the 14th annual
CHICAGO
SEMINARS
at Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago
the original points and miles event
September 20-22, 2024
Formerly at the
Holiday Inn
Dive into the heart of the travel community at the 2024 Chicago Seminars (formerly at the Holiday Inn)! Last year, we hit remarkable highs: over 300 attendees, 37 enlightening sessions from 29 expert speakers, and a generous $17,000 donated to charity. The event was further celebrated with exclusive parties in three Presidential Suites at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago.
This isn't just an event; it's a convergence of enthusiasts eager to share, learn, and elevate their travel game—all while making a meaningful impact.
In response to our attendees' feedback for a more upscale and convenient venue, the 2024 event is excitedly making its move to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. This new location not only meets our community's growing needs but also elevates the overall experience with its top-notch facilities and services. Perfectly situated with easy airport access, the Hyatt Regency O'Hare offers a sophisticated backdrop for our sessions, networking, and festivities. Experience the blend of luxury and convenience at our new home, promising to make the 2024 Chicago Seminars an unforgettable event!
To give you a taste of what's in store, last year's schedule follows. This peek into the diverse topics and engaging sessions from our previous gathering will give you an idea of the valuable insights and experiences awaiting you at the 2024 event. Get ready for another year of learning, connecting, and making memories with fellow travel enthusiasts!
2024 Presenters Will Be Announced Soon
2023 Presenters
Special Guest Appearances by:
Tom Stuker - 23 Million Miler with United
Rick Ingersoll - Chicago Seminars Founder
Howie Rappaport - Long-time Chicago Seminars Organizer
Patrick Stouffer - Miles4Migrants
Airlines
Champagne, Caviar & Showers: Premium Cabin Redemptions
Spencer Howard - Straight to the Points
Going Wild: How to Maximize Frontier’s Subscription Travel Program
Seth Levy - Frontier Fanatic
How to Fly Anywhere: The Value of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Ben & Jon Nickel-D'Andrea - No Mas Coach!
Mileage Running isn’t Dead: Learn the Programs Where Trips to Nowhere Will Get You Somewhere
Andrew Kunesh - CNN Underscored & Marty Paz - @MrpAlert
No Flying? No Problem: How to Succeed with AA Executive Platinum Status Without Really Flying
Ashley McCurdy - In Search of Traveler
Ohr Naur, IROPS!: What to Do When a Trip Goes Sideways
Jamie Larounis - @theforwardcabin
Routing Rules: Maximize a Fare's Potential to See More of the World
Ed Sanders - Routing Rule Expert
Casinos
You CAN Beat the House: How to Make Casinos Work for You
Adam Bauer - @TravelFanboy
Cruises
Cruise Hacking: Free Cruises, Maximizing Offers, Status Matching & Generating Spend on the Ocean
Shawn Coomer - Miles to Memories
Earning Points & Miles
Big Picture Thinking: Creating Credit Card and Redemption Strategies
Spencer Howard - Straight to the Points
Not Just SUBs: How to Earn a Plethora of Points Without Opening 20 Cards
Julia Menez - @geobreezetravel
General Travel
Binge Traveling to 86 Countries: How You Can Use the Same Approach for Quick Trips
Tippe Morlan - @tippemorlan
Exotic Destinations: Using Points & Miles to Veer Off the Beaten Path
Ryan Smith - AwardWallet
Family Travel For (Closer To) Free: How To Show Your Kids The World While Keeping Your Savings and Sanity
Dia Adams - Fortune Recommends assisted by John Ryan
Insider Information: 10+ Travel Hacker Tips That I Use That I Haven’t Blogged About
Grant Thomas - Travel With Grant
Points or Cash - Why Choose?: Get the Most Bang for Your Buck (Or Points) in Your Travels
Bryan Sklar - TravelWise Advisors
Sensational Solo Travel: Building the Confidence to Travel Alone and Have Fun
Senitra Horbrook - @PointsTravelher
The Wonderful World Of Disney: Proven Tips To Save On Your Disney Vacation
Dia Adams - Fortune Recommends
Hotels
Are They All the Same?: A Comparison of HOTEL Award Search Tools
Presidential Suites & Pool Villas: How You Can Procure the Best Rooms Even Without Status
Chris Moss - Suite Connoisseur
Sleep Around: Tips for Maximizing Your Hotel Points
Katie Genter - The Points Guy
Small Footprint but Big Benefits: The Ins and Outs of the World of Hyatt Program
Kathy Kass - Will Run for Miles
Manufactured Spend
Amazon FBA, Reselling, and MS: What You Need to Know
Jon Nickel-D'Andrea - No Mas Coach!
Excel Between the Sheets: Organizing Your Gift Card Resale Business
Logan Robinson, Ravi Davuluri, Erik Peterson - Aligned Incentives
Reselling and Buyers Clubs: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Shawn Coomer - Miles to Memories
Your Roadmap to One Million Points in a Year: A Step-By-Step Guide to Scaling Gift Card Reselling
Taylor Thomas - QCGC
Technology & Travel
Beyond the Guidebook: How AI and Digital Innovations are Changing Travel Planning
Jackie Wisniewski - Award Travel 101
How Not to Catch a Virus While Abroad: Useful Tech Tips During Your Travels
Kevin Song - @kev.song
Mindful Travel Photography: Taking More Wow! Photos Through Classic Composition and Lighting
Paul Borish - Travelers Psychological Services
Plan Like an Expert: Tips and Tools I Use to Travel Around the World
JT Genter - AwardWallet
History
Founded by Rick Ingersoll and Win Schaeffer in 2010, and nurtured by long-time organizer Howie Rappaport, Chicago Seminars has blossomed into the premier event for sharing knowledge and strategies about maximizing points and miles. With a steadfast focus on community and connection, Chicago Seminars has empowered countless travelers to turn their dreams into reality.
