Welcome to the 38th Annual International Mr. Leather Weekend!
View the full guide at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/NS_20160518_lowresIML.pdf .
I am so happy to be able to again welcome you to the home of International Mr. Leather—and the city I love so much—Chicago!
As we again congregate to celebrate our Annual Family Reunion, you will find yourself welcomed by this amazing and wonderful city. Thank you for choosing to join in the fun and joy that is IML and to help us to make this year our best one yet!
Once again, IML returns to The Congress Hotel, a familiar landmark where IML has deep roots and connections to our history. We know our return here last year had its challenges and difficulties, but also know that both the IML and Hotel staff have gone to great lengths to do everything possible to address all of them. While it is next to impossible to please every single person who attends, please know that both staffs will do everything they can to make your experience as trouble-free as possible.
If challenges do occur, please raise those concerns with the appropriate parties but, also, please be patient as well as respectful as we try to remedy what comes our way. Of special note this year, we are proud and overjoyed to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Leather Archives and Museum. In addition to special IML Weekend museum hours at 6418 N. Greenview, the LA&M will have a special exhibit open in their space inside the Vendor Market. Be sure to stop by and experience some of the wonder that is our history. Your history. And, learn more about the special events planned for the 25th Anniversary Celebration to be held in Chicago this September.
Those IML guests in the know are keenly aware the weekend is filled with parties, seminars, mixers, demos and, of course, The Vendor Market on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Floors of the hotel. IML is about making connections with new and old alike, making new friends and having experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
To the "IML Virgins," I will just say don't be afraid; jump in and enjoy the amazing energy IML creates. Yes, there's more to do than there are hours in each day, but, if you pace yourself, you'll be able to explore much and experience all there is to offer, both inside IML as well as our amazing City. If you need some guidance, we have some 300 volunteers who stand ready to assist you.
Once again, Opening Ceremonies on Friday night and the Pecs and Personality event on Saturday will be held at Park West in Lincoln Park. Please be aware of the show time change for Saturday evening. The Contest on Sunday night will again be held at the Harris Theater inside of Millennium Park in Downtown Chicago. Weekend Package holders will have access to the IML Bus System. Also, remember that Chicago traffic is sometimes ridiculously unpredictable and while we have planned as best we could, we ask for a little patience in moving so many people around.
Chicago is a world-class city and offers so much to see outside of the Host Hotel. If you can, try and sample the amazing sights and experiences, not to mention some of the finest restaurants in the world. This is why we love Chicago as much as we do ... and call it our home.
IML is a labor of love and it is each and every one of you who helps us make it better ever year. Last year, we welcomed some 17,000 people, a far cry from our humble beginnings in 1979. Thank you for making this the premier leather/fetish event anywhere. Each of you has made that possible. Thank you!
Play hard…play safe…and Welcome to IML 2016!
Chuck Renslow
Founder / Executive Producer
View the full guide at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/NS_20160518_lowresIML.pdf .
