Registration Closed!
See you at the conference!
Discover a world of knowledge, inspiration, and connections at the 34th IDEA Fall Conference!
This year's conference offers an opportunity to explore the Indiana Dunes and Grand Kankakee Marsh, enhance your educational, administrative, and technical skills, connect with fellow District staff and meet conservation partners.
Don't miss the amazing items at the IDEA Silent Auction!
Proceeds support IDEA Conference Scholarships, Staff Service Awards, and Poster Contest Winners.
This year's conference offers an opportunity to explore the Indiana Dunes and Grand Kankakee Marsh, enhance your educational, administrative, and technical skills, connect with fellow District staff and meet conservation partners.
Don't miss the amazing items at the IDEA Silent Auction!
Proceeds support IDEA Conference Scholarships, Staff Service Awards, and Poster Contest Winners.
Parking
Parking is available on site for free.
Hotel
Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa
777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, IN 46360
Reserve online or by phone
To book your hotel, call (888) 879-7711. Attendees need to identify themselves as members of the IDEA Convention Group with the Group Code. To book online, follow this link: https://www.bluechipcasino.com/groups. To receive the government discount, enter the Group Code: IDEA24G. All reservations must be guaranteed and accompanied with a first night room deposit or guaranteed by credit card. Individual reservations that are not cancelled 48 hours prior to arrival will be charged for the first night's room and tax. A receipt will be included along with the confirmation information. Full refunds may be issued provided cancellation occurs 48 hours in advance of arrival. When you go to check in to your hotel, please bring your tax exempt form.
777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, IN 46360
Reserve online or by phone
To book your hotel, call (888) 879-7711. Attendees need to identify themselves as members of the IDEA Convention Group with the Group Code. To book online, follow this link: https://www.bluechipcasino.com/groups. To receive the government discount, enter the Group Code: IDEA24G. All reservations must be guaranteed and accompanied with a first night room deposit or guaranteed by credit card. Individual reservations that are not cancelled 48 hours prior to arrival will be charged for the first night's room and tax. A receipt will be included along with the confirmation information. Full refunds may be issued provided cancellation occurs 48 hours in advance of arrival. When you go to check in to your hotel, please bring your tax exempt form.
Agenda
Agenda details can be viewed on the registration site. All conference times listed are in Central time zone.
Highlights
Wednesday, October 23
4 pm Registration begins
7 pm Evening Social
Thursday, October 24
7 am Registration
9 am Opening Session
10 am Breakout Session #1
11 am Breakout Session #2
12 pm Lunch & Learn Business Meeting
1:30 pm Breakout Session #3
2:30 pm ICP Speed Dating
3:30 pm Round Table Sessions
4:30 pm Dinner
7 pm Movie Night
8:30 pm Silent Auction
Friday, October 25
8:45 am Breakout Session #4
10:30 am Closing Session
12:00 pm Indiana Dunes National Park Field Trip Tour (optional)
Highlights
Wednesday, October 23
4 pm Registration begins
7 pm Evening Social
Thursday, October 24
7 am Registration
9 am Opening Session
10 am Breakout Session #1
11 am Breakout Session #2
12 pm Lunch & Learn Business Meeting
1:30 pm Breakout Session #3
2:30 pm ICP Speed Dating
3:30 pm Round Table Sessions
4:30 pm Dinner
7 pm Movie Night
8:30 pm Silent Auction
Friday, October 25
8:45 am Breakout Session #4
10:30 am Closing Session
12:00 pm Indiana Dunes National Park Field Trip Tour (optional)
Field Trip Tour (optional)
Indiana Dunes National Park
Friday, October 25
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Gate fee: $20/person
This field trip is an optional add-on tour that will take place at the conclusion of the conference at 12 pm on October 25. Please purchase the gate fee if you plan to join us. If you would like a box lunch (+$20) to be included with this tour, please purchase the lunch when you register. There is limit on reservations for this tour, so reserve early! Carpooling encouraged.
Stretching along 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes National Park offers
an incredible diversity of habitats and visitor experiences. Beyond the sandy beaches, explore rugged
dunes, quiet forests and tranquil wetlands along 50 miles of hiking trails. World-class birding and over
1,100 native plant species makes this 15,000 acre park among the most biologically rich in the nation.
Mount Baldy is a 120-foot sand dune at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, lying within the eastern end
of Indiana Dunes National Park. The dune began forming some 4,000 years ago and is continually
changing as a result of natural factors. During the last 175 years, anthropogenic (human caused)
influences have greatly impacted sand movement at Mount Baldy, causing the dune to move inland at
an unnatural and alarmingly fast rate.
Our Ranger-led tour of Mt. Baldy will provide a unique experience to walk a dune which is normally
closed to hikers, and gain an understanding of dune formation, ecology, human impacts and restoration
efforts on the dune. This 90-minute tour will include a slow-paced but moderately strenuous hike on a
loose-sand dune. Be sure to plan accordingly.
Meet at: Trailhead Parking Lot
101 Rice Street (U.S. Highway 12), Michigan City, IN 46360
TRAILHEAD GPS COORDINATES: 41.706852, -86.929907 (Decimal Degrees)
Mount Baldy Restoration - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Friday, October 25
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Gate fee: $20/person
This field trip is an optional add-on tour that will take place at the conclusion of the conference at 12 pm on October 25. Please purchase the gate fee if you plan to join us. If you would like a box lunch (+$20) to be included with this tour, please purchase the lunch when you register. There is limit on reservations for this tour, so reserve early! Carpooling encouraged.
Stretching along 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes National Park offers
an incredible diversity of habitats and visitor experiences. Beyond the sandy beaches, explore rugged
dunes, quiet forests and tranquil wetlands along 50 miles of hiking trails. World-class birding and over
1,100 native plant species makes this 15,000 acre park among the most biologically rich in the nation.
Mount Baldy is a 120-foot sand dune at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, lying within the eastern end
of Indiana Dunes National Park. The dune began forming some 4,000 years ago and is continually
changing as a result of natural factors. During the last 175 years, anthropogenic (human caused)
influences have greatly impacted sand movement at Mount Baldy, causing the dune to move inland at
an unnatural and alarmingly fast rate.
Our Ranger-led tour of Mt. Baldy will provide a unique experience to walk a dune which is normally
closed to hikers, and gain an understanding of dune formation, ecology, human impacts and restoration
efforts on the dune. This 90-minute tour will include a slow-paced but moderately strenuous hike on a
loose-sand dune. Be sure to plan accordingly.
Meet at: Trailhead Parking Lot
101 Rice Street (U.S. Highway 12), Michigan City, IN 46360
TRAILHEAD GPS COORDINATES: 41.706852, -86.929907 (Decimal Degrees)
Mount Baldy Restoration - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Save the Date! 2025 Fall Conference
Future Fall Conference Region Locations
Year |
Region |
2025 |
South-Southwest |
2026 |
North-Northeast |
2027 |
North-Southwest |
2028 |
South-Southeast |
2029 |
South-Northeast |