Chicago Meetings and Events

Welcome to Chicago!

My name is Mallory Szabo, and I am currently an Operations Manager for a Destination Management Company in Chicago, Illinois—or as some of you may know it, the Windy City. My experience in the event planning field began during my education at Indiana University where I studied Tourism Management. Within this area of concentration, I was able to study all aspects of the private event, meeting and hospitality industry. Upon graduation, I settled back home in Chicago where I became part of an event planning performance team.

My industry experience ranges from responding to proposals for large corporate events, conducting site inspections to form lasting relationships with some of the best vendors in Chicago, contracting and confirming suppliers, as well as heading some of our Chicago office marketing initiatives.

The main portion of my job focuses within event operations. This position allows me to make a personal connection with our clients as well as with our suppliers. Securing all of the details and staying on-site to be sure that an event runs smoothly are just some of my responsibilities. 

If you have any questions about my background and how I have come to know Chicago, or even a question about an article, please feel free to comment!

Tis the season for Chicago corporate photography professionals. Event planners around the city are getting ready to throw lavish parties in preparation for the holiday season. From corporate employee holiday parties at local restaurants to New Year's celebrations at hotel banquet halls, Chicago event photographers will be busy this season!

In order to capture these holiday memories, event planners around the Windy City are in search of the best candid and portrait photographers. With many well-known media companies as well as independent photographers, Chicago has a plethora of options, all guaranteed to capture the best moments of these important evenings.

Check out some of these great event photographers in Chicago:

EventGallery LLC
All Events Photography
Edward Fox Photography
Fred Fox Studios
Megan Szabo Photography Studio
Photogenic, Inc.
Stuart Rodgers Photography

To find more event photographers in Chicago, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Within the many hotels in the downtown Chicago area, travelers have their choice when picking the right property for them. What some people may not know, though, is that Chicago hotels are home to many fine dining restaurants. Many of these Chicago restaurants are considered the hottest spots to see and be seen and should not be missed!

The hotel properties listed below house some of the best restaurants in Chicago. These properties are great for welcome receptions, cocktail hours following a long day in meeting rooms or just for elegant private dinners. Although most planners overlook the restaurants in hotel properties, for shorter trips to Chicago, these can be great Chicago banquet facilities to entertain clients or co-workers.

The Palmer House Hilton - Lockwood Restaurant
Located in the Palmer House Hilton, this Chicago private dining facility was rated in the top 10 best restaurants by Chicago Tribune in 2008. Lockwood's chef has created a wide variety of upscale menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-fixed, tastings, dinner and more! Menu includes items include Hawaiian bass and lobster and lamb loin in a fig mint marinade.

Park Hyatt Chicago - NoMi
NoMi is French cuisine with a "global flair." Its menu includes small bites or a full course meal, with options to please any guest. NoMi's wine cellar is a popular Chicago party venue to host small receptions or networking events for larger meetings.

The Fairmont Chicago - Aria
Aria's culinary team creates a very ethnic menu. The team is from Thailand, Korea, China and Japan, as well as a few Chicago locals and a member from the South. This cultivation of cooking styles creates a flavorful menu with items like BBQ duck chow mein.

The Swissotel - The Palm
The Palm is a well-known, traditional steakhouse in Chicago. It's unique in a sense that they offer a "Business Lunch" menu that includes tenderloin medallions and fresh fish. These menu options make it simple to coordinate business lunches following daily meetings.

To learn more about hotel properties in Chicago, or their in-house restaurants, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Historic Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot pier that extends on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago, Navy Pier was originally built to serve many different purposes including to serve as a cargo facility for freight shipments, docking space for passenger excursion steamers as well as a trendy place for public gatherings.

Today, Navy Pier is the number one tourist attraction in Chicago. It the location of numerous on-site sightseeing tour companies, four luxury dinner cruise ships, a huge Ferris wheel, the Chicago Children's Museum, the Shakespeare Theater, the Crystal Gardens as well as various restaurants, bars and shops.

