Plan now to join us at the annual EMI Conference as we visit the Chicago region in October!  The Conference will be held on the beautiful campus of Judson University, Elgin, Illinois (about 30 minutes West of O'Hare airport). 

We will connect with one another and train ourselves for international service, as we grow our collective vision for “designing a world of hope.”

Our team of presenters is made up of fellow volunteers and EMI staff from around the world. They will teach and share from their own field experience, learning, and perspective. Structured to provide a fuller experience, the conference features 2 full days of seminars.

And if you can't attend the full conference, the One Day Pass will give you flexibility to keep your work week commitments. We hope you can join us this fall!

Watch for more details soon!

Thursday October 10

Conference Kick-off Downtown Chicago walking tour (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

Early Registration Betty Lindner Campus Commons (4:00 – 6:00 PM)

Registration Betty Lindner Campus Commons (6:00 – 7:00 PM)

Welcome Reception Betty Lindner Campus Commons (7:00 – 8:30 PM)
Coffee and Dessert Reception

Welcome from EMI
Gary MacPhee, Director of Recruiting, EMI
Introductions and information
Meet our staff and fellow conference attendees, and share your EMI stories!

Friday October 11

Registration Betty Lindner Campus Commons (7:15 - 8:00 AM)

Opening General Session Betty Lindner Campus Commons (8:00 – 9:00 AM)
Worship
Welcome and general information
Message: Chris Lash, Dean of University Ministries, Judson University

California Safety Assessment Program (C-SAP) (9:30 AM – 5:00 PM)

Breakout Sessions Ham A Weber Academic Center/School of Architecture classroom building  (9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:45PM)
Various topics, presenters, TBD

Lunch (catered) Betty Lindner Campus Commons (noon to 1 PM)
Various table topics for discussion

Evening General Session Betty Lindner Campus Commons (6:00 – 8:30 PM)
Dinner (catered)
Worship
Message: Dr. Gene Crume, President, Judson University

Saturday October 12

Late Registration Betty Lindner Campus Commons (7:15 - 8:30 AM)

Opening Morning Devotional Betty Lindner Campus Commons (8:30 AM)
Worship
Devotion: Henry Watts, EMI US Office Director

Breakout Sessions Ham A Weber Academic Center/School of Architecture classroom building (9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:45PM)
Various topics, presenters, TBD

Lunch (catered) Betty Lindner Campus Commons (noon to 1 PM)
Various table topics for discussion

Evening General Session Betty Lindner Campus Commons (6:00 – 8:30 PM)
Dinner (catered)
Worship
Message: John Dallmann, CEO, EMI

Note: Final Schedule may have minor revisions

Thursday October 10

Conference Kick-off, 1 Architecture CEU

Thinking about coming into town early to explore downtown Chicago? Let the local EMI Network group take you on a one-of-a-kind walking tour, with the members as your guides. We'll explore Chicago's skyline up close and share our collective knowledge about what makes Chicago architecture and engineering unique.

Duration: 11am - 1pm (with an optional lunch after)
Meeting Location: Details to come
Price: The tour itself is free and part of the conference package. There may be costs for lunch, parking, or taking the train in.
RSVP: Please email rebecca.h.howe@gmail.com to reserve your spot on the tour as there is limited availability.

Friday October 11

*California Safety Assessment Program (SAP) (9:30 AM - 5:00 PM)

Breakout 1 (9:30-10:30am)

What's So Unique About Developing World Design?
Participating in Project Trips: A Volunteer's Perspective
DRC University Inspection, Demolition, Retrofit and Redesign: A Structural Case Study
Becoming Spiritually Fit 1: Designing a Sustainable and Resilient Faith
Sustainability and Agriculture

Breakout 2 (10:45-11:45am)

Disaster Risk Reduction: What it is, Why we do it, and How
What is Good Mission? 1 - Development that "helps and not hurts"
Sustainable Wastewater Disposal Solutions
Architecture Where the Pavement Ends
EMI Families Overseas: A Spouse's Perspective

Breakout 3 (1:30-2:30pm)

Post-Earthquake Response in Haiti: A DRR Case Study
Becoming Spiritually Fit: Designing a Sustainable and Resilient Faith 2
Electrical Design in the Majority World
The EMI Network: Reps and Chapters
Sustainable Water Supplies: Sources & Selection

Breakout 4 (2:45-3:45pm)

Flood & Wind Resilient Housing in Malawi: A DRR Case Study
Water Testing Procedures & Treatment Techniques
Local Design Professionals: The Strength of a Multi-Cultural Design Team
Staff Opportunities with EMI 1 - Finding Your Fit
Healthcare Design in Missions Hospital

Saturday October 12

Breakout 5 (9:30-10:30am)

Structural Engineering for the Developing World
Master Planning: An Inter-Disciplinary Approach
Solar Power Design for the Developing World
Fundraising For Your Project Trip
What is Good Mission? 2: Avoiding Common Development Pitfalls

Breakout 6 (10:45-11:45am)

After the Master Plan – Detailed Design and Construction in EMI Projects
Staff Opportunities with EMI 2 - What's Next?
Case Studies of Sustainable Agriculture
Crossing Cultures 1

Breakout 7 (1:30-2:30pm)

Disaster Response with EMI: Case Studies & Methodology for Structural
Electrical System Test and Measurement Equipment  Hands-On Lab
Responsible Design: Accessibility & Life Safety Without Codes
Crossing Cultures 2
Land Insecurity and Property Rights Issues in EMI Projects

Breakout 8 (2:45-3:45pm)

EngineersStructural Systems – Frames, Walls and Composites
What is Good Mission? 3: EMI "Business as Mission" Clients
Developing Stormwater Data for Remote Areas
EMI Electrical Design Build Strategies and Implementation
EMI Families Overseas 2 - A spouse's perspective continued

*The Cal OES SAP (the evaluator training course for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Safety Assessment Program), provides experienced professionals who can quickly evaluate damaged structures, identifying those that are safe for occupancy to which people can return, while marking those that are unsafe or have restricted use. The course trains civil engineers, architects, and building inspectors to do field evaluations of buildings and infrastructure for safety. The training will run concurrently with other conference content all day, Friday, Oct 11, from 9:30 AM – 5 PM. The cost is included in the conference registration.

We are pleased to offer very comfortable accommodations at the Holiday Inn - Elgin, close to Judson University for your convenience. All EMI staff and conference participants are encouraged to take advantage of continued networking opportunities and discounted room rates by staying at the Holiday Inn. Rooms are available for $109 per night per room (for single or double rooms with breakfast for two included) plus tax. For additional savings, please send us an email before you register if you would like to be connected with someone else looking for a shared room option.  The Holiday Inn is located about one mile from the main venue at Judson University. A regular shuttle service is provided from the hotel to the venue. The hotel offers a variety of amenities for all travelers including a full hot breakfast, complimentary high speed Internet, indoor hot tub, indoor pool and exercise room. 

To reserve your room, please use this link before September 19th to receive the discounted rate. Specific dates may be changed by clicking on the pre-set dates on the first page of the reservation. For example, most participants will change the dates to arrive October 10th and leave October 12th. You may also call the hotel and ask for the ‘EMI Network Conference’ at 847-488-9000.

Holiday Inn Elgin: 
Contact: Tara Randazzo  847-488-9000

Reserved under “EMI Network Conference” Oct 10-12
75 rooms reserved at $109/night per room (either 2 queen or 1 king beds) plus tax
Breakfast for two included

Reserve your room