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It’s official! The 15th Annual Chicago Seminars Heritage Edition is officially on — and tickets are on sale now!
Let’s get to the what, when, where, who, and how much. And “where’s the promo code?!”
Event website: The 15th Annual Chicago Seminars Heritage Edition
What are the Chicago Seminars?
If you read this and other Boarding Area blogs, you’ll probably be interested in attending. There’s so much to learn. And most of the fellow attendees are very laid back and friendly. If you love traveling and have any interest in points/miles, you’ll have a great time. If you are new-ish to the points and miles hobby, I highly recommend this event.
Speakers present sessions on loyalty programs, credit card tips, strategies for earning and redeeming points, different travel “hacks” and much more. Speakers usually mill about the hotel lobby or bar between sessions. There’s plenty of time to ask questions and hang out.
One of my family members joined me at the 2022 event, basically so I’d shut up and stop telling her to go. She left with a notebook full of tips and tons of new friends. Years later, she and her husband have taken several business class trips around the world — all thanks to tips they learned at the Chicago Seminars and from friends she made during the weekend.
Also, there are a few topics some bloggers aren’t supposed to discuss on their blogs. But you know what’s weird? There’s sometimes some bean-spilling during Chicago Seminars presentations and panels. And almost assuredly at the bar. (Alcohol seems to get people talking. Strange, right?)
I love attending this event. I booked my flights months ago, long before I was asked to speak. That’s how excited I am every year. I always have a great time — and have met people there who my family considers lifelong friends.
The Chicago Seminars is a volunteer-run event. Staff and speakers may receive a small stipend for travel and accommodations, but don’t get paid (Despite what certain people and some blogs may claim.) We do this because we love sharing our passions for points and travel! Even better, it’s a great excuse for a few hundred of us to get together. Net proceeds from tickets are given to charity.
When Are the Chicago Seminars?
Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26.
Where Are the Chicago Seminars?
We have our first big twist! The event is moving!
Our beloved Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village — longtime home of the Chicago Seminars — is no longer a Holiday Inn. It’s not even an IHG property at all.
However, someone who’s worked with the Chicago Seminars is now at the Holiday Inn Chicago Oakbrook! So, that’s where the event will take place this year.
Holiday Inn Chicago Oakbrook
350 West 22nd Street
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
How Much Does It Cost?
Tickets are $219 for the event, which runs Friday night through late Sunday afternoon. That includes:
- Admittance to the main Chicago Seminars programming
- Friday evening, all day Saturday, and all day Sunday.
- Programming usually wraps up around 5:00 PM on Sunday. Some people elect to leave earlier in the day.
- Lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
- Coffee/snack breaks.
- A complimentary drink at happy hour on Saturday night
- Help offset travel costs for presenters and volunteers
- Fees for online registration.
- Other costs, such as name badges, supplies, etc.
There’s something additional this year called “Masterclasses.” We’ll get to that in a minute.
Save $20 with a Promo Code
Save $20 off your Chicago Seminars ticket using promo code EYE20 at checkout. I don’t receive a commission, kickback, or any other compensation if you use my code. (Maybe bragging rights if I have the most readers sign up, who knows?)
Who’s Speaking?
Here’s the current list of speakers (subject to change):
- Me! (but that shouldn’t discourage you from attending 🙂 )
- Mindy Bumgarner, MS FIRE
- Andrew D’Amours of Flytrippers
- Andrew Derthick
- Amy M. Gardner
- Shabbir Hakim of cardZTravel
- Andy Hicks, everycountryby50
- Dave Homyak, bikeguy
- Aaron Hurd, PointsAndTravel
- Chris Hutchins of All the Hacks Podcast
- Lucy Hsu of Every Passport Stamp Facebook Group
- Kathy Kass of Will Run for Miles
- Ben Komenkul of Ben’s Big Deal
- Stefan Krasowski of Rapid Travel Chai
- Linda Lay from SoloPear Travel
- Moli of Maple Miles
- Julia Menez of Geobreeze Travel Podcast
- Sarah Ramkissoon
- Dawn Royski of Share Traveler
- Justin Vacula of Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
- Rachel Yuan of Prince of Travel
- Likely more people TBA
Can You Stay at the Host Hotel?
Yes — and you even get a special rate of $129/night + tax. That includes breakfast for one adult. (That’s the same price as last year.)
I highly encourage staying at the host hotel. That’s where most speakers and attendees stay. That’s where you’ll meet most of your new and old friends! Plus, it’s a comfortable option if you want to dip out for a minute and get some rest in your room. Or if you happen to stay up late the night before and really can’t be bothered getting to the venue from somewhere else. Trust me. 🙂
Masterclasses
Here’s something new this year: Chicago Seminars Masterclasses!
These are in-depth, four-hour sessions (with a few breaks here and there, of course) tackling a specific topic. These are optional, additional sessions and cost $99. For example, you can join my Beginners class from 8-12 and then learn all about Content Creation with Ben and Julia that afternoon for another $99, if you choose.
Friday morning (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM)
- Gift Cards, directed by Michael Cao and Shabbir Hakim ($99)
- Churning, directed by Andrew Derthick and Candace Keene ($99)
- Beginners, directed by Chris Carley and Dave Homyak ($99)
- Extreme and Exotic Travel, directed by Andy Hicks and Lisa Hsu ($99)
Friday afternoon (1:00 PM to 5:00 PM)
- Buying Groups and Gold, directed by Aaron Hurd and Matthew Weyer ($99)
- Award Booking, directed by Sarah Ramkissoon and Rachel Yuan ($99)
- Canada Focus, directed by Andrew D’Amours and Moli ($99)
- Content Creators, directed by Ben Komenkul and Julia Menez ($99)
Wait. Isn’t There Another Chicago Seminars?
Yes. There was some drama and confusion a couple of years ago that resulted in two different events calling themselves the Chicago Seminars. It looks like there will be two Chicago Seminars for the foreseeable future.
This Chicago Seminars is organized by Stefan Krasowski.
It was held at the Holiday Inn Elk Grove last year and a Delta Marriott the year before.
The other Chicago Seminars take place the following month at a different venue. There’s no overlap like there was in 2023. Like last year, this allows people to attend one or both of the events. Despite having similar names, the events are different and organized by different people.
Final Approach
The Chicago Seminars event on October 24-26 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Oakbrook is now on sale, as is the other Chicago Seminars taking place in November at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago.
Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
