Friends: The National Association Of Young People Who Stutter

SLPs receive up to 1.2 CEUs from ASHA (American Speech/Language and Hearing Association) sponsored by the Stuttering Foundation.

All children must be accompanied by an adult (i.e., a parent or caregiver must also register by selecting a ticket above). This ticket is for a child (below 17) attending the full convention (all three days). Children under 4 are not charged.

Child — Full Convention

Please note: Before registering here, SLP Graduate Students must be selected to participate in the Graduate Student Training Program. For more information and to apply for this program, visit: https://www.friendswhostutter.org/convention/graduate-student-training-program/

SLP Graduate Student

This ticket is for an adult attending the convention for one day.

Adult — One Day

All children must be accompanied by an adult (i.e., a parent or caregiver must also register by selecting a ticket above). This ticket is for a child (below 17) attending the convention for one day.

Child — One Day

This amount sponsors a family of four who may be adversely affected financially to attend the 2023 Friends Convention, covering their registration, meals, and lodging.

Would you like to pay it forward?

This ticket is for an adult (e.g.., adults who stutter, parents, caregivers, significant others) attending the full convention across all three days. SLPs: Please select the SLP ticket below.

Adult — Full Convention

Join us at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont as FRIENDS celebrates 26 years of providing support and community for young people who stutter and their families. Meet kids, parents, siblings, and SLPs all hoping for the same unforgettable time as you. When you leave on Sunday, we are positive you will tell your new FRIENDS how happy you are that you decided to come to a FRIENDS convention, followed by a ‘See you next year!’ If you have any questions, please email <a href="mailto:friends@friendswhostutter.org">friends@friendswhostutter.org</a>. Our mission continues to be what it has always been—to provide support and education to young people who stutter, their families, and clinicians. Instilling a sense of empowerment, providing an environment where feelings of isolation disappear and growing confidence and self-esteem continues to be the foundation of our vision. We want our young people who stutter to know they are strong, they have support, they are not alone, and they have FRIENDS who will listen to them.

CONFIRMATION26th Annual ConventionJuly 13-15, 2023Chicago, IL Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);display:inline-block;margin:0px;padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;box-sizing:inherit;-webkit-user-select:none">First name, Thank you for registering for the 26th Annual Friends Convention. Please take a moment to review the information below. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at friends@friendswhostutter.org. Convention InformationThis year will be our 26th year of providing support, education, and empowerment to young people who stutter and their families. Whether this is your first convention or your 26th, we are happy you are joining us as we celebrate our annual 3-day convention in Chicago. This will be an amazing three days of laughter, education, tears, and support. Hotel InformationEmbassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont5500 N River Rd. Rosemont, IL 60018847-678-4000<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/uwT3JV7uVEP4Z6zP8" target="_blank">Click to view on Google Maps</a> Special Rate for Convention Attendees: King suites for $135 per night and Double queen bed suites for $165 per night.Rooms at the special rate are available on a first-come, first-served basis through June 23 only. Use Link: <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/chirmes-fws-e4a8d572-c5f8-4439-bcb8-1c455d4c8fc0/" target="_blank">FRIENDS Discounted Hotel Room Booking</a>Call In: 1-800-315-1061 and use group code FWS to make your reservation by phone The convention begins Thursday afternoon (July 13) and ends Saturday night (July 15).  Travel InformationNearby train stations and bus stops are accessible via the Chicago Transit Authority. Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare Rosemont is located just steps away from the Blue Line! The closest airport is the Chicago-O'Hare International Airport (1 mile), followed by Chicago Midway Airport (23 miles) and General Mitchell International Airport (73 miles). A free hotel shuttle to/from the airport is available. Uber and Lyft are also popular options for travel. ParkingIf you are driving to the convention and staying at the convention hotel, a discounted self-parking rate is $18 per day on-site. The front desk will know about this discounted rate, but you may also remind them. EV charging is available 1 mile away. More information about parking can be found on <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chirmes-embassy-suites-chicago-ohare-rosemont/" target="_blank">the hotel’s website</a>. Checking InRegistration at the convention opens at 1 pm, Thursday, July 13. At the registration desk, you’ll receive a registration folder containing a convention schedule, your name badge, and other materials you’ll need for the convention.  Tentative ScheduleJuly 13-15, 2023Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter Thursday, July 131 – 2 pm              Registration, Meet & Greet2 – 5 pm              Workshops5 – 5:30 pm         Complimentary Evening Reception6:30 – 8:30 pm    Welcome Ceremony, Complimentary Dinner8:30 - 11 pm        Tween, Teen, & Adult Hospitality Rooms Friday, July 147 – 9 am               Complimentary Made-to-Order Breakfast9 – 9:45 am          Morning Welcome, Open Mic10 am – 12 pm    Workshops12 – 1 pm             Complimentary Lunch with Friends1:15 – 5 pm          Workshops5:30 — 7 pm         Complimentary Evening Reception                               Dinner (on your own) in Chicago!                               Baseball game with FRIENDS!8:30 - 11 pm         Tween, Teen, & Adult Hospitality Rooms Saturday, July 157 – 9 am              Complimentary Made-to-Order Breakfast9 – 9:30 am         Announcements, Open Mic9:45 – 12 pm       Workshops12 – 1 pm            Complimentary Lunch with Friends1 – 4 pm              Workshops4 — 5 pm              Closing Ceremony5:30 – 7 pm         Complimentary Evening Reception7 – 11 pm            Complimentary Dinner, Dance, Karaoke Meals with FriendsAn important component to the Friends convention is shared meal times. Friends will provide delicious cooked to order daily breakfast, buffet meals for lunch and dinner, snacks, and evening happy hour during all conference days, except for lunch on Thursday and dinner on Friday.  If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance. Email Caryn Herring at <a href="mailto:caryn@friendswhostutter.org">caryn@friendswhostutter.org</a>. A Friday Night Baseball GameSo much of the Friends Annual Convention takes place together, at the hotel: workshops, mealtimes together, greeting new Friends during chance encounters around the hotel, and hanging out late night in the hospitality suites. Friday night is your chance to go out “on your own.” But who wants to be on their own when you can hang out with your new friends? Join a group from Friends at a baseball game! We are going to see the independent minor league team Rosemont Dogs on Friday, July 14th at 6:30pm! Learn more <a href="https://www.friendswhostutter.org/convention/baseball-game/" target="_blank">here</a> and to reserve tickets, please contact the longtime Friends Baseball Liaison, Jeff Shames, at <a href="mailto:jeff.shames@gmail.com">jeff.shames@gmail.com</a>. Jeff needs to notify the Dogs Ticket Rep how many tickets will be needed. Please reach out to Jeff by Wednesday, June 14 if you would like to attend the game! COVID-19 Event Safety ProtocolsWe will monitor CDC guidelines and follow their recommendations along with local guidelines. You can learn about Hilton's cleaning polices <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/p/what-to-expect/" target="_blank">via this link</a>. Photos at FriendsPlease note that by entering and attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that your likeness may be included in photos and videos of the event and used by Friends to illustrate and promote Friends and its programs. For questions or concerns, please contact friends@friendswhostutter.org. Happy to helpIf you have any questions, would like to help, or have suggestions please contact us at friends@friendswhostutter.org