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2023 PoWR FAQs


August 14-18, 2023 | McCormick Place Lakeside Center

Most Common Questions

I’m having issues with registration!

Please email susan@parliamentofreligions.org or give us a call at +1-312-629-2990

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, a limited amount of registration scholarships are available for individuals with demonstrated needs. Scholarships do not cover the cost of travel, lodging, or food.

You can apply for consideration here.

Can you help me with my Visa request?

If you need a letter confirming your registration to help with your efforts to obtain a visa to attend the 2023 Chicago Parliament, we can provide a confirmation letter for you so long as you have:

  • Already registered for the 2023 Chicago Parliament, and
  • Paid the registration fee

Submit your request here!

Is this event in person or virtual?

The 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions is meeting in person at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center from August 14-18th.

Do I have to pay to volunteer?

Volunteers are expected to pay for their background check (on average $15-$30) and if approved will be offered a discounted $50 registration rate when they commit to 20 hours of volunteer service.

Learn more here.

Where is McCormick Place located?

The main entrance of McCormick Place is located at 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago.

How accessible is the venue?

Should you or someone from your organization require assistance while attending an event at McCormick Place, the following amenities may assist your team during their visit.

  • For scooter and wheelchair rentals, please visit the in-house provider Scootaround.
  • For questions, please visit the McCormick support page.

Registration

How do I register for the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions?

All registrations ahead of the event must be completed through our registration page, fill out your information and proceed to the payment page where you will be asked to select the type of ticket you wish to register for and if you would like to add a program book and a membership.

Can I purchase my registration during the event?

Yes but please note that at-the-door prices are not subject to any discounts.

What is included with my registration?

Registrants enjoy access to all the plenary sessions, hundreds of breakout sessions, art & cultural exhibits, performances, a film festival, and countless opportunities to connect on-site at the convention center.

Please note that there might be private events available by invitation only or at an additional cost.

Registration costs do not include food, lodging, or travel expenses.

Are there any special discounts on registration?

The current registration rates offer already discounted pricing, additional savings on registration are available through group rates booking the general admission and volunteer opportunities.

How do the group registration purchases work?

An individual will complete the group registration form and work with our team to finalize the number of group members.

Once payment has been made, the Parliament will send a registration code to the group contact and each group member must complete their individual registration with the appropriate code.

I am a member of a group, but my registration is not showing up?

If you have completed the registration form with your group code and your registration is not appearing in your records, please contact our team at info@parliamentofreligions.org

If you do not have access to your group code, please contact the individual who booked your group for details.

Do I have to pay to volunteer?

Volunteers are expected to pay for their background check and if approved will be offered a discounted $50 registration rate when they commit to 20 hours of volunteer service.

Learn more here.

How does the day pass work?

The day pass provides a registrant the opportunity to attend the Parliament for one day of their choice, simply purchase through our registration form and use it on the day of your preference.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, a limited amount of registration scholarships are available for individuals with demonstrated needs. Scholarships do not cover the cost of travel, lodging, or food.

You can apply for consideration here.

Who can access the student rate?

The student rate is available exclusively for students up to the undergraduate level, and for university staff bringing a group of students to the Convening.

Learn more about student opportunities here.

How can I access my registration and payment receipts?

Check your inbox and spam folder for your registration confirmation, which is automatically emailed from info@parliamentofreligions.org once the registration form is completed.

If you have not received a confirmation, please email us at info@parliamentofreligions.org

Dates & Venue

What are the official dates of the 2023 Parliament Convening?

The official program for the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions begins the morning of Monday, August 14th, and runs through the afternoon of Friday, August 18th. The schedule for the week is coming soon!

Please note that additional events might be scheduled before, during, and after the official program, including a local pre-Parliament Event “the Parade of Faiths” on Sunday, August 13th.

Where is the venue located?

The main entrance of McCormick Place is located at 2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago.

Where can I find accessibility information for the venue?

 Should you or someone from your organization require assistance while attending an event at McCormick Place, the following amenities may assist your team during their visit.

  • For scooter and wheelchair rentals, please visit the in-house provider Scootaround.
  • For questions, please visit the McCormick support page.
How can I find public transportation information for the venue?

Public transportation is the most affordable and convenient way to get to McCormick Place.

Public Transit Resources:

Visit the McCormick Place website to learn more.

Travel & Lodging

I am an international participant, do I need a VISA?

Chicago welcomes hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year. Two documents are needed to enter the United States:

  • A valid passport
  • If your country is not part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you will need to obtain a visitor visa from the U.S. Department of State. The VWP allows citizens of over 30 participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less. Find out if you qualify.

If your country is not part of the VWP, there are three visitor visa categories you may apply for:

B-1: For those entering the U.S. temporarily for business

B-2: For those visiting for pleasure

B-1/B-2: For a combination of both

Note: Citizens of Canada and Bermuda visiting the United States for temporary travel generally do not require a nonimmigrant visa.

Does PoWR offer support for the VISA process?

The Parliament is committed to making travel for our registrants as easy and simple as possible.

If you need a letter confirming your registration to help with your efforts to obtain a visa to attend the 2023 Chicago Parliament, we can provide a confirmation letter for you so long as you have:

  • Already registered for the 2023 Chicago Parliament, and
  • Paid the registration fee

Submit your request here!

