On-Site Information
To help expedite your meeting experience on-site, below are pointers to assist you while you're in Chicago, IL.
ADA/Special Accommodations
Real-Time Captioning Services and Special Needs Requests
Real-time captioning services will be provided for all lectures in Hall B. Dedicated seating areas near screens will display the captioned text.
If you require American Sign Language services, contact meetings@sfn.org.
If you have a disability or special need that may affect your participation in the annual meeting, contact meetings@sfn.org. SfN cannot ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notification of need. For assistance with special needs or disabilities on-site, visit SfN headquarters office in Hall A.
Scooter and Wheelchair Rentals
For scooter and wheelchair rentals, contact the vendor below.
Scootaround Inc:
(888) 441-7575
www.scootaround.com
Note: When calling, press option 1 to speak with a representative in the reservations department to place an order. There will be a limited supply of scooters available for rent on-site.
Location: South Building Lobby Level 1, near Gate 4, McCormick Place.
Annual Meeting Headquarters Office
Logistics and Programming McCormick Place: Hall A
Logistics: (312) 791-6800
Programming: (312) 791-6805
Friday, October 18
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday, October 19 – Wednesday, October 23
7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
ATM Machines
There are several ATMs located within McCormick Place.
- South Level 2.5
- North Level 2, near McDonald's
- West Level 1, near the Transportation Center
- Lakeside Level 2, near the Arie Crown Theater box office
All cash machines accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, and Plus.
Business Center
FedEx Office, a full-service company, is conveniently located on Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse in the South Building. FedEx Office offers copying, mailing, faxing, as well as other services. They also provide fast and efficient shipping and receiving services for attendees.
Certificate of Attendance
McCormick Place: Hall A Registration Area, West Transportation Lobby
Every attendee is advised to obtain a certificate, available at a designated booth in the registration area. Signed and sealed by SfN staff, certificates of attendance are proof to home institutions that attendees were present at the meeting. The document is often required for reimbursement of meeting expenses. Attendees must pick up the certificate in person at the meeting. Certificates will not be distributed after the meeting ends. There are no exceptions.
Chicago Resources and Attractions
For visitor’s information, visit www.choosechicago.com/neuroscience2019.
Child and Infant Care
Child Care
McCormick Place: S504ABC
On-site child care and youth programs are available for children ages six months to 12 years in room S504ABC of McCormick Place. This service is provided through KiddieCorp, a national firm with more than 30 years of experience, including nine with SfN, in on-site conference child care.
Details, pricing, and reservation information are available on the KiddieCorp-Neuroscience 201 web page. Download a list of the activities specific to the Neuroscience 2019 KiddieCorp program.
All policies and fees are established by KiddieCorp, and all questions should be directed to them. Space is limited.
Infant Care Facilities
McCormick Place: S504D
The infant care room, designated for the privacy of parents and guardians caring for infants, is equipped with chairs, tables, and electrical access in private areas for nursing or pumping. Additionally, the room has an open seating area, diaper changing tables, and a water cooler (room temperature). Parents and guardians are responsible for providing their own infant care supplies. The infant care room is unsupervised. SfN is not responsible for accidents or injuries that may occur in this room or any items left unattended.
McCormick Place also provides a Mamava Lactation Suite For nursing mothers located in the South Building level 2.5 across from Starbucks. Nursing mothers can unlock the suite by downloading the free Mamava Mobile App, available in the iOS™ and Google Play™ Stores. The Suite is available complimentary to nursing mothers, on a first come, first serve basis.
Coat and Luggage Check
Limited space will be available for coat and luggage check on a first-come, first-served basis at the convention center. Luggage is not allowed in any of the meeting rooms.
McCormick Place: Level 1, Main Entrance
Friday, October 18: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 19: 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, October 20-Tuesday, October 22: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 23: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
McCormick Place: Room S101
Saturday, October 19-Tuesday, October 22: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 23: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Code of Conduct
SfN is committed to supporting discovery and scientific dialogue, and to fostering a welcoming community in which all scientists are able to contribute fully. The Society asserts that sexual harassment and other harassing behaviors have no place in a healthy scientific enterprise. We expect all attendees, media, speakers, volunteers, organizers, venue staff, guests, and exhibitors at SfN-organized events to help us ensure a safe and positive environment. if you experience conduct that makes you uncomfortable, please report it to hrofficer@sfn.org or visit the SfN Staff HQ in Hall A. Read more at www.SfN.org/CodeOfConduct.
Continuing Medical Education Registration
CME registration must be completed before or during the annual meeting. Those who do not register at these times will not receive the necessary documentation should they request it after the meeting. CME registrants will receive, via email two weeks before the meeting, the CME Supplemental Program, which contains important information regarding the CME Program, including disclosure information and instructions for obtaining CME credits. Visit SfN.org/cme for details.
