The Midwest may produce some of the most humble people in the country; but when it comes to special events, Illinois is on the cutting edge.
From stunning venues to superstar suppliers, here’s a look at the Best of 2011 as voted on by you in our Readers’ Choice awards poll.
New Venue opened between Oct. 1, 2010 – Oct. 1, 2011
The winner is: Board Room
This 4,000-square-foot River North boutique night club has an aesthetic inspired by a corporate meeting space. Dark wood panels, crystal chandeliers, marble granite and sleek leather evoke old-school luxury while a modern splash is provided by unique rain showers from behind the bar.
Since the venue is only open to the public late at night, it welcomes private groups of up to 260 during off hours. From the same owner of popular West Loop spot Market, Board Room’s catering can be organized from the restaurant’s menu, while lighting, audio and projection can be customized in-house.
Board Room, Chicago, 312.972.9882;
RUNNERS UP » JW Marriott Chicago; Viper Alley
Catering Company On- or off-site
The winner is: Blue Plate Catering
This is the sixth Best of Award for Blue Plate Catering, one of Chicago’s top companies for nearly 30 years. With a team of more than 500, Blue Plate caters to groups of any size with a copious menu that includes many ethnic and specialty cuisines.
As a founding member of the Chicago Chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council, ecofriendly event offerings are a top priority and have earned Blue Plate the position of Chicago’s first and only green caterer to be two-star certified by the Green Restaurant Association.
Blue Plate Catering, Chicago, 312.421.6666
RUNNERS UP » Levy Restaurants & Tasty Catering (TIE); My Chef Catering
Conference Venue
The winner is: NIU Hoffman Estates + Conference Center
NIU Hoffman Estates + Conference Center boasts 17 versatile, sunlit meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology and ergonomic furniture. The atrium serves as the perfect registration or pre/post function space for the 250-seat auditorium, dining room or one of the flat, tiered or executive classrooms.
NIU also offers onsite technical support to manage projection, integrated sound systems, Web streaming and session records. In-house registration management services can even be utilized for guest list management.
NIU Hoffman Estates + Conference Center, Hoffman Estates, 847.645.3000
RUNNERS UP » Eaglewood Resort and Spa & Gleacher Center (TIE); Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Attraction
The winner is: Navy Pier
Historic Navy Pier is Chicago’s lakefront playground and the Midwest’s No. 1 tourist and leisure destination. With more than 50 acres of attractions including parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries, rides, cruises and more, there is never a shortage of activities for the 8.6 million visitors that drop by each year.
There are 36 meeting rooms, two exhibition halls, a grand ballroom, an indoor palm court and a lakeview terrace to give planners plenty of options.
The event services offered on the premises make production relatively turnkey. On top of catering, contractors, utilities and a selection of rental equipment, there is even a business center with shipping capabilities onsite.
Navy Pier, Chicago, 312.595.7437
RUNNERS UP » The Field Museum; Brookfield Zoo
Destination Management Company (DMC)
The winner is: Chicago Travel Consultants
A winner for the second year in a row, Chicago Travel Consultants is a full-service destination management company with vast experience, local knowledge and a broad network of supplier contacts.
The company can mange virtually any gathering including teambuilding, tours and special events and coordinates transportation (with meet and greet services) plus entertainment and group itineraries.
Some perks of working with Chicago Travel Consultants include price breaks with local vendors and in-house insurance that will cover your event.
Chicago Travel Consultants, Chicago, 773.880.5878
RUNNERS UP » ACCESS Destination Services-Chicago;
Kuoni Destination Management
Audio/Visual/Visual Presentation Provider
The winner is: Frost
For more than 20 years, Frost has led the pack with its boutique events services and can now claim its first win in this category. The team at Frost builds some of the most elaborate lighting, staging, video, audio and fabric systems for many of Chicago’s top events.
Frost works with planners to create and execute their vision by taking a creative approach to basic function. On top of creativity and technical skill, Frost producers have extensive knowledge of many of Chicago’s venues, from the ins and outs of the physical spaces to their management regulations.
Frost, Chicago, 312.642.7600
RUNNERS UP » The Meetinghouse Companies; PSAV
Convention + Visitors Bureau Town/area 40,000+ in population
The winner is: CCTB
Winner of this category for the past four years, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau is the best local resource for visitors and Chicagoans alike. Free Official Meeting Professionals Guides (with special offers for planners) can be viewed online or ordered as hard copies. Printable maps of neighborhoods and transit systems are also available, but the promotional tools that planners can tap into to market events are extra handy.
CCTB also offers photo and video libraries, marketing templates and informational written copy of the city’s accolades for planners to use to their advantage.
