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    Chicago Ideas Week Program Lineup

    Chicago Ideas Week is back this October with hundreds of events across the city that will push you to reinterpret the limits of possibility within yourself and others. Explore our speaker lineup and roster of events. Search and filter events below by category, location or type to find the Talk, Conversation, or Lab that best fits your interests.
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    Monday, February 2, 2015

    Thursday, February 12, 2015

    Tuesday, March 10, 2015

    11:30 AM

    Member-only Lab. If you really want people to listen to you, tell a story.... read more
    Member-only Lab. If you really want people to listen to you, tell a story.  Join StoryStudio Chicago’s Jill Pollack and learn the secrets of making... read more
    Members Only 90 Minutes Lab IA Collaborative

    Tuesday, March 31, 2015

    6:30 PM

    A member of the iconic Big Six, Rep. John Lewis’s role as chairman of the... read more
    A member of the iconic Big Six, Rep. John Lewis’s role as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee put him at the epicenter of the... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art

    Wednesday, April 15, 2015

    6 PM

    Member-only Event. The Second City’s Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton will share how to... read more
    Member-only Event. The Second City’s Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton will share how to reverse the dreaded “no, but” in a discussion of their new book... read more
    Members Only 90 Minutes Lab E.T.C Theatre

    Tuesday, April 21, 2015

    11 AM

    Member-only Lab. Join Artistic Director Charles Newell, Music Director Doug Peck and cast members... read more
    Member-only Lab. Join Artistic Director Charles Newell, Music Director Doug Peck and cast members for the first read-through of the Court Theatre's... read more
    Members Only 150 Minutes Lab Court Theatre Rehearsal Hall

    Tuesday, April 28, 2015

    Monday, May 18, 2015

    6 PM

    In "Becoming Steve Jobs", veteran journalists Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli draw on extensive interviews... read more
    In "Becoming Steve Jobs", veteran journalists Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli draw on extensive interviews with Jobs' inner circle, family... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar

    Thursday, May 28, 2015

    11:30 AM

    Take a leadership journey with Dr. Max Klau, City Year's vice president of leadership and... read more
    Take a leadership journey with Dr. Max Klau, City Year's vice president of leadership and development, and get first-hand experience with the... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Accenture

    Wednesday, June 3, 2015

    Wednesday, July 22, 2015

    11:30 AM

    MEMBER-ONLY EVENT. Food for thought: What if your children's lunches were grown right outside of... read more
    MEMBER-ONLY EVENT. Food for thought: What if your children's lunches were grown right outside of their classroom? What if gardening were an... read more
    Members Only 90 Minutes Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Gary Comer Youth Center

    Monday, August 3, 2015

    4:30 PM

    MEMBER-ONLY EVENT. Join StartUp Institute on a walkabout to learn the history and future of... read more
    MEMBER-ONLY EVENT. Join StartUp Institute on a walkabout to learn the history and future of one of the country’s fastest growing innovation... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Startup Institute

    Tuesday, August 25, 2015

    6 PM

    MEMBER-ONLY EVENT. Chicago Ideas is turning five years old, and we’re ready to celebrate! Come wish... read more
    MEMBER-ONLY EVENT. Chicago Ideas is turning five years old, and we’re ready to celebrate! Come wish us happy birthday at the Lagunitas TapRoom,... read more
    Members Only 150 Minutes Special Engagement Lagunitas Tap Room

    Monday, October 12, 2015

    10 AM

    VisMed-3D is reimagining biomedical research and patient care as we know it... read more
    VisMed-3D is reimagining biomedical research and patient care as we know it. The Bio FabLab’s scientists and technicians create patient-specific... read more
    120 Minutes Lab MATTER
    12 PM

    It takes over 700 pounds of coal to power a single light bulb for a year... read more
    It takes over 700 pounds of coal to power a single light bulb for a year. Compare that to the typical wind turbine, which has been calculated at... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    12 PM

    Matthew Hoffman’s You Are Beautiful stickers spread goodwill and beauty throughout Chicago—and the world. Join... read more
    Matthew Hoffman’s You Are Beautiful stickers spread goodwill and beauty throughout Chicago—and the world. Join Hoffman for an introduction to the... read more
    60 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    1 PM

    No really, let’s go flying. The Chicago Flyhouse specializes in specialty rigging for theater performers... read more
    No really, let’s go flying. The Chicago Flyhouse specializes in specialty rigging for theater performers and installations. Now, they’ll take you... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Chicago Flyhouse Facility
    2 PM

