Volunteer Center

American Diabetes Association EXPO 2013 - The Largest Diabetes Self-Care Management EXPO in the Chicagoland Area

Saturday, April 13, 2013 – McCormick Place

This highly interactive event will consist of the following:

• Exhibit area with the latest products, services and information, featuring a wide array of “Ask the Expert” booths and Youth Zone
• Impressive array of speakers, including doctors and diabetes educators
• Current nutrition and diet information, along with cooking demonstrations
• Foot, blood pressure, glucose and eye screenings (and more!)
• Free product samples and literature on all aspects of diabetes

Volunteer Position(s) and descriptions are listed below.

A Special Thanks!

The Chicago EXPO staff is very appreciative for each and every one of our volunteers who helped make the 2012 EXPO a huge success! Your time, energy and flexibility helped us in ensuring all of our attendees had a rewarding and educational experience. We hope to see many of you again next year for our 10th annual show! Thank you!

Rewards for Volunteering

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at our 10th annual American Diabetes Association EXPO on Saturday, April 13, 2013.
In addition to our undying gratitude each volunteer receives the following as tokens of our thanks:

• American Diabetes Association Volunteer T-shirt
• American Diabetes Association Water Bottle and water station will be available. Please bring a sack lunch or money to purchase a lunch
• An invitation to stay with us and enjoy as much of the day as you would like before or after your shift

Most of all we guarantee you the satisfaction that comes from volunteering and being of service to our attendees who year in and year out make the American Diabetes Association EXPO one of the most successful in the nation. We couldn't do it without you!

Select the volunteer area (listed below) you would like to assist with and email all communications to Jackie Ross at JRoss@diabetes.org. 

Training/Orientation Requirements

Conference Call - We will have 2 Conference Call dates for volunteers to educate them on their experience at the Chicago EXPO. Details will be sent to volunteers by email.

Qualifications/Skills: Reliable, energetic and able to lift 50 lbs. Familiar with diabetes.

Time Commitment: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Morning and Afternoon shifts available. Saturday, April 13, 2013

• Transportation: Parking is NOT free at McCormick Place. Parking is $21 in Lot C. We encourage you to use Public Transportation. Please see EXPO main page for Public Transportation options and driving directions.

Volunteer Activity Descriptions

Greeters: Meet and greet attendees, direct traffic to show floor, encourage pre-registration prior to entering the event, direct attendees to proper lanes for registration, assist attendees in a friendly, patient, outgoing and customer service oriented manner.

Registration: Help attendees complete the necessary registration paperwork, assist attendees in a fast, friendly, patient, outgoing and customer service oriented manner, using day of event brochure guiding participants to specific booths, let attendees know of their Diabetes Pathways and day of event schedules.

Stage Volunteers: Ensuring speakers are prepared for stage presentation, lining up pre-selected additional speakers for before and after introductions of main speakers, keeping speakers on a strict schedule set up prior to show and working with speaker captain to make sure all speakers are accounted for before their time slot. Conduct headcount of participants at each demonstration and pass out speaker evaluations and handouts from guest speakers (if applicable). Encourage participation in activities. Volunteers will be assigned randomly for either the Diabetes Auditorium, Main Stage or Healthy Eating stage.

Evaluators: Encourage participants to complete evaluations before exiting show floor and/or welcoming participants, encouraging pre-registration before event and help clean up the Evaluation booth area after EXPO.

Stop Sign/Information Guides: Direct participants with questions about show floor logistics (restrooms, information booth, etc.) and speaker schedules. Pick up lost items/children and take them to the Information Booth. Basic knowledge of show floor required. Map will be provided prior to event and details discussed on training call. 

Por tu Familia: Encourage attendees to participate in activities taking place, assist community health partners, disseminate handouts from gues speakers (if applicable) and conduct headcount of attendees in area and pass out speaker evaluations. Bi-lingual volunteers are needed to assist in this area.

Live Empowered: Volunteers familiar with our Live Empowered (African American Initiatives) program are requested for this area.

Youth Zone: Please only volunteer for the Youth Zone if you have attended or volunteered at one of our camps. Please contact Sue Apsey at sapsey@diabetes.org if you are interested in volunteering in this area. Games and information specific to parents and children with diabetes. New this year, Youth Zone speaker stage will need help coordinating speakers on stage and encouraging attendee participation.

Screening Guide: Ensure participants have completed a screening waiver before entering area and maintaining a consistent flow throughout the screening area. Working with exhibitor and screeners to ensure positive experience. Note there are 3 major screening areas – 2 volunteers will manage each area at all times.

Photographer: Looking for student photographer or anyone wanting to gain experience taking snapshots of a main event. Must have own camera. Shot list will be provided.

American Diabetes Association Experience: Requesting past walkers and riders to help educate participants about local events and distribute information.

Volunteer Check-In: Guide volunteers to their appropriate duties and introduce to volunteer lead.

Information Booth Volunteer: Stock extra day-of-event programs for EXPO attendees, assist attendees in finding showroom floor information, assist with lost children of other issues. Work with McCormick Place staff.

Exhibitor/Speaker Registration Volunteers: Help speakers and exhibitors through registration process, provide check-in materials, direct speakers to appropriate area (physically walk to stage when appropriate), inform exhibitors of their booth numbers.

Fitness Area Volunteer: Assist exercise instructor, encourage participation in fitness demonstrations and ensure equipment is returned after demonstrations.

Please contact Jackie Ross at JRoss@diabetes.org to sign up to become a volunteer at EXPO.

Meet our Volunteer Recruitment Chair

Thanks to our American Diabetes Association EXPO committee member, Erin Callahan, who is taking on the important responsiblities that go with being Volunteer Recruitment Chair for the third year in a row. An EXPO committee member since 2008, and former camper, Erin has devoted her time and efforts to make an interactive and engaging Youth Zone area at EXPO in addition to her volunteer recruitment responsiblities.

Thank you for your dedication in making sure EXPO is a continued success!