Conference Venue & Accommodations

The Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile is the home of the Midwest Conference on Differentiated Instruction. It is located on Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile featuring over 460 exclusive stores and boutiques, over 200 restaurants, and loads of entertainment.  The Marriott is in close proximity to the Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium and Millennium Park. You can walk out of your room and into the conference. For a complete list of hotel amenities and a virtual tour, visit the Marriott Chicago Downtown website.

Plus, just for you, the Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile is offering special discounted room rates. Act now. Because if you call by May 31, 2011, and tell them that you are attending SDE’s Midwest Conference on Differentiated Instruction, they’ll reserve your room at the special low rate, as availability permits.

Marriott Chicago Downtown
Magnificent Mile
540 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Special Overnight Rate
Just $169 per night (plus tax) single/double/triple/quad Call 800-266-9432 or book your room online before May 31, 2011.
(rates based on availability)

Parking: Valet $48/day or $33/Row
Self-Parking Garage
(subject to change)

Additional Accommodations

InterContinental Chicago Hotel
505 North Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

For reservations and directions call: (800) 628-2112 or (312) 944-4100

Special Overnight Rate
$169 single/double/triple/quad (rates based on availability)
Call (800) 628-2112 and request SDE's Midwest Conference on Differentiated Instruction rate before June 24, 2011.

Parking: $55.00 USD valet only with in/out privileges. There are various self parking garages available near the hotel at approximately $40.00/day but do not include in/out privileges (subject to change)

This hotel is located across the street from the Marriott.

Travel Tips

Download our Travel Tips for educators attending SDE's Midwest Conference on Differentiated Instruction (PDF document requires Acrobat Reader)

This handy reference guide will help to make your travel to and within the Chicago area as safe and easy as possible.

Getting around Chicago:

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) serves Chicago and 40 suburbs with its extensive train lines and bus routes. www.transitchicago.com

A variety of CTA services are available to you whether you are traveling across your neighborhood or across town. The Chicago Transit Authority runs buses and elevated/subway trains (‘L’) in the city and nearby suburbs. Experienced CTA riders know that the best transit trips often combine bus and train services.

CTA’s train system is called the ‘L’, short for "elevated." Each line has a color name. Train signs display their destinations, such as "Loop" or "Forest Park" or "Midway."

Taxis

Chicago is a world-class city of unsurpassed beauty, attracting visitors from around the nation and the world. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the heart of the Midwest, Chicago is home to the Blues, several sports teams, an internationally renowned symphony orchestra, spectacular live theater, celebrated architecture, thousands of restaurants, and world-class museums and shops.

Chicago is known as a powerhouse business center and a sophisticated city of friendly people. It is widely recognized for its daring approach to culture and the arts and its fierce passion for sports.

