PCNI Conference 2024

Dear Friends,

The Power of PFLAG Conference of the PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois will take place on Saturday, October 26th at The Morton Arboretum. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

WHEN TO ARRIVE

Registration and breakfast will run from 8 AM to 8:45 AM. Please try to arrive early to have time to park, register, and get your breakfast before presentations begin. When you estimate your driving time, please note that it may take several minutes to drive from the entrance of The Morton Arboretum to the parking lot P21 near the building where the event takes place.

DIRECTIONS

If you are using a GPS system, you may search for “Thornhill Education Center, Glen Ellyn” (labeled “Thornhill” on the map below).

You should enter the Arboretum through the main entrance located on the South-East side of I-53 (see the label “Arboretum Main Entrance” and the arrow pointing to the entrance on the map below), turn right and go through the main gates. Let the gate attendant know you are there for the PFLAG Conference. You should not be charged entrance fees. After you pass through the gates, follow the rainbow hearts that will be setup along the path to the Thornhill Education Center.

PARKING

Please park in the parking lot P21 (marked “P21” in a dark circle on the map). There will be an “Event Parking” sign there.

HANDICAP PARKING

There is very limited handicap parking next to the building. There are more handicap parking spaces in parking lot P21, but it is a bit of a walk from parking lot P21 to the building.

People can be dropped off at the entrance to the building. To do this, turn left into the drive as you approach Thornhill instead of turning right into the parking lot. There are very shallow steps up to the main entrance, or if you go past the main entrance there is a ramp up to the main entrance. There is also a handicap entrance on the lower level near the end of the ramp.

WATER

Bottled water will be provided throughout the day. Hot drinks will be provided at breakfast. The building has water refill stations if you wish to bring your own water bottle. You are also welcome to bring your own non-alcoholic beverages.

GUIDED TOURS 

If you have signed up for one of the guided tours of The Arboretum, please note that tour groups will be gathering near the Thornhill building and will depart at 3 PM. We have filled all available tours to capacity. If you wanted to register for a guided tour but the registration form did not offer you a choice (because all groups have been full), please email to info@pflagillinois.org if you want to be added to the waitlist. We expect that some people who have pre-registered will not be attending and The Arboretum has also allowed us to add 8 more people to the guided hike tours, so we will be able to accommodate some people from the waitlist.

Recommendations from The Arboretum:

• Please check the forecast and dress for the weather.
• If the weather is cool, dress warmly for extended time outdoors.
• Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, and plan to walk more than a mile on uneven terrain.
• Bring drinking water.
• If you are taking the tram tour, dress to be seated outdoors for an hour. If the weather is cool, consider bringing a warm layer – there is a light wind when the tram is moving.

Whether you have registered for a guided tour or not, you are welcome to explore The Arboretum on your own until it closes at sunset.

CLOTHING DRIVE

Queering The Binary Foundation will be one of the exhibitors at the Conference. They will collect donations of clothing, accessories, and beauty products for individuals from ages 8-80+. They host donation boxes, pop-up closets, and private parties throughout Illinois for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming individuals to shop for free.

Help a great cause AND clean out your closets and drawers!

Items they are looking for:

• Men’s, women’s, and teen’s clothing, especially in plus/Big & Tall sizes
• Wigs
• Shoes
• Bags, wallets, and backpacks
• Jewelry, even if broken
• Undergarments
• Binders/tucking panties
• Hair accessories and styling equipment
• Packers
• New makeup and makeup brushes
• New beauty and hygiene products
• Costumes
• Fetish gear

We look forward to seeing you at the Conference!

PCNI Conference Committee:
Andrew, Ann, Beth, Jo, Kathy, Kelly, Lex, Marcy, and Ray