Greetings PRI Expo Volunteers!
First, thank you for volunteering for the 2025 PRI Expo! We’re excited to have you join us in making this a memorable experience for the 1,000+ students (grades 2–8) attending on Friday, May 2.
Your Volunteer Assignment
You should have received an email that included two attachments. Please open the PRI Expo Volunteer Assignments spreadsheet and review:
- “PRI Expo Volunteers List” sheet: Check your name, position, and shift date/time.
- “Exhibit Volunteers” sheet: If you signed up for a specific exhibit, your assignment will be listed here. If you indicated “any exhibit,” you’ll be assigned to one on the morning of May 2, based on exhibitor needs.
*Some of you signed up for multiple shifts, so please check the full list.
Volunteer Instructions & Check-In
- Volunteer Instructions — Please read these carefully to get familiar with your role.
- Check-in location (for all volunteers working during open hours): Forbes Information Tent – northwest corner of parking lot E46 (Forbes lot). Need help getting there? Visit: expo.prairie.illinois.edu/locations.
This applies to everyone except those helping only with setup or tear-down — see the map of the Expo.
Volunteer Parking
- On Friday only, those with a parking permit for lot E14 can park in the lot. Volunteers without a permit can park for free in the Atkins lot located here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xgu63hWo886vpLsz7
- On Saturday, all parking lots are free; however, we ask that you avoid parking in the Forbes parking lot (E46) as expo exhibits will be set up around this parking lot.
What to Wear and Bring
The event will be indoors and outdoors, with most exhibits and activities outside. Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes.
We recommend bringing:
- Sunscreen
- A refillable water bottle (refill stations available)
In the event of moderate rain to severe weather, the event will move inside.
Volunteer Refreshments
To keep everyone fueled, we’ll have two break rooms for volunteers during the event, located at:
- Forbes Room 2064
- ISTC Room 116
Feel free to grab a snack or take a break during or after your shift!
Optional Volunteer Meeting: May 1 at 4:00 PM
If you’d like to walk through the layout or ask questions in person, join us at the Forbes Natural History Building — we’ll meet by the bison statue in front of the building. You can also pick up your volunteer T-shirt at this time.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Tara Beveroth before the Expo. Thanks again for being part of this amazing event—we couldn’t do it without you!