Conference Tours FAQs

Question:  When are the tours?
Answer:    Sunday - Wednesday, March 14-17, 2010

Question:   How do I sign up for any of the tours?
Answer:     There will be a place to sign up for the tours on the conference registration form.

Question: How much will the tours cost?
Answer: The charges vary. For the costs of each tour, please see the tour descriptions below or click here to download the pdf.

Question: May I bring a guest? If so, is the admission price the same?
Answer: Yes, you may bring a guest and the admission is the same as for the conference participant.

Question: Who will be conducting the tours?
Answer: We are using American Sightseeing – Chicago. They have excellent references and offer a variety of interesting tours.

Question: If I have any questions regarding the tours at the conference not covered in the FAQ section of the website, whom should I contact?
Answer: Contact Becky Hale at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Special Events FAQs

Question:  When is the event?
Answer:    Thursday evening, March 14-17, 2010, 6:45-10:30.

Question:   How do I sign up for this event?
Answer:     There will be a place to sign up for the tours on the conference registration form.

Question: How much will this event cost?
Answer: The charge for the special event at the Shedd is $25.00.

Question: May I bring a guest? If so, is the admission price the same?
Answer: Yes, you may bring a guest; however, the charge for guests is $35.00.  The reason for the difference is that conference registration fees offset part of the cost of this event.

Question: What is the attire for the evening?
Answer: Business casual is appropriate attire for this special event.

Question: Is transportation included?
Answer: Yes.  There will be buses to shuttle guests to and from the Shedd  Aquarium, running from 6:10 – 10:15 p.m.

Question: Do I have to stay at the Shedd for the whole four hours?
Answer: No, the buses will run periodically throughout the evening.

Question: What else is included in my admission fee?
Answer: Besides your admission fee to the Aquarium and special exhibits, there will be a buffet dinner served to guests.  The meal includes a mixed green salad, a grilled chicken breast with mole sauce, roasted potato quarters, cookies, coffee, tea, and a soda and water station.  There will also be pleasant musical entertainment for your enjoyment in the area around the Caribbean Reef.

Question: Will there be a cash bar?
Answer: Yes, a cash bar will be available.

Question: What is the cost of drinks at the Shedd event?
Answer: The prices are not guaranteed at this time, but are expected to be in the following ranges: Soda - $2.75; House wines - $6.75; Beer - $5.25; Premium Brand Liquor cocktails - $7.25.

Question: Which exhibits will be open during the event?
Answer: The Oceanarium (6:30 - 8:00) and the Wild Reef (6:30 - 9:00 p.m.) are open for this event.  The rest of the exhibits are open until closing. There will be Fish-Feeding at the Caribbean Reef at 9:15.

Question: Can you tell me more about the Oceanarium?
Answer: You can check out the Oceanarium exhibit at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/oceanarium.html.

Question: Can you tell me more about the Wild Reef?
Answer: You can check out the Wild Reef exhibit at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/wildreef.html.

Question: Can you tell me more about the Caribbean Reef?
Answer: You can check out the Caribbean Reef exhibit at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/caribbeanreef.html.

Question: What else is there to see at the Shedd Aquarium?
Answer: You can learn about all the Shedd Aquarium has to offer at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/.

Question: Are there any opportunities to take this experience back to my program in the form of learning activities for my students?
Answer: You can learn about all the Shedd Aquarium has to offer in the way of lesson plans at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/sea/.

Question: If I have any questions regarding the special event at the Shedd Aquarium not covered in the FAQ section of the website, whom should I contact?
Answer: Contact Becky Hale at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Exhibitor FAQs

Question:  Can I have more than one table?
Answer:    Each 10’ x 10’ booth has one 8 foot table. You may reserve multiple booths in order to have more tables, and your space will read as one large area.

Question:  What color are the drapes and table covers in the booths?
Answer:    Each 10’ x 10’ booth has an 8’ high blue backwall drape, 3’ high blue side dividers an 8’ x 30” white draped table.

Question:  What are the costs for electricity and Internet? 
Answer:    Please note that all questions regarding electricity, plumbing and Internet should be directed to Freeman.   Each exhibitor who sends in a contract with payment will receive an “Exhibitor Kit” from Freeman with all information provided. This kit can also be emailed to anyone who inquires.

Question:  Will there be carpet in the exhibit hall? 
Answer:    The only areas in the exhibit hall that will be carpeted will be the aisles.  If vendors want their booth carpeted, they will have to rent carpeting from Freeman.

Question:  What date do materials need to be received to Freeman? 
Answer:    Please note that all questions regarding transportation should be directed to Freeman. The Freeman link is found on the “Exhibitor Hall Information Sheet” on this site. Type in “Chicago” for city, and you can scroll through all shows to find “COABE/Proliteracy”. Please note, shows are not listed in order of their date. You will find information on important dates and other relevant information as well.

Question:  What is the deadline for reserving booth space?
Answer:     In order to be listed in the conference program, a paid and signed contract must be received by February 1, 2010.  All booths will be assigned by the Exhibits Chair with priority given to those sponsoring activities and/or providing materials for the conference, and then based upon the chronological receipt of registrations.

Question:  May I fax my contract? 
Answer:    Yes, you may fax a contract if you are paying with a credit card. The fax number is 217-786-2495, attention Lyn Buerkett. Please follow-up with a hard copy that is stamped “hard copy of fax”.

Question:  Can I receive a refund if I need to cancel?
Answer:    All requests for refunds must be received in writing by the Exhibits Chair no later than January 15, 2010. A $75 cancellation fee will apply. NO refunds for exhibitor space will be issued after this date.

Question:  If I would like to attend a luncheon or activity, how do I sign up and pay for those?
Answer:    Please fill out a regular registration form, noting only those activities, and checking the other box.  This is only available to those whose names were turned in as the complimentary registration or as additional registrants at $100. If you have additional questions regarding this procedure, please call Lyn Buerkett for clarification.