    Chance the Rapper, M.I.A., Wyclef Jean and FKA Twigs are just a few of the... read more
    Chance the Rapper, M.I.A., Wyclef Jean and FKA Twigs are just a few of the many artists who have recorded at Soundscape Studios, Chicago’s... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Soundscape Studios
    3 PM

    With rapid urbanization, cities are facing declining resources and increasing need, making the creation of... read more
    With rapid urbanization, cities are facing declining resources and increasing need, making the creation of cost-efficient and effective policies... read more
    75 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    4 PM

    With malls all but extinct, retailers are increasingly creating experiences that make shopping an exciting,... read more
    With malls all but extinct, retailers are increasingly creating experiences that make shopping an exciting, individualized, all-consuming part of... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Venue SIX10
    5 PM

    Join CIW and Comcast NBC Universal to toast Chicago Ideas Week’s fifth year at a... read more
    Join CIW and Comcast NBC Universal to toast Chicago Ideas Week’s fifth year at a unique, tech-centric space in Lincoln Park. Cocktails and... read more
    90 Minutes Party STUDIO XFINITY
    5 PM

    Experience an artwork-in-the-making in a uniquely intimate MCA talk with performance-based artist Danny Volk, whose... read more
    Experience an artwork-in-the-making in a uniquely intimate MCA talk with performance-based artist Danny Volk, whose ongoing series "Made-Up with... read more
    90 Minutes Premier Lab Museum of Contemporary Art
    6 PM

    Delicious, farm-fresh egg sandwiches, local craft coffee, a food truck and two brick-and-mortar stores—those are... read more
    Delicious, farm-fresh egg sandwiches, local craft coffee, a food truck and two brick-and-mortar stores—those are the ingredients to an Eastman Egg... read more
    120 Minutes Lab The Eastman Egg Company on Wacker Drive
    6 PM

    You go to your doctor for a routine check-up, and come out with a prescription—for... read more
    You go to your doctor for a routine check-up, and come out with a prescription—for fruits and vegetables. Culinary medicine stands poised to... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    6 PM

    Catalyst Ranch, which offers companies creative meeting spaces in a historic location, will guide you... read more
    Catalyst Ranch, which offers companies creative meeting spaces in a historic location, will guide you through their innovative REVOLT Process of... read more
    150 Minutes Lab Catalyst Ranch
    6:30 PM

    An urban winery, live concert venue and restaurant, City Winery produces over 5,000 cases of... read more
    An urban winery, live concert venue and restaurant, City Winery produces over 5,000 cases of wine each year, using grapes from California, Oregon,... read more
    90 Minutes Premier Lab City Winery
    7 PM

    With the 2016 presidential election fast approaching, CIW explores the issues, both domestic and international,... read more
    With the 2016 presidential election fast approaching, CIW explores the issues, both domestic and international, that will define American politics... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Cadillac Palace Theatre
    7 PM

    An electrifying symphony, a laugh-out-loud joke, a perfect pastry... read more
    An electrifying symphony, a laugh-out-loud joke, a perfect pastry. Sometimes, a creation is so unbelievable, you have to ask yourself: How do they... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Venue SIX10
    7:15 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion following the Conversation on food as medicine.... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion following the Conversation on food as medicine. To purchase tickets to this Conversation, click... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up Elephant & Castle
    7:30 PM

    The Dinner: Enjoy a three-course plated dinner from nationally renowned Executive Chefs Jared Van Camp... read more
    The Dinner: Enjoy a three-course plated dinner from nationally renowned Executive Chefs Jared Van Camp and Anthony Dirienzo. One of Food &... read more
    120 Minutes Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Nellcote
    8:30 PM

    Join CIW and The Underground Chicago for our annual kick-off party celebrating Chicago’s fifth year.... read more
    Join CIW and The Underground Chicago for our annual kick-off party celebrating Chicago’s fifth year. Connect with other CIW attendees while you... read more
    120 Minutes Party The Underground Chicago
    8:45 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on the state... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on the state of the union. To purchase tickets to this Talk, click here. *CIW... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up 312 Chicago

    Tuesday, October 13, 2015

    10 AM

    Get on the air with iHeartMedia, whose 245 million monthly listeners make it the media... read more
    Get on the air with iHeartMedia, whose 245 million monthly listeners make it the media outlet with the farthest reach of any radio or television... read more
    120 Minutes Lab iHeart Media
    10 AM

    PORT Urbanism re-envisions city spaces with their architectural redesigns of spaces like the historic Old... read more
    PORT Urbanism re-envisions city spaces with their architectural redesigns of spaces like the historic Old Cook County Hospital. Join PORT Founders... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Randolph St. & Michigan Ave.
    12 PM