CCTB, Chicago, 312.567.8500
RUNNERS UP » Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau;
Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau
Convention +Visitors BureauTown/area less than 40,000in population
The winner is: Greater St. Charles CVB
Nestled in the Fox Valley, the city of St. Charles (just one hour westof Chicago) is home to manytheaters, performance centers,sprawling public parks, tournament-quality athletic venues, riverside restaurants and even a 250-acre resort.
Greater St. Charles CVB showcases the best the city has to offer and provides informationand support of all things local. Not only does the organization provide information for event planners, but it also provides event support by distributing press to local media and assisting withsourcing volunteers.
Greater St. Charles CVB, St. Charles, 800.777.4373
RUNNERS UP » Rosemont Convention and Tourism Bureau; Lisle Convention & Visitors Bureau
Golf Club
The winner is: Harborside International Golf Center
Home to two exceptional courses situated on 57 acres, Harborside International Golf Center has been host to 15 Open Championships. The course is open to the public, but maintains a country club service style from April through November.
The 24,000-square-foot Prairiestyle Clubhouse, designed in the Frank Lloyd Wright tradition, can accommodate up to 300 guests. Shotgun golf outings and group clinics are popular events for players, although Phil Stefani’s Pier 37 restaurant (located on the premises) can be enjoyed by both players and spectators alike.
Harborside International Golf Center, Chicago, 312.782.7837
RUNNERS UP » Crane’s Landing at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort; Bolingbrook Golf Club
Event Décor/ Florist
The winner is: Kehoe Designs
With a sterling reputation as one of Chicago’s best event design houses, Kehoe Designs wins its first Best of Award (although it has qualified as a finalist for a number of years).
The company is a full-service entity with all builds constructed in-house by a team of specialists. Kehoe creates floral and environmental designs with customized fabric innovations, tailored graphic artwork and technology and a range of constructed furniture and accessories.
The craftsmanship is unparalleled and the creative artistry and details are filtered through all design elements since Kehoe producers oversee every element without outsourcing any components-there is even a welding shop at their headquarters!
Kehoe Designs, Chicago, 312.421.0030
RUNNERS UP » The Meetinghouse Companies; Ivan Carlson
Hotel with Meeting and Event Space More than 400 guest rooms
The winner is: Chicago Marriott Downtown
The winner in this category four years in a row, Chicago Marriott Downtown is the spot for streamlined service. The property offers 66,400 square feet of meeting space dispersed throughout 54 rooms, each equipped with a certified planner, plus several event management menus.
Items include destination management, meeting and tradeshow services, floral design, catering, A/V equipment, staging, office supplies, meeting accessories and more. Meetinghouse, the in-house production company, can assist with any event build-out imaginable for up to 2,000 guests.
Chicago Marriott Downtown, Chicago, 312.836.0100
RUNNERS UP » JW Marriott; Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
Hotel with Meeting and Event Space Less than 400 guest rooms
The winner is: Oak Brook Hills Marriott
This is the third win for Oak Brook Hills Marriott, a hotel in Chicago’s suburbs that has 42,500 square feet of meeting space including a Grand Ballroom that can be divided into 10 reception sites. Oakbrook
Hills Marriott is an International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) Certified Meeting Center that offers a variety of meeting packages for both one-day events and overnight functions with accommodations. The location emphasizes eco-friendly practices while maintaining a full list of services.
Oak Brook Hills Marriott, Oak Brook, 630.850.5555
RUNNERS UP » Renaissance Blackstone Hotel Chicago; Hotel Arista
Entertainment Performer or talent agency
The winner is: Carmel Music + Entertainment
Carmel Music + Entertainment, founded in 1993 as a corporate entertainment specialist, was recently bought by Tuey Connell, one of the very first artists to sign with the company when it opened.
As a retired musician, Connell knows the ins and outs of managing talent and bookings for a variety of clients and events. Carmel’s entertainment roster includes an assortment of rock, R&B, pop, classical, Latin musicians and more. Planners can view descriptions of the acts online and even listen to sample audio tracks.
Carmel Music + Entertainment, Evanston, 847.864.5969
RUNNERS UP » Just for Fun Entertainment; Mystique Productions
Transportation Limo, motorcoach, taxi or shuttle
The winner is: Windy City Limousine
This 24-hour chauffeur service owns and operates over 180 vehicles and is a four-time winner in this category.
The Windy City Limousine fleet includes sedans, hybrids, SUV’s, limousines, executive vans, luxury mini-buses and large motor coaches.
Seasoned veterans with group events and corporate outings, WCL offers a greet service that even includes personalized, color signage to represent company logos and names. Point-to-point shuttle service makes this option an excellent choice for social events, too, whether it is a wedding, concert, sporting event or night on the town.
