Midyear Meeting

The Midyear Meeting primarily provides an opportunity for key volunteer committees to meet face-to-face and develop programming for WEFTEC^®, WEF’s annual Technical Exhibition and Conference.

2013 Midyear Meeting

Dates: January 30 - February 2, 2013

Location: Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

New January 25: download and save or print the Welcome Letter (pdf), including the final schedule of events and diagrams of the Hilton Chicago's meeting space

Hotel Reservations

Hilton Chicago 

Room Rate:  $169/night, single or double occupancy standard guestroom. Rate is exclusive of 16.4% nightly occupancy tax (subject to change).

Reservation Deadline:  January 11, 2013

The discounted rate was available on a first-come, first-served basis until January 11th.  Please call the Hilton Chicago directly at 1-877-865-5320 (toll free) to inquire if rooms are still available. Neither WEF nor the Hotel can guarantee availability or the special group rate for rooms after the January 11th deadline.

Deposit Policy:

A deposit equaling one night’s room/tax fee plus occupancy tax ($196.72) will be billed to the credit card used to guarantee your reservation.  Ultimately, the deposit will be applied as
payment for the first night of your stay. Should you cancel your reservation prior to 72-hours before your reserved check-in date, the deposit will be refunded to your credit card.  If you cancel your reservation within the 72-hour window, the one night’s room/tax deposit will be forfeited.

Meeting/Event Registration

Pre-Registration Deadline: January 16, 2013 

The pre-registration deadline has passed. Interested parties may register on site at the Hilton Chicago beginning Wednesday, January 30. The WEF Midyear Meeting registration table will be located on the Third Floor of the hotel. There is no cost to register for the Midyear Meeting. Please note that participation in some meetings & events is by invitation only, as noted on the schedule of events.

WEF/WERF Innovation Luncheon

Wednesday, January 30 | 12:00 p.m. | Hilton Chicago 

Sold Out! As of January 17, no seats are available for this event.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) are pleased to host an intimate luncheon and session with Mr. Michael T. Flynn, lead for Water Technology Development Laboratory at NASA’s Ames Research Center, on Wednesday, January 30. Mr. Flynn will engage participants on the topic of "Water Innovations and Lessons Learned from Water Recycling in Space.” The luncheon will take place at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, at the conclusion of the 8thAnnual WERF Research Forum and prior to WEF's 2013 Midyear Meeting. 

Mr. Flynn has over 24 years’ experience in the development of advanced life support systems, astrobiology, and fundamental space biology. He has over 90 peer reviewed publications in the field. He has received two R&D 100 Awards, a Wright Brothers Medal, and an Arch T. Calwell Merit Award. He has received six NASA Spotlight awards, and four of his papers have been selected by the Engineering Society for the Advancing Mobility of Land, Sea, Air, and Space International’s Transactions. 

 This event is currently sold out. If you are interested in joining WEF and WERF for this unique opportunity, please contact Deana Gissendanner at dgissend@wef.org to be added to a waitlist. Waitlisted guests will be seated if confirmed guests no-show on site. There is no guarantee that confirmed guests will no-show and that seats will become available. 

Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) Research Forum

The 8th Annual WERF Research Forum, themed The Melding of Economics and Innovation, will take place January 29-30 at the Hilton Chicago in conjunction with the 2013 WEF Midyear Meeting. Join leading researchers and industry experts for cutting-edge technical presentations, discussions, networking, and collaboration opportunities. Topics include:

• Economic Decision Making for Wastewater Collection and Treatment
• Energy's Role in the Economics of Wastewater Treatment
• Managing the Economic Impacts of Wet Weather

To view a complete agenda visit WERF's website.

Getting To and Around Chicago

Airports 

• O'Hare International (ORD) - approximately 18 miles from the Hilton Chicago, 45 minute one-way commute
• Midway International (MDW) - approximately 12 miles from the Hilton Chicago, 25 minute one-way commute

Airport Shuttle 

Go Airport Express 

• At O'Hare International: fares between O'Hare and the Hilton Chicago are approximately $32 one-way or $58 round-trip. Shuttles depart approximately every 5 to 10 minutes between 6:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Ticket counters and loading zones for boarding the GO Airport Express van are at Door 1E across from baggage claim 6, at Terminal 2 door 2E across from Jet Blue Baggage Claim, Terminal 3 Door 3E across from baggage claim 9, and at Terminal 5, just outside door 5E. Advance reservations can be made by calling 1-888-284-3826 or online.
• At Midway International: fares between Midwayand the Hilton Chicago are approximately $27 one-way or $48 round-trip. Shuttles depart approximately every 15 minutes between 6:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. The ticket counter and loading zone are located at Door 3, lower level across from baggage claim. Advance reservations can be made by calling 1-888-284-3826 or online.

Taxis 

All taxicabs in the City of Chicago run on meters; there are no flat rates. Taxis charge a base rate of $2.25 for the first 1/9 mile plus $.20 for each additional 1/9 mile (subject to change). If a gas surcharge is in effect, a sign will be displayed inside the taxicab and a surcharge may apply. Tolls are an extra charge. Taxis charge $1 for the first additional passenger over age 12 and under age 65. Each additional adult passenger after first passenger is $.50. It is standard to tip the driver about 15-20 percent of the fare, plus $1-2 per bag if the driver helps you with luggage.

• At O'Hare International: expect to spend approximately $40 to $45 for a taxicab ride to downtown Chicago. Taxicabs are available on a first come, first serve basis from the lower level curb front of all terminals. Shared ride service is available. 
• At Midway International: expect to spend approximately $30 to $35 for a taxicab ride to downtown Chicago. Taxicabs are available on a first come, first serve basis from the lower level curb front of the terminal. Shared ride service is available.

Public Transportation 

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) 

The CTA operates the nation's second largest public transportation system, covering the City of Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs. CTA offers two modes of transportation - rail and bus.

• ‘L' Trains: not all of Chicago's eight ‘L' lines are "elevated." They do, however, connect the city via above-ground, street-level and subway trains and serve 144 stations all over town, making the ‘L' one of the most efficient and affordable methods of transportation available. Two lines offer round-the-clock service: the Blue Line, which connects O'Hare International Airport and downtown, and the Red Line, with service between the North and South Sides, via downtown.
• Buses: More than 100 routes lace the city; buses stop every few blocks. Several lines operate 24 hours. Exact change is required.

Fares (subject to change): a single Trip is $2.25. Pay cash or purchase a reloadable Transit Card, available at ‘L' stations and online. Alternatively, enjoy unlimited rides on all CTA buses and trains with Unlimited Ride Passes, which activate upon first use and are good for the number of consecutive days shown on the front of the pass:

• 1-Day CTA Fun Pass: $5.75
• 3-Day CTA Pass: $14
• 7-Day CTA Pass: $23