Convention ‘96
Chicago is AFSCME's Kind of Town
32nd International Convention
The theme is "Leading the Fight" and Chicago is the site! Four thousand delegates, alternates and their guests will meet for AFSCME's 32nd International Convention, June 17 through 21, 1996. Convention delegates will elect officers and set policies to guide the union through the next two years.
The official Convention Call—outlining procedures, methods of local representation and requirements for credentials and resolutions—has been sent to all AFSCME locals and councils.
Registration begins on Saturday, June 15 at 2 pm in Hall D2 of McCormick Place East. The Convention will convene on Monday, June 17 at McCormick Place East Complex and continue throughout the week with daily sessions, ending on Friday, June 21.
On Sunday, June 16, at 6:30 pm, the Delegates' Reception will be held in Hall D2 of McCormick Place East. Shuttle bus service will be provided to and from all the hotels that the International has set aside. Daily shuttles for delegates will run in the morning and upon adjournment of each day's session. Shuttle bus service schedules will be available at all hotels upon check-in.
Convention Housing and Travel
The International union has set aside blocks of rooms for delegates and alternates at the following hotels: Bismarck Hotel; Essex Inn on Grant Park; Chicago Hilton and Towers; Holiday Inn/Mart Plaza; Palmer House Hilton; Ramada Congress Hotel; Ramada Inn Lakeshore; and Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.
Special accommodations will be provided for any AFSCME member with a disability who is planning to attend the Convention. Requests for accessible rooms—available at all the hotels listed above—must be noted on the accommodation request form.
Travel arrangements may be made through Travelogue's Meetings Desk toll free at (800) 716-2320. In Washington, D.C., call (202) 962-3100, fax (202) 962-3120.
If delegates and alternates prefer to make their own arrangements, they are advised to call either their local travel agents or airlines to shop around for the best rates. Members should not limit their calls to a single airline; any airline that flies from your town to Chicago should be contacted.
Convention Highlights
We are Family" Sessions. Introduced a decade ago, this successful program informs, educates and entertains AFSCME children, delegates' spouses and other family members and guests attending the Convention. There is no charge and these sessions are held during regular Convention hours. Registration for these sessions takes place along with other Convention registration at McCormick Place East (Hall D2) Wednesday, June 19 at 7:30 am in Hall D1.
Equal Partners Breakfast. Hosted by the Women's Advisory Committee on Wednesday, June 19, this event features a surprise speaker who is always a big hit. Get your tickets early!
Sightseeing Tours in and out of Chicago. Pre-registration is a must for some great sights, great times and great history. Details are in the Convention Call packet, and reservations must be made by May 17, 1996.
Convention Day Care. June 17 at 8 am until June 21. It will open one hour before each day's activities convene and will close one-half hour after they adjourn. A sign-up form will be in the Convention Call.
PEOPLE Events
PEOPLE Booth. Open all week starting the afternoon of Saturday, June 15.
PEOPLE Items for Sale.
Button Machine. Get your picture taken or bring a favorite photo with you and have it transformed into a button or key chain.
Wizard Personalizer. In three minutes get a personalized key or luggage tag made—with up to four lines of type.
PEOPLE Day is Thursday, June 20.
Fun Run at 7 AM in Lincoln Park. Registration deadline—close of session, Wednesday, June 19.
Giant Photo Taken. Everyone wearing PEOPLE apparel gathers to pose for a picture.
Raffle. Each of ten raffle winners gets to enter the Money Machine for 15 seconds to grab as much as they can of the 300 bills totaling $7,000. At the last convention, winners grabbed over $4,300.
