Travel and Transportation Information
Attendees who reserve their room within the Scientific Sessions housing block through ADA’s official Housing Company, CMR, will receive a complimentary shuttle pass, enabling them to ride the ADA shuttle between ADA Official Hotels and the Convention Center, except for those noted that are within walking distance.
You will not need the shuttle pass to take the shuttle from the hotel to the convention center. However, you will be required to show the shuttle pass for the return trip from the convention center to your hotel.
Shuttle passes will be available for purchase in advance when you register for the meeting and onsite at the meeting at a cost of $75 per person if you reserved a hotel through other means. The pass is valid throughout the duration of the meeting.
If you are a group or an exhibitor requesting boarding space at the convention center for any bus moves (drop-off/pick-up) during the meeting, please fill out the Boarding Space Request Form and submit your request to ADA for review and approval.
McCormick Place Convention Center
2301 S Martin Luther King Dr
Chicago, IL 60616
View the location in Google Maps.
We encourage participants to dress comfortably in business casual attire. The temperature in meeting rooms will vary so we suggest you bring a sweater or light jacket for your comfort.
Airport Information
Chicago Midway International Airport
Located 9-10 miles away from the convention center and is approximately a 25-minute drive (depending on traffic).
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Located 21 miles away from the convention center and is approximately a 55-minute drive (depending on traffic).
Transportation from the Airport
Chicago Midway International Airport:
Taxis:
Leaving Midway
Taxi stands are located on the lower level curbfront of the terminals, and taxis are available on a first come, first serve basis. To ensure you have a licensed taxi driver, please be sure to use the taxi stands. For your protection, do not accept rides from drivers outside the cab stand or in the departure area of the terminal roadways. All taxis should have a working meter to calculate the fare based on time and mileage.
- Fares are based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from Midway to downtown Chicago is $35-40.
- For current fare information, please check the City of Chicago taxi passenger information website.
- For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call: Curb Mobility, 888 928-2277 or 888-WAV-CABS
Shared ride service is available to those who wish to share a ride and pay a flat rate to certain destinations if multiple parties are available for the trip. Shared ride fares from Midway include:
- Downtown ($18 per person)
- McCormick Place ($18 per person)
Going to Midway
If you are taking a taxi to Midway from Chicago and are not located in an area where taxis are readily available, Curb Mobility at (888)928-2277, may be useful to schedule a pick up.
Ride-Sharing Apps:
Several ride-sharing apps are available at the airport. Loading zones for Rideshare services are at the following locations:
- Blue Zones “A & B” Lower Level Center Lane; Use Terminal Door 2 & 3
- Orange Zones “C & D” Lower Level Center Lane; Use Terminal Door 3 & 4
- Green Zones “E & F” Lower Level Center Lane; Use Terminal Door 4
Shuttles:
There are a number of shuttles that service Midway International Airport, making it easy for all passengers all over the region to travel to and from the airport.
- Hotel Shuttles, Pickup/Drop off
Departure Ticket Level; Use Terminal Door 2 - Off-Site Parking Shuttles
Lower Level (through parking garage); Use Terminal Door 5 & 6 - Airport Parking Shuttles
Lower Level Inner Lane; Use Terminal Door 4 - Rental Car Shuttles
Lower Level Inner Lane; Use Terminal Door 3
Act II Transportation
Reservation only.
Serving: Quad Cities—Service between Davenport, Iowa and both Midway and O'Hare Airports via Interstate 80.
(800) 769-8891 or (309) 799-8891
PACE Bus
Click here for more information on Pace service at Midway.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport:
Taxis:
Taxi stands are located on the lower level curbfront (outside of Baggage Claim) at each terminal. Taxi service is available to Chicago and suburban destinations. Please make sure to use the designated Taxi Stands to ensure you have a licensed driver. For your protection, do not accept rides from drivers outside the cab stand or on the departure level (second level) of the terminal roadways. All taxis should have a working meter to calculate the fare based on time and mileage.
- Fares are based on traffic conditions, but an average fare from O'Hare to downtown Chicago is $30-40
- For wheelchair accessible vehicles, please call 1-888-928-2227
Flat taxi shared ride service is available to those who wish to share a ride and pay a flat rate to certain destinations if multiple parties are available for the trip. Shared ride fares from O'Hare include:
- Downtown ($24 per person)
- McCormick Place ($24 per person)
All suburban taxis should be pre-arranged by customers calling a suburban taxi company. Customers can call to pre-arrange for a suburban taxi in the Baggage Claim level or earlier before arriving. Designated pick up is on the lower-level, middle commercial lane at each Terminals 1,2,3 and inner commercial lane at Terminal 5.
Ride-Sharing Apps:
Several ride-sharing apps, such as Uber or Lyft, are available at the airport. Loading zones for Rideshare services are at the following locations:
- BLACK Zone A – Outside North of vestibule 2A
- BLUE Zone B – Outside vestibule 2A
- ORANGE Zone C – Outside vestibule 2B
- GREEN Zone D – Outside vestibule 2E
- Passengers should wait in the specific colored zones until their TNP arrives to the same colored zone before proceeding to the designated pick-up location. A waiting area inside is available between vestibules 2A and 2D.
- Black Car pickups continue to be offered on the lower level or all terminals.
Shuttles:
All hotel and off-airport parking shuttle pick-ups at O’Hare have moved from the Bus Shuttle Center to the Terminal 2 Arrivals curbside. Some shuttles will continue to pick passengers up at Terminal 5, contact your shuttle provider directly for more information
Parking Rates:
Lot A: The parking rate is $26 for up to 16 hours and $39 from 16 to 24 hours. There are no in-and-out privileges unless parking is purchased online in advance.
Lot B: The parking rate is a flat fee of $17 per day with no in-and-out privileges.
Lot C: The parking rate is $26 for up to 16 hours and $39 from 16 to 24 hours. There are no in-and-out privileges unless parking is purchased online in advance.
Attendees from outside the United States may need to apply for a visa at the American Embassy, Consulate, or other visa-issuing office in your country of origin. Please begin your visa application process as soon as possible. Some countries take several months to process applications. Go to the U.S. Department of State website for information on obtaining your visa.
Use our letter generator or templated letter to produce a visa invitation. The invitation letter (in PDF format) will print with American Diabetes Association letterhead and include an electronic signature. It should be accepted as an official document. If you have any questions regarding the letter, please email conventionoperations@diabetes.org.
Please note: Invitation letters imply no obligation by the American Diabetes Association to cover registration fees, accommodations, travel expenses, or any other costs associated with participation in this meeting. The American Diabetes Association is not able to contact U.S. Embassies or Consulates on behalf of any individual attempting to enter the United States to attend the Scientific Sessions.
Regulations for Countries that Do Not Require Visas to Enter the United States
International travelers from countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may apply for admission to the United States online. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requires that international travelers go to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and fill out an electronic application before coming to the United States.
Summer in Chicago is moderately warm. The weather for the month of June averages between 63 and 83 degrees F (17 and 28 degrees C).