• Navy Pier
  Navy Pier is the place where all of Chicagoland and tourists from around the world have come together since 1995 to enjoy the beauty and the thrills of a day on Lake Michigan. From rides to restaurants, exhibitions to entertainment, shopping to dining cruises and tour boats Navy Pier has it all - in a location unlike any other! There's so much to do in our 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries and attractions. Take a ride on our 15-story tall McDonald's Ferris wheel. Catch a movie at the IMAX Theatre. Visit three floors of hands-on fun at the Chicago Children's Museum inside the Family Pavilion. Experience any one of the cruise boat rides departing from Navy Pier's South Dock.
• Shedd Aquarium
  At Shedd Aquarium you can get up close with 22,000 aquatic species. Shedd connects people to the living world. They engage and inspire, entertain and inform. They are a vital teaching and learning resource, conservation leader, neighborhood partner and global collaborator.
• Millennium Park
  Millennium Park is an award-winning 24.5 acre park for art, music, and architecture and landscape design. Among Millennium Park's prominent features is the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States. Also make sure to stop by the interactive Crown Fountain where two 50-foot glass block towers at each end of a shallow reflecting pool project video images from a broad social spectrum of Chicago citizens. There is also the hugely popular the Lurie Garden and Cloud Gate sculpture on the AT&T Plaza. It is a site not to be missed!
• The Hancock Observatory
  Following a multi-million dollar renovation, the new Hancock Observatory is dazzling visitors with incredible 94th-floor views, high-tech features and Chicago’s only open-air Skywalk—1,000 feet high. In the heart of the Magnificent Mile, you experience a one-stop tour of Chicago. Feel "The Windy City" on Skywalk, the city’s highest open-air viewing deck. Lend an ear to Sky Tours audio tour for an outstanding overview of the city. Picture yourself as a 1968 construction worker or Big John's window washer, all through the magic of trick photography.
• Sears Tower Skydeck
  You’ll see the best view and best overview of Chicago. At 1,353 feet the Skydeck is the highest observatory in Chicago. The view is amazing! You can see 40 – 50 miles on a clear day. Imagine seeing Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, just by walking around the Skydeck. And there’s no finer view of Chicago architecture. Visitors will see interactive, museum-quality exhibits on the inside of the Skydeck presenting Chicago’s past and present.
• Lincoln Park Zoo
  One of the last free zoos in the country and home to more than 1000 mammals, reptiles and birds, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a great place to spend a beautiful afternoon. This zoo is a world of wildlife in the shadow of skyscrapers. Located within a verdant park just minutes north of Chicago, the zoo has been a natural, free oasis for generations of animal lovers, who come to hear a lion’s roar echo off nearby apartment buildings, see gorillas climb trees as the Sears Tower looms in the distance, or forget where they are as they immerse themselves in tropical rainforests, dry-thorn forests or spacious savannahs.
• Six Flags Great America
  Ride Déjà Vu, a next-generation, suspended looping boomerang roller coaster that's the tallest and fastest of its kind only at Six Flags Great America. This is the most popular thrill park in the Midwest. Divided into seven historical-themed areas, the park features more than 100 amazing rides, spectacular shows and attractions, plus games, restaurants and specials kids’ areas!
• Chicago Cubs Baseball Games—Don't miss the Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies baseball action. The games will be played at the Wrigley Field, which is located approximately five miles north of the Marriott. The games will start at 7:05pm on Monday and Tuesday, July 18th and 19th, 2011. Tickets can be found online at chicago.cubs.mlb.com

Restaurants within the Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile:

• Lobby Bar & Lounge (American)
  Open for Lunch and Dinner
  
  
• Harvest Grill (American)
  Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  
  
• Starbucks Coffee House
  Open from 6am-6pm
   

Restaurants within 2 blocks of the Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile:

Food Court at the Shops of Northbridge

• Café Typhoon Japanese Express
• Coast Burger
• Habanero Fresh Mexican Grill
• Jaffa Bakery & Roasted Turkey
• Max Orient
• Mezza Grilled Wraps & Pitas
• Potbelly Sandwich Works
• Panda Express
• Chicago Grill

American

• Weber Grill
  Grand & State St, 312-467-9696, Exit Rush St door. 
  Walk left to corner (Grand). Turn right 2 streets to State.
  
  
• Bandera
  535 North Michigan Av., 312-644-3524, Exit North Michigan Ave. door. Walk right, cross North Michigan at the stop light go left. Restaurant is directly across the street on the second floor.
  
  

Asian

• P.F. Chang’s
  530 N Wabash, 312-828-9977, Exit Rush St door. 
  Walk left to corner (Grand). Turn right, go 1 street to Wabash.
  
  
• Big Bowl
  60 E Ohio, 312-951-1888, Exit Rush St door. Walk right, cross Ohio.  Turn left, cross Rush. Restaurant is 2 doors down.
   

Italian

• Buca di Beppo
  521 N Rush, 312-396-0001, Exit Rush St door.
  Walk left, cross Grand.
  
  
• Volare
  201 E Grand, 312-410-9900, Exit Rush St door. 
  Walk left, cross Grand. Turn left, go 1 block to St. Clair St.
  