Windy City Limousine, Franklin Park, 847.916.9300
RUNNERS UP » Your Private Limousine; Carey Chicago
Venue Outside Chicagoland
The winner is: Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Located in a cozy lakefront city just 10 miles north of the Illinois state line, the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is a popular getaway for city dwellers looking for a nearby escape.
The resort has many recreational activities including two championship golf courses, the WELL Spa + Salon and Fitness Center, indoor/outdoor tennis courts and swimming pools, basketball and volleyball courts, a 35-foot climbing wall, horseback riding and hiking paths. Plus, 62,000 square feet of event space can be adjusted to virtually any event format.
Whether your group is scheduled to do business, bond or just relax, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa will make for a great experience.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, 800.558.3417
RUNNERS UP » Frontier Airlines Center; Pheasant Run Resort
Rental Service Provider Tables, linens, tents, etc.
The winner is: Classic Party Rentals
Winner for the past four years in this category, Classic Party Rentals remains our readers’ favorite equipment supplier. Established over 40 years ago, the national company was one of the industry’s first party rental companies.
With their deep inventory of tables, chairs, tableware, specialty linens, centerpieces, tents and canopies to choose from, it is no surprise that the business is a go-to vendor for many planners in Chicagoland.
Their low minimum, setup options and reliable service are sure to give planners peace of mind come event day.
Classic Party Rentals, Countryside, 800.322.5868
RUNNERS UP » CORT Event Furnishings; BBJ Linen
Historic Venue
The winner is: Chicago History Museum
This privately endowed, independent institution is the city’s oldest cultural establishment.
After the original building burned down in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Chicago History Museum reopened its doors at its current location at North Avenue & Clark Street in a space that maintains its traditional style, yet equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
The museum’s private event space includes a 600-person banquet hall (set with partitions, shades and A/V), two conference rooms and a 440-seat auditorium with an adjacent pre/post function gallery space.
Chicago History Museum, 312.642.4600
RUNNERS UP » Naper Settlement; The Field Museum
Boats/Cruises/Charters
The winner is: Odyssey
The Odyssey is one of four unique vessels that belong to Entertainment Cruises Chicago.
For morning, afternoon and evening getaways, this 700-person, three-deck ship will set sail on an escape for both private and semi-private affairs. A menu of packages for groups of one to 19 is provided, plus custom options for groups of 20 or more.
The Odyssey offers flexibility of pick-up and drop-off locations and plenty of enhancement options (A/V capabilities, catering, live entertainment, special equipment, etc.) to add on according to event needs.
Odyssey, Chicago, 866.305.2469
RUNNERS UP » Entertainment Cruises & Kanan Cruises (TIE); Wendella
Photography/Videography
The winner is: Fig Media
The professional creative team at
Fig Media primarily consists of DJs, photographers, videographers, editors and graphic and web designers, all of whom are frequently hired for special events.
The company is well known for their DJs who gladly act as emcees and event facilitators-and who have the ability to build out their systems with all sorts of A/V (including karaoke). Fig’s photographers and filmmakers are also recognized as industry leaders.
From capturing special moments to packaging content post-production, planners will be pleased with the documentation of memories provided by Fig Media.
Fig Media, Chicago, 773.338.1334
RUNNERS UP » Promax Productions; Modern Image Studios
Restaurant with Private Dining Space
The winner is: Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush
This classic Chicago steakhouse is located right off of the Magnificent Mile and holds several private rooms for groups up to 200. The Café (75-person capacity) and the Newsroom (110-person capacity) can be utilized together or as independent spaces while on the third floor, there are two additional private dining rooms adjacent to the VIP Lounge that can accommodate groups up to 25.
The woodwork and black-and-white-tiled floors were designed to echo a 1940s art deco Italian steakhouse, plus planners will love that each private space has a bar located in the room. Cheers!
Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush, Chicago, 312.222.0101
RUNNERS UP » Sepia; Maggiano’s Little Italy
Teambuilding Activity/Facility/ Organizer
The winner is: Corporate Event Interactive
Corporate Event Interactive Claiming its third win in this category, Corporate Event Interactive is a leader in the production of interactive programs for meetings and events.
Their professional facilitators can organize workshops, retreats, interactive networking, charitable team events, adventure races/hunts, game shows and just about any activity imaginable to deliver key messages and learning objectives for your group.
The company has recently expanded into the realm of event marketing and event support services, offering staffing, promotions and exhibit/ sponsorship sales.
Corporate Event Interactive, Chicago, 312.540.1000
RUNNERS UP » Windy City Fieldhouse; The Improv Playhouse
