Conference location
Clarion Hotel and Conference Center
411 S Larkin Avenue
Joliet, IL 6036
708.712.8513
Sarah Vogal
Area Director of Sales
Rooms: $104 + tax (inclusive rate of $121) per night for a standard room (king or double queen). Reservations will be made by individual attendee directly with Clarion Hotels at (815) 768-1354. Cut off date for this rate is Friday, March 14, 2025.
Room amenities include Hot Breakfast on Friday and Saturday from 6:00-9:00 AM; complimentary WiFi in public areas and guest rooms; fitness center; free self parking and access to the Whiskey River Bar & Grill from 4:00-9:00 PM nightly.
Conference Agenda
Schedule is subject to change, we will keep this up to date as we adapt the weekend schedule.
tHURSDAY 1600-1900 cONFERENCE rEGISTRATION
- 1600-1900: Conference Registration Open
- 1800-2300: Hospitality Room Meet and Greet.
Friday
- 0800-1600: Conference Registration Open
- 0800-2300: Hospitality Room Open
General Sessions
- 0900-0945: MCL Compliance
- 1000-1045: MCL Recruitment and Retention
- 1000-1045: MCL Paymaster Duties
- 1000-1130: MCLA Meet and Greet with Round Table for Exchanging Ideas
- 1100-1130: MCL Fundraising and Community Engagement
- 1100-1130: MCL Veteran Service Officer Overview
- 1130-1300: Lunch (on your own - see local restaurant offerings in the Conference Program)
Light lunch served in the Hospitality Room for those with the Hospitality Badge
- 1300-1445: MCL HQ Brief presented by COO Bob Borka
- 1300-1345: MCLA Workshop & Operation Little Angel
- 1400-1545: MCLA Training Sessions
- 1500-1545: MODD Kennel Management Application
- 1500-1630: MCL Round Table Open Forum
- 1600-1700: MCL Central Division Department Commandant's Council
- 1700-1830: Hospitality Room will be serving a dinner - sponsored by IL Pack, all welcome
Evening Socials
- 1900-2100: MODD Growl
- 1900-2100: MCLA Paint & Sip
saturday
- 0800-1200: Conference Registration Open
- 0800-1800: Hospitality Room Open
General Sessions
- 0800-0900: Joint Memorial Service
- 0900-0945: Central Division Joint Opening Ceremony
- 1000-1200: MCL Business Meetings
- 1000-1200: MCLA Business Meetings
- 1200-1330: Lunch (on your own - see local restaurant offerings in the Conference Program)
Light lunch served in the Hospitality Room for those with the Hospitality Badge
- 1330-1630: MCL Business Meetings
- 1330-1630: MCLA Business Meetings
Evening Socials
- 1800-1900: Social Hour
- 1900-2100: Central Division Banquet
- 2100-2300: Hospitality Room Open
Hospitality room
The hospitality room will be open to all conference goers for a place to congregate and socialize.
For those individuals that purchase the Hospitality Badge, there will be light snacks and food service available for lunch on Friday and Saturday.
Soft drinks and water will be available to all throughout the conference.
There will be a central board with a map of the local area with restaurants, social activities and stores.
Badge Cost is $30 - full conference includes lunch on Friday and Saturday
Lunch Friday is $15
Lunch Saturday is $15
Central Division Banquet
Guest Speaker Colonel Aaron C. Lloyd, Commanding Officer, 9th Marine Corps District.
Banquet Cost is $45 with Cash Bar
Social Hour 1800-1900
USMC 250th Anniversary Cake Ceremony 1900-1930
Dinner 1930-2100