    Executives face an increasing array of challenges, from the integration of technology in their business to... read more
    Executives face an increasing array of challenges, from the integration of technology in their business to the impact of the global economy on... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Joffrey Ballet
    12 PM

    Learn to incorporate stillness into your everyday life with a meditation session led by MindFuel... read more
    Learn to incorporate stillness into your everyday life with a meditation session led by MindFuel Wellness’s Kelly Moore and Jacquelyn Brennan.... read more
    45 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    12:30 PM

    The Chicago Tribune’s RedEye—designed with the millennial commuter in mind—uses print, social media, video and... read more
    The Chicago Tribune’s RedEye—designed with the millennial commuter in mind—uses print, social media, video and podcasts to bring a unique mix of... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Tribune Tower
    1 PM

    One of the nation’s most successful trial firms, Bartlit Beck is a leader in the integration... read more
    One of the nation’s most successful trial firms, Bartlit Beck is a leader in the integration of most effective technology with the litigation... read more
    120 Minutes Premier Lab Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott
    1 PM

    Brooklyn Boulders’ newly remodeled 25,000 square-foot West Loop space fosters entrepreneurship and creativity through climbing... read more
    Brooklyn Boulders’ newly remodeled 25,000 square-foot West Loop space fosters entrepreneurship and creativity through climbing and belaying. Join... read more
    120 Minutes Premier Lab Brooklyn Boulders
    3 PM

    At Antique Taco, classic tacos—from fish to carnitas—are reinvented using fresh, gourmet ingredients. Beverage Director... read more
    At Antique Taco, classic tacos—from fish to carnitas—are reinvented using fresh, gourmet ingredients. Beverage Director Madeleine Suter will... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Antique Taco, The Guest Room
    3:30 PM

    At the Chicago Innovation Exchange, you’ll tap into an ecosystem of innovation, businesses, commercialization—and 3D... read more
    At the Chicago Innovation Exchange, you’ll tap into an ecosystem of innovation, businesses, commercialization—and 3D printers. Assistant Director... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Chicago Innovation Exchange
    3:30 PM

    Over 3.5 million viewers nightly tune in to Univision programming... read more
    Over 3.5 million viewers nightly tune in to Univision programming. Univision Chicago’s Research Director Lisa DeBiasi will help you craft effective... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Univision Television Group
    4 PM

    The most beer-filled, delicious, educational brewery tour you’ll ever go on, you’ll go on the... read more
    The most beer-filled, delicious, educational brewery tour you’ll ever go on, you’ll go on the floor of Chicago’s largest brewery. With Lagunitas’... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Lagunitas Brewing Company/Chicago
    4 PM

    At Flowers for Dreams, sending your loved ones flowers is an act of charity, literally:... read more
    At Flowers for Dreams, sending your loved ones flowers is an act of charity, literally: Each bouquet of locally sourced flowers benefits a local... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Flowers for Dreams
    4 PM

    The poverty rate for black Americans remains three times higher than that for white Americans... read more
    The poverty rate for black Americans remains three times higher than that for white Americans. The past 50 years have represented an unprecedented... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Venue SIX10
    4 PM

    You have to cross picket lines to get to your office; your employees aren’t the usual... read more
    You have to cross picket lines to get to your office; your employees aren’t the usual 9-to-5 corporate types; you are literally under fire. It’s... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Cadillac Palace Theatre
    5:30 PM

    Explore all things rhythm—using drums, percussion instruments, your car keys and your own hands—in a... read more
    Explore all things rhythm—using drums, percussion instruments, your car keys and your own hands—in a drum circle led by Holy Goat Percussion... read more
    60 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    5:45 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on leadership under... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on leadership under pressure. To purchase tickets to this Talk, click... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up 312 Chicago
    5:45 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on race in... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on race in America. To purchase tickets to this Talk, click here. *CIW... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up The Artist's Cafe
    6 PM

    It’s over a decade later, and as Congress dives in for a new round of... read more
    It’s over a decade later, and as Congress dives in for a new round of rewrites, the debate over how to ensure no child is left behind continues. We... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Joffrey Ballet
    7 PM

    Custom-made bikes and fresh-brewed coffee may be an unlikely pairing, but they’re the keys to... read more
    Custom-made bikes and fresh-brewed coffee may be an unlikely pairing, but they’re the keys to Lakeview’s Heritage Bicycle’s unique success. Owner... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Heritage Bicycles General
    7 PM

    Hip-hop, film, comedy, video games—today, a moral and political debate rages on over the potential... read more
    Hip-hop, film, comedy, video games—today, a moral and political debate rages on over the potential of these media to create and perpetuate a... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Venue SIX10
    7:15 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion following the Conversation on emotional intelligence. To purchase... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion following the Conversation on emotional intelligence. To purchase tickets to this Conversation,... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up Elephant & Castle
    7:30 PM

