Rotoplas will be held September 20-23 at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL (a few minutes from O’Hare Airport). Learn more about the event.
Registration
Do I need to register?
This is our most frequently asked question. Yes, you need to register. Online registration is available here. You can register onsite at the Stephens Convention Center in Hall B beginning Tuesday, September 21 at 6:45 AM.
How do I get my badge?
Your badge is available in Hall B at the Stephens Convention Center. You can pick up badges from 7:00 AM – 5 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
What does my registration include?
This depends on the registration level you selected. (Check the confirmation emailed to you.) Annual Meeting includes exhibit floor, breakfast & lunch (Wed), welcome reception (Tues), supplier-sponsored reception (Wed), breakfast & lunch (TH), gala & awards dinner (TH). Exhibits Only includes the exhibit floor (Wed and TH). Spouse/Guest includes Welcome Reception (Tues), supplier-sponsored reception (Wed), gala & awards dinner (TH). Retired includes exhibit floor, gala & awards dinner (TH).
We offer three full- or half-day seminars for an additional fee that can be added on. Details on all education sessions are here.
Do exhibitors receive free registration with their booth?
Each booth includes four Exhibitor Personnel registration for employees of the exhibiting company to work the booth. Your exhibitor personnel only have access to events being held within the exhibit hall. Discount codes for these passes have been emailed to you. Contact staff if you have any questions.
Exhibiting companies also tend to register many employees for the Annual Meeting, which includes education sessions and many networking opportunities. One person from each exhibiting company is required to register for the Annual Meeting.
Schedule
When are the exhibits open?
The exhibit hall is open Wednesday 1:30 – 6:30 PM and Thursday Noon – 5 PM.
What’s the rest of the schedule?
The schedule is available here. The online schedule will be updated to include room numbers. The schedule will also be available in the show guide which is given to each registrant and there will be a schedule behind your name badge.
Is the meeting at the Hotel or the Convention Center?
Most of the meeting is held at the Convention Center.
Golf departs from the Hilton Rosemont Lobby. Tuesday’s Welcome reception, Thursday’s gala, and Friday’s Board meeting will also be held at the Hilton.
Everything else is at the Convention Center.
I need a break!
There are thirty-minute networking breaks in the middle of the general sessions and before the workshops. There will be coffee and other refreshments.
What’s the difference between the general session and workshops?
The general session is the only rotomolding programming Wednesday morning and for the first hour Thursday morning. All Annual Meeting attendees attend these sessions.
Multiple workshops run at at the same time Thursday morning. Annual Meeting registrants choose among seven workshops to attend during two time slots.
The Exhibit Hall
Who is exhibiting?
You can review a list of our exhibitors here.
Where is the Product Competition?
Along Row 600 near the ARM Booth and Presentation Theater. This year you will vote on your phone or on a tablet at the ARM Booth.
What if all this walking around makes me thirsty?
There will be cash bars on the floor for the entire afternoon. There’s a Starbucks in the convention center, just outside our Halls. At 5:30 PM on Wednesday, we’ll conduct a one-hour reception (with passed appetizers and open bar) in the Exhibit Hall.
When is exhibitor setup?
Monday 12:30pm-4:30pm, Tuesday 8:00am-4:30pm, and Wednesday 8:00am-11:00am. Most questions about exhibiting are covered in the Exhibitor Service Manual.
What is suitcasing?
Suitcasing is an unprincipled business practice in which companies who are not exhibiting gain access to an event by obtaining event credentials (attendee badge, expo-only badge etc.) and then solicit business in the aisles or other public spaces used for the conference. Please note that while all meeting attendees are invited to the exhibit floor, any attendee who is observed to be soliciting business in the aisles or other public spaces, or any company’s booth will be asked to leave immediately. Don’t make it weird.
Travel
Can I get a hotel room?
Our room block at the Hilton is sold out but there are rooms available at our secondary block at Aloft.
Is there a shuttle from O’Hare airport?
The Hilton Rosemont provides a shuttle from 5:00 AM – Midnight. Details here.
Aloft picks up at Door #3 at the :15 and :45 minute mark of every hour. It is on call after 10:30pm: (847) 671-4444
What are the COVID-19 precautions?
The State of Illinois mandated masks for indoor events regardless of vaccination status at the end of August. There is an exception for eating and drinking while stationary. The Convention Center will post whatever the local rules are at the time of our meeting.
Since our meeting is held in Rosemont, the City of Chicago travel guidance does not apply to our event.
What else?
What should I wear?
The meeting is business casual. Some people will wear blue jeans. Dress up a bit for Thursday night’s gala dinner.
Do Illinois restrictions indicate cases are especially high in Illinois?
Illinois cases are below the US average. Daily average cases in Cook Country (which includes Chicago and Rosemont) are 20 per 100,000 — compared to the U.S. average of 48 per 100,000. [This information is accurate as of September 1.)
What if I need help at the show?
Our registration staff will be able to answer many questions and can contact ARM staff for help. If there’s an emergency, contact security.
What can I buy at the ARM Booth/Presentation Theater?
A variety of ARM books, some rare rotomolding text books, t-shirts, cycling jerseys, and posters.
I’ve got some free time. What should I do?
Nearby Dining and Entertainment: Parkway Bank Park is right behind the hotel. The site features eight restaurants/bars, a comedy club, movie theater, and indoor sky-diving.
Shopping: The Fashion Outlets of Chicago is a multi-story mall that’s one big block away from the meeting. Approximately a 10-15 minute walk.
Get to the city: Take the Blue Line Rosemont station (a ten-minute walk from the meeting) to Chicago. Thirty minutes to hipster neighborhood Logan Square. One hour to downtown.
Chicago Dining: Your best close Deep Dish pizza option is Lou Malnati’s. Gene and Judes (since 1946) is an authentic hotdog stand open late. Paradise Pup was featured on Diners Drive-In and Dives.
I have a question you didn’t answer!
Send an email. We’ll keep adding questions as the event gets closer.
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