Chicago

Andrea Hahn, general manager of Chicago’s new MB Ice Arena, knows her way around an ice rink.

Held at the United Center Sept. 21-23, 2018, the Laver Cup—a men’s tennis tournament pitting six top European players against six of their counterparts—marked the first time this major event has been held in the United States. Total event attendance was more than 93,000 people, with fans from around the world traveling to Chicago for an unforgettable experience with the game’s best players. “The Laver Cup was a huge win for Chicago,” says Kara Bachman, executive director of the Chicago Sports Commission.

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. 

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