Navy Pier is also home to a festival hall and numerous Chicago meeting spaces. Its two main exhibition spaces of a combined 170,100 square feet offer lots of flexibility and functionality. This space is able to accommodate up to 900 standard tradeshow booths; it's also a great Chicago party venue, capable of seating banquets or theater arrangements.

Navy Pier is also equipped with a Grand Ballroom; said to be one of the best Chicago ballrooms built. The Grand Ballroom is fashioned with an 80-foot domed ceiling lined with lights and affords panoramic views of Lake Michigan, making it incomparable with other venues around the city. Along with the rental of the ballroom, planners are offered the option to extend their function space into the Lakeview Terrace or Rooftop, both of which have unmatched views of the Chicago skyline. These can be used alone as function space or as an additional pre-function space for large Chicago events.

View more information about Navy Pier on the Cvent Supplier Network

Suppliers and vendors all around the city of Chicago have been releasing promotions for event planners as an incentive to book their services for this year's holiday gatherings. Take a look at some of the best meeting promotions in the Chicago area for the holiday season:

Fulton Lounge

Fulton lounge is located in the West Loop. This relaxed but intimate Chicago party venue is a perfect place to host a holiday event. With space for up to 300 guests, the lounge serves as an ideal Chicago banquet hall and offers several packaged options to make the event planning process proceed with ease. This year, Fulton Lounge has a new menu crafted by OTOM Restaurant. If you book your event by November 30, you will receive 20 percent off the beverage minimum for parties of 25 or more guests!

theWit

theWit Hotel is located in the Downtown Loop. This relatively new Chicago boutique hotel has many event spaces available for private events. From their three amazing restaurants to their high definition theater, theWit is sure to please any guest. If you book a holiday party in one of this Chicago hotel's unique spaces, you will receive a $150 gift certificate to one of its three in-house Chicago restaurants.

Ditka's Steaks, Seafood & Chops

Located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, this traditional steakhouse is one of Chicago's prime restaurants. Named after Mike Ditka, former coach of the NFL Chicago Bears, this Chicago banquet facility is filled with Chicago sports memorabilia to give it a local touch. When booking with Ditka's, you will receive 10 percent off your food or beverage package of your choice, an autographed Mike Ditka football, as well as entry into their holiday raffle, which includes a chance to win prizes ranging a winery trip for two to a dinner for six prepared by the restaurant's executive chef in your home!

Spiaggia

Spiaggia is located at the end of the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. This highly-rated Italian restaurant offers space overlooking Lake Michigan. The fact that it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary over this holiday season makes it an even more special option for your Chicago events. If you book an event in one of their private dining rooms, Spiaggia will over 25 percent off selected menus.

Chicago celebrates the winter unlike any other city in the nation. From light festivals to penguin parades, Chicago is in the holiday spirit! Check out some of these great holiday events coming up:

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival & Parade

For over 40 years, North Michigan Avenue outlets illuminate their storefronts and trees to signify the beginning of the holiday season. Join Mickey Mouse and his friends this Saturday as they lead a procession down Michigan Avenue while "lighting" 200 trees with over one million lights from Oak Street to Wacker Drive. The Chicago event will end with a spectacular fireworks display over the Chicago River.

A Christmas Carol

The nation's favorite holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol will be playing at the Goodman Theater. Be sure to buy your tickets ahead of time for this traditional holiday performance!

Chicago Toy & Game Fair

Come out to play at America's largest public toy and gaming event. ChiTAG offers toy and game enthusiasts to preview the hottest new toys of the season. Get the opportunity to meet the inventors and test out some of the most innovative toys ever made at Navy Pier on Saturday, November 21.

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. located in Millennium Park. will open the ice Wednesday, November 18. This rink, now coming up on its ninth season, draws in more than 100,000 skaters annually.

Enjoy these upcoming holiday events in Chicago! To make sure your guests experience it all, be sure to check out the Chicago tour vendors on the Cvent Supplier Network for holiday tour and group pricing specials.

Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago is a somewhat new addition to the Magnificent Mile. This 92-story, polished stainless steel and tinted glass structure is located along the Chicago River next to the famous Wrigley building. 

