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| The 2007 Illinois Meetings + Events Best of the Industy award winners are top-notch attractions, suppliers, venues and entertainers selected by the voters who really matter-our readers. You weighed in on your favorites, and we couldn't be more pleased to announce the results. Congratulations fo all our winners!
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Attraction
Navy Pier
RUNNERS UP: Taste of Chicago; Wrigley Field
As one of Chicago’s most popular lakefront attractions, it’s probably no surprise that Navy Pier takes the top spot in the “attractions” category. From the Pier’s trademark Ferris wheel to its captivating children’s museum, live theater performances, spectacular fireworks and eye-catching Crystal Gardens, Navy Pier has plenty to keep visitors busy. Plus, a variety of restaurants offer tempting fare ranging from fish and chips to haute cuisine. { Chicago 312.595.5300 / www.navypier.com } |
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Audio-Visual
Frost Lighting
RUNNERS UP: PSAV Presentation Services; The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.
Frost Lighting helps make Chicago events exceptional by providing innovative lighting for meetings, banquets, receptions and other special occasions. From architectural lighting and state-of-the-art special effects lighting to unique equipment such as fiber-optic curtains and customdyed paper lanterns, Frost Lighting creates a customized ambiance guests are sure to remember. { Chicago 312.642.7600 / www.frostlighting.com } |
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Banquet/Reception Venue
River East Art Center
RUNNERS UP: Galleria Marchetti; The Field Museum
Chicago’s newest destination for artists and collectors is also one of the city’s best spots for hosting corporate events, receptions and other gatherings. The River East Art Center is home to an eclectic mix of artist studios, fine art galleries and dedicated banquet or reception space. With a scenic waterwall, charming outdoor promenade and breathtaking architecture, this cultural hub has plenty to offer its partygoers. { Chicago / 312.321.1001 / www.rivereastartcenter.com } |
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Boats
Odyssey Cruises
RUNNERS UP: Kanan Cruises; Wendella Sightseeing Boats
Want to see Chicago in a new light? Hop aboard a luxury Odyssey cruise and view the city’s best vistas from the waters of Lake Michigan. Located at Chicago’s Navy Pier, Odyssey Cruises and the stately Odyssey II offer some of the Windy City’s best dining—all from the comfort of the Odyssey II, a newly remodeled ship (complete with dance floors) that showcases Chicago’s famous skyline from every table. Three climate-controlled decks and an open-air skydeck add to the Odyssey II’s charm. With room for up to 700 guests to enjoy the cruise’s blend of sightseeing and dining, it’s no wonder it’s been voted one of Chicago’s favorites. { Chicago 312.321.7600 / www.odysseycruises.com } |
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Caterer
Blue Plate
RUNNERS UP: Phil Stefani Catering; Food for Thought
With a reputation as a “must book” caterer, Chicago’s Blue Plate has been an integral part of thousands of successful events for some of the city’s largest companies and organizations. In fact, it’s the preferred caterer at more than 50 of the city’s venues, and it operates the Chicago Symphony Center restaurant. Although Blue Plate’s delectable award-winning fare gets plenty of attention, the buzz doesn’t stop there. This company also offers total event management, from theme development to coordination and execution. { Chicago / 312.421.6666 www.blueplatechicago.com } |
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Conference Venue
Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort
RUNNERS UP: Hickory Ridge Marriott Hotel & Conference Center; University of Chicago Gleacher Center
Swing a golf club. Enjoy a massage. Give the kids a cooking lesson. With 50,000 square feet of function space and two outdoor pavilions, Hilton’s Indian Lakes Resorts accommodates up to 1,200 conference attendees—and keeps them busy during downtime. Indian Lakes Resort employees are experts at designing customized programs for conferences and meetings that incorporate the resort’s catering, dining and audio-visual services. On-site golf and spa amenities, as well as a children’s program that includes cookie baking, are a definite attraction for attendees and their families. In August 2007, Indian Lakes Resort converted to a Hilton property and completed an $8 million property-wide renovation that revamped its meetings spaces and 24-hour business center. { Bloomingdale 630.529.0200 / www.indianlakesresort.com } |
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Convention Center
McCormick Place
RUNNERS UP: Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile; Westin Chicago North Shore