How can I travel to the 2023 Convening via airplane?

Chicago is home to two international airports conveniently located in the center of the country, with thousands of daily inbound and outbound flights to more than 240 destinations.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Multi-award-winning, environmentally conscious O’Hare (ORD) is one of the largest airports in the world. It lies just 16 miles from downtown Chicago and boasts four terminals — three domestic (Terminals 1, 2 and 3) and one international (Terminal 5).

Chicago Midway International Airport

Midway (MDW) is the nation’s premier point-to-point airport, offering value-oriented leisure and business travel to over 60 destinations. It’s located only 11 miles from downtown Chicago.

How can I travel to the 2023 Convening via car?

Chicago’s central location and its position as a hub for the nation’s major interstates make it a convenient drive from anywhere in the country. Chicago is accessible via several major interstates and highways: I-90 (Kennedy Expressway), I-94 (Dan Ryan Expressway), I-55 (Stevenson Expressway), I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway), and I-294 (Tri-State Tollway).

Parking

There are three main parking lots on the McCormick Place campus. All are in close proximity and walking distance to the convention complex and are ADA accessible.

  • Events in the North, South and West Buildings designate Lot A as the primary parking location.
  • Events in Lakeside Center and Arie Crown Theater designate Lot C (Fort Dearborn Drive, Chicago, IL 60616) as the primary parking location.
    • (6’4″ height clearance) is an underground garage with 1,900 parking spaces and is located on Ft. Dearborn Drive, adjacent to the Lakeside Center. The parking rate is a flat fee of $25 per day with no in-and-out privileges.* This parking lot is open throughout event hours. Overnight parking is not available.
How can I travel to the 2023 Convening via public transportation?

Via Train

Chicago’s iconic Union Station serves both Amtrak and Metra, the city’s commuter rail service. Originally designed by Daniel Burnham and completed by Graham, Anderson, Probst and White, Union Station is a glowing expression of Chicago’s status as a national railroad hub, and remains a treasured part of the city’s history.

Additionally, the Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago serves the three commuter rail lines of Metra’s Union Pacific District, which approach the terminal elevated above street level. There are also two Metra stations in the Loop: Millennium Station on the Metra Electric District line and Lasalle Street Station on the Rock Island District Line.

Amtrak

With 21,000 miles of routes across the United States and Canada, Amtrak offers more than 300 high-speed trains to more than 500 destinations daily. Find Amtrak routes and fares.

Metra Rail

The high-speed Metra commuter rail train connects outlying suburbs to downtown Chicago and is a fast and easy way to travel to the heart of the city. Find fares and route maps.

South Shore Line

South Shore Line serves Chicago through Northern Indiana to the South Bend Airport. Call (219) 874-4221 ext. 245 for group rates. Find South Shore Line routes and fares.

Via Bus

Total Charter Bus Chicago

If you’re headed to Chicago from a Midwestern metropolis like Detroit, Indianapolis, or St. Louis, catch a leisurely ride on a private charter bus. Charter buses include free WiFi, reclining seats, panoramic windows, and plenty of legroom.Find a private charter bus.

Greyhound Lines, Inc.

Greyhound has five Chicagoland locations, including two 24-hour stations and 20 express routes to major U.S. cities.Find Greyhound stations.

Megabus.com

Megabus is a budget-friendly, city-to-city service.Find Megabus stations and rates.

Does PoWR have recommendations for lodging?

The Parliament recommends booking with the PoWR Hotel Block at a number of local hotels, learn more at our Hotel & Lodging page.

Programming

Can I present at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions?

The Call for Programs for the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions closed on November 3rd. Unsolicited requests to present at the Parliament Convenings are not accepted.

When will I receive a decision on my proposal?

All program decisions were committed in the Spring of 2023, the full program is now available to the public.

Please check your inbox and spam for an email from 2023presenters@parliamentofreligions.org

How can I find the date and time of my presentation?

The full schedule for the 2023 Convening is available at parliamentofreligions.org/2023-program/

If you have any questions related to programming please email 2023presenters@parliamentofreligions.org

Where can I find the program for the 2023 Convening?

The program for the 2023 Parliament Convening is available at parliamentofreligions.org/2023-program/

How can I find out when someone is scheduled to present?

The Convening app will have information about each of the sessions being presented, visit parliamentofreligions.org/2023-program to explore who will be presenting.

When will the keynotes be announced for the Convening?

Luminaries of the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions will be announced on a rolling basis, check the Voices of PoWR page for details.

Booths & Exhibits

How can I become an exhibitor at the 2023 Convening?

Individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, and vendors can purchase a booth here.

The Parliament is actively seeking financial sponsors for the Convening, please contact emma@parliamentofreligions.org if you are interested in becoming a sponsor.

Do I have to register if I am an exhibitor?

Yes, each booth purchase comes with 2 complimentary registrations.

Booth representatives will be provided a unique code to complete their registration for the Convening.

I am an exhibitor, how do I order additional booth furnishings / where do I ship my booth materials?

The Parliament’s contracted exhibit services company will be reaching out to exhibitors with details about logistics and options for additional purchases.

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