While there are similar points and miles events, Chicago Seminars is unique in that it is a registered non-profit organization. ALL organizers are unpaid and all profits generated are donated to charity.
To learn more, join the discussion in our Facebook group: Chicago Seminars.
Never attended an event like this? Make sure to read SkiAdcock's “Thoughts & Tips” to learn how to make the most of your weekend.
For more than a decade, Chicago Seminars has created in-person connections across the globe which turn into meaningful and lifelong friendships. This weekend-long event will offer a mix of content for attendees at all levels. We look forward to you joining us and sharing your experiences at this Chicago homecoming.
Call for Presentations
Chicago Seminars is proud to be a community-run event. This year, in addition to our usual docket of phenomenal speakers, we’re opening the door and inviting YOU to submit presentations for consideration.
You do not need any prior speaking experience and all are welcome to apply. If you have a topic you think would be interesting, but aren’t the right person to present, submit your suggestion and we’ll find a speaker for it.
The submission form will be open until May 31. Selected speakers will be notified by mid-June, but may be notified earlier on a rolling basis, so the earlier you submit the better!
Submit your presentation proposal here.
Tentative Schedule
Friday, September 20, 2024
3:00 PM: Registration Opens
5:30 PM: Opening Remarks
6:00 PM: Friday Night Sessions
8:30 PM: Reception (One drink included)
Saturday, September 21, 2024
7:30 AM: Registration Opens
8:00 AM: Saturday Morning Sessions
12:00 PM: Saturday Lunch (Included)
1:00 PM: Saturday Afternoon Sessions
6:30 PM: Dinner (Not included)
8:00 PM: Chicago Seminars After Dark (Add on)
Sunday, September 22, 2024
8:00 AM: Sunday Morning Sessions
12:00 PM: Sunday Lunch (Included)
1:00 PM: Sunday Afternoon Sessions
4:00 PM: Closing Remarks
5:00 PM Late Night Flight Hang – at Airline Lounges or Hotel Bar (Not included)
Sponsors
Each year, Chicago Seminars is delighted to have a fantastic array of sponsors.
If you would like to sponsor for 2024, please reach out to admin@chicagoseminars.org
Cost
Early Bird pricing is $299 and will increase after May 31.
Please remember prices of goods and services have increased tremendously in the past years.
We have worked diligently to manage costs for this two and a half day event while providing an excellent attendee experience.
Please remember all organizers and volunteers are unpaid and all profits generated will be donated to charity.
Tickets
Event tickets must be purchased and include the following:
- Access to all speaker and panel sessions at host venue
- Lunch on both Saturday and Sunday
- A complimentary drink at the Friday night Reception
There is no virtual option and sessions will not be recorded.
Although registration is nonrefundable, registration is transferable for a $25 fee and must be completed by Monday, September 16, 2024. Email admin@chicagoseminars.org if you would like to transfer a ticket.
Important Policies
Since the first Chicago Seminars, we have had the following policies, and by attending, you agree to such:
- Tickets are nonrefundable but are transferable for a $25 fee
- No chargebacks on tickets
- If you break any of the terms or are asked to leave by the organizers for any reason, you will not be allowed to attend any future events
Sponsorship Information
Sponsorship packages start at $500 and can be personalized to suit any needs.
Please email admin@chicagoseminars.org if you would like to be a sponsor or if you know a person or business which might want to be a sponsor.
Travel Information
Hotel
9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue
Rosemont, IL 60018
+1 847 696 1234
Hotel Booking
There is no hotel room block. Attendees can book directly with Hyatt and you may have further discount opportunities such as AAA, AARP, Leverage rates, etc.
Airport
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) is the closest airport to the Hyatt Regency Chicago O’Hare. The hotel runs a shuttle to and from ORD every 15 minutes. Chicago’s Midway Airport (MDW) is far and no transportation is provided. Public transportation or ridesharing can be used from Midway Airport.
Charity Raffle & Auction
Through the years, Chicago Seminars has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charitable organizations through its Charity Raffle & Auction. 100% of these proceeds go to charity. We will share our 2024 Charity Partners soon.
Both travel- and non-travel-related items are being sought for the Charity Raffle & Auction. If you have items to donate, bring the item(s) with you to the event. No value is too small. Raffle tickets can be purchased via credit card and you do not have to be present to win.
If you have a larger item or experience to donate, please email admin@chicagoseminars.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
It takes a village to run an event such as this, and your help is still needed, especially during the event. If you would like to assist, please email admin@chicagoseminars.org. Volunteering does not provide a complimentary registration.
Etiquette and Rules
This is a volunteer event for the points and miles community. Each attendee is expected to be respectful during all official and non-official events. The following are a few rules that need to be expressed at each event as they are particularly important:
- Recording any presentation in any way is not allowed without advance explicit permission from both the event organizer and presenter. Violators will be immediately dismissed without refund. This policy respects speakers’ content and allows open discussion of topics, some of which are intended to not be made public.
- The purchase of a ticket requires acceptance to all terms and conditions stated during the ticketing process including, but not limited to, liability of any kind.
Closing Thoughts
Please remember this event is organized by unpaid volunteers. If you have a serious and immediate concern, ask to speak to one of the main organizers immediately.