I am so happy to be able to again welcome you to the city I love, Chicago!
Once again, this amazing city will open its doors to the worldwide leather and fetish community as we all join to celebrate our Family Reunion! We are so excited you have chosen to join in the celebration and to help us to make this year our best one yet!
This year, IML goes back to our future and returns to The Congress Hotel. This familiar landmark is where IML has deep roots and connections to our history. It's changed a little since we were here last and while it is next to impossible to please every single person who attends, please know everyone on The Congress and IML staffs will do everything we can to make your experience as trouble-free as possible. If challenges do occur, I ask you to be patient as well as respectful as we try to remedy what comes our way.
Experienced IML guests know the weekend is filled with parties, seminars, mixers, demos and The Vendor Market on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the hotel. During IML, you will make connections with new people, make new friends and have experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
Many who come to IML are first-timers. To those of you who are, 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. 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. While we have planned as best we could, we ask for a little patience in moving so many people around the city since traffic can be terribly unpredictable.
While visiting for IML, please take some time to explore Chicago a little bit while you are here. There is so much to sightsee and experience, not to mention some of the finest restaurants in the world. If you do, you'll see why we love Chicago so much.
Every IML is different, I know that. But it's each of you who motivate us to make each year better than before. From 400 to 17,000+ is quite an achievement. And it's all because of you. And for that, you have my heartfelt thanks!
Play hard…play safe…and Welcome to IML!
Chuck Renslow
Founder / Executive Producer
Photo courtesy of Renslow