Conference Swag

Hello conference attendees! I visited the pre-conference sessions today to check out McCormick Place and get my registration stuff done. After checking in I got some...uh...swag. Check it out:



Lovely bag with the lovely official SVU and Vascular Annual Meeting 2011 logo.



A program guide, a pocket version of the program guide, a CME certificate, and a Call for Papers pamphlet for the 2012 SVU Annual Conference in Washington, DC.



Brochures and pamphlets from our wonderful sponsors.



A pen, a lanyard with credentials, and a double-sided brush. I honestly have no clue how to use the brush. It's my goal on Thursday to figure out what the brush is for.



An assortment of papers with important information such as the list of all the sessions and their room #'s, a catalog of SVU products and publications, a conference feedback survey, and a list of names (I'm assuming it's all the attendees). It looks like we have visitors from as far away as Brazil, Ireland, United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, and Singapore. Glad to have you folks!



One raffle card with instructions on how to enter to win a cruise! Also one invitation to the 2011 Vascular Annual Meeting Welcome Reception on Thursday night from 5:30pm-6:30pm.

YAY!

$2.25 Bus Ride to The Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park

Hello 2011 SVU Annual Conference attendees!

Welcome to Chicago. Did you see the beautiful sunrise this morning at around 5:00am? No? You mean you're not that crazy? I wish the weather could've been better folks. It seems a little wet outside.

However, I do have some cool news for folks interested in doing some sightseeing. The public transportation system in Chicago is pretty awesome, but a little daunting at first. Thankfully there's a bus stop right outside of McCormick Place right next to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The bus stop is specifically for Bus #3.



This is pretty awesome. Taking Bus #3 will get you through Michigan Ave., which provides access to Millennium Park and the heart of The Magnificent Mile.



So this is great news because this is what it would cost to take Bus #3 compared to a taxi going to Millennium Park:

Bus Fare: $2.25 (one way)

Taxi Cab Ride: $12.47 (one way w/ tip according to Taxifarefinder.com)

Nothing beats the convenience of taking a cab, but for starving students such as myself a $2.25 bus ride sounds awfully appealing. :)



If you're staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at McCormick Place, you're in even better luck! Normally you would need EXACT CHANGE ($2.25) to board the bus. But you can go to the Front Desk of the hotel to buy an unlimited 1-day bus/train pass for $5.75. This is normally only available at train stops and grocery stores.

So there you have it. A $2.25 bus ride to The Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park.

Cheers,
Manny :)