The Conference

The Conference is a five-day event running from Sunday 17 to Friday 22 September, with working sessions commencing on Monday 18 September.

The programme comprises over 150 working sessions as well as several showcase sessions, combining practice-specific issues with the wider issues affecting the profession, ensuring there is something for every practitioner with clients who trade across borders.

The registration fee entitles you to attend as many sessions throughout the week as you wish.  In addition there is a varied social programme, providing plenty of opportunity to network with fellow delegates in an informatal setting.  An excursion programme allows delegates and their guests to explore the many attractions of Chicago.

Social programme

* Indicates functions open to delegates and registered guests for which there is no charge. Admission is by conference badge.

Social function tickets will NOT be confirmed until full payment is received at the IBA office. If full payment is not received by Friday 18 August then tickets will be released without further notice.

Tickets, where relevant, must be purchased for children over 13. Some social functions may not be suitable for young children and, if this is the case, the IBA reserves the right not to admit them.

Social function prices: the IBA does not mark up ticket prices or make a profit from social functions.

Dining in a large group will sometimes cost more than dining individually due to additional costs such as room hire, transport, decoration, etc.

Dates and times for intended committee social functions are indicated in the programme.

A full list of events with further details, ie time, venue and price, will be sent to all delegates with their registration acknowledgment.

The Conference dress code is: casual for working sessions and smart casual for social events.

Sunday

1800 – 1900
*Opening ceremony
The Arie Crown Theater
McCormick Place Convention Center (West)
Transport will be provided from the official conference hotels to McCormick Place (South), Gate 27.

1930 – 2230
*Welcome party
The Field Museum
1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
The venue for this evening’s party was founded in 1893 as the Columbian Museum of Chicago, housing the biological and anthropological collections assembled for the world’s Columbian Exposition. In 1905, the Museum’s name was changed to the Field Museum of Natural History to honour the Museum’s first major benefactor, Marshall Field. In 1921, the Museum moved from its original location in Jackson Park
to its present site. 

Unique permanent exhibits include Sue, the largest, most complete, and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossil discovered. The fascinating temporary exhibition Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, which consists of more than 130 priceless artefacts, will be exclusively available for all delegates and guests to view. Wander around at your leisure, sampling food and wine while being entertained by musicians and artists.

Transport will be provided after the Opening Ceremony, from The Arie Crown Theatre, McCormick Place (West), to the The Field Museum.

Monday 

1230 – 1400
Asia Pacific Forum lunch
Level 2, Room N227
McCormick Place (North)
Price: £45

1230 – 1400
North American Forum lunch
Level 1, Grand Ballroom
McCormick Place (South)
Price: £45

1230 – 1400
Senior Lawyers’ lunch
Chicago Yacht Club
400 East Monroe Street, Chicago
Price: £25
Note: Transport will not be provided for this lunch. An alcohol cash bar will be in operation.

1230 – 1400
Women Lawyers’ lunch
Level 2, Room N228
McCormick Place (North)
Price: £45

1715
Newcomers’ reception
Level 1, Grand Ballroom
McCormick Place (South)

Tuesday

1230 – 1400
Corporate Counsel lunch
Sponsored by Lex Mundi
Level 2, Room N228
McCormick Place (North)
Price: £45

1230 – 1400
European Forum lunch
Level 1, Room S104
McCormick Place (South)
Price: £45

1230 – 1400
Latin American Regional Forum lunch
Level 2, Room N227
McCormick Place (North)
Price: £45

Wednesday

1230 – 1400
Public and Professional Interest Division lunch
Level 2, Room N227
McCormick Place (North)
Price: £45

1745 - 2010
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Champagne Reception and
Gala Performance
Symphony Center
220 South Michigan Avenue
Tonight’s Gala Charity Concert in aid of the IBA’s Human Rights Institute will take place in the elegant Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Start the evening off in style with a champagne reception while admiring the interior design of the theatre, which was built at the turn of the century. The performance will begin at 1830 and will feature Beethoven's Sixth (Pastoral) Symphony and Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony.
Price: £20
Transport will depart from McCormick Place Convention Center (South), Gate 20, at 1730.

Local lawyers who do not register for the Conference will have the opportunity to purchase concert tickets for US$35. For further information on this option please contact the IBA office for a booking form.

We would like to thank the following for kindly hosting this evening’s concert: DLA Piper Rudnick; Kirkland and Ellis LLP; Mayer Bown Rowe & Maw LLP; McDermott Will and Emery LLP; Sidley Austin LLP; and Winston & Strawn LLP.

Thursday

IBA golf day
Cog Hill golf and Country Club
Dubsdread Course
12294 ARcher Avenue Lemont
Transport will depart from the Palmer House Hilton Hotel at 1000
Price: £127

1230 – 1400
Legal Practice Division lunch
Level 2, Room N227
McCormick Place (North)
Price: £45

1715
Young lawyers’ reception
Level 4, Registration/Exhibition Area, Vista Room
McCormick Place (South)

Friday

1930 – 2230
Closing party
House of Blues® Chicago
329 North Dearborn Street
Since Chicago's beginning as an outpost in the prairie, music has played a pivotal role in its rich history; jazz, blues, dixieland and gospel all have deep roots in Chicago. To celebrate this remarkable and diversified musical history, the House of Blues Chicago is the venue for tonight’s closing party.

Located in the historic Marina City Complex along the Chicago River, the House of Blues features an eclectic mix of Moroccan, Gothic and East Indian design, combined with influences of the Southern States and Asia. The Music Hall is modelled after the extravagant Estavovski Opera House in Prague. Explore and discover all this fascinating venue has to offer: southern-inspired American cuisine and hospitality, and exciting musical entertainment. Soak up this unique and extravagant atmosphere.
Price: £65

10th Floor, 1 Stephen Street, London W1T 1AT, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7691 6868 | Fax: +44 (0)20 7691 6544

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