CAFDA ReEngage May 2025

Join us as we reboot CAFDA in a new location with a recap of this year's Claris Engage conference.
If you went to Engage, come tell us about your experience.
If you didn’t go to Engage, come and hear what you missed.
Or just come and hang out with us and talk about FileMaker.
Bring questions for the group or some work you can show off if you want to.
Or just be a wallflower and come to listen.
All are welcome, regardless of skill level, expertise or experience.

For a change of pace, we will be meeting on the 20th floor of the East tower of the historic Marina City towers, overlooking the Chicago River.
The room will open at 9:15am for setup.
Members and their guests can arrive as early as 9:30am to socialize.
Then we will have our meeting from 10am to noon, with a break in the middle.
At noon we will take the elevator up to the roof for a brief, 360 degree look at the skyline.
Then, anyone who is interested can join us for lunch somewhere local.

To get to the meeting room on the 20th floor of the east tower of Marina City, (300 North State Street):
Getting yourself to a meeting downtown can be a fun and pleasant experience if you plan accordingly.

If you are coming from the suburbs, taking the train is recommended.
Marina City is a 25-30 minute walk or a $10-12 cab ride from Ogilvie and Union stations.
If you’re walking, cross the river and walk north on Wacker until it curves to the right (east).
If the weather is nice, take the stairs down to the riverwalk to maximize your experience.
Then, continue to follow the river to the east until you see two iconic buildings that look like giant corn cobs.
The meeting is on the 20th floor of the East Tower, the building on the right.

If you would prefer to drive, discounted valet parking is available at $20 for 12 hours (Sully has passes).
Use 300 N State St. as your destination in your preferred mapping app.
Once there, pull into the large ramp upward toward the Hotel Chicago and House of Blues on the west side of State Street.
Follow the yellow lines that curve left toward valet parking.
Use any lane to pull up as you can to the glass domed valet stand.
Then, turn off your car and wait for an attendant.

The closest EL stop is Clark and Lake. Find the river (north the EL stop), walk to it and look for the corn cobs.

To enter the building, you must first go to the concourse.
This can be confusing, as the concourse is below street level.
There are three entrances to the concourse.

• The first one is on State Street, at 300 N State.
• The second one is on Dearborn Street, at 323 N Dearborn.
• The third one is in the glass dome that houses the valet stand.

Once on the concourse level, look for the EAST tower security office.
Tell the lobby guard you are here for a CAFDA meeting on the 20th floor.
Be prepared to show a photo ID and sign into a guest book.
Then, use any of the five elevators to go to the 20th floor.