Registration Check-In

The onsite registration area is located in the Red Lacquer Room on the 4th Floor at the Palmer House Hilton. Registration will be during the following hours:

  • Wednesday, April 3, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 4, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday, April 5, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 6, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 7, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.


After Hours Self-Serve Kiosk. For those pre-registered, an after-hours, self-serve kiosk for name badge pick-up will be outside the Red Lacquer on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. However, name badges cannot be re-printed via this kiosk after the initial badge has been printed. Don’t forget to return to registration during regular registration hours to pick up a copy of the printed program and a giveaway bag for all registered attendees.

Pre-Registrants

Please remember to allow ample time to navigate the registration process. You will need your name badge to enter the exhibit hall and attend evening meetings, receptions, and conference events throughout the week.

Those who have registered in advance, can go to the Pre-Registration Check-In and Badge Pickup kiosks in the Red Lacquer Room on the 4th Floor to check-in and print their badges.

When you arrive at registration in the Red Lacquer Room, go to the badge pickup kiosk, search for your name, check-in and print your badge.

After you print your badge, remember to pick up your lanyard, program book, giveaway bag for all attendees, and ribbon (should you get one).

Onsite Registrants

Those who have NOT registered in advance, have two options. They can go to the Onsite-Registration and Badge Pickup kiosks or they can also go to the registration counters in the Red Lacquer Room on the 4th Floor to purchase a registration and get their badges. If you want to purchase your registration via the self-registration kiosk:

  1. Go to the kiosk
  2. Select your registration type (professional, graduate student, retiree or undergraduate)
  3. Select the hotel you are staying in or if you are a local commuter
  4. Enter your payment information. We accept credit card, cash and check payments onsite. Credit card is the only payment accepted at the self-registration kiosks. If you’d like to pay by cash or check you should go to the registration counters; which accept all three payment types. View the onsite registration rates here.
  5. Print your badge

After you print your badge, be sure to pick up your badge holder/lanyard, program book, giveaway bag for all attendees, and ribbon (should you get one).

 

Download the 2024 MPSA Annual Conference Mobile App

The app features the conference program agenda as well as a host of additional features. With the app you can:

  • View the entire program agenda.
  • Set up your personalized schedule.
  • Search sessions by day, section, room location, etc.
  • View the exhibitor list and visit virtual booths.
  • Locate resources and helpful information.
  • Be alerted via app notifications of receptions, late breaking sessions, and other important information.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The conference app is only available to pre-registered attendees. If you have colleagues registering onsite, they will only receive access to the app after they have completed their registration.

Please Download the Mobile App Before Arriving
The app requires download and installation on your mobile device prior to using it. Advanced download will allow us to maintain strong Wi-Fi connectivity speeds onsite. We are asking all pre-registrants to download the app and log in before arriving at the conference. The hotel will provide free Wi-Fi in most areas. Due to the volume of users, the speed may vary. If you have technical questions during download, please contact support@bravuratechnologies.com.

To download the app, search for “MPSA 2024” or “MPSA” in the Apple App Store for iOS devices or the Google Play Store for Android devices. You may also access the app by scanning the QR code below. The app is not available for download on Amazon devices.

Log in to the Conference Mobile App
After downloading the app, you must log in with the email address you used to register for the event. If you are having trouble getting into the app, it may be because your email address was mistyped when you completed your registration. If you require assistance accessing or operating the app, please come to the staff information booth on the 4th floor on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

 

Audio Visual and Tech Support Information (A/V)

Audiovisual Information:  All meeting rooms have either a LCD projector or large monitor, a laptop computer, a video/mic/speaker device, and a slide advancer. The computers are operating with Windows 10. They are equipped with Microsoft Office 365, Adobe PDF Reader, Adobe Air, PowerPoint Reader, Media Player, and antivirus software. You should come to the session with your presentation saved on a USB-A flash or thumb drive. Please use an inexpensive, disposable drive that you can throw away after the presentation. Though antivirus software is loaded on the computer, there still exists the possibility your drive can get infected. Many people will be using the computers over the course of the conference and some viruses could be transmitted despite these precautions.

Presenters will NOT be able to use their own laptop computers for presentations. All sessions except posters are hybrid. The conference computers are preloaded with the correct information for your hybrid events. DO NOT DISCONNECT THE LAPTOP COMPUTER; this may cause the LCD projector to reset, and you may need technical support to fix it. This will use up the limited time you have for your presentation.

If you have problems, call ENCORE at (312) 917-3462. Let them know you are with the MPSA Conference, the room you are in, the type of problem you are experiencing, and that you need an A/V engineer to assist you. For security reasons, the laptop computers and LCD projectors will be removed from all meeting rooms immediately upon conclusion of each day’s panels.