Trump Chicago is home to 339 hotel guest rooms, all styled with a contemporary flair and floor to ceiling windows. This four-star property offers many luxury amenities for guests to enjoy, such as valet indoor parking, a fully equipped spa and health club, even an in-room chef.

The hotel also boasts an on-site restaurant, Sixteen. Located on the sixteenth floor, this culinary experience includes a menu of seasonal ingredients created by the Australian chef Frank Brunacci. This spot is comparable to other Chicago venues with a view, offering spectacular windows framing Lake Michigan, The Chicago River and the Wrigley Clock Tower.

Trump Chicago has about 20,000 square feet of function space, which includes the Grand Ballroom, Skyline Room, Grand Salon, four additional salons, The Trump Boardroom and Director's Boardroom. This space is unique in the fact that there are no air-walls to adjust sizes of meeting rooms; this is meant to convey complete privacy at your meetings or events. Each Chicago meeting space is also equipped with state-of-the-art telecommunications systems.

The Trump Chicago has a professional staff that leaves no details overlooked. The events team works closely with clients to help them to create flawless events with help of their culinary team. Every need is sure to be met at this property!

View more information about Trump Chicago on the Cvent Supplier Network

With the current state of the economy, groups traveling out of town for conferences or meetings usually have a very limited budget as well as limited time. This can be a challenge for event planners who want their guests to both network with each other and experience the city. Chicago Dine Arounds is a great solution!

Chicago Dine Arounds is ideal for taking your corporate events out of the boardroom. A full service event management company, Chicago Dine Arounds offers a progressive dining tour that covers three of Chicago's finest culinary experiences. 

The tour begins by picking up your attendees at their respective hotels or the meeting facility. Then, the group enjoys hor d'oeuvres at the first location, a main course at the second location, and dessert and drinks at the third and final location. In between each Chicago restaurant, a professional driver/docent will be guide your guests past some of the most unique attractions in Chicago.

This memorable evening event is perfect for a group on a tight budget. Listed packages are $85.00 per person, though they can be customized to meet the needs of any type of Chicago event.

On Thursday evening, Chicago Illuminating Company saw a great crowd for the debut of Jaguar's new 2010 XJ model. With the help of some professional Chicago event vendors, Jaguar put on a spectacular event!
 
Chicago Illuminating Company, located south of the Loop by McCormick Place, was an easy choice of venue for this event. Jaguar reps stated that they had done past events in country clubs and convention centers, but this time they wanted a venue to match the new product, one with a modern, clean space.

This two-story former power plant/warehouse is about 10,000 square feet. Unique features include modern architectural highlights, tile mosaic detailing, steal beams, polished wood floors and high ceilings. This contemporary loft-like setting screams "sophisticated with style." Jaguar professionals used the venue's large side door and ramp to load in display vehicles, which were placed in the center of the function space.

Food for Thought catered the event. The menu was broken out into various stations including a sushi bar, where a chef prepared California, spicy tuna and shiitake mushroom rolls. There was also a doughnut station where guests could top freshly baked donuts with a various arrangement of toppings. Other delights that were passed around included mugs of roasted tomato soup with Vermont cheddar sandwiches and mini caramel apples with crushed pistachios.

Flowers and rentals were done by Kehoe Designs, another well-known decor company in Chicago. Kehoe provided smooth lounge setups, tables topped with illuminated candles and flower arrangements of beautiful full roses.

With Jaguar's "design your own Jaguar" computer stations, the viewing of a brand-new design of vehicle, and tasty delights prepared by Chicago cooking professionals, guests to this Chicago event were guaranteed a good time!

To find out more about the Chicago caterers, venues and more, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Located in the Chicago Loop, the Chicago Cultural Center is a landmark building, serving as the city's official reception venue where the mayor has welcomed many famous presidents, diplomats and public figures. Originally the Chicago Central Library, this building holds lots of historic significance. It was the nation's first free municipal cultural center and is now one of the most popular attractions in the city.

