2025 Great Lakes Beach Association Annual Meeting

Nov 3-5 2025

Michigan City, Indiana

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! EARLY BIRD ENDS OCT 10th

Join us Nov 3- 5 in Michigan City, Indiana for the 23nd Annual Great Lakes Beach Association (GLBA) meeting. The conference will be held in at Blue Chip Stardust Event Centre.

Click here for the meeting agenda.

Abstracts for posters and presentations - submission deadline has passed, but we are still accepting presentation and poster abstracts at the organizers discretion.

Questions? Contact Nicole Messacar (NMessaca@idem.IN.gov)

Registration

Click here to register

Price guides for attendees, exhibitors, and for field trips.

Attendees (general) - $200 USD (after OCT 10, $250 USD)

Students - $50 USD

Exhibitor table - All sponsorship levels include a registration and exhibitor table. If you are with a non-profit or educational organization and would like a table without registering for the conference, please reach out to Nicole Messacar at nmessaca@idem.in.gov

Field trip: Interpretive tour of Indiana Dunes State Park, Tuesday November 4, 1:30PM-4:30PM (transportation included)

Program agenda: Click here for 2025 agenda or access via the navigation menu.

Call for presentation and poster abstracts

The submission deadline for presentations, posters, and student posters has passed (September 15 2025). However, we are still accepting presentation and poster abstracts at the organizers discretion. You will be contacted if your abstract is selected.

Poster details:

Posters should be no larger than 36” x 36”.

Easels will be provided at the venue; Presenters will also be provided poster board or backing (such as a cork board or foam board) to display their poster securely if needed. Please reach out to Nicole Messacar at nmessaca@idem.in.gov by October 27 to confirm.
Click here to see all posters and student posters

Submit your abstract here

Blue Chip Stardust Event Centre

Meeting and accommodation information

Location : 77 Blue Chip Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360, United States

Group room rates : To secure the GLBA group room rate go to link: https://bluechipcasino.com/groups

Enter Group Code: GLA2025 (Please note: Group Code is different than OFFER Code)

Deluxe Standard Non Smoking Blue Chip Tower: $107.00 USD
Premium King Non Smoking: $119.00 USD

Phone: +1 219-879-7711 or 888-879-7722

Advise agent of Group Discount: GLA2025 or Great Lakes Beach Annual Conference

Web: https://bluechip.boydgaming.com/entertain/stardust-event-center

Getting to the Blue Chip Casino (Michigan City, IN)

Nearest Major Airport — Chicago O'Hare (ORD):
Fly into Chicago O'Hare International Airport. From there:

By car (renting or rideshare): The drive is about 73 miles / 118 km (≈ 1 hr 30–35 min), depending on traffic.
By train (South Shore Line via Chicago):
- From Millennium Station, it’s a direct ride to Michigan City’s 11th Street station in about 90 minutes.
- From Van Buren Street Station, the South Shore Line offers service to 11th Street in about 1 hr 15–20 min.
  Note: you’ll need onward transportation (taxi, rideshare, or shuttle) from the 11th Street station to the Blue Chip Casino — about 1.2 miles / 2 km, or a short drive.

Other Nearby Airports:

South Bend International Airport (SBN): Approx. 30–36 miles / 48–58 km away — closer, but fewer flights.
Chicago Midway International (MDW): About 44 miles / 71 km away.