Meeting Room Wireless Instructions. The MPSA will have two wireless networks available for attendees. Follow these instructions to connect to the Wi-Fi:

  • Turn on the wireless connection of your device to view available Wi-Fi networks.
  • Select either the “Hilton Honors Meeting” or the “MPSA” wireless network.
  • Launch your web browser. You will be directed to the hotel Wi-Fi connection page.
  • Type in the Wi-Fi access code: MPSA2024 (the code is the same for both networks)
  • Click “Connect.”

A presenters’ Green Room is in Burnham 3 on the 7th floor. A/V equipment is set up so that you can test your presentation in advance. The room will be open Thursday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Meeting Rooms will be open by 7:30 a.m. should you need to test your presentation before the start of the 8:00 a.m. sessions.

 

Accessibility

Accessibility: Main Elevator Bank accesses Street, Lobby, Mezzanine Levels, and all guest room floors.

  • To access 5th floor meeting rooms, Exhibition Halls, Salons, and Spa:
  • From Street Level, please use the State Street Elevators on Street Level to location
  • From guest floors, please use the main elevator bank to 6th floor then cross over on the 6th floor to State Street elevators.
  • Locations providing wheelchair/ADA lift elevators:
  • Pool and Fitness Center on the 8th floor, there is a wheelchair lift inside to access both areas.
  • For the Empire Ballroom there is a wheelchair lift on the west side of Empire Ballroom near the Lockwood restrooms.
  • For the Honoré Ballroom there is a wheelchair lift on the north side of Honoré staircase. Lift may be accessed through automatic sliding door.
  • Potters’ upper bar may be accessed using automatic doors to the right of the Potters main entrance. The ramp leads to upper bar area.

 

Session Details

Session Times: Conference session dates and times are shown below and are held in Central Daylight Time (CDT).

Each conference session is 90 minutes. There are 5 minutes for the chair’s introductions at the beginning of the full 90-minute session time. Please see the break down of session times for each format below. If there is any additional time remaining, it will be reserved for additional Q&A/Audience Discussion.

Poster Sessions: All poster sessions take place in the 4th floor Exhibition Hall. If you have any questions or need additional assistance in locating a poster board, please visit the Poster Information Booth in the Exhibit Hall.

Lightning Talks: All Lightning Talks take place in Kimball, Logan and Marshfield on the 3rd floor, and Buckingham, Chicago and Price on the 5th floor.

Session, Meeting, and Reception Room Locations:
On the Lobby Level: Honoré, which is on the right past Potter’s Bar as you exit the main elevators
On the 3rd floor: Ashland, Cresthill, Crystal, Harvard, Indiana, Kimball, Logan, Madison, Marshfield, Salons 1-10 and 12, Wabash and Wilson
On the 4th floor: Exhibition Hall, Grand, State, and Red Lacquer
On the 5th floor: Buckingham, Chicago, and Price
On the 6th floor: Adams, Grant Park Parlor, Hancock Parlor, Medinah Parlor, Millennium Parlor, Monroe, Spire Parlor, and Water Tower Parlor
On the 7th floor: Burnham, Clark, Dearborn, LaSalle, Montrose, and Sandburg Wings

Hotel floor maps are on signage on each of the conference floors, the last pages of the conference program and are also included in the conference app.

 

Onsite Resources

Exhibition Hall: The central location for the conference is the Exhibition Hall located on the 4th floor. Please visit the Exhibition Hall for poster sessions, exhibits, and refreshments. Exhibit hours are Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Friday 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., and Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Be sure to attend the MPSA Welcome Reception on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. You must present your conference name badge to enter the Exhibition Hall.

Shuttle Information: Buses will run approximately every 30 minutes between the Palmer House and the Chicago Hilton on: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; and on Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. from the 8th Street South Exit at the Chicago Hilton and from the Wabash Street Exit at the Palmer House.

Executive Committee Office Hours: The MPSA Executive Committee (President, Eleanor Neff Powell, Past-president, Melanie Manion, and President-elect, Christina Wolbrecht) will hold office hours with attendees on Friday, April 5th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., and Saturday, April 6th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Harvard on the 3rd floor. Attendees are welcome to drop-in without an appointment or may schedule time to meet with the Executive Committee by visiting the MPSA website here. Appointments are available in 10-minute intervals; if you need a longer appointment time, please book up to two consecutive 10-minute time slots or email the Executive Committee (ExecutiveCommittee@mpsanet.org) if you would like to set up meeting that you anticipate may go over twenty minutes.

MPSA Ombuds Office Hours: The MPSA Ombuds Tyler Smith and Sarah Klaper will be available to meet with attendees Thursday, April 4th – Saturday, April 6th from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 7th from 8 :00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in Clark 2 on the 7th floor. The Ombuds have provided a Calendly link for scheduling appointments during the conference and will also welcome walk-in appointments. Please visit the Ombuds page for additional details or to schedule an appointment.

Networking: The MPSA conference offers opportunities to connect with your colleagues through a variety of networking events. Some, like the First-time Attendee Reception, require attendees to reserve a seat prior to the conference, while others like the MPSA Welcome Reception are open to all participating attendees and require no advance registration.