Donor and Volunteer Leadership Lounge
McCormick Place: Level 2.5 Lounge
Hours: Saturday, October 19-Wednesday, October 23, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Donor and Volunteer Leadership Lounge addresses matters for the donors, Council, committees, and past presidents.
Event Locations
Lectures, exhibits, scientific sessions, symposia, poster sessions, SfN-sponsored socials, registration, and headquarters offices will be located in McCormick Place. Satellite and ancillary events will be held at McCormick Place, Marriott Marquis Chicago, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, and other Chicago facilities.
The co-headquarter hotels for Neuroscience 2019 are the Marriott Marquis Chicago and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
McCormick Place
2301 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Chicago, IL 60616
Marriott Marquis Chicago
2121 S. Prairie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
2233 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Chicago, IL 60616
Exhibits
McCormick Place: Hall A
Exhibitor On-Site Registration Hours:
Wednesday, October 16–Saturday, October 19
8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 20 – Wednesday, October 23
7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Exhibits Date and Hours:
Sunday, October 20 – Wednesday, October 23
9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Exhibits provide attendees an opportunity to learn about the latest products, publications, and services available. Pick up a copy of the Exhibit Guide at any program pick-up kiosk.
Build your list of preferred exhibitors through My Neuroscience Marketplace, a virtual directory of vendors offering products and services to the neuroscience community. My Neuroscience Marketplace is searchable by exhibitor names, booth numbers, products, or keywords.
Express Badge Pick-Up Station Locations
Badges were mailed to U.S. attendees who registered by September 15 and non-U.S. attendees who registered by September 9. If you registered after those dates or did not receive your badge in the mail, go to any Express Badge Pick-Up Station located in the convention center to retrieve your badge.
If you need to reprint your badge, please visit any Express Badge Pick-Up location. The first reprint is free. Any subsequent reprints will incur a $25 fee.
West Transportation Lobby
Friday, October 18
2–5 p.m.
Saturday, October 19–Sunday, October 20
7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Level 2.5S
Friday, October 18
2–5 p.m.
Saturday, October 19–Monday, October 21
7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Hall A
Saturday, October 19 – Wednesday, October 23
7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
First Aid
First Aid
McCormick Place: Level 2.5S
(312) 791-6060
During session hours, the first aid room at the convention center will be open and staffed by certified medical providers.
Local Hospitals
Mercy Hospital
2525 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 663-3522
South Loop Immediate Care
1430 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 663-3522
Food Courts
McCormick Place: Hall A
Saturday, October 19
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sunday, October 20–Wednesday, October 23
7:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Important Phone Numbers
Headquarters Offices
HQ Office/Logistics
(312) 791-6800
HQ Office/Programming
(312) 791-6805
Press Office
(312) 791-6820
Exhibit Management
(312) 791-6825
Information Booths
Information booths, operated by members of SfN staff, are located in the following places in McCormick Place:
Gate 3 Lobby, Guest Services Desk
Grand Concourse Lobby
Friday, October 18
2–6 p.m.
Saturday, October 19–Tuesday, October 22
7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wednesday, October 23
7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Literature Displays
McCormick Place: Hall A
Keep your eyes open for important annual meeting event updates on display in the registration area of McCormick Place. Approval is required to place announcements on displays. Attendees can get approval before the meeting by contacting meetings@sfn.org, or on-site in the Headquarters Office.
Lost and Found
McCormick Place: Hall A
Inquiries regarding lost items should be directed to the lost and found counter in the registration area of the McCormick Place.
NeuroJobs Career Center
McCormick Place: Hall A
Saturday, October 19-Tuesday, October 22, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wednesday, October 23, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
The on-site SfN NeuroJobs Career Center connects employers with a pool of well-qualified candidates seeking opportunities ranging from postdoctoral and faculty positions to neuroscience-related jobs in industry and other areas. Job seekers and employers can take advantage of interview booths and computers for posting jobs and scheduling interviews. For prices and more information on how to set up a NeuroJobs account, visit www.SfN.org/neurojobs.
Neuroscience Meeting Planner Viewing Area and Mobile App Help Desk
McCormick Place: Hall A
Saturday, October 19–Tuesday, October 22
7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday, October 23
7:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
The Neuroscience Meeting Planner (NMP) contains the full text of abstracts and allows attendees to plan an itinerary for Neuroscience 2019. It can be accessed online at www.SfN.org/nmp or on-site in the NMP Viewing Area.
For assistance with the meeting mobile app, visit the Mobile App Help Center, located in Hall A of McCormick Place. The Help Center will be open during all normal registration hours.
Photography and Electronic Recording Restrictions/Cell Phones
SfN is committed to honoring the rights of copyright owners and to respectful sharing of scientific research and data. Attendees at SfN-sponsored scientific meetings or events are expected to adhere to this policy. In response to a changing culture, SfN will now permit photography and recording during scientific meetings and events within the boundaries discussed in the updated policy available at www.SfN.org/photopolicy.
Poster Floor Hours
McCormick Place: Hall A
Saturday, October 19
1–5 p.m.
