Join us for KBIS 2010 in Chicago’s McCormick Place, the premier convention facility in North America. Located just minutes from downtown Chicago, McCormick Place has become known as the economic engine that powers the entire convention and tradeshow industry. For more information on Chicago and to learn about travel, accommodations, attractions, maps, and directions, see below.

HOTEL INFORMATION

onPeak: The Official KBIS Housing Agent

With onPeak, you will receive descriptions, photos, and maps to help you choose the perfect hotel. An acknowledgement of your hotel reservation will be sent to you immediately via email upon completion of the online process or within 24 hours for reservations received via phone, fax, or mail.

Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and require a first night's room and tax deposit guaranteed by check or credit card. All deposits are due when the initial reservation is made. All new reservations, changes, substitutions, and cancellations must be made through onPeak. Please refer to your hotel confirmation for individual cancellation policies.

Headquarters Hotel: Palmer House Hilton - Begin your reservation
Preferred Hotels: Hilton Chicago & InterContinental Chicago - Begin your reservation

Online housing reservations are now available for KBIS 2010 in Chicago. Click here to begin your reservation.

You may also book your reservation by phone by calling onPeak at (800) 266-4299.

NKBA Headquarters Hotel - Palmer House Hilton

The Palmer House Hilton has been chosen as the NKBA Headquarters Hotel for KBIS 2010. As the longest continuously operating hotel in North America, the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago has been the destination of choice for international leaders and dignitaries, celebrities, and every U.S. president since Ulysses S. Grant. Catering to on-the-go visitors who expect the finest in dining, entertainment, and services, the Palmer House Hilton is a luxury Chicago hotel that transcends generations with a contemporary twist on its rich traditions.

A modern Chicago grand hotel, the Palmer House is a lively destination within walking distance of the best attractions that Chicago has to offer, such as Millennium Park, Grant Park, Lake Michigan, the Art Institute of Chicago, the theater district, and the Magnificent Mile. The hotel is also close to some of the city's best shopping, including the famed State Street and Jeweler's Row on Wabash Avenue.

• Book your stay at the Palmer House.
• View the Palmer House photo gallery.

Beware of Hotel Service Providers not Affiliated with KBIS
It has come to our attention that several exhibitors, attendees and members have been contacted by housing vendors who are offering to provide room nights and hotel services at KBIS. While these companies may have secured blocks of rooms at various hotels in and around Chicago, they are not the official housing provider for the Event.

KBIS has again contracted with onPeak to be the sole housing company for KBIS. It is important to note that our participating hotels are contractually obligated to accept room night commitments as it pertains to KBIS only from onPeak. Booking through the official housing company has a wide range of benefits. Securing accommodations through the official room block ensures the most competitive rates throughout KBIS, access to official KBIS shuttle bus transportation, and added protection from "walks" in an oversold situation.

Please be aware that securing rooms with any company other than KBIS’s official housing bureau, onPeak, is at your own risk. There have been many instances in the past when similar companies have gone out of business after taking the reservation and deposit, leaving individuals without hotel rooms and lost deposits.

If you have any questions about the hotels or the process, please contact the KBIS housing company at onPeak. They may be reached at (800) 266-4299 or via email at KBIS@onPeak.com.

Special Travel Rates

Sweet Deals while you’re in Chicago - discounts at restaurants, retail, entertainment, spa/golf and more!

Use the Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) Number B434999 to receive the best car rental rates available. The discount is effective 7 days before and 7 days after the event. Call Avis directly at 1-800-331-1600 or click here to secure the best rates.

EXPLORE CHICAGO

Chicago has unparalleled sophistication, class, and style. Fine dining, world-famous museums, legendary entertainment, shopping, and much more are available throughout the city. Come and discover why so many visitors fall in love with the city every year. For more information on all that Chicago has to offer, visit www.choosechicago.com/kbis.

