About Student Day
Who can attend Student Day?
Student Day is open to college, university, trade, technical, specialty, and high school students who are 16 or older. Students under 18 must attend with a faculty member or adult chaperone.
Is there a cost to attend?
No. Student Day registration is free.
Does my school need a minimum number of students to attend?
No. Individual students and groups of any size are welcome.
What should students wear?
Business casual or professional attire. Students will meet industry professionals and exhibitors throughout the day, so this is a great chance to make a strong first impression.
How can I add or edit student registrations in my group?
Go to the Student Day at ProMat registration page, and select option 3 “Manage Your School Group”. Login using your credentials. Please note, to make edits to your student group, you need to have already registered under option 1 “Option 1: Create a School Contact Profile”
Travel Grants and Stipends
How much will my school receive?
Your school receives a set amount for each student who attends, based on your driving distance to McCormick Place, up to a maximum per school.
| Tier | Driving distance to McCormick Place | Per student | Maximum per school |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Under 75 miles | $50 | $1,250 |
| B | 75 to 150 miles | $175 | $2,500 |
| C | 150 to 300 miles | $250 | $5,000 |
| D | 300 miles or more | $350 | $3,500 |
Are faculty and chaperones included?
Reimbursement is calculated per student and may be used toward any trip costs, including chaperone travel.
Do I need to submit receipts?
No. Stipends are a fixed amount per student, not a reimbursement of actual costs, so no receipts are required.
When will I know if my school is approved?
Applications are reviewed in the order received, and you'll receive an email notification within 15 days. We recommend waiting for your approval before booking travel.
What if fewer students attend than we registered?
Payment is based on the students whose badges are scanned on Student Day, not the number registered. If fewer students attend, your payment will be lower.
When and how will we be paid?
Payments are sent by check or EFT after May 4, 2027, only to the payee listed on the application.
What if my school needs more help than the stipend covers?
Reach out to our Student Day team at cicmhe@mhi.org. Every school's situation is different, and we're happy to talk through options.
Hotel Assistance
Who can stay in an MHI-supported hotel room?
Guests must be 18 or older and have a valid photo ID and a credit or debit card for incidentals at check-in.
How many rooms can my school request?
Up to 7 double rooms and 1 single room, for the nights of Tuesday, April 20, and Wednesday, April 21, 2027 only.
What does MHI cover?
Room and tax only. Parking, meals, and other charges are the responsibility of the guest or school.
On the Day
Where do we check in?
Students and Faculty Advisors and/or Chaperones must collect their name badges from a ProMat Registration Desk.
Registration desks will be located in Lakeside Level 2 lobby, Meeting Room S102, and in the Lobby of the North Hall.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday, April 19, 2027 | 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday, April 20, 2027 | 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday, April 21, 2027 | 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
NAME BADGES ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND STUDENT DAY AND TO ACCESS THE EXHIBIT HALLS.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email the Student Day team at cicmhe@mhi.org.