  

Mexican

• Su Casa
  49 E Ontario, 312-943-4041, Exit Rush St. door. Walk right, cross Ohio. Go 1 street to Ontario. Turn left. Restaurant is 2 doors down.
  
  
• Chipotle
  6 W Grand, 312-828-0613, Exit Rush St door. Walk left to corner (Grand). Go right on Grand two streets to State. Cross State, restaurant is on right.
  
  

Pizza

• Pizzaria Uno
  619 N Wabash, 312-321-1000, Exit Rush St door. Walk right to corner (Ohio). Turn left, go 1 street to Wabash.
• California Pizza Kitchen
  52 E Ohio, Exit Rush St door. Walk right, cross Ohio. Turn left, cross Rush.  Restaurant is 3 doors down.
  
  

Sandwiches

• Cosi
  57 E Grand, 312-321-1990, Exit Rush St door, walk left, cross Grand.  Turn right, cross Rush. Restaurant is on the corner.
  
  
• Jimmy John’s
  55 E Grand, 312-329-1900, Exit Rush St door.  Walk left, cross Grand.  Turn right, cross Rush.  Restaurant is 2 doors down.

Chicago is a shopper’s paradise! You'll discover unique merchandise in boutiques scattered throughout the city's diverse neighborhoods, high end retailers that target big spenders and discount merchandise for those who can’t resist a great sale.

• The Magnificent Mile—offers 460 stores in eight city blocks. Beyond the Chicago favorites like American Girl, Crate & Barrel and Niketown, choose from delectable restaurants, unique shops and several museums and galleries to round out your day on the mile.
  Learn More

• The 900 North Shops features Bloomingdale's Fashion department store, with six levels of upscale retailers, including several restaurants, full service salon and spa and a state-of-the-art fitness facility.
• Water Tower Place at 835 North Michigan Avenue features Macy's and more than 100 popular stores. A unique themed food court and restaurant are also on the mezzanine level. Chicago Place at 700 North Michigan Avenue features Saks Fifth Avenue, over 50 unique stores, a beautiful floral shop and a food court on the scenic eighth floor.
• Westfield North Bridge is an elegant specialty center anchored by the Midwest flagship Nordstrom. Popular retail stores and innovative restaurants are enclosed in a four-level concourse at 520 North Michigan Avenue.

Before you leave home

Check to make sure you have assigned sessions for ALL time slots. If you are missing sessions, please call Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-462-1478 right away. Your password to access all handouts for twelve months is included in your confirmation letter. Handouts will become available online in early May. Please print your handouts to bring with you to the conference, check your confirmation letter for your session choices.

Q. How do I print out my handouts?

A. You will have twelve months of access to all the handouts and lesson ideas from every session—a collection of great instructional strategies and techniques that will fast become one of your most valuable reference tools! You will receive a password in your confirmation letter to have time to print your handouts before you leave home.

Q. What is the Conference Concierge?

A. Staffed by a friendly SDE staff member throughout the conference, located in the Grand Ballroom Foyer on the 7th Floor, this booth is where you can go with any questions about the event, directions, parking information, or to pick up paperwork for state and graduate continuing education credit. Lost and found is also located here.

Q. I’ve forgotten what sessions I signed up for, how do I find out what they are?

A. Your assigned sessions are on your name badge (A1, B1, C1, etc.). To find the location of the session, look in your Program Guide. There is a map of the facility on the back cover of your Program Guide.

Q. I am missing a session on my badge, what should I do?

A. The session you chose may have been closed already. If a session is closed, you may wait until everyone is seated and if there is space, the Session Monitor will let you know. Otherwise, you may attend any other session that is not closed.

Q. Do I have to wear my name badge?

A. Yes, please wear your name badge at all times as this is your ticket into the sessions and Exhibit Hall.

Q. What do I do if I lose my name badge?

A. Please visit the conference registration for a replacement.

Q. How do I know which sessions are closed (full)?

A. For available session information you can check with the Conference Concierge, or look for closed session sticker on the entrance to the sessions.