The Chicago Cultural Center is perfect for formal Chicago events such as cocktail receptions, plated dinners and even small meetings and conferences. This unique Chicago meeting space is elegant and familiar in a sense that it was used for many different film shoots, performances and ceremonies.
 
One of the highlights of the venue is the Louis Comfort Tiffany Art Glass Dome. In 2008, the city spent around $2.2 million to restore the original vision of the dome when it was constructed in 1897. Spanning over 1,000 feet with 30,000 pieces of glass in a cast iron frame, the Tiffany Dome is an eye-popping backdrop for any event.

With room for up to 800 people, this exceptional space also includes exhibits that are presented annually by the city's Department of Cultural Affairs. These exhibits draw in thousands of tourists to learn about the history and culture of Chicago and its people.

To find more unique venues in Chicago, visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Meeting and event planners all over the country are modifying their programs to fit the needs of their eco-friendly clients. By demonstrating a green initiative to their customers and employees, corporations can send a great message to their event attendees about the importance of being good to the environment.

In order to execute a green goal at an event, planners must demonstrate and incorporate the green initiative to their best ability. Here are 6 ideas for hosting a green event in Chicago:

1. Hold the program for your guests in the ballroom of the Chicago hotel that is hosting your group rather than at an off-site location. This will eliminate the carbon output from transportation to and from an off-site venue.

2. Ask the hotel if it is possible to bring in food that is locally and/or organically grown, a much more sustainable option. Also, donate leftover food from the event to a local shelter in the city.

3. Rather than flowers, use plants for event decor. Flowers are usually thrown away at the completion of an event, while plants can be used numerous times. Plants can even be re-potted or gifted for attendees.

4. Request that your centerpieces be made from recycled materials. For example, try the popular arrangement of green dendrobium orchids, pine and green fuji mums.

5. Add some sort of educational piece into your event agenda that highlights the importance of being eco-friendly. A nice decor idea would be to include a water wall in the center of the ballroom, symbolizing water as the center of the earth's ecosystem. This water wall could have images or facts pertaining to the theme projected into it in order to grasp guests' attention while educating them at the same time. 

Use your local resources to get an idea of what each city does to work toward sustainability. Contacting a local representative from an eco-friendly organization to bring in some educational materials or even give a short speech at an event can help stress the importance of helping the environment.

6. While in the planning stages of such an event, research the hotel brands you are considering. Many well-known hotels in Chicago have taken on new efforts to support the green movement.

With tight budgets and picky eaters, finding great food for a good bargain in the Windy City is a difficult task for event planners. Chicago is well-known for its fine dining restaurants, but at a eye-popping price! Here is a list of some of hidden Chicago restaurant gems found in the many ethnic neighborhoods that surround the city.

Nacional 27
Sizzling Latino Treat
Located in the River North Neighborhood

Petterino's
Traditional Delicious Italian
Located Downtown

May Street Market
Rich, Contemporary Cuisine
Located in the West Loop

Vong's Thai Kitchen
Tasty Thai
Located on the North Side of Chicago

Marche
Fabulous French Food
Located in the West Loop

These Chicago dining facilities guarantee a great dining experience. When bringing small groups to these hot spots, be sure to ask for their pre-fixed menus to cut down on costs. Also, be sure to request a drink package. Dining with alcohol on consumption can be a risky move when entertaining clients.

To learn more about Chicago restaurants for your client dinners and private events, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Rewind to the 1920s when mobsters were hiding out all over Chicago, defying the prohibition and running underground gambling operations. Allow your guests to experience how Chicago was during its most famous time period, everything from the cigar girls to risky games of black jack!
 
US Poker & Casino Parties is the nation's leading supplier for professional corporate gaming entertainment. This one-stop shop for corporate outings, fundraisers, charity events, team-building and private parties delivers customized, elegant Chicago events with a flawless delivery.

US Poker & Casino Parties can host groups from 10 to 2,000 people. Each event is tailored to the group's individual needs. The company's courteous dealers are happy to provide instructions and rules to event participants to ensure they enjoy their experience. The tables and equipment—from black jack to roulette to slot machines—have superior quality and are comparable to the tables in Las Vegas and Monte Carlo.