McCormick Place may hold the title of “nation’s largest convention center,” but its staff still treats each client as if they were the only group in the building. McCormick Place, made up of three separate venues, includes exhibit space, more than 100 meeting rooms, three theaters and an assembly room that seats 18,000. With a combined total of 2.7 million square feet, McCormick Place takes the Convention Center category for the second year running. { Chicago 312.791.7000 / www.mccormickplace.com } |
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Destination Marketing
Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau
RUNNERS UP: Chicago’s North Suburbs Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau is tops when it comes to destination marketing. The CCTB expertly touts Chicago’s dining and shopping hotspots, as well as the city’s museums, attractions, notable architecture and nightlife. The bureau’s staffers compile comprehensive information on travel resources, as well as specialized guides for meeting planners, travel professionals and other groups. By promoting the Windy City’s events and venues, the CCTB brings a lion’s share of convention business to bolster member businesses—and the local economy. { Chicago 312.567.8500 / www.choosechicago.com } |
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Destination Management
On the Scene
RUNNERS UP: In the Loop; metroConnections
For the group on the go, On the Scene offers conference planning, staffing and management, as well as activities for attendees’ families. On the Scene’s repertoire includes everything from sightseeing tours to teambuilding activities, and the company is committed to making each event memorable. The company’s diverse client base includes large-scale corporations and music festivals, as well as other groups of nearly any size. { Chicago 312.661.1440 / www.onthescenechicago.com } |
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Entertainment
Carmel Music & Entertainment LLC
RUNNERS UP: Clowning Around/Celebration Authority; Eden Entertainment
For the second year in a row, Carmel Entertainment hits the right note and rises to the top of the Entertainment category. Thanks to an impressive roster that includes dozens of musical styles, Carmel Music and Entertainment showcases the talents of jazz, classical, pop, blues and rock performers, as well as a cappella vocal groups, comedic speakers and impressionists who bring history to life. On-staff event planners guide clients through the company’s many affordable entertainment options. { Evanston / 847.864.5969 / www.carmelme.com } |
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Event Décor
The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.
RUNNERS UP: Kehoe Designs; Ronsley Special Events
With a design center that rivals the size of some convention centers, The Meetinghouse Companies has plenty of options when it comes to event décor. From stunning floral designs, backdrops and props to planning services (complete with audio-visual and on-site multi-media presentations), The Meetinghouse Companies makes events such as weddings, trade shows and conventions something worth talking about. { Elmhurst / 630.941.0600 www.meetinghouse.com } |
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Florist
The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.
RUNNERS UP: Botanicals Inc. TIE : Heffernan Morgan; Ronsley Special Events; Kehoe Designs
Innovative. Breathtaking. Unique. The Meetinghouse Companies Inc. turns floral design into an art. The company’s creations are perfect for dinners, weddings, parties and other events across the state. The company’s trend-setting design team crafts one-of-a-kind arrangements to suit special occasions. { Elmhurst / 630.941.0600 www.meetinghouse.com } |
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Golf Club
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
RUNNERS UP: Eaglewood Resort and Spa
TIE : Indian Lakes Resort; Lincolnshire Marriott; Seven Bridges
This privately owned golf club has been attracting golfers since 1927 and is home to a nationally ranked golf course. The Cog Hill complex includes a historic clubhouse with a 280- seat banquet hall, ideal for meetings, receptions, weddings and more. An on-site restaurant, golf shop and combination driving range and learning center round out the amenities at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club. { Lemont / 630.257.5872 / www.coghillgolf.com } |
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Hotel (Fewer Than 400 Rooms)
The James Hotel Chicago
RUNNERS UP: Eaglewood Resort and Spa; Park Hyatt Chicago
Just steps from the Magnificent Mile and charmingly close to Navy Pier and McCormick Place, The James Chicago is a favorite among this year’s voters. Guest rooms feature a minimalist palette of contrasting tones and custom-designed furniture, yet exhibit a chic comfort guests appreciate. The James Hotel combines exceptional, traditional service with modern comforts and high-tech amenities in a winsome way. { Chicago / 312.337.1000 / www.jameshotels.com } |
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Hotel (More Than 400 Rooms)
Chicago Hilton & Towers