    The Dinner: Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri prepares a tasting menu featuring locally sourced, seasonal and... read more
    The Dinner: Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri prepares a tasting menu featuring locally sourced, seasonal and farm raised ingredients, all rooted in... read more
    120 Minutes Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Kinmont

    Wednesday, October 14, 2015

    8 AM

    Go behind-the-scenes of the Chicago Architectural Biennial and celebrate Chicago’s rich architectural history with Commissioner... read more
    Go behind-the-scenes of the Chicago Architectural Biennial and celebrate Chicago’s rich architectural history with Commissioner of Cultural Affairs... read more
    120 Minutes Premier Lab Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Room
    8:30 AM

    Combine the nimbleness of entrepreneurship with the solutions-driven framework of social ventures, and the result... read more
    Combine the nimbleness of entrepreneurship with the solutions-driven framework of social ventures, and the result is the disruptive, effective and... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Joffrey Ballet
    9 AM

    The key ingredients to Chipotle’s success? Fresh food, dedicated people—and avocados... read more
    The key ingredients to Chipotle’s success? Fresh food, dedicated people—and avocados. Learn about all three at this behind-the-scenes look into one... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Chipotle
    9:30 AM

    At the Chicago Public Library’s Innovation Lab, 3D printers, laser cutters, a milling machine and... read more
    At the Chicago Public Library’s Innovation Lab, 3D printers, laser cutters, a milling machine and a vinyl cutter give all of Chicago the... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Harold Washington Library, Innovation Lab.
    10 AM

    The people behind The Girl and the Goat’s one-of-a-kind space, Hard Rock Café’s rock ’n’... read more
    The people behind The Girl and the Goat’s one-of-a-kind space, Hard Rock Café’s rock ’n’ roll feel and Gucci’s futuristic displays share what it... read more
    90 Minutes Lab 555 International
    10 AM

    Providing in-flight Wi-Fi on over 2,000 aircrafts, Gogo’s technologies change the way we all fly... read more
    Providing in-flight Wi-Fi on over 2,000 aircrafts, Gogo’s technologies change the way we all fly. On the heels of its move to downtown Chicago,... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Gogo
    11 AM

    Learn the secrets of culinary cures with Dr. Dena Mendes, N.D., who knows from her... read more
    Learn the secrets of culinary cures with Dr. Dena Mendes, N.D., who knows from her personal experience with cancer that to overcome health... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Whole Foods Market Cooking School at Lincoln Park
    12:15 PM

    With a focus on youth sports programs, Urban Initiatives inspires over 17,000 Chicago Public School... read more
    With a focus on youth sports programs, Urban Initiatives inspires over 17,000 Chicago Public School students to pursue academic-focused, healthy... read more
    90 Minutes Lab Dr. Jorge Prieto Math-Science Elementary School
    12:45 PM

    What defines the fabric of a city? Join Artist-in-Residences Christopher Marcinkoski and Andrew Moddrell of... read more
    What defines the fabric of a city? Join Artist-in-Residences Christopher Marcinkoski and Andrew Moddrell of PORT Urbanism for a hands-on,... read more
    45 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    2 PM

    Drink a cup of your mom’s coffee, and you’re transported back to Sunday mornings in... read more
    Drink a cup of your mom’s coffee, and you’re transported back to Sunday mornings in your childhood home. Drink a cup of Dark Matter, and suddenly... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Dark Matter Coffee
    4 PM

    In the Chicago Tribune’s test kitchen, our recipe testers have made everything from pie dough to holiday cookies to lamb chops as they test... read more
    In the Chicago Tribune’s test kitchen, our recipe testers have made everything from pie dough to holiday cookies to lamb chops as they test recipes... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Tribune Tower
    4 PM

    ISIS, Al Qaeda and other splinter groups have increasing access to both weaponry and channels... read more
    ISIS, Al Qaeda and other splinter groups have increasing access to both weaponry and channels of communication, creating a global threat that is... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Venue SIX10
    5:30 PM

    Join Next Door—a community cafe that offers great coffee alongside financial advice—for a behind-the-scenes look... read more
    Join Next Door—a community cafe that offers great coffee alongside financial advice—for a behind-the-scenes look at Next Door’s creative problem... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Next Door Chicago
    5:30 PM

    Participate in Improv Games with ComedySportz Chicago, Chicago’s longest running short form improv comedy show.... read more
    Participate in Improv Games with ComedySportz Chicago, Chicago’s longest running short form improv comedy show. Get on your feet and practice a... read more
    60 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    6 PM