The staff of this Chicago event supplier guarantees on-time delivery and full on-site management. Staff members are also able to coordinate other aspects to your event including cigar and show girls, picking and contracting a venue, musical entertainment and much more! This gaming entertainment company is focused on providing the most authentic and realistic experience for their clients, so check them out the next time you want to take your Chicago entertainment up a notch!

Featuring "Latino flavors with the spice of life," Carnivale is the reflection of Chicago's Latin culture and community. This venue, located in Chicago's West Randolph Street District, has an explosive and passionate atmosphere that brings in a crowd unlike any other!

Carnivale serves an authentic and soulful cuisine that allows guests to explore dishes from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Argentina, El Salvador and Mexico—all of which are prepared and served by professional staff who drives on creating a great experience for the guest. The menu includes dishes such as the seared rare ahi tuna with heirloom tomato and cucumber pico de gallo and the Nicaraguan-style, wood-grilled beef tenderloin with goat cheese puree, arugula chimichurri and spicy beet salsa.

Carnivale also serves as a Chicago private dining facility for 15 to 1,000 people, with a total of 10,000 square feet of private dining space. Its seven separate private areas—The Tango Room, Flamenco Room, Samba Room, The Salons and lastly, The Lambada Lounge—are decorated with playful, bright colors and Latin decor, which provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop for event guests. This unique Chicago venue is great for groups who have been occupied in meeting rooms all day. The atmosphere is a combination of fine dining with lots of fun and energy.

Carnivale also hosts many private Chicago events arranged by its staff. The Chicago restaurant's November calendar includes a holiday cocktail class as well as a course on how to throw a Latin dinner party.  The versatile venue is capable of hosting any type of event with style and precision!

View more information about Carnivale on the Cvent Supplier Network

Chicago is known as the city to accommodate most large meetings and events for associations and corporations. In fact, the meetings industry brings thousands of guests to Chicago for annual events and product launches every year. With McCormick Place listed as the nation's top facility for meetings and conventions, Chicago has built the resources to accommodate these groups with some of the best brands of hotels in the world.

These large hotels are now not only housing guests who attend these meetings, but also hosting them in their own top-notch Chicago meeting facilities. Check out some of the premier hotels in Chicago that have meeting space to welcome thousands of convention guests:

Hyatt Regency Chicago

In addition to being the on-site hotel brand stationed at Chicago's convention center, Hyatt Regency is no stranger to large meetings of its own. With 228,000 square feet of contemporary and flexible function space, Hyatt is equipped much like any other large convention center. The Hyatt is home to four ballrooms, 63 meeting rooms and 70,000 square feet of exhibition space.

This Chicago hotel's impeccable service is monitored by a Meeting Concierge. This friendly aide is by your side from start to finish, ensuring that everything runs flawlessly.

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers

The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers has over 120,000 square feet of meeting space. This property can host up to 4,600 people for an event or conference. With four above-ground levels of meeting space, 34 breakout meeting rooms, and a 40,000-square-foot ballroom—standing as the largest hotel ballroom in the Midwest—the Sheraton Chicago has all of the amenities to host large groups.

Situated  the heart of downtown Chicago, the Sheraton is near the city's most popular attractions, making it easy for guests to venture out and explore the city. From their 35,000 square feet of exhibition space to their convention registration area, the Sheraton Chicago is sure to cater to your every need!

To find out more about Chicago convention hotels, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry hosted this year's Columbian Ball, an elegant black-tie affair that was themed after the its new exhibit, "You! The Experience." This colorful and lively exhibit sparked a unique theme idea that was a great success.

The theme of the evening, "A Celebration of You: Mind, Body and Spirit," inspired a 1960s decor mock up with bright lights and colors. The decor which was provided by Heffernan Morgan and included red, blue, yellow and green strips of fabric draping from the ceiling, tables topped with candles, light boxes and bright flowers, as well as chandeliers and disco balls lining the dinner area. BBJ Linen's provided brightly colored linens of orange, green and blue to add even more pizazz to the venue.

