Annual Conference Registration

Registration for the 186th Northern Annual Conference will open April 1 and close May 23. There will be NO LATE REGISTATIONS.

The registration link will be posted here when it is open.

Cost:

• Voting Members (Clergy and Laity):
  • April 1-30: $155 
  • May 1–23: $170
    New for the 2025 Annual Conference: registration includes a box lunch for Tuesday, June 10.
• Guests
  • Guests are welcome to attend, but may not vote.
  • There is no cost.
  • Registration is needed for meals and to help ensure the correct number of chairs.
  • A Livestream of the Conference for guests will be available on the NIC YouTube channel.
• Volunteers
  • We need registration volunteers, ushers/plenary pages, greeters, information desk volunteers and more to help Annual Conference run smoothly and efficiently.
  • We need volunteers for the whole time, a day or even part of a day. No previous experience is necessary. 
  • Volunteers need to be at least 16 and cannot be voting members.
  • Those interested in Volunteering should fill out the Volunteer form by May 5.
  • Please contact Ariel Alonso, Event Coordinator/Administrative Assistant, if you have any questions.

Registration includes the following items:

• Accessability
  • Indicate any needs (vision, movement, hearing, etc.) in the registration process. Large print programs will be available near the hall entrance.
  • Scooters
    The conference committee will again make scooters available for those with mobility limitations. These must be reserved in advance and there is an additional cost. No extras will be available on site. If you or someone you know might benefit from a scooter, please make sure they reserve one.
• Childcare 
  The Annual Conference Committee has worked hard to organize a child care option for the AC members. Childcare will be provided during session times hosted by Schaumburg: Our Saviour's UMC in conjunction with Schaumburg: Our Redeemer's UMC.  - Click here to learn more.
• Meals, including Lunch and Learn choices
  Onsite meals require prior registration and may include a cost.
  On Tuesday, June 10 from Noon to 1:30 p.m., all registered participants will receive a box lunch. Box lunches are available for guests as well, but they will need to register. Click here to learn more.
• Sessions (Clergy or Laity)
  Clergy Session will be Tues., May 13. Registration closes May 5 to ensure proper coordiation.
  Laity Session will be the morning of Mon., June 9.

Notes:

• Clergy: Active clergy who are not attending Annual Conference need to send their reason for absence in writing to Episcopal Administrative Assistant Marva Andrews either by e-mail or by postal mail to Northern Illinois Conference, Attn: Marva Andrews, 303 E. Wacker Dr, Suite 2020, Chicago, IL 60602
• Laity: If a church's Lay Member is going to be different from those currently listed in the portal, s/he must contact the Conference office to be included.

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Display Table Registration

Display Tables will be set up in the ballroom foyer and hallway. Table displays will be open on Monday afternoon, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning.

Applications can be filled out here are are due May 15. Assignments will be made one week prior to AC. 

View the guidelines here.

Send questions to Erica McIntosh or Craig McGregor

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Hotel Reservations

Reservations with a group discount will again be available at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. Rate is only available by using the special link or by mentioning Northern IL Conference UMC when calling.

Rates and registration infomation will be shared when it is available.

Click here for a list of near by hotels.

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Media and Video Requests

Announcements during AC will be projected on the screen after approval. Submissions can be sent to Randy Hayes.

Media and Videos to be projected on the screens during AC will need to be submitted and preapproved.

• Final decisions regarding scheduling are made by the Daily Proceedings Coordinator in conjunction with the Annual Conference Committee.
• We will do our best to schedule presentations as time and agenda permit.  Most presentations will be shared as pre-recorded video via the NIC website and/or possibly during breaks at the annual conference.
• The Presentation Request Form is available here. Requests are due April 15.
• An email from the Director of Connectional Ministry by April 20 with the answer to presentation requests.
• Videos are due to Lisa Smith in video file by May 8. No YouTube links - only original videos. Videos WILL NOT be accepted on site.

Print Materials will have limited distribution as we continue to be good stewards of the environment.

• The Annual Conference Secretary, Randy Hayes, must preapprove any material to be distributed on the AC floor. Submissions can be sent to Randy Hayes.
• Only ushers may distribute materials.
• Groups may provide handouts at their display tables.

Return to the 2025 Annual Conference Homepage