    Insight Product Development’s team have improved surgical equipment for Olympus, developed new healthcare delivery models... read more
    Insight Product Development’s team have improved surgical equipment for Olympus, developed new healthcare delivery models and worked with BigBelly... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Insight Product Development HQ
    6 PM

    The number of heroin users has more than doubled in just a decade... read more
    The number of heroin users has more than doubled in just a decade. The death rate from overdose has nearly quadrupled. And with cut-rate prices and... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Joffrey Ballet
    6 PM

    Voted one of the best hotel restaurants around the world and one of the best... read more
    Voted one of the best hotel restaurants around the world and one of the best Chicago rooftops, NoMI at the Park Hyatt pairs craft cocktails and... read more
    120 Minutes Premier Lab NoMI at the Park Hyatt
    6 PM

    From key lime to cherry, Bang Bang specializes in all things pie... read more
    From key lime to cherry, Bang Bang specializes in all things pie. Now, see behind-the-scenes in their kitchen, where you’ll bake your own pie.... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Bang Bang Pie Shop Prep Kitchen
    6:30 PM

    The Dinner: Jimmy Lee, the former executive director of the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce,... read more
    The Dinner: Jimmy Lee, the former executive director of the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, takes you on a tour of the best Chinatown has to... read more
    180 Minutes Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Hing Kee
    7 PM

    Learn the principles of mixology with some of the finest ingredients Chicago has to offer:... read more
    Learn the principles of mixology with some of the finest ingredients Chicago has to offer: the carefully distilled Parce Rum and Owen + Alchemy... read more
    120 Minutes Premier Lab Owen + Alchemy
    7 PM

    The world’s leading entrepreneurs reveal how they transformed fledgling business ideas into top-rated television stations,... read more
    The world’s leading entrepreneurs reveal how they transformed fledgling business ideas into top-rated television stations, international fashion... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Cadillac Palace Theatre
    7:30 PM

    The Dinner: Chef Michael Kornick takes his trademark approach to French and Italian provincial cuisines... read more
    The Dinner: Chef Michael Kornick takes his trademark approach to French and Italian provincial cuisines in a tasting menu featuring wines from his... read more
    120 Minutes Guess Who's Coming to Dinner mk
    8:45 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on entrepreneurship... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on entrepreneurship. To purchase tickets to this Talk, click here.*CIW... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up 312 Chicago
    8:45 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Wildcard Talk. To purchase... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Wildcard Talk. To purchase tickets to this Talk, click here. *CIW Meet-ups are... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up The Artist's Cafe
    9 PM

    Join CIW and Carnivale for entertainment, networking, Latin-inspired appetizers and an exquisite view of Chicago... read more
    Join CIW and Carnivale for entertainment, networking, Latin-inspired appetizers and an exquisite view of Chicago at a CIW After Party in the Samba... read more
    120 Minutes Party Carnivale

    Thursday, October 15, 2015

    8:30 AM

    Join Eataly cheesemonger and mozzarella maker David Malzahn for a behind-the-scenes look at Eataly's mozzarella... read more
    Join Eataly cheesemonger and mozzarella maker David Malzahn for a behind-the-scenes look at Eataly's mozzarella lab. Our expert cheesemonger will... read more
    90 Minutes Premier Lab Eataly Chicago
    9 AM

    Ink Factory transforms the spoken word into informative drawings... read more
    Ink Factory transforms the spoken word into informative drawings. Or, as they put it: You talk. We draw. It’s Awesome.™ Get a crash course in... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Ink Factory Studio
    10 AM

    On an average weekday, 1.7 million rides are taken on the CTA’s 1,356 rail cars and 1,865 buses... read more
    On an average weekday, 1.7 million rides are taken on the CTA’s 1,356 rail cars and 1,865 buses. So, how does the CTA keep track of all of those... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Kimball Brown Line Station
    10 AM

    With programs that have impacted more than 3,000 students at 10 schools across Chicago, Umoja... read more
    With programs that have impacted more than 3,000 students at 10 schools across Chicago, Umoja Student Development Corporation brings the principles... read more
    120 Minutes Lab South Shore International College Preparatory High School
    11 AM

    The Rebuilding Exchange, a Bucktown scrapyard and warehouse founded in 2009, has saved tons of... read more
    The Rebuilding Exchange, a Bucktown scrapyard and warehouse founded in 2009, has saved tons of building materials from local landfills—9,338 tons... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Rebuilding Exchange
    11 AM