Food for Thought was the Chicago caterer of choice Friday evening. To correlate with the theme, the menu was chosen to reflect good health and well being. During the cocktail reception, a selection of health conscious appetizers, including steamed duck pot stickers served with organic soy sauce and Tiger shrimp, were served to guests. The bar also had an alcohol-free shooter of beet juice infused with herbs, apples and carrots for guests to sample. Meanwhile, the evening's first course was a choice of well prepared dishes including chilled corn bisque, a haricot vert salad, and a mesclun salad topped with red peppers and blue cheese.

The evening's entertainment included a live auction hosted by television journalist Bill Kurtis, who was suited up in a red boxer's robe. The Jessie White Tumblers also made an appearance to wow the guests with risky acrobatic leaps over the stage to encourage guests to interact.

The museum's exhibit was also a great success as a backdrop to the Chicago event. The exhibit highlights the comprised qualities of a person, stressing that we are more than just bodies. You! is a breakdown of personalities and environments that help shape people into being the person they are today. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has a wide range of exhibits and event spaces that serve as a great resource for Chicago event planners.

To learn more about the Museum of Science and Industry or other Chicago event suppliers, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.

During the last week of October, Chicago celebrates Halloween with spooky events all across the city. From a midnight circus to a pooch parade, Chicago knows how to give a good scare! 

Chronicles of the Cursed

This haunted house is the largest in the city of Chicago. Located on Grand Avenue, the 20,000-square-foot facility is filled with monsters, ghouls and zombies who will scare you with a bone-chilling experience you will never forget!

Fall Fireworks Dinner Cruises

Many of Chicago's event venues on the water are hosting fall fireworks dinner cruises. The Odyssey, Mystic Blue and Spirit of Chicago are all welcoming guests aboard for a Halloween party unlike any other. Along with the beautiful fall fireworks display hosted by the city, these vessels will be decorated with cobwebs, ghosts and delicious food for guests to enjoy. Like what you see? All of these ships are available for private rentals for Chicago corporate events and social functions.

Franken Plaza

This year marks the 13th annual Franken Plaza Halloween celebration! On-site events hosted by the Special Events Department of Chicago (the hosts of the live taping of Oprah on Michigan Avenue) will include a midnight circus of "high flying aerial entertainers," Pyrotechniq—a show combined with dance, theater and fire—pumpkin decorating, and a farmers' market with fresh fall goodies. Don't forget the best part—it's free!

Seadog Haunted Tours

Experience the lights and freights of Chicago on this specialized city tour. While cruising down the river and viewing some of the most gorgeous architecture in the country, a professional docent will enlighten guests with stories of supernatural occurrences in some of Chicago's oldest structures, including the Fort Dearborn Massacre and the Eastland Disaster. During the regular season, Seadog hosts many types of tours for visitors. From river to lake cruises, Seadog is sure to get your adrenaline running on their clean and fast fleet!

Spooky Pooch Parade

The Chicago Botanic Garden opens its doors to the Chicago canine population on Halloween. Dogs from all over the city are invited to dress up in their scariest costumes and walk in a parade to celebrate the season. In addition to the parade, activities include a costume contest and a barking awards ceremony. 

Don't forget to check the Chicago events calendar before planning your meeting and events in Chicago. The city sponsors great events that are sure to get guests out of the meeting rooms and into the spirit!

Kanan Cruise is Chicago's most luxurious cruising vessel on Lake Michigan. Docked at the landmark Navy Pier, Kanan offers the finest furnishings and most advanced equipment available. Cruise guests are guaranteed an enjoyable experience while sailing past Chicago's famous skyline and shoreline.

The vessel is available for private evening charters for your Chicago events. These typically begin with a half hour of boarding as professional, uniformed staff greet and welcome your guests, complete with a full size grand piano, leather sections, plasma televisions and a variety of cocktail tables. Guests can start that party by grabbing a drink from the lounge's fully stocked bar.