Networking Lounge: Room has been set aside in the Grand and State on the 4th floor to meet with colleagues. The lounge is available Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Midwest Women’s Caucus for Political Science Lounge: The Midwest Women’s Caucus for Political Science invites current and future caucus members to the Members Lounge.  The Lounge provides a space to meet up with friends, prepare for presentations, or just sit and relax when you need a break. The Lounge will have information on the caucus and if you aren’t a member, you can join on-site. Join us Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. in the Cresthill Room on the 3rd floor.

Coffee Stations: Complimentary coffee is available Thursday through Saturday in the 4th floor Exhibition Hall from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and on Sunday on the 7th floor from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

All Gender Restrooms: A gender-neutral restroom is located on the on the 6th floor near the Grant Park Parlor and on the 4th floor off the Red Lacquer.  The restroom facilities are available for use by all persons, regardless of their gender identity. The facilities will be marked on the door. Please help make these facilities and this meeting an inclusive space by respecting the rights of all genders.

Lactation: If you wish to use the Nursing Mothers’ Room, please check in at the conference registration desk for room location and access information.

Childcare: MPSA offers Childcare Scholarships to help defray the cost of childcare for parents or guardians that are current members of MPSA, registered and attending the conference, and who are staying at the Palmer House or Hilton Chicago.  Childcare must be provided on-site, by a licensed, bonded, insured childcare provider. This service must be arranged by the parent or guardian. We recommend making childcare reservations at least two weeks in advance, childcare may not be available if you wait until later to make reservations. An itemized receipt is required for reimbursement.

Swag bags for small children accompanying their parents to the conference are available at conference registration in the Red Lacquer on the 4th floor during conference registration hours.

Quiet Room: Looking for a quiet place to be alone with your thoughts, but don’t have time to get back to your hotel room? MPSA is reserving the Wabash on the 3rd floor of the Palmer House as a quiet space on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; and on Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. during the conference to allow attendees to get away from the sounds, lights and energy of the annual conference activity. Please respect the purpose of this quiet space by planning personal meetings elsewhere.

In observance of Ramadan coffee and tea are available on the 4th floor outside of the Red Lacquer from 4:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Meditation or Prayer: The Congress on the 3rd floor is a space to go for personal meditation and prayer.  The Congress is available Thursday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., and Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Please respect the rights of others.

A coat check is available on the 4th floor of the Palmer House Hilton. They may be able to store your poster for a small fee. Otherwise, please plan to carry your presentation with you, as MPSA is not able to store poster materials.

The MPSA is sponsoring a Headshot Lounge in the Exhibit Hall on the 4th floor, Friday, April 5th. Timeslots are in 30-minute increments from 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Headshot sessions are $20, and payment is required upon booking. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Book at http://maisonetphotographybooking.as.me/MPSAHeadshotBooth. At your designated appointment time, arrive at the Headshot Lounge and check in with your name and phone number on the iPad to receive your private gallery link. Optional touchups and special corrections are available, start at $35 per image and are organized with the photographer onsite on an as-requested basis. 

If your birthday falls during the conference, bring your legal identification to the Red Lacquer on Friday, April 5 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. to get your birthday cupcake. Happy birthday from the MPSA!

Charging Station: We will have two locking cell phone charging stations on the 4th floor. One charging station is in the Red Lacquer near the registration area. The other is in the Grand & State Ballroom.  If you need to charge your cell phone simply open one of the available slots on the charging station, connect your phone to the charger and enter a numerical code to lock your slot. You create the numerical security code for your charging slot and therefore, it is unique to you. You must remember and enter that code when you are ready to retrieve your phone from the charging station. This set it and forget it process allows you to securely charge your device while you continue to conduct your conference activities and return when charging is complete. The charging station accepts various types of mobile devices so there’ll be a charging connection that fits your device. Use of the charging station is free.

Evacuation: In the event of an evacuation, use staircase 4.  There will be Security Staff present to assist the process.

What should I do if my discussant doesn’t show up for the session? All discussants in the conference program have confirmed their participation and are expected to perform their roles. If there is an emergency that requires last-minute cancellation, discussants should make every effort to email the written comments that they would have given, so that the chair and panelists can read and discuss those comments during the session. In the event that the discussant(s) does not arrive for the session, and has not communicated their absence to any of the panelists, panelists should still present their papers and exchange feedback with one another. After the session, please inform the MPSA of the discussant’s absence by emailing the Conference Director (speelmon@mpsanet.org).

 

Looking for additional resources for the conference and/or your visit to Chicago?

View Author Guidelines, Chair Guidelines, Discussant Guidelines, Lightning Talk Guidelines and FAQs, Poster Guidelines and FAQs, Instructions for Virtual Attendees, and Tips for Using Zoom.

View Travel Resources, A/V Details and Tech Support information, Local Dining options, Family Resources, and Health and Emergency Services locations and contact information. A Conference Guide can be found here.