Schedule
Explore the full weekend agenda below to locate speaker leads, workshop sessions, and special events across the voco Chicago Downtown - Riverwalk. Use the provided venue map to easily navigate between meeting rooms, the main ballroom, and fellowship spaces throughout the weekend.
Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Through the Weekend | Venue Map
Friday, Nov. 6
4:00 pm
5:30 pm
7:00 pm
8:45 pm
Saturday, Nov. 7
8:30 am
9:00 am
Meditation 101: Realm of the Spirit - Mesh T, 22 years
14th floor, Lake House Room
This workshop explores an ancient meditation technique practiced and taught by Spiritual Mystics in the East combined with literature and visualization techniques derived from the ‘We Agnostics’ section from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. The workshop will include a discussion of the roots and basics of meditation, yoga & energy chakras, mantras and the benefits of incorporating a daily meditation practice into recovery. This workshop has been taught at treatment centers throughout the country and is beneficial in all stages of sobriety from 2 days to 20+ years. No religious beliefs are required. The workshop will include a discussion, two short meditations (one guided, one solitary) and a Q/A session.
My Spiritual Tool Box is Broken - Denice C, 32 years
14th floor, Merchants Hotel Room
This workshop will NOT be about religion, instead a look at how to develop your own spiritual toolbox while creating a Spiritual relationship with a High Power of your choosing….Creator, Diva, Goddess, Nature, Universe, the Doorknob, God, Buddha, etc. in this moment of your recovery journey.
We Keep Coming Back: A Meaningful Discussion - Robert K and panel
14th floor, Shakespeare Hotel Room
This workshop invites participants to explore what "We keep coming back" means to them personally. Some of us have maintained continuous sobriety; others have experienced a recovery journey that is not linear. A panel of folx who have kept coming back in their own ways will lead an honest, open conversation with attendees. Together, we will discuss the challenges of maintaining long-term abstinence, returning after relapse, and navigating the highs and lows of life in recovery.
The Creative Artist in Recovery - Leo S, 37 years
14th floor, Western Stage Room
The Creative Artist in Recovery explores the rebirth and flourishing of the creative element which has been stamped out due to chronic drug and alcohol abuse. It explores rejuvenating the creative forces which have become dormant and gives participants the permission and tools to revitalize their creative selves. We focus on your obstacles and in how to overcome them.
10:00 am
Break
10:30 am
Trans Experience in Recovery - Marshawn L, 4 years
14th floor, Lake House Room
A workshop focusing on a panel of trans/gender-queer people in recovery giving a short lead and the difficulties of being trans in recovery. Open discussion at the end
Disco Sucks, Now What? How to Develop Radical Self-Acceptance - Paul S, 1.5 years
14th floor, Merchants Hotel Room
This workshop is a panel discussion exploring personal journeys into deeply held and painful truths. Through our own intersecting stories, we will examine sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, and poverty. Panelists will share how working Step 4, together with Steps 9 and 10, can loosen the hold of these experiences, deepen self-love, strengthen spiritual connection, and empower recovery—allowing others’ words and actions to have less influence over how we see and value ourselves. The workshop does not seek to invalidate feelings, past harms, or injustice; rather, it aims to help participants access their inner power and choose how they respond to the world. The goal of this workshop is learning to tap into the power of "Yes, and?" and enabling our ability to Live Life oin Life's Terms when the room no longer sees us.
Sober + Social Media - Michael C, 7 years
14th floor, Shakespeare Hotel Room
Social media can be a powerful source of connection and community—but it can also bring comparison, anxiety, negativity, triggers, and the pressure to always be “on.” This interactive workshop explores the relationship between social media consumption and sobriety, helping participants recognize how their digital habits may affect their recovery and overall well-being.
Erotic Intelligence - Mell M (CADCII, ASAT, RAE), 4 years
14th floor, Western Stage Room
This workshop invites participants to reimagine sexual recovery as more than the absence of harmful behaviors. Rather than focusing solely on avoiding relapse or managing risk, it explores how to move away from pain, shame, and survival-driven sexuality and toward authentic pleasure, connection, and embodied well-being. Participants will learn how addiction, trauma, and conditioning shape desire, while discovering practical ways to cultivate intimacy, joy, curiosity, and sexual experiences that are congruent with their values. The goal is to help individuals build a sustainable, life-giving relationship with their sexuality that supports both recovery and a deeply satisfying sober sex life.
12:00 pm
Lunch break
1:00 pm
Recovery Discussion Group: Working the Steps
14th floor, Lake House Room
This group will be a discussion group focused on working the steps.
Recovery Discussion Group: Beginners Group
14th floor, Merchants Hotel Room
This group will be a discussion group focusing on the challenges Beginners face in early recovery.
Recovery Discussion Group: Relapse Prevention
14th floor, Shakespeare Hotel Room
This group will be a discussion group on relapse prevention skills, coping with triggers, and refusal skills.
Recovery Discussion Group: Long-Timers
14th floor, Western Stage Room
This group will be a discussion group on what it is like to be a long-timer and how they stay on the beam, one day at a time.
2:00 pm
Break
2:30 pm
How to Achieve the 9th Step Promises - Denice C, 33 years
14th floor, Lake House Room
Achieving the 9th Step Promises requires practical and spiritual preparation. They do not arise simply from completing the Ninth Step, but from changing how we face our past, relationships, and daily conduct. This work centers on four practices: becoming willing to make things right, releasing blame, demonstrating change through living amends, and avoiding further harm. Together, they make amends an ongoing way of life rooted in responsibility, humility, compassion, and purposeful action.
