Conference Attendee FAQ


McCormick Place has a large campus. Where will #AWP27 take place? All on-site #AWP27 events will take place at the Lakeside Center.
What is the best entrance to the McCormick Place Lakeside Center? There are a few different ways to access McCormick Place Lakeside Center, depending on how you plan to arrive. If you plan to walk: Enter McCormick Place’s South Building at 2301 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago, IL 60616. You can also access this entrance from a skybridge that connects McCormick Place to nearby hotels, Hyatt Regency or Marriott Marquis. If you need an accessible rideshare drop-off: Enter “2301 S. Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616” in your rideshare app and specify Gate 31. This drop-off point is exclusively for those who need an accessible drop-off and may need an extra moment to load or unload from a vehicle. If you do not need an accessible drop-off and will be taking a rideshare: Enter “2301 S. Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616” in your rideshare app and specify Gate 38. View McCormick Place Lakeside Center on Google Maps.
Where is first aid located? The first aid station is on level 1 of Lakeside Center. From the central lobby (near the level 2 gift shop), proceed down the stairs or elevator and turn left. Please consult the maps in the mobile app for location details. Should you need first aid while on-site, please call the ADA hotline, 240-269-6635, and an EMT will come to you. Additionally, security throughout the convention center will have a direct line to first aid and can request EMT assistance for you.
At what times are conference events scheduled? When can I visit the bookfair? Conference events take place in person and virtually from Thursday, March 18, to Saturday, March 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT. The schedule may also include select evening events. Check the conference schedule page for the most up-to-date information. The bookfair is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 18; Friday, March 19; and Saturday, March 20. All in-person conference registrations include full virtual access. Select virtual events will be available on demand starting Wednesday, March 17, and for a month after the conference.
What types of events can I expect to see at the AWP Conference & Bookfair? The #AWP27 conference schedule will include readings, panel discussions, meetings, public receptions, and other pro forma events. Please review the conference schedule to learn about the specific events taking place at #AWP27.
How can I find out the detailed schedule of conference events in advance? The full conference schedule will be announced in fall 2026. The online schedule is the most up-to-date listing of events. AWP reserves the right to modify the conference schedule, which is published as an indication only.
Is there ever a longer break scheduled between sessions for lunch or socializing? We encourage attendees to take breaks as they wish throughout #AWP27. Lakeside Center will have food available for purchase. The Dickinson Quiet Space, Low-Light Space, and Lactation Lounge will be open during conference hours. To host the maximum number of events possible, AWP schedules events from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT each day of the conference.
Which #AWP27 events will be live streamed? The list of in-person events also available to watch via live stream will be released when the full conference schedule is announced later this fall. This includes all featured events. Please note that due to limited staff and resources, not all in-person events can be live streamed for virtual audiences.
Will AWP ask event presenters to read specific statements? At the start of each event, AWP asks moderators to read a brief set of accessibility reminders for attendees. These will be printed and available at the podium in each event room. Please note that these accessibility reminders are the only statements AWP asks event participants to read. AWP will not send or require any additional statements or language for presenters. Any additional remarks read at an event are entirely at the discretion of the moderator and panelists. If an event participant chooses to read an additional statement, we ask that they consider the full audience and make clear that the statement is offered by the event participants, not by AWP. Occasionally, language circulates ahead of the conference; please note that such statements do not come from AWP unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Help! I’ve forgotten my password and can’t view my AWP user account. If you've forgotten the password to your AWP account, you can create a new one. Go to the AWP login page and click the “Forgot password?” link in the login box. Enter your email address in the username box and click Submit to have an email sent to you to create a new password. (Note: Your username is the email address associated with the account.) If you have any trouble resetting your password, please email webmaster@awpwriter.org for assistance.

McCormick Place has a large campus. Where will #AWP27 take place?

All on-site #AWP27 events will take place at the Lakeside Center.

What is the best entrance to the McCormick Place Lakeside Center?

There are a few different ways to access McCormick Place Lakeside Center, depending on how you plan to arrive.

If you plan to walk:

Enter McCormick Place’s South Building at 2301 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago, IL 60616. You can also access this entrance from a skybridge that connects McCormick Place to nearby hotels, Hyatt Regency or Marriott Marquis.

If you need an accessible rideshare drop-off:

Enter “2301 S. Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616” in your rideshare app and specify Gate 31. This drop-off point is exclusively for those who need an accessible drop-off and may need an extra moment to load or unload from a vehicle.

If you do not need an accessible drop-off and will be taking a rideshare:

Enter “2301 S. Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60616” in your rideshare app and specify Gate 38.

View McCormick Place Lakeside Center on Google Maps.

Where is first aid located?

The first aid station is on level 1 of Lakeside Center. From the central lobby (near the level 2 gift shop), proceed down the stairs or elevator and turn left. Please consult the maps in the mobile app for location details.

Should you need first aid while on-site, please call the ADA hotline, 240-269-6635, and an EMT will come to you. Additionally, security throughout the convention center will have a direct line to first aid and can request EMT assistance for you.

At what times are conference events scheduled? When can I visit the bookfair?

Conference events take place in person and virtually from Thursday, March 18, to Saturday, March 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT. The schedule may also include select evening events. Check the conference schedule page for the most up-to-date information.

The bookfair is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 18; Friday, March 19; and Saturday, March 20.

All in-person conference registrations include full virtual access. Select virtual events will be available on demand starting Wednesday, March 17, and for a month after the conference.

What types of events can I expect to see at the AWP Conference & Bookfair?

The #AWP27 conference schedule will include readings, panel discussions, meetings, public receptions, and other pro forma events. Please review the conference schedule to learn about the specific events taking place at #AWP27.

How can I find out the detailed schedule of conference events in advance?

The full conference schedule will be announced in fall 2026. The online schedule is the most up-to-date listing of events. AWP reserves the right to modify the conference schedule, which is published as an indication only.

Is there ever a longer break scheduled between sessions for lunch or socializing?

We encourage attendees to take breaks as they wish throughout #AWP27. Lakeside Center will have food available for purchase. The Dickinson Quiet Space, Low-Light Space, and Lactation Lounge will be open during conference hours. To host the maximum number of events possible, AWP schedules events from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT each day of the conference.

Which #AWP27 events will be live streamed?

The list of in-person events also available to watch via live stream will be released when the full conference schedule is announced later this fall. This includes all featured events. Please note that due to limited staff and resources, not all in-person events can be live streamed for virtual audiences.

Will AWP ask event presenters to read specific statements?

At the start of each event, AWP asks moderators to read a brief set of accessibility reminders for attendees. These will be printed and available at the podium in each event room.

Please note that these accessibility reminders are the only statements AWP asks event participants to read. AWP will not send or require any additional statements or language for presenters.

Any additional remarks read at an event are entirely at the discretion of the moderator and panelists. If an event participant chooses to read an additional statement, we ask that they consider the full audience and make clear that the statement is offered by the event participants, not by AWP.

Occasionally, language circulates ahead of the conference; please note that such statements do not come from AWP unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Help! I’ve forgotten my password and can’t view my AWP user account.

If you've forgotten the password to your AWP account, you can create a new one. Go to the AWP login page and click the “Forgot password?” link in the login box. Enter your email address in the username box and click Submit to have an email sent to you to create a new password. (Note: Your username is the email address associated with the account.) If you have any trouble resetting your password, please email webmaster@awpwriter.org for assistance.

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