Sunday, October 20–Wednesday, October 23
8 a.m.–noon, 1–5 p.m.
Poster presenters will be allowed to enter the poster floor at 7 a.m. for morning presentations and at noon for afternoon presentations to complete set-up.
Prayer Room
McCormick Place: N132
There will be a prayer room available for attendee use at Neuroscience 2019. The prayer room is unsupervised, and SfN is not responsible for the loss of any personal property left unattended in the room.
Press Offices
McCormick Place
Press Room: S501ABC
Press Conference Room: S501D
Press Interview Room: S502A
Saturday, October 19–Wednesday, October 23
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Members of the press must register and pick up their badges in the Press Room.
Program and Exhibit Guide Pick-Up
McCormick Place: Hall A
Saturday, October 19 - Tuesday, October 22
7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
The final Program will be available on-site at McCormick Place and online at www.sfn.org/am2019 as downloadable PDFs. Attendees can pick up a copy of the final Program or Exhibit Guide at any Program and Exhibit Guide pick-up location in the convention center. To obtain printed versions of the Program, attendees must have purchased the books during registration or pay for the program books on-site.
Receipts and Confirmations
Abstract Receipt
For quick access to your abstract submission receipt, please log in to your abstract submission at SfN.org/cfa.
Membership Receipt
Contact membership@sfn.org to request a copy of your membership receipt.
Registration Receipts/Confirmations
To obtain a receipt/confirmation for your registration, access the Registration Resource Center.
SfN Booth
McCormick Place: Hall A, Booth #1005
As you experience Neuroscience 2019’s Exhibit Hall, stop by the SfN Booth to learn about new member resources and services offered by your professional society.
SfN Safe Space
McCormick Place: N134
SfN is committed to supporting discovery and scientific dialogue, and to fostering a welcoming community in which all scientists are able to contribute fully. The safe space room is available for individuals to take a quiet break. The room is staffed from 8am-5pm, Saturday-Wednesday.
Speaker Ready Room
McCormick Place: N229
Friday, October 18–Tuesday, October 22
7 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday, October 23
7 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Presenters are urged to check their media at least 24 hours in advance of presentation in the Speaker Ready Room to confirm compatibility with the session room computers.
Presenters are urged to check their media at least 24 hours in advance of their presentation in the Speaker Ready Room to confirm compatibility with the session room computers.
Transportation to and from McCormick Place/Hotels
Several transportation options are available to meeting attendees traveling to McCormick Place.
Complimentary Shuttles Between Hotels and McCormick Place
SfN provides complimentary shuttle services between McCormick Place and most of the official SfN meeting hotels, with the exception of hotels within walking distance to McCormick Place. Information on shuttles is available in the Shuttle section of the annual meeting mobile app.
Airport Shuttle
Go Airport Express offers daily, door-to-door service to and from Chicago O'Hare and Midway International Airport. Shuttles operate on a shared-ride-on-demand basis. Advance notice is strongly urged. For more information, call 1-800-284-3826 or visit the Go Airport Express website.
Metra
Metra, Chicago's commuter train system, runs from downtown Chicago and stops directly inside of the McCormick Place Convention Center. Located on Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse in the South Building, Metra provides direct services within seven minutes to and from downtown Chicago.
CTA or "The L"
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Chicago's light rail system, known as the "L", provides service throughout the city including to and from Chicago O'Hare and Midway airports. The Cermak - McCormick Place station (Green line) is currently the closest CTA stop to McCormick Place.
Taxis
With more than 6,500 vehicles, Chicago has the second largest taxi fleet in the country. A taxi dispatch center is located in McCormick Place to ensure cabs are readily available to meet demand.
Parking
Events held in the North and South Buildings designate Lot A as the primary parking location. Lot A is a six-level garage located on Martin Luther King Drive, adjacent to the West Building. Covered walkways from Lot A leading directly into McCormick Place and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel provide added convenience. The parking rate is $23 for up to 16 hours and $36 from 16 to 24 hours. There are no in-and-out privileges. Overnight parking is available in Lot A only. Lost tickets will pay the $36 (overnight) fee per day. Credit cards are accepted at the parking ticket kiosks.
Weather in Chicago
Weather in Chicago during the month of October can range from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the evening. Visit the AccuWeather website for more information.
Wireless Internet and IT Help
McCormick Place: Hall A
As a service to annual meeting registrants, SfN provides free wireless Internet access in designated areas of McCormick Place during Neuroscience 2019. To take advantage of this free service, bring a laptop, smartphone, or other device with a built-in wireless network card or with en external wireless card that is 802.11 b/g/a/n/ac compatible, and set your network. card to use DHCP (or acquire address automatically). The Exhibit Hall areas will provide wireless service only to wireless cards that are 802.11n compatible. Wireless network. users should reference the FAQs end disclaimers at www.sfn.org/wireless before accessing the network. SfN will provide support for wireless users at the Wireless Support booth in the Attendee Services area.