Stickman: "DRAWN" From Chaos to Clarity - Lyn S, 12 years
14th floor, Merchants Hotel Room
WELCOME TO THE INSANITY!! Ever wonder why we keep doing the same thing over and over again, even when we KNOW how it's going to end? STICKMAN takes a fun, visual look at the MENTAL OBSESSION, why SELF-WILL KEEPS US STUCK, and how surrender and a spiritual experience can finally break the cycle of our insanity. We'll travel from RESTLESS, IRRITABLE, AND DISCONTENT → through the insanity → and toward SURRENDER, A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING, and FREEDOM. Sometimes we have to SEE the insanity before we can fix it!
Programming Break
14th floor, Shakespeare Hotel Room
Spiritual Practices for Recovery: Growing in Conscious Contact - Seth B, 8 years
14th floor, Western Stage Room
A look at how ancient spiritual practices like ritual, prayer, sacred texts, storytelling, and confession already live inside the steps, and what happens when we work them consciously.
3:30 pm
Break
4:00 pm
Surviving to Thriving: Sobriety Through Trauma - Morgan H (LPC), 11 years
14th floor, Lake House Room
We will review the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study and discuss how ACEs impact the likelihood of addiction, using this knowledge to gain a deeper understanding of our own experience and how they may have impacted our addictions. We will then discuss how we have used our knowledge of our own trauma to enhance and deepen our recovery. The focus will be more on the latter (recovering through and in spite of trauma) than just the former, to avoid the workshop simply being a "here are all the bad things that happened to me" session.
A Design for Living: - a Big Book Approach to Reflective meditation - Tim N, 18 years
14th floor, Merchants Hotel Room
Confusion often arises regarding the distinction between Step 10 and Step 11, specifically around when and how to apply each tool effectively. Their practical actions are frequently blurred or combined into a single process. Clearly separating the real-time Spot-Check Inventory from the reflective Nightly Review helps participants maintain a daily "Design for Living." The goal for this workshop is to guide participants through a spot-check inventory of a specific event from that day and a reflective nightly review of the past 24 hours.
The Second Year Shift: From Staying Sober to Building a Life - Edd C, 2 years
14th floor, Shakespeare House Room
Early recovery often centers on surviving cravings, changing routines, attending meetings, and simply making it through the day without using. But as the months add up, a new question begins to emerge: Now that I’m sober, how do I actually live?
Healing the Heart with Sound - Spencer B, 16 years
14th floor, Western Stage Room
A meditative sound bath uses chimes, a rain stick, singing bowls, native flutes, and other instruments to create a soundscape for meditation. We begin by setting an intention. I then invite participants to close their eyes and guide them through a short breathing exercise before leading them on a meditative journey through a thoughtfully arranged sequence of sounds. Participants are encouraged to lie down, though remaining seated is a valid alternative for those with mobility issues. Space is limited to 35 to 42 participants. Yoga mats or towels can be utilized to lie on.
5:00 pm
Break
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:45 pm
Board Games
14th floor, Bulls Head Room
Mafia Game
14th floor, Western Stage Room
Karaoke
14th floor, Lake House Room
Sunday, Nov. 8
8:30 am
9:00 am
Meditation 102: "Nirvana" Spiritual Awakening - Mesh T, 22 years
14th floor, Lake House Room
This workshop takes a deeper dive into meditation practices practiced by Saints, Mystics and Sages around the world for centuries and examines various techniques used to raise one’s energy center through they body’s chakras on the soul’s journey to spiritual enlightenment. The workshop will include a discussion on different methods used to quiet the body and mind and the shifts in perspective and awareness that occur when one has adopted a regular meditation practice. The workshop will include breathwork exercises and two meditations (one guided, one solitary) and a Q/A session. A portion of the session will include sitting on the floor for those who are able. Please wear comfortable clothing and you may bring a standard pillow (not required) for added comfort. No religious beliefs are required. Meditation 101 not a requirement.
Sponsorship Bracket Challenge - Michael W, 3 years
14th floor, Merchants Hotel Room
Previously presented at the Big D Round Up, the Sponsorship Bracket Challenge encourages participants to compete by answering sponsorship-related questions, the other participants vote on answers each round until one winner remains. This workshop format will give participants a fun way to think more deeply about sponsorship, hear different perspectives, and practice applying sponsorship principles in a low-pressure setting.
Round Up Executive Committee - Chicago Roundup 2027 Planning Group
14th floor, Shakespeare House Room
Join us for the Chicago RoundUp 2027 Planning Committee! This group will name the new Executive Committee and the Chairs and Co-Chairs for CRU27's subcommittees. This is where we will also brainstorm on new ideas for the coming year.
Traumatic Stress and Relapse Prevention: Finding Safety in the Present - Robert K (LPC, CADC), 42 years
14th floor, Western Stage Room
Traumatic stress can leave individuals feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, disoriented, and unable to process their thoughts effectively. This workshop examines how traumatic stress affects daily functioning and, when left untreated, may contribute to relapse. It also explores how unresolved shame and guilt can interfere with engagement in the present. Participants will learn strategies for promoting present-day safety, including self-care and grounding techniques, creating structured routines, coping skills, and accessing professional and social support systems.
10:30 am
Break
10:45 am
Chicago Roundup 2027 Planning Group
14th floor, Western Stage Room
11:15 am
12:15 pm
1:00 pm
Through the Weekend
Friday
Vendors
Columbian House Room
Every Day
Calming space
American House Room
Hospitality suite and fellowship space
Bull House Room
Venue Map