    Peterson Garden Project started as the transformation of one empty lot into a pop-up victory... read more
    Peterson Garden Project started as the transformation of one empty lot into a pop-up victory garden in 2010. Today, it’s a movement hundreds of... read more
    120 Minutes Lab PGP’s Community Cooking School at Broadway Armory Park
    12 PM

    More than just a hotspot of delicious food, Chicago’s Chinatown is a bustling epicenter of... read more
    More than just a hotspot of delicious food, Chicago’s Chinatown is a bustling epicenter of local businesses and culture. Join Jimmy Lee, the former... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Phoenix Restaurant
    12 PM

    Steve Dolinsky, Chicago’s Hungry Hound, takes you to three of Logan Square’s popular restaurants—the Cajun-inspired... read more
    Steve Dolinsky, Chicago’s Hungry Hound, takes you to three of Logan Square’s popular restaurants—the Cajun-inspired Analogue, the farm-to-table... read more
    90 Minutes Premier Lab Longman & Eagle
    12 PM

    With state-of-the-art robots, the introduction of big data and the always-improving applications of Internet technologies,... read more
    With state-of-the-art robots, the introduction of big data and the always-improving applications of Internet technologies, business is at the... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Cadillac Palace Theatre
    12 PM

    In the 16th and 17th centuries, Shakespeare invented over 1,700 English words, creating a cascade... read more
    In the 16th and 17th centuries, Shakespeare invented over 1,700 English words, creating a cascade of effects on spoken and written language.... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Venue SIX10
    1:45 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on technology and... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on technology and disruptive innovation. To purchase tickets to this Talk,... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up 312 Chicago
    2 PM

    JC Rivera’s distinctive paintings can be found on the side of the Soho House Chicago,... read more
    JC Rivera’s distinctive paintings can be found on the side of the Soho House Chicago, Matthew Hoffman’s installations remind Chicagoans You Are... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Havas Worldwide Chicago
    2:30 PM

    The McCormick Place Rooftop Garden is the Midwest’s largest rooftop garden, with one-half acre yielding... read more
    The McCormick Place Rooftop Garden is the Midwest’s largest rooftop garden, with one-half acre yielding 8,000 pounds of carrots, beets, kale, beans... read more
    120 Minutes Lab McCormick Place Rooftop Garden
    4 PM

    Experts, executives and journalists examine the relationship between foreign and domestic economic decisions, and discuss... read more
    Experts, executives and journalists examine the relationship between foreign and domestic economic decisions, and discuss the impact of global... read more
    90 Minutes Talk Venue SIX10
    5 PM

    Edelman Chicago’s Crisis and Risk Management Team offers 24/7 crisis and issues management support to... read more
    Edelman Chicago’s Crisis and Risk Management Team offers 24/7 crisis and issues management support to Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized... read more
    120 Minutes Lab AON Building
    5 PM

    BucketFeet is 100 percent artist-designed shoes, 100 percent of the time... read more
    BucketFeet is 100 percent artist-designed shoes, 100 percent of the time. Now, you’ll become one of those artists in a shoe design session led by... read more
    120 Minutes Lab BucketFeet Bucktown Studio
    5 PM

    The Office—from the minds of the creative geniuses behind Alinea, Next and The Aviary—is an... read more
    The Office—from the minds of the creative geniuses behind Alinea, Next and The Aviary—is an invitation-only speakeasy putting a new twist on... read more
    120 Minutes Premier Lab The Office
    5 PM

    It’s Reese’s peanut butter with chocolate, iTune’s music files with a purchasing system and your... read more
    It’s Reese’s peanut butter with chocolate, iTune’s music files with a purchasing system and your favorite Top 40 song with a golden oldie. Mash-ups... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Workspring's Central Loop Location
    5:15 PM

    Watch four hand-picked fledgling businesses vie for a cash prize and the opportunity to work... read more
    Watch four hand-picked fledgling businesses vie for a cash prize and the opportunity to work with some of the country’s leading angel and venture... read more
    120 Minutes CIW Special Event UI Labs
    5:30 PM

    Each year, Chicago Ideas Week puts on over 100 events, brings 150 globally renowned speakers... read more
    Each year, Chicago Ideas Week puts on over 100 events, brings 150 globally renowned speakers to the Chicago stage and hosts over 34,000 attendees.... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Cadillac Palace Theatre
    5:30 PM

    Each year, the Knight Cities Challenge invites a wide range of people to submit innovative ideas... read more
    Each year, the Knight Cities Challenge invites a wide range of people to submit innovative ideas for making the 26 Knight communities more vibrant... read more
    60 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    6 PM

