REGISTER NOW
80th Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference
Thursday, April 13 through Sunday, April 16, 2023
In-Person at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL

All Panels, Roundtables, Lightning Talks and Working Groups will Feature a Hybrid Format (for In-Person or Virtual Participation). Poster Sessions will be In-Person Only.

Learn more about the 80th Annual MPSA Conference. Sign up here to receive email communications about the conference.

In-Person Conference Participation and COVID-19 Policies

In-Person Participation. All conference events, including research panels, networking and mentoring receptions, will be held at the historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel. For those participating in-person, hotel rooms will be available at various price points at the Palmer House and at multiple nearby hotels. Featuring two international airports (ORD and MDW), Chicago is one of just FIVE cities on Earth with direct air service to all inhabited continents – traveling to Chicago couldn’t be easier!

COVID-19 Policies. The MPSA will follow state and local guidelines requiring masks and vaccination. Chicago is now open with no capacity restrictions, following state and local guidance. The City of Chicago has lifted its indoor mask mandate as well as its proof of vaccination requirement; however many individual businesses may still require proof of vaccination for entry and we highly encourage you to wear a mask and be fully vaccinated. If there are any changes to the guidelines listed below, we will communicate them as they become available. Please see below for the latest regarding COVID-19 transmission reduction efforts in Chicago, per the Choose Chicago website and plan for your in-person participation accordingly:

Latest Updates

  • Masks: Chicago currently has no mask requirement for indoor spaces or public transportation.
  • Proof of vaccination: Chicago has lifted its proof of vaccination requirement for public spaces. Individual businesses and events may still require proof of vaccination.
  • Travel guidance: The city of Chicago recommends that all travelers follow the guidance outlined in the CDC COVID-19 community levels.
  • International Travel: All international travelers coming into the United States must be fully vaccinated. If traveling by air, all non-U.S. citizens will need proof of vaccination. There are no bans on travel from specific countries. Chicago’s international airports offer the nation’s most comprehensive in-airport COVID-19 testing program. Learn more about airport testing and safety measures.
  • Gatherings: There are currently no limits on social gatherings or events.
  • Chicago Restaurants and bars are currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, delivery, and takeout with no restrictions on capacity or table size. While there are no citywide mask or vaccine requirements, individual businesses may still require masks or proof of vaccination.
  • Attractions and Events: All attractions and events are subject to changes and closures. We strongly recommend confirming the status of attractions and upcoming events by reaching out directly to the attraction, venue, or ticket provider. Chicago attractions, museums, sports arenas, and performance venues are open with no restrictions on capacity limits. Public and private events have resumed with no required capacity limits. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test may be required for entry for attractions and events. Check with individual venues for details.

For more information on COVID-19 guidelines regarding travel, restaurants, attractions and events, hotels, health and safety, healthy travel tips, and other resources, please click here.

COVID-19 Acknowledgment of Personal Responsibility and Liability Waiver
All conference attendees must sign off on the COVID-19 Acknowledgment of Personal Responsibility and Liability Waiver upon registration.

MPSA Contact Tracing
We are thrilled to be back in-person in Chicago for #MPSA2023. The health, safety and wellbeing of our attendees is of utmost importance to us. Therefore, we are asking that if you have tested positive for COVID-19 while at the conference, or test positive for COVID-19 post-conference, to please email us at this dedicated email address: contacttracing@mpsanet.org. Your identity will remain anonymous. We will notify the other participants of any panel on which you participated, letting them know that a member of their session tested positive, so that they can take the proper measures to test and quarantine if needed. We want to be as transparent as possible with all participants and we appreciate your willingness to help protect the safety and wellbeing of your colleagues.

Presenter Registration Status Flexibility
If you register for in-person attendance and are unable to travel, you can change your registration status to virtual if you are participating on a session featuring a hybrid format (Panel/Paper Sessions, Roundtables, Lightning Talks and Working Groups). You may also switch your registration status from virtual to in-person as needed.

If you have a participatory role (presenter, chair, discussant) on a Poster session, you will not be able to switch your registration status from in-person to virtual as this session type is available for in-person participation only.

More information on how to make changes to your registration status will be available in 2023.