RUNNERS UP: Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile; Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
With a four-diamond Triple A rating, it’s no wonder the Chicago Hilton & Towers captured the attention of our readers. It has nearly 240,000 square feet of banquet, meeting and exhibit space, as well as a full-service business center. The Chicago Hilton & Towers is located on the city’s Magnificent Mile and has more than 1,500 luxurious guest rooms offering views of Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, Grant Park and other Chicago attractions. The Chicago Hilton & Towers is close to the city’s convention center and loop business center, and runs a free shuttle for guests who want to shop and dine on Michigan Avenue, making it a favorite with meeting and convention planners. { Chicago / 312.922.4400 www.hiltonfamilychicago.com } |
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Venue Outside of Chicago
(tie) Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and Pheasant Run Resort & Spa
RUNNERS UP: Eaglewood Resort and Spa; Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Just minutes from O’Hare International Airport, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center is one of the largest exhibit halls in the nation. It features 84,000 square feet of trade show exhibition space and has easy-access parking. { Rosemont / 847.696.9700 / www.rosemont.com } The Pheasant Run Resort & Spa is set on 250 acres in a historic neighborhood. It boasts more than 100,000 square feet of conference and meeting space, as well as 36 holes of golf, well-appointed guest rooms, a salon and spa, on-site theaters and several restaurants. { St. Charles / 800.474.3272 / www.pheasantrun.com } |
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Photo/Video
Kari Skaflen Photography
RUNNERS UP: Michael Kardas-Kardas Photography; Promax Productions Inc.
Kari Skaflen Photography is up to the challenge when it comes to finding unique photo opportunities at meetings, conventions and other corporate events. From bar mitzvahs to employee retreats and rock concerts, Kari Skaflen Photography takes a fresh approach to event photography. Not only are Skaflen’s photos an accurate record of an event, say clients, they also are works of art that capture the event’s mood and showcase employees on a personal level. { Chicago 312.451.3588 / www.kmsphotochicago.com } |
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Rental Service
Chicago Party Rental Inc.
RUNNERS UP: BBJ Linen; Halls Rental
Chicago Party Rental, founded in 1967, makes event planning convenient and simple for Chicagoland professionals. Chicago Party Rental was one of the first such companies in the industry and continues to provide rentals for high-profile events such as movie premieres, professional sports team parties, political debates, corporate meetings and conventions and more. Chicago Party Rental’s on-staff event coordinators help take successful events from idea to reality. { McCook 708.485.8010 / www.chicagopartyrental.com } |
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Speaker
National Speakers Bureau
RUNNERS UP: Brian Wismer Entertainment; Michele and Co.
From Everest climber Alan Hobson to quarterback Steve Young, National Speakers Bureau offers a variety of speakers to custom-fit nearly any event. The bureau makes it easy to select a speaker who complements an event’s audience, as well as a meeting’s goals and objectives. After all, with 35 years as one of the nation’s largest speaker clearinghouses, National Speakers Bureau understands that the right keynote speaker can make or break your event. The bureau’s staffers are tops when it comes to helping clients choose the right speaker and create meeting strategies. { Libertyville / 847.295.1122 www.nationalspeakers.com } |
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Teambuilding
Windy City Fieldhouse
RUNNERS UP: Corporate Event Enterprises; metroConnections
For the second year in a row, the Windy City Fieldhouse takes the top spot in our Teambuilding category. Have a group that needs motivation? The Windy City Fieldhouse teambuilding specialists will put them in motion. The Windy City Fieldhouse has a roomy 55,000-square-feet of teambuilding space that includes an obstacle course that is sure to help people work better together. { Chicago 773.486.7300 / www.windycityfieldhouse.com } |
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Transportation
metroConnections
RUNNERS UP: Chicago Classic Coach LLC; V.I.P. Valet Services
For planners with somewhere to go, metro- Connections transportation and tours will get you there safely and in style. From transportation solutions that include personal guides and greeters to uniformed transportation staff, metroConnections pays attention to every detail. Its transportation services are reliable, safe and comfy. In just one day, for example, metroConnections moved 30,000 people between 90 hotels and a conference center—and even managed to throw in a few sightseeing tours. { Chicago / 312.794.7784 / www.metroconnections.com } |
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