Archive for February, 2009

Cirque USA for Private Event Entertainment

[ 0 ] February 27, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

Cirque USA Contortionist

Cirque USA provides entertainment to Event Planners for various corporate, celebrity and private events throughout the United States. We have an entire cast of experienced performers, such as contortionists, jugglers, mimes, clowns, dancers, stilt walkers, power skips, hand balancers, aerial chiffon, lira, trapeze, bungee, harness, hula hoop, Chinese poles, fire dancers, Disc Jockeys and Masters of Ceremonies. We can create any atmosphere or customize any show to meet the needs of you and your clients.

Our services are unique in that we are a one-stop-shop entertainment provider. We prefer to work with agents/event planners so that we may focus on what we do best, and that is provide outstanding entertainment to our clients. Our relationships with our agents are very important and most profitable in that we provide you with our customized proposals that you, as our agent, can send to your clients, with your price markup, and we take care of the logistics (show up and perform). Your work consists of getting the clients, while we take care of the rest for you (we put the show together, contact the performers, etc.)

We have been in business since 1998 in Orlando, and since 1984 outside of Florida. Our expertise and show execution is unmatched, and we have the hundreds of satisfied clients to prove it.

Watch the video of the Cirque USA Performance at the Here’s Chicago Meetings and hospitality Industry’s End of the Summer BASH! 2008 at Sound Bar, Chicago, Il. Click here for Cirque USA

CONTORTIONIST
Challenging the limits of the human body, while expressing power and fragility