Chicago

Planners are putting wellness at the center of events. 

Greenbuild, the world’s largest green building conference, returned to Chicago for a third time this year. The annual event took place Nov. 14-16 at the LEEDcertified McCormick Place West Building, drawing more than 15,000 attendees and over 350 exhibitors. The U.S. Green Building Council estimates that the conference had an economic impact of $32 million for the city.

For those about to rock. 

Z BAR, the globally inspired cocktail lounge atop The Peninsula overlooking Michigan Avenue, offers customized batch cocktails for groups in an upscale, but relaxed atmosphere. The individual responsible for dreaming up and preparing these communal beverages is Vlad Novikov, who’s official title is director of cocktails and culture. Novikov’s travels frequently inform his mixology.

An unusual "glass" makes this drink the hit of any event. 

An empowering approach to leadership makes Jill Torke, director of sales and marketing for The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, a superwoman in the city’s hotel scene.

Think creative F&B always has to be expensive? Think Again. We asked a hotel, a restaurant and a conference center to create three menus at three different price points - and they delivered. 

Halls of Fame

Beatnik on the River’s best-selling cocktail is healthy-ish.

Nearly 200 guests convened in the lobby of the stunning Builders BLDG at 222 N. LaSalle in Chicago on May 10 for the Illinois M+E Best of 2018 readers’ choice awards. DJ D. Jones spun upbeat tunes, while MDM Entertainment provided A/V and Tag Prints hosted a photo booth. The event was co-hosted by DineAmic Group and Builders BLDG and emceed by one of the magazine’s associate publishers, Susan Rose. It was a night to remember for all the Best of winners and finalists and Hall of Fame recipients.