Countless Ethnic Cuisine Choices
Chicago’s inclusive environment encouraged a diverse array of ethnic groups to gravitate toward Chicago in the early part of the century, resulting in many of the city’s outstanding ethnic restaurants. These groups have developed important communities within the city, remaining strongly integrated into Chicago’s fabric today and providing countless ethnic food choices within its 77 diverse neighborhoods. Check out some of the best ethnic food in the city. More

Some of the Best Things in Life (and in Chicago) are Free!
Chicago boasts a number of world-famous attractions that are worth every penny, but you don’t have to dig deep into your pockets to enjoy a host of wonderful experiences, because so many of them are completely free! It’s part of what makes Chicago a great town. More

Chicago's Nightlife Options are Endless!

What better way to end your day than by taking in one of the city's most entertaining hot spots. Chicago will provide you with a night of live music performances, cozy lounges, comedy shows, piano bars, and much more. Whatever your entertainment needs are, Chicago delivers. Whether you dance the night away at a popular club or laugh out loud at a hilarious comedy show, Chicago provides the ultimate entertainment experience! More

TRANSPORTATION

McCormick Place Parking
Parking is easy at McCormick Place! Purchase your parking passes online through our secure link before you get to Chicago. Click here to get started: http://www.mccormickplace.com/exhibitor/gdline_serv/park_direct.html

Airport
As North America's only dual hub for commercial air travel, the city is easy to reach from virtually anywhere. Chicago's premier location translates into real convenience for everyone.

• O'Hare International and Midway International Airports offer thousands of flights each day. Included among those flights are direct non-stops to 60 international and 154 domestic business centers—more than any other city in the world.
• Over 50 different airlines service Chicago, helping make flights in and out of the city less expensive than most major U.S. cities.

City Transportation
Chicago's a big city, but it's remarkably easy to get around. Once in Chicago, transportation is readily available, whether via taxis, limousines, public transportation, or rental cars.

• Taxis: Chicago has the second largest fleet of taxis in the nation, with approximately 6,900 cabs.
• Discounts: Taxis offer discounted shared rides between McCormick Place, Midway and O’Hare International airports, and downtown.
• McCormick Place provides more than 8,000 parking spaces.
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers fast, direct train service from both airports to downtown, convenient bus and train lines to major attractions, simple fare cards, easy-to-use maps and brochures, and custom trip planning for groups. You can also plan your trip online!
• The Metra operates 12 commuter rail lines into downtown Chicago from the six-county area of northeast Illinois.

Shuttle Buses
Complimentary shuttle bus service is available to and from the official Kitchen & Bath Industry Show hotels and McCormick Place, except for noted “walking distance” hotels near McCormick Place. Shuttle Buses for this year’s KBIS will pick-up from all designated hotels. PLEASE NOTE - drop offs and boarding at McCormick Place will occur from the South Building, Level 1 of the West Transportation Lobby. Please note the following for your use:

Shuttle Bus Hours of Operation:

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Important information for International Visitors

KBIS 2010: A Global Experience
KBIS is a global kitchen and bath industry trade show, attracting attendees and exhibitors from around the world. If you are an international visitor, please be sure to read the information below. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

KBIS Invitation Letter Policy
Invitation Letters will not be sent after March 19, 2010
In order to obtain travel visas to attend, many U.S. Embassies require that you have an Official Letter of Invitation from KBIS. Please note that you must first register to attend KBIS 2010 before you can request a letter of invitation.

To receive a letter, please send your request to peggy.cross@nielsen.com and list the following information: Full name, company name, address, fax number, e-mail address, passport number, date of birth and registration confirmation number.

The letter of invitation will be mailed to you within 5-10 working days in an industry standard .PDF format. We regret that we can no longer deliver this document by DHL, fax or other media means. For questions about this service, please contact the KBIS Customer Service Representative at +1-800-933-8735.

Attention visitors from China: Please use the links below to assist with visa regulations:
http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/visa/usfirms.html
http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/visa/b1b2.html