Attendee Resources

At GSA, we strive to ensure attendees have the most productive experience possible at our conferences—that includes enjoying a dynamic scientific program and exciting educational moments while also providing opportunities for relaxation, fun, and connection, promoting wellness and relationship-building.

Keep the following resources in mind while you plan your #Dros26 attendance!

Exploring Chicago and the surrounding area
Family resources
Meals
Navigating the conference
Other hotel and venue amenities

Exploring Chicago and the surrounding area

The hotel is located two blocks from the CTA Blue and Red Lines. You can purchase an unlimited day pass for $5 or a single fare for $2.50.

Family resources

Dros 2026 welcomes attendees with children! 

Children are allowed in plenary, concurrent, and poster sessions; this includes babywearing of young children. There will also be monitors outside of those rooms in case you would rather watch sessions with your child without going into the room.

Those travelling with family members or caregivers who are not in the scientific community and not registered for the meeting can obtain a guest pass from the conference Registration Desk in the Sheraton Chicago Ballroom foyer so that they can accompany children into the poster sessions. All guests will be asked to agree to the Conference Code of Conduct and will need a name badge to enter the poster session. Guests must obtain their pass during posted registration hours.

To ensure the safety of all children in attendance and to create a productive and fulfilling meeting atmosphere for all attendees, we ask all parents and caregivers to abide by the following guidelines:

• Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult in all meeting areas.
• Parents and caregivers should do their best to ensure that children are not disruptive to any sessions they attend (including poster sessions). Large sessions will have seating at the back of the room reserved for attendees with children to allow for easy access into and out of the room. These seats will be clearly marked.
• For safety reasons, children are not allowed in the Exhibit/Poster Hall during set-up or break-down times.

Nursing Mothers Room

The conference hotel has two rooms for nursing mothers located on the lobby level (third floor) that are open 24/7.

Meals

Meals are not included in the conference registration fee but there are plenty of dining options at the hotel and within walking distance. The Guest Services Desk in the hotel lobby can give you a list of nearby options. There will also be cash concessions at breakfast and lunchtime on the fourth floor near the Sheraton Chicago Ballroom.

Navigating the conference

Oral presenters—Sheraton I

If you are giving an oral presentation (except in a workshop), you must load and check your presentation in the Speaker Ready Room the day before the start of your session. The room is located in Sheraton I and will be open during the following hours:

Wednesday, March 4	1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 5	7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friday, March 6	7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7	7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

NOTE: Presentations cannot be uploaded in the meeting room; you must check in at the Speaker Ready Room. Workshop speakers should coordinate directly with the workshop organizers and should not upload their talks in the Speaker Ready Room.

Badge pick-up, registration, and pre-ordered T-shirts 

Registrants were emailed their badge to print at home. Show your pre-printed badge to the registrar to collect your badge holder and lanyard. The Registration Desk will be open in the Sheraton Chicago Ballroom Foyer during the following hours:

Wednesday, March 4	3:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 5	7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 6	8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 7	8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

For admission to all sessions, posters, the ​​Exhibit Hall (Riverwalk), and mixers, attendees must be wearing their badge. Security will not allow individuals without them to enter the Exhibit Hall. If you lose your badge, you may request a replacement at the Registration Desk.

If you ordered a T-shirt in advance through the conference registration portal, you can pick it up at the GSA Registration Desk beginning Thursday, March 5, during registration hours. A limited quantity will be available for purchase at this location. T-shirts and other merch can be purchased at the GSA store.

Conference App

Download the GSA Conferences App to your smartphone (available on both iOS and Android platforms) to have meeting information at your fingertips. Once you download the App, you will not need an internet connection to access previously downloaded information. You will only need an internet connection to download updates. Android and Windows Mobile Device users can access the App through the web desktop version. 

You can find your registration badge ID in your conference registration confirmation email, which was sent from GSA Conferences or noreply@convention-mail.com.

Exhibits 

Visit the Exhibit Hall to see the latest technology and meet with exhibitors and GSA Journal editors. Be sure to visit all of the companies who have come to support your science and show you how they can help advance your research. You can renew current relationships or learn about new products and services that may be helpful in your lab.

Exhibit Hours

Visit the Exhibit Hall to see the latest technology, lab equipment and supplies, and meet with exhibitors and  GSA editors. Be sure to visit all of the companies who have come to support your science and show you how they can help advance your research. You can renew current relationships or meet potential future suppliers.

Wednesday, March 4	9:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Opening Mixer
Thursday, March 5	12:30 p.m.–4:15 p.m. Exhibits Open 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Poster Presentations
Friday, March 6	12:30 p.m.–4:15 p.m. Exhibits Open 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Poster Presentations
Saturday, March 7	12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Exhibits Open 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Poster Presentations

GSA Booth 601

Stop by GSA Central in the Exhibit Hall to meet the GSA Journals staff and editors and let us know how the Society can better serve you. Learn about GSA programs and resources to help you grow and excel in your career. You can also sign up to meet one-on-one with an editor from GENETICS or G3. 

Badge ribbons are available at GSA Central, including Job Seeker, Hiring, GENETICS Author, and G3 Author ribbons, and more.

Poster presenters 

All posters and exhibits will be in the Exhibit Hall. The hall will be open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday, and 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, for poster viewing. See the schedule below for times when authors will be presenting their poster. Security will be posted at the entrance to the hall, and only individuals with a badge will be admitted.

Poster presentation schedule: 

T Posters

Thursday, March 5

8:00 a.m. – “T” Posters can be displayed

2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. – “T” Poster presentations

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Even number presentations

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Odd number presentations

10:00 p.m. – “T” posters must be removed

F Posters

Friday, March 6

8:00 a.m. – “F” Posters can be displayed

2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. – “F” Poster presentations

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Even number presentations

3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Odd number presentations

10:00 p.m. – “F” posters must be removed

S Posters

Saturday, March 7

8:00 a.m. – “S” posters can be displayed

1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. “S” poster presentations

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Even poster presentations

2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Odd poster presentations

4:00 p.m. – “S” posters must be removed

All posters must be removed from poster boards by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. After that time, remaining posters will be removed and recycled. Posters may only be removed by their own authors. Posters that are not collected may not be taken by someone who is not an author on that poster.

Find guidelines for oral and poster presenters, as well as useful resources in the For Presenters page.

Other hotel and venue amenities 

Internet Access

Conference attendees will have access to free Wifi. 

Network: MarriottBonvoy_Conference

Password: GSAFly26 

Quiet Room (Pullman, Level 3)

This room is for those who would like to take a break, pray, meditate, or are looking for a quiet space to recharge. The room will be open to all conference attendees from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.  

Professional Headshot Photographer

GSA members will have the opportunity to have professional headshots taken during poster and exhibit sessions. Appointments are required.

Security/Lost and Found

For all emergencies and lost and found items, contact the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk security by dialing 0 from any house phone. You can also request assistance at the conference Registration Desk.