After all guests are on board, the unique Chicago venue sets sail for a two and a half hour cruise along the shores of Lake Michigan.  Kanan can accommodate a seated dinner of about 200 passengers on deck two. Depending on your catering choices, the dining deck has an available built-in buffet, or can be turned over so that the caterer of your choice has ample room to flawlessly execute a multi-course meal.

The third deck of the venue is the most versatile Chicago event space on the ship. It can comfortably seat an additional 100 guests for dinner or serve as a place to serve drinks, coffee and dessert while guests enjoy event entertainment such as a DJ or band which is stationed behind the dance floor. The third deck also offers yet another lounge area surrounded by panoramic windows and doors, which grant access to an open-air terrace on the back of the ship.

The fourth and final deck of the ship allows your guests to step away to relax and enjoy the views from outside. The outdoor furniture and additional bar make it a great place to be during firework cruises.

Kanan's professional staff is very informative. As you move forward into the planning stages of an event, they are happy to recommend decor and Chicago catering vendors. They also assist in coordinating a functional layout and itinerary of the events on board. Your guests are sure to enjoy this unique experience that allows them to see Chicago from a different angle.

The Hearty Restaurant in Chicago is a small storefront space located in the neighborhood of Lakeview, just north of bustling downtown. Partners Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh are no strangers to the food service industry. You may recognize them from their Food Network television series "The Party Line with The Hearty Boys," from the front of their cookbook Talk with Your Mouth Full, or from seeing them in person at one of their restaurants or at their catering facility in Chicago.

These food experts have mastered the design of mid-century American comfort food in their new 60-seat venue. The space is decorated with sea glass subway tiles, a hand-crafted mahogany bar, walls of exposed brick as well as modern stainless steal kitchen tables and stools. The walls are a burnt orange color with accents of a toned down lime green, which sets off a wall mounted fireplace as well as bespoke stained glass art.

Their upscale menu includes a house dish of macaroni and cheese, a rabbit corn dog, foil-wrapped fish grilled over hot coals, and Southern fried chicken. Beverages at this Chicago restaurant staple include American vintage classics such as The Brown Derby and The Aviation, as well as a few different brilliant twists on the standard Bloody Mary. Also available is a wine list comprised of selections from domestic vineyards in Georgia and Texas.

Not only have The Hearty Boys conquered television, books and restaurants, but they have also been a top Chicago catering company for the last 10 years. Their ample and delicious sample menus are just a start when planning a wedding or corporate event in Chicago.

Whether on-site at the restaurant or at a catered Chicago meeting, The Hearty Boys are sure to please your palate!

Meeting and event planners across the country are getting more requests for tours and events that can be hosted during typical conference hours as spouse events. Solutions or suggestions of shopping or a city tour have become the typical choice for such programs, but in Chicago, we have many more exciting options!

• Build your own hand bag. 1154 Lill Studio is a unique concept store in the neighborhood of Lincoln Park in Chicago. This haven for women across the country allows guests to design and create a purse. With each of the materials only ordered once, the clients are ensured that their piece is completely unique.

Guests have the option to choose from several differently shaped bags and fabrics to create their one-of-a-kind design, which includes purses as well as wallets, pillows and more! Once the design is finalized, 1154 employees will put it into production.

• Photo Safari. Photo Safari is a photography workshop that is hosted in many different areas of the city. While visiting famous architectural landmarks, the lakefront or Chicago's brand new River Walk, guests are guided by professional photographers who help them capture the best of Chicago in their photos.

The safari begins at Millennium Park, where guides give the participants an orientation on good photography technique and how to best highlight the structures that they will be visiting. At each point of the tour, staff is on-hand to help guests maximize the quality of their photo momentos. This hands-on workshop allows participants to experience a priceless photo experience that will last through all of their future travels!

• Chicago Botanic Garden. Located about 25 miles north of Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden is home to 385 acres of vibrant specialty gardens, tranquil lakes, native woodlands and prairies. This Chicago attraction is considered to have the best display of gardens in the upper Midwest and features glorious foliage year-round. Here, guests can enjoy a guided tram tour, which allows them to observe the luminous gardens while learning the story of how they began.