Welcome to Chicago

You won’t want to miss all the city of Chicago has to offer during the NASP 2010 Annual Convention. The Windy City’s 29 miles of lakefront paths are just one reason Chicago is one of the world’s most walkable and beautiful cities. Chicago looks great from every angle, whether exploring the city’s astonishing architecture during a guided tour (on foot or aboard a Chicago River boat, lakeshore cruise, or sightseeing bus), or taking in a birds-eye view from the 103rd floor Sears Tower Skydeck or the 94th floor Hancock Observatory.

Attendees will enjoy such sparkling Chicago attractions as Navy Pier—the midwest’s top tourist destination—with its boardwalk, 150-foot Ferris wheel, boat and segway tours, musical performances, and countless dining and shopping options. To make sure you don’t miss out on anything the city has to offer, make your first stop the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago's architectural showplace for the lively and visual arts and the city's official Visitor Center.

Chicago is known as a friendly city, and you’ll agree when you accept the city’s warm invitation to sample such free attractions as Lincoln Park Zoo, home to more than 1,000 mammals, reptiles, and birds. Enjoy the peaceful gardens under glass at Garfield Park, Lincoln Park Conservatory, or Millennium Park, which offers music, art, architecture, and landscape design.

Chicago is a food lovers’ paradise, and it’s hard to choose from so many delicious dining options. Eager for an ethnic meal? Along with the many restaurants serving outstanding Italian, Latin, and Asian foods, countless others offer excellent French, Greek, Indian, Mediterranean, Polish, German, or Ethiopian menus. Whether you want seafood, soul food, or barbecue, you’ll certainly find it downtown or in the city’s 77 neighborhoods.

Chicago also is a shopper’s fantasy come true. Imagine a place with world-class department stores, every kind of boutique from upscale to “sassy,” specialty shops, and fabulous discount shopping. One important Chicago destination not to be missed is The Magnificent Mile along Michigan Avenue, just steps away from the Hyatt Regency Chicago, NASP’s official convention hotel. In this eight-block stretch, 460 stores offer true luxury items, great bargains, and everything in-between.

Join NASP in the Windy City in 2010. Whatever your tastes or interests, Chicago has it all! Registration and housing will open October 5, 2009.