KAAN 2024 Conference

Welcome to #KAAN2024

CONFERENCE HOTEL & LOCATION

The Conference Hotel is the Westin O’Hare at 6100 North River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018. The Guest check-in time is 3:00 PM and the Guest check-out time is 12:00 PM. At the time of check-in, a credit or debit card is required. $50 a day will be held, on top of room and tax for the guest's full stay. The hotel will release any funds at time of check-out, although it may take up to 3-7 business days for funds to be released back to the guest's account. For additional hotel policies, please visit the hotel website. And for sightseeing plans, visit visitIllinois.

The Complimentary Hotel Shuttle runs 7 days a week from 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM and picks up at two locations at O'Hare airport. If guests are arriving domestically, they will have to go to the baggage claim area and follow the red signs directing them to the bus and shuttle center. Once they arrive at the bus and shuttle center our shuttle picks up at door number 3 every 20 minutes. However, if guests arrive international the shuttle will pick up at door 5E in the arrival section upon request. To request the shuttle guest will have to call the hotel at 847.698.6000.

CONFERENCE CHECK-IN

Our conference check-in table is located in the East Foyer of the hotel. The Check-In Times are Friday, June 21 from 12:00 - 3:45 PM and  7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, and Saturday, June 22, from 7:15 AM - 8:45 AM.

BE PROMPT AND BE RESPECTFUL

It is hard to stay on schedule if people are not on time. Respect the volunteers and speakers by finding a seat in the ballroom before meals begin and arrive at sessions before they start. This is an intense event full of many emotions and exchanges. There are many needs to be met and opinions to be considered. Respect boundaries and give people the benefit of the doubt. We are all in this together.

CONFERENCE MEALS

Full conference registration includes Saturday meals (breakfast, lunch, and Gala Dinner) and a Sunday morning breakfast. Friday dinner is NOT included in the conference program.  However, the following options are available to attendees:

• PRE-PAID Friday Adult Adoptee-Only Dinner (offsite) 5:30 PM: This year’s adoptee dinner will be held on Friday, June 21 at the Dam No. 4 Woods - East Picnic Grove (The Forest of Cook County), rain or shine. There is free parking at the accessible picnic grove.  Food will be provided by Korean Cafe, vegetarian options available. Transportation will NOT be provided and attendees must arrange for transportation to and from the park. Look for the large pavilion and signs for KAAN. Dress casual. More information is provided at the check-in table or contact Michael Thielmann for more details.

• Community Dinner at the Benchmark Gastropub Restaurant (hotel) 5:30 PM: KAAN reserved a section of the hotel’s Benchmark Restaurant for any conference attendee to gather for dinner. No need to RSVP. Come as you are able, order off the menu, and pay for your meal at the restaurant.

OTHER CONFERENCE FAQS AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Conference Dress Code: Our dress code is relaxed and casual. In general, hotels tend to be cool, so bring layers for your own comfort. Cocktail attire and/or traditional cultural dress is highly recommended.

• Saturday Gala Dinner and Adoptee Photo: As part of the Saturday Gala Dinner, KAAN will use the time to recognize our volunteers and supporters; take a group photo of all adoptees in attendance, as well as provide a cash bar during our musical performance. Cocktail attire and/or traditional Korean dress is highly recommended.

• Author Book Signing, Saturday at 1:30 PM: A book signing will occur Saturday in the conference store. Speakers with items sold at the conference are invited to sign copies at this time.

• Exhibit Hall & Conference Store: Visit our exhibit area to learn more about community groups. Our conference store will sell books and other products from our speakers, as well as additional items. Sales from select items will benefit KAAN. Bring CASH or CHECKS ONLY, as we CANNOT process credit cards onsite at the store.  

• Wellness and Community Building: Throughout the weekend, we have various games, activities, and time scheduled for ways to connect with each other and have fun. This includes morning exercise on Saturday and Sunday, conference Bingo, a community art project, a quiet room to decompress, and more!

• Notice of Filming and Photography: Entry at this event constitutes your express and implied consent to be photographed and filmed in conference activities and to have those images published in any way for any purpose, whether commercial or editorial. If you have any concerns about your presence in photos, please contact Katie Bozek at katie@wearekaan.org.

• Share us on social media: If you are on Twitter or Facebook, help make the conference come alive. Post photos or statuses/tweets throughout the weekend, linking to KAAN’s social media (www.facebook.com/WeAreKAAN/; Twitter/@WeAreKAAN, #KAAN2024).

POST-CONFERENCE EVALUATION

Please complete our conference survey online to give us your feedback and help us plan for future years! Link will be released on our app; deadline is July 30.

KAAN is a Project of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, fiscal sponsor. The official registration and financial information of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The Foundation for Enhancing Communities is registered in each state requiring such registration for charitable solicitation.