Q. Can I possibly attend a closed (full) session?

A. You are welcome to go to the session room and let the door monitor know you would like to be in the waiting line. The monitor will show you where to wait and once all registered attendees have been seated, he/she will seat those waiting in order of their arrival as space allows.

Q. How can I become a presenter or a practitioner presenter for SDE?

A. Stop by the Conference Concierge Desk in the Grand Ballroom Foyer on the 7th Floor for information.

Q. I have a Purchase Order for books & materials, how do I use it?

A. CSB has a designated booth inside the exhibit hall just for purchase order sales, they will be happy to process your sales for you.

Q. How do I make sure I have state credit hours?

A. Go to the Conference Concierge Desk and complete the paperwork for your state.

Q. Where do I find out about Graduate and Continuing Education Credit?

A. Stop by the Conference Concierge Desk and pick up the paperwork, you have four months from the date of the conference to complete the work. Or you can download applications at our website www.sde.com.

Q. How can I bring one of the SDE presenters to my school or district?

A. Stop by the SDE Sales Booth located in the Exhibit Hall.

Q. Can I take pictures and video tape sessions at the conference?

A. Video and audio taping of any kind at a session is prohibited. Some presenters will permit photography. However, please ask their permission before taking any pictures.

Q. How can I exhibit at this event next year?

A. To exhibit at any upcoming SDE events go to www.sde.com/exhibiting to download an application or contact Jo-Ann Paquin @ 1-800-924-9621 ext. 261 or (603) 924-1112.

Q. Can I have Crystal Springs Books hold products for me?

A. Absolutely! CSB will hold product for you right up until lunch on the last day of the program.

Q. Can the facility ship my materials home from the event for me?

A. Yes, the Marriott has a Business Center that will ship for you for a fee. CSB will provide boxes if you need them.

Q. Where can I use my cell phone during the conference?

A. Cell phone use is limited to the hallways and exhibit area. Please remember to switch your cell phones to vibrate so sessions are not interrupted.

Q. Are there any complimentary WiFi internet hotspots at the Marriott?

A. Yes there are free WiFi internet areas in the hotel lobby area on the first floor and on the second floor near and in the Harvest Grill Restaurant.

Q. What’s included in the complimentary Coffee & Muffins mentioned in the Program Guide?

A. Funny you should ask, coffee & tea and muffins are provided! They are in the Exhibit Hall in the morning.

Q. What if I want more than coffee and muffins?

A. The Starbuck’s Coffee House, Harvest Grill and gift shop have fruit, yogurt, bottled water, soda, etc.

Q. Where should I go for lunch?

A. The Magnificent Mile has many restaurant options. Visit www.themagnificentmile.com and click on the dining tab for a complete list. There are also restaurants within two blocks from the Magnificent Mile including the Food Court at the Shops at Northbridge on the corner of North Michigan and Grand Streets.

Q. What’s the best way to get a around Chicago?

A. Chicago Transit Authority Chicago
Transit Authority (CTA) serves Chicago and 40 suburbs with its extensive train lines and bus routes. www.transitchicago.com

Taxis
Taxis can be a safe and fast method of transportation while in the downtown area, especially at night. A flag-pull metered fare should be $2.25 for the first 1/9 mile. The additional fraction of a mile charge is 20 cents for each additional 1/9 mile. Every 36 seconds of time elapsed is 20 cents. The flat fee for the first additional passenger is $1.00. The flat fee for each additional passenger, after the first additional passenger is 50 cents.

Q. Where is the closest store to buy incidentals?

A. The Gift Shop near the hotel registration area in the Marriott. Also there is a Walgreens drugstore (312-321-0951) located 3 blocks south of the Marriott at 430 North Michigan Ave., c/o North Michigan and Hubbard.

Q. When is the Fitness Center Open?

A. The Fitness Center is located on the 9th floor. Complimentary Facilities include: track, weight/cardio room, pool, steam rooms and whirlpool. Massages, tanning and personal training are available. Hours everyday are 5:30 am-11:00 pm.