    Fifty percent of the population can relate: Some health concerns are difficult to discuss, even... read more
    Fifty percent of the population can relate: Some health concerns are difficult to discuss, even with your doctor. Join Dr. Dena Mendes, N.D. at The... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Chuan Spa
    7:30 PM

    The Dinner: Join us for dinner at Intro, Chicago's innovative new restaurant with an entrepreneurial... read more
    The Dinner: Join us for dinner at Intro, Chicago's innovative new restaurant with an entrepreneurial spirit that introduces up-and-coming culinary... read more
    120 Minutes Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Intro

    Friday, October 16, 2015

    7 AM

    Join MindFuel Wellness’s Kelly Moore and Jacquelyn Brennan for a morning session that blends the... read more
    Join MindFuel Wellness’s Kelly Moore and Jacquelyn Brennan for a morning session that blends the best of Pilates and yoga in one comprehensive... read more
    60 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    8:30 AM

    Today, 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in cities, the majority of which were... read more
    Today, 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in cities, the majority of which were designed more than a century ago. CIW looks at the research... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    9 AM

    America’s oldest national laboratory, Argonne developed the first nuclear reactor—the research that almost every commercial... read more
    America’s oldest national laboratory, Argonne developed the first nuclear reactor—the research that almost every commercial reactor worldwide is... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Argonne National Laboratory
    10 AM

    Our premier, invitation-only event, Edison Talks is a specially curated day of mind-bending speakers, provocative... read more
    Our premier, invitation-only event, Edison Talks is a specially curated day of mind-bending speakers, provocative performances and unique... read more
    420 Minutes Edison Talks Cadillac Palace Theatre
    11 AM

    A family-run business, Lou Malnati’s has been in the deep dish business for over 40 years... read more
    A family-run business, Lou Malnati’s has been in the deep dish business for over 40 years. With Marc Malnati & EY, you’ll make Lou Malnati’s... read more
    120 Minutes Lab Lou Malnati's, Gold Coast
    12 PM

    We’ve labeled them “slacktivists”—individuals whose social campaigns don’t seem to stack up against traditional activism.... read more
    We’ve labeled them “slacktivists”—individuals whose social campaigns don’t seem to stack up against traditional activism. But with Twitter toppling... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    12 PM

    Interested in investing your money, but not sure where to start? Learn and practice with... read more
    Interested in investing your money, but not sure where to start? Learn and practice with the help of experts from Magnetar Academy. In this... read more
    120 Minutes Lab MicroTek
    12 PM

    Explore the Thick City Pavilion through dynamic and explosive endurance exercises, getting a unique perspective... read more
    Explore the Thick City Pavilion through dynamic and explosive endurance exercises, getting a unique perspective on the architectural space. Learn... read more
    60 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    2 PM

    With 11,000 employees in 316 offices in 120 cities and 75 countries, Havas Worldwide’s campaigns... read more
    With 11,000 employees in 316 offices in 120 cities and 75 countries, Havas Worldwide’s campaigns for such iconic brands as Dos Equis increasingly... read more
    90 Minutes Lab Havas Worldwide Chicago
    4 PM

    Local Chicago artists will share their art in a pop-up art gallery hosted by Echoes... read more
    Local Chicago artists will share their art in a pop-up art gallery hosted by Echoes of Chicago, a philanthropic nonprofit dedicated to creating... read more
    120 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    6 PM

    Join Founder, Executive Director and Ringmaster Jeff Jenkins for a behind-the-scenes VIP tour of the... read more
    Join Founder, Executive Director and Ringmaster Jeff Jenkins for a behind-the-scenes VIP tour of the purple and blue Big Top. You’ll witness the... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Midnight Circus Big Top, Welles Park
    7:30 PM

    The Dinner: Join us for a roaming dinner with sweet and bold Vietmanese iced coffee,... read more
    The Dinner: Join us for a roaming dinner with sweet and bold Vietmanese iced coffee, crunchy banh mi sandwiches and more before sitting down for a... read more
    120 Minutes Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Ba Le Bakery

    Saturday, October 17, 2015

    9 AM

    Over the past 25 years, Chicago Cares has brought together over 500,000 volunteers to address... read more
    Over the past 25 years, Chicago Cares has brought together over 500,000 volunteers to address our city’s greatest problems. Learn more about... read more
    180 Minutes Lab Vivian Carter Senior Apartments
    10 AM

    Los inmigrantes latinoamericanos llegan a este país en busca del Sueño Americano... read more
    Los inmigrantes latinoamericanos llegan a este país en busca del Sueño Americano. ¿Pero, sus hijos estadounidenses quieren lo mismo? ¿O quieren ser... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    10 AM

    Join Columbia Poetry Review editors and MFA candidates Evan Kleekamp, Jan-Henry Gray and Matthew DeMarco... read more
    Join Columbia Poetry Review editors and MFA candidates Evan Kleekamp, Jan-Henry Gray and Matthew DeMarco for an in-depth poetry workshop. You’ll... read more
    60 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    11 AM

    The Darshan Center unites the physical, spiritual and emotional in its Vedic yoga teachings... read more
    The Darshan Center unites the physical, spiritual and emotional in its Vedic yoga teachings. Darshan Method creator Jim Kulackoski has helped CEOs... read more
    120 Minutes Lab The Darshan Center
    1 PM

    In recent years, American society has increasingly come to recognize the fluid nature of gender... read more
    In recent years, American society has increasingly come to recognize the fluid nature of gender. CIW gathers individuals from across the spectrum... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    3:30 PM

    With over https://instagram.com/dkelleghan/?hl=en" target="_blank">100,000 Instagram followers and clients ranging from Audi to Apple... read more
    With over https://instagram.com/dkelleghan/?hl=en" target="_blank">100,000 Instagram followers and clients ranging from Audi to Apple to... read more
    45 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    4 PM

    High-profile police shootings, the urgent debate over the death penalty and the startling fact that... read more
    High-profile police shootings, the urgent debate over the death penalty and the startling fact that one in three black men will be imprisoned in... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    4 PM

    Today, medicine is increasingly focused on quality of life... read more
    Today, medicine is increasingly focused on quality of life. We look at the breakthroughs, innovative practices and new health care measures that... read more
    90 Minutes Talk The Art Institute of Chicago
    5:15 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion following the Conversation on justice. To... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion following the Conversation on justice. To purchase tickets to this Conversation, click here. *CIW... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up Elephant & Castle
    7 PM

    CIW gathers the brightest researchers, experts, innovators and unique personalities to put everyone’s favorite topic... read more
    CIW gathers the brightest researchers, experts, innovators and unique personalities to put everyone’s favorite topic (admit it!) at the forefront... read more
    90 Minutes Talk The Art Institute of Chicago
    8:45 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on sex and... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the conversation following the Talk on sex and relationships in the modern age. To purchase tickets to this Talk,... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up The Artist's Cafe

    Sunday, October 18, 2015

    11 AM

    One in five adults in America experience a mental illness... read more
    One in five adults in America experience a mental illness. Yet the national conversation on mental health is often shrouded in secrecy rather than... read more
    60 Minutes Conversation Morningstar
    12 PM

    A growing movement of craftsmen, foodies and engineers are transforming our country from one that... read more
    A growing movement of craftsmen, foodies and engineers are transforming our country from one that mass produces to a country that creates... read more
    90 Minutes Talk The Art Institute of Chicago
    12:15 PM

    Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion following the Conversation on mental health.... read more
    Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion following the Conversation on mental health. To purchase tickets to this Conversation, click... read more
    75 Minutes Meet-up Elephant & Castle
    1 PM

    You’ll learn about Chicago history and cultural via food on a walking tour of Pilsen with... read more
    You’ll learn about Chicago history and cultural via food on a walking tour of Pilsen with Steve Dolinsky—Chicago’s Hungry Hound—that will take you... read more
    90 Minutes Lab Dia de los Tamales
    1 PM

    At Bit Space Chicago, kids learn how to build, print and code... read more
    At Bit Space Chicago, kids learn how to build, print and code. Join Bit Space for a mini maker session that will introduce you to the basic... read more
    20 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    1:20 PM

    At Bit Space Chicago, kids learn how to build, print and code... read more
    At Bit Space Chicago, kids learn how to build, print and code. Join Bit Space for a mini maker session that will introduce you to the basic... read more
    20 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    1:40 PM

    At Bit Space Chicago, kids learn how to build, print and code... read more
    At Bit Space Chicago, kids learn how to build, print and code. Join Bit Space for a mini maker session that will introduce you to the basic... read more
    20 Minutes Artist-in-Residence Special Event Pioneer Court
    2 PM

    The Art Institute’s Arms and Armor galleries includes tapestries, paintings, sculptures—even a knight in shining... read more
    The Art Institute’s Arms and Armor galleries includes tapestries, paintings, sculptures—even a knight in shining armor. Join Jonathan Tavares, the... read more
    90 Minutes Lab The Art Institute of Chicago, Modern Wing
    4 PM

    Chicago is the site of the first skyscraper, and the stomping grounds of Mies van... read more
    Chicago is the site of the first skyscraper, and the stomping grounds of Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright and other pioneers. As our city... read more
    90 Minutes Talk The Art Institute of Chicago