50th Annual Conference and Expo * Navy Pier * Chicago * September 18-21, 2005.

Under instructions from William Wrigley, architects designed the Wrigley Building to look like a "luscious birthday cake." It also became the first air-conditioned office building in 1946.

The first of Marshall Field's clocks was installed at the corner of Washington and State Streets in 1897. The cast bronze clock rests some 17.5 feet above the sidewalk and weighs a hefty 7.75 tons.

Must-See Museums

Chicago made a $110-million investment to move an eight-lane freeway to create the downtown "Museum Campus" connecting three world-class museums: the Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, and the John G. Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium.

The Adler Planetarium (www.adlerplanetarium.org) was the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. It's the perfect place to gaze at the heavens or wish upon a star. A popular show, "Sonic Vision," transforms today's hottest music into wildly imaginative images on the Adler Planetarium's StarRider dome with a pulsing roller coaster ride by alternative and techno music artists. The show takes music in a new dimension with digital animation. Visit the planetarium for free on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Shedd Aquarium (www.sheddaquarium.org) is the largest indoor aquarium in the world. It houses the world's greatest array of more than 8,000 aquatic mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and fish. The aquarium's Wild Reef Exhibit is one of the largest and most diverse shark habitats in North America. You can visit for free on Monday, September 19, and Tuesday, September 20.

The Field Museum (www.fieldmuseum.org) boasts mummies, Egyptian tombs, Native American artifacts, and dinosaur skeletons. In 1997, the museum purchased "Sue," the largest, most complete, and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered. The museum is free on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning September 19.

Other Chicago museums worth a visit include the Chicago Historical Society (the city's oldest cultural institution), the Museum of Science and Industry, and the DuSable Museum of African-American History.

Chicago's Navy Pier

Navy Pier is not only the site of Festival Hall, the home of the ARMA '05 Conference and Expo, but it also is Chicago's No. 1 tourist destination. Navy Pier (www.navypier.com) has something for everyone. Located on Lake Michigan just east of Chicago's downtown, Navy Pier is an exciting recreation and exposition center. Festival Hall offers more than 170,000 square feet of exhibit space, with 60-foot vaulted ceilings enhancing the exhibit areas. In addition, a 18,150 square foot Grand Ballroom located at the east end of the Pier offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan, as well as an 80-foot domed ceiling. Navy Pier's 1,500-seat, open-air theater, Skyline Stage, hosts concerts, plays, and other events throughout the summer season. The theater's steel frame and white Teflon-coated fiberglass roof structure is a unique addition to the city's skyline.

Navy Pier is also home to the Chicago Children's Museum, a Family Pavilion with specialty shops, a 3-D IMAX Theater, the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, several themed restaurants, the Crystal Gardens (a giant indoor botanical park), a 15-story Ferris wheel, a musical carousel, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, and many cruise and sightseeing ships. In addition, Navy Pier boasts several restaurants including Riva, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. & Market, Billy Goat Tavern, Dock Street Cafe, and Joe's Be-Bop Cafe & Jazz Emporium. Attractions include the Wave Swinger ride, the Navy Pier Big Bounce, the Links at Navy Pier (an 18-hole miniature golf course), Amazing Chicago (a 15-minute virtual reality ride/mirror maze), and the 3-D ride Time Escape. In 2002, Navy Pier attracted more than eight million visitors. It is one of Chicago's most enduring landmarks.

A Shopper's Paradise

Chicago is home to some of the finest shopping in the country, offering everything from famous-name department stores to specialty boutiques. There are several well-known shopping districts downtown, each with its own distinct style.

"While you're in Chicago, shop like royalty at the famed "Magnificent Mile," (www.themagnificentmile.com) which runs along Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to the Chicago River and offers 460 stores in eight city blocks. Department store giants such as Marshall Field's, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale's are here, as well as hundreds of specialty shops and boutiques.

More shops can be found at The Shops at North Bridge, Water Tower Place, the 900 North Michigan Avenue Shops, Chicago Place Shopping Center, Navy Pier, dozens of Chicago neighborhoods, and "The Shops at the Mart" at Chicago's Merchandise Mart.

State Street, located in the "Loop"--an area of downtown Chicago surrounded by elevated train tracks--is known as one of the world's most famous shopping districts. Shopping in Chicago began on State Street with the opening of the original Marshall Field's Department store in 1852. The store features nine floors of designer clothing and merchandise, as well as a Visitor Center, a Marshall Field's Archive, the Walnut Room restaurant, and Frango Cafe. The street is also home to another famous Chicago department store, Carson Pirie Scott, which fills seven floors. The store's entrance features ornate ironwork designed by Chicago architect Louis Sullivan in 1899. For bargain hunters, State Street is also home to Filene's Basement.

More than 70 exclusive boutiques and salons--featuring the latest fashions from Paris, London, and Milan--line Oak Street, which is located just off of the Magnificent Mile.

If you're looking for antiques and art galleries, visit the River North neighborhood located on the north bank of the Chicago River, just west of Michigan Avenue. River North features loft buildings that house art galleries, auction houses, antique dealers, jewelers, and clothing boutiques.

Spectator Sports

A trip to Chicago would not be complete without visiting the city's legendary sports franchises and the hallowed homes where they play. Chicago is home to the Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, but the best tickets in town may be to the old ballgame.

The Chicago Cubs (www.cubs.com) play at Wrigley Field, which was built in 1914 and is the second-oldest ballpark in the major leagues. The Cubs, who haven't won a World Series title since 1908, came close in 2003 by playing in the National League Championship Playoffs.

Chicago so loves baseball that it has two teams. If you prefer the American League, check out the Chicago White Sox (www.chisox.com). Chicago's "South Side" team plays at U.S. Cellular Field and is led by veteran Frank Thomas. The White Sox won the 1906 and 1917 World Series and became the Western Division Champs in 1993 and 2000.

Nightlife

Chicago is a place to see and be seen after dark. After a long day of sessions and walking the Expo floor, you can relax at one of the city's many hotspots. Visit the upscale lilly's Piano Bar and enjoy the sounds of Sinatra. Many celebrities frequent Jilly's, so you can also take in a little star gazing.

Blue Chicago, located near Ontario Street's "restaurant row," is considered Chicago's best blues joint. This safe, friendly club is popular with blues fans around the world.

Since 1959, The Second City (www.secondcity.com) has been making audiences laugh with its signature brand of socio-political satire. The starting point for many famous "Saturday Night Live" actors, directors, and writers, The Second City is a Chicago institution not to be missed!

For more Chicago information, visit www.chicago.il.org.

Free Chicago Museums

* Chicago Architecture Center

* Chicago Cultural Center

* Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Center

* City Gallery at the Historic Water Tower

* David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art

* Gallery 37--5th Floor Galleries

* Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

* Martin D'Arcy Museum of Art

* Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum

* Museum of Contemporary Photographs

* Oriental Museum

* Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

What's Going On ...

September 15-18

Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals--Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in the major leagues. Catching a game in the ivy-lined outfield walls is a must for any sports fan.

September 19-21

Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians--The south side White Sox play at U.S. Cellular Field. It lacks the ivy, but catching a game here is just as much fun.

September 17-18

Celtic Fest Chicago--Celebrate the music, dance, art, and cuisine of the Celtic regions in Grant Park. Regions represented will include Brittany, France, Ireland, Galicia, Spain, Scotland, Isle of Man, Cornwall, Wales, Nova Scotia, and the United States.

Chicago Trivia

* The world's longest street is Chicago's Western Avenue,

* The term "jazz" was coined in Chicago in 1914. The city's native musicians included bandleader Benny Goodman and drummer Gene Krupa.

* Chicago's Harold Washington Library is the world's largest public library.

* Chicago is the birthplace of air travel, The first commercial air passenger departed Chicago for San Francisco in 1927.

* The University of Chicago became the site of the world's first atomic reaction.

* The first Ferris wheel made its debut in 1893 at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

arma'05:expo

Sunday, Sept. 18--Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2005

Navy Pier Festival Hall Exhibition Halls A & B Chicago