Conference Sponsors
Connect with us on Social Media!
#PearlsOfWisdom
#APRILCon2024
#APRILYouthCon2024
#InMyAdvocacyEra
During the duration of the Conference (October 11-13), make sure to tag our social media accounts and follow us.
We want to share in your excitement! You can click on the social media icons below to be taken straight to our social media. You can also copy and paste the social media handles and search our accounts that way.
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@APRIL4ruralIL @RURALIL @aprilcommunication