I want to bring other team members, but we don’t have any more discount codes. Can they still come?

Yes. Complimentary passes are tied to your subscription package (1 for Foundation, 2 for Advanced, 3 for Strategic), but additional team members are welcome to join at the standard rate: $1,800 for the Hotel Package or $1,200 for the Local Package. Reach out to your Client Success Manager and we’ll get them registered.

I need help justifying AscendX to my leadership. Can you help?

Yes, your Client Success Manager has you covered. They can send over supporting materials built for leadership conversations (ROI framing, CEU value, takeaways from past attendees) and can hop on a call with your team to walk through the value if that’s helpful.

If my facility is a client, how do I know if I qualify for a complimentary pass?

Your subscription package determines your complimentary allotment: Foundation gets 1 attendee per facility, Advanced gets 2 per facility, and Strategic gets 3 per facility. If your facility qualifies, the manager on your account will receive an email with a unique discount code to register your included attendee(s). Questions about your package? Your Client Success Manager can confirm.

Can I transfer my registration to someone else at my facility?

Yes, as long as we know by September 1st. Reach out to your Client Success Manager and they’ll get the registration switched over to the new attendee.

Is AscendX only for sterile processing professionals?

Not at all. Sterile processing leaders make up the core of our audience, but a significant portion of attendees come from IT, OR, Perioperative Services, Infection Control and Supply Chain. AscendX is one of the best opportunities of the year to bring your hospital together and work as one team. If you’re not from SPD, you’ll walk away with a real understanding of how their world runs, the KPIs that drive their day, why those KPIs matter to your department, and a stronger grasp of how analytics connect the whole surgical operation. You’ll also leave with a network of peers across departments who are solving the same cross-functional problems you are.

I’m flying in. When should I plan to arrive and depart?

Plan to arrive in Chicago before 2:00 PM CST on Monday, September 21, and depart after 3:00 PM CST on Wednesday, September 23. That gives you time to settle in before the Opening Ceremony on Monday and a relaxed exit after final sessions wrap on Wednesday.

Which airport should I fly into?

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW) both work. 

How do I get from the airport to the Swissôtel?

You’re responsible for your own transportation to and from the hotel, but both airports have easy options.

From O’Hare (ORD): It’s about 18 miles to the Swissôtel. A rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi runs roughly 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. The CTA Blue Line is the budget-friendly option, take it from O’Hare to the Clark/Lake stop, then it’s a short walk or quick rideshare to the hotel.

From Midway (MDW): It’s about 13 miles in. Rideshare or taxi is typically 25 to 40 minutes. The CTA Orange Line runs from Midway to the Loop, exit at Washington/Wabash and walk or grab a short rideshare to the Swissôtel. (Heads up: the State/Lake station is closed for reconstruction through 2029, so Washington/Wabash and Clark/Lake are the working transfer points downtown.)

I want to come early or stay late. Is that okay?

I’m arriving before check-in. What do I do?

You can check your luggage with the Swissôtel front desk and head out to explore. Conference check-in opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, and the Exhibit Hall opens at 2:00 PM, so you’ll have a window to grab lunch, walk the Riverwalk, or just settle in.

Where do I park?

The Swissôtel offers 24-hour valet parking for $87/day and 24-hour self-parking for $70/day. If you’re looking for something less expensive, SpotHero and ParkMobile both list nearby garages with daily rates.

If I booked the Hotel Package, do I need to do anything else?

Nope. We’ll book your room at the Swissôtel Chicago for you and send confirmation as we get closer to the event. If you need a specific accommodation (double bed, accessibility, anything else), email rose@ascendcohealth.com and she’ll take care of it.

Can I bring a +1 to the hotel?

Yes, you’re welcome to invite a guest to stay with you. Email rose@ascendcohealth.com to add an additional guest to your hotel reservation. Please note: due to venue capacity, +1s can’t attend conference sessions or events unless they’re officially registered. We’re happy to send you an Ascender Guide to Chicago with recommendations on restaurants, activities, and neighborhoods to explore while your guest is in town.

What’s the address of the hotel?

Swissôtel Chicago, 323 East Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL. Check-in is 3:00 PM on Monday, check-out is 12:00 PM on Wednesday.

What’s included with my registration?

Full access to every session, keynote, and breakout. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments on conference days. Entry to the Welcome Party. On-site support and guided logistics. Up to 9 CEUs. Entry to the Instrumental Innovations Awards ceremony. And if you’re on the Hotel Package, two nights at the Swissôtel.

What am I responsible for?

We’ll cover breakfast, lunch, and refreshments throughout the conference days, plus appetizers and hors d’oeuvres at the Welcome Party. Meals outside the conference window (dinners on Monday and Tuesday, anything before or after AscendX) are on you. We’ll have plenty of options for dietary accommodations, but if you have a specific need, let us know in advance and we’ll plan around it.

What’s the dress code?

Business smart or business casual. Conference days can be long, so prioritize something you’ll be comfortable in for a full day of sessions, networking, and moving between spaces.

Can I earn CEUs?

Yes. Both packages include up to 9 CEUs across the three days. Details on how to claim them will be shared on-site. You’ll also receive a certification as an Ascendco Super User. 

What is the Fix-It Bar?

It’s hands-on, live support. Sit down with an Ascendco expert and work through a real challenge from your facility, whether it’s a workflow question, a dashboard you can’t get right, a reporting problem, or something on the hardware side. You leave with an actual answer, not a follow-up ticket.

Who is the keynote speaker?

Amy Purdy. Three-time Paralympic medalist, New York Times bestselling author, and one of Team USA’s most decorated adaptive snowboarders. She speaks on resilience and what it takes to keep going when the ground shifts under you. Her keynote is Monday at 5:00 PM.

What are the Instrumental Innovations Awards?

It’s our way of recognizing the SPD teams and leaders driving real, measurable progress at their facilities. The ceremony is Tuesday evening, 6:00 to 6:30 PM. We invite you to nominate your team for an award!

Can I see the full session schedule?

The schedule at a glance is in the conference packet (Monday through Wednesday). Detailed session titles, speakers, and rooms will be shared closer to the event.

What’s the Welcome Party?

Monday evening, 6:00 to 8:00 PM, right after Amy Purdy’s keynote. It’s the kickoff networking event with appetizers, drinks, and the first chance to connect with the rest of the AscendX community before the working days begin.

Will I get a chance to talk to Ascendco’s product team?

Yes, in a few ways. The Fix-It Bar is the most direct, you sit down with the people who built the platform. The Ask the Ascenders breakfast will have targeted topic tables with Ascenders and successful hospitals to ask questions. The Exhibit Hall has dedicated Ascendco space and partner booths. And the schedule has plenty of unstructured time around meals and breaks.