JDRF Illinois Gala Guest Information
Saturday, December 10, 2016
McCormick Place Lakeside Center

Thank you joining us at JDRF’s One Dream Gala at McCormick Place Lakeside Center this Saturday!

We appreciate your support! There is a lot of important guest information packed into this email, so please be sure to read the entire message.

Silent Auction Will Open Early Via BidPal!
The silent auction will be available via BidPal on your smartphone at the Gala. Guests with registered cell numbers will receive a text message to begin bidding at 3 pm on Friday, December 9th. Our 400+ packages will be on display at the Gala between 5:30-7:00 pm.

Helpful tips for bidding success:

1. Make sure your smartphone is fully charged.
2. Check out our online catalog.
3. Set your maximum bids to ensure you don’t lose your favorite items! Click HERE to see how bidding works.
4. Create a Watch List to move packages to “My Items” and keep an eye on the competition.

*Please note: Guests will also be able to log into the electronic bidding upon arrival. Bidding devices will be available for those without smartphones.

Guest Registration
Registration will begin at 5:30 pm. All guests will check in by last name at registration to receive drink tickets, table assignment, and a bid number. Theater tickets will be on dinner tables.  Extra drink tickets are available for purchase by credit card.  The evening schedule and menu may be viewed in the dinner section of the evening schedule on the Gala webpage.

Fund A Cure
Please consider supporting cure-focused research, which strives to ensure that the millions of children and adults living with type 1 diabetes will one day be free of its rigorous management and threat of serious complications. Learn more about JDRF research.

Parking Info
Guests are encouraged to self-park in C Lot for access to the Lakeside Center. Parking is $21 in the McCormick Place underground garage.  Please note that C Lot will not accept inbound parking after 10:15 pm.  The lot closes at midnight. You may pay for parking at any time and are encouraged to pay at the boxes in the lot upon arrival to save time at the end of the evening.

Valet parking is available for $32. Please follow directions and traffic aids for the valet location near Gate 38.

At the end of the evening taxis will pick up at Gate 30. Trolleys to the Hilton on Michigan Avenue will also be available for our guests.

Passenger pick-up and drop-off for pre-arranged rides (Uber, Lyft, limos, etc.) is outside Gate 38. Please look for the signs at the end of the evening and choose the Gate 38 location on your application.

Visit the McCormick Place website for more information on directions, parking, or to view a map of the McCormick Place complex. Be sure to check the weather and traffic with our friends at NBC 5 to give yourself plenty of time to arrive safely.

Coat Check and Attire
Complimentary coat check is available.  The evening’s attire is cocktail.  To give you an idea of guest attire and our event, view photos from the 2015 Gala. While you’re there, like us on Facebook!

Social Wall
This year our event will feature a social wall, which will show posts from public Instagram and Twitter accounts that feature the hashtags #JDRFGala and/or #OneDream. Be sure to join the conversation as you get ready for the Gala and enjoy the event!

Dinner and Dessert – all gluten free!
Please check out the menu to see what meal you’ll enjoy at the Gala.  Did you know that nearly 10% of all people living with T1D also have Celiac? Our entire menu is gluten free! (Please Note: McCormick place does not have a certified gluten free kitchen, but best standards of practice are used when preparing this meal.)

Please Note
Based on past requests from guest: All transactions made on Gala night (auction, Fund A Cure, drink tickets) will be charged in full if you provide your credit card at registration. If you would like to make separate arrangements prior to the Gala, please email Amanda to coordinate no later than Thursday, 12/8.

Come Prepared
Your safety and health is important to us! Please arrive prepared with supplies to address any of your medical needs at the Gala. If you require any assistance during the evening, please alert staff or security.

We look forward to a terrific evening on Saturday! On behalf of the JDRF One Dream Gala committee and staff, THANK YOU for all you do to help create a world without type 1 diabetes!

This event is made possible, in part, thanks to our wonderful sponsors.

Thank you for your support and generosity. See you Saturday!