Watch this site for more information as it becomes available.

• Join us for everything you expect from WeeM ... and even more!
• Programming to suit every member of your entourage
• The world's largest RG with over 500 attendees
• Three dances, with different music! And the DJ is taking requests for Thursday and Friday nights.
• Lavish hospitality
• A huge game room, with royal entertainment
• The annual Friday night masquerade
• The Sumptuous Saturday Banquet

HalloweeM turns 33!

Come to WeeM to have fun with over 500 fellow Mensans and their guests. Play games, attend seminars, dance, talk, eat, drink, volunteer and laugh. Check out the photos to see what happened in past years. Once you come to WeeM, you'll be hooked.

The links at the left will take you to general information about HalloweeM and specific information, as it becomes available, about this year's gathering – WeeM registration, hotel reservations, directions, programs, and much more. Return often to see what's new!

Some big changes

We're excited to say WeeM officially begins on Thursday this year! Plus, to kick off WeeM the right way, we're having a pig roast. Stop by on Thursday night and make sure to have some fun with us. We'll have two speaker sessions, including one with several food critics and columnists (for NPR and local Chicago publications) discussing local and sustainable eating, and one session with a martial artist. Plus, the LocSec will host a scotch tasting, and there will be the usual massive quantity of games and lots of other fun things.

We're also doing the T-shirts a bit differently this year. Using Café Press means you have a wider selection if you place your own order, but you can still order through us the old-fashioned way.

The Hotel

Same great facilities. Same great rate.

The hotel room block is set up and ready for your reservations. Problems with reservations may be forwarded to the chairs for timely resolution.

For the Children

Bring the kids this year! Chicago has been working with several dedicated volunteers (including our former Gifted Kids' Chair Christine Rosen and our current Chairs Joel and Kim Kohler) to create a kids' track at our functions. We've ironed out the details during our Monthly Meetings during the year and are pleased to offer you and your kids a wide variety of activities throughout the WeeM weekend. Babysitting will be offered during certain events, and WeeM speakers will deliver programs tailored for the kids. Keep checking back for the schedule.

HalloweeM registration is still half-price for ages 5 to 17, and free for children under 5 who remain in the company of their parents at all times.

FriPlay

This year we're offering some terrific in-house and off-site programs for your Friday enjoyment. Off-site, we'll be taking the usual bus for a tour of the Cuneo Museum, which is actually a "living museum" in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. The house, which has now been converted into a museum, was originally built by Samuel Insull, founder of the Commonwealth Edison Company. John Cuneo, Sr. purchased the mansion in 1937 after the collapse of the Insull utility empire. The histories and preferences of both families come alive through the guided tour, along with background on the home's lavish Venetian-style architecture and manicured grounds. In addition, the tour will include time in the art gallery, housed within the mansion, which includes paintings, porcelain, silver, tapestries, statues and furnishings.

After the museum, enjoy a leisurely tour and stroll through the nearby Long Grove area for shopping, lunch, etc. Long Grove is known for its idyllic setting along with its shopping, art galleries, cobblestone walkways and more. The price for the trip (including transportation and Cuneo Museum tour, but not lunch in Long Grove) will be $35.

Also off-site, we'll be hosting a pub crawl in downtown Chicago. The group will collectively take the nearby Metra (with a free shuttle from the hotel) to downtown and visit several interesting and eclectic drinking establishments. The price (for transportation only) will be $15.

You're also welcome to stay in the hotel and take advantage of several other FriPlay options. For one, JC Chupack will recreate the Survivor game show in a Mensa format. Opportunities abound for prizes, excitement, and thrills! The cost is $10.

In addition to our FriPlay options, the usual games, puzzles, and camaraderie will be on hand for hours of enjoyment. Or, if you're a waterpark lover, visit the hotel's waterpark. Tickets are $25 and may be booked by calling the hotel at 847-394-2000. (Ask for the special Mensa / HalloweeM / WeeM Royale rate.)

Programs

Ooh boy, do we have programs this year! Cynthia Clampitt has outdone herself by populating our five-track speaker schedule. One of the links to the left will take you to a current program outline, which you can use to get an idea of what's happening, and when. You can also use this to plan your volunteer shifts....

Volunteer!

Volunteers are the glitterati of WeeM Royale, and are 33% more popular! They earn collectible WeeM pins and entries into the Volunteers' Raffle, and are admired by the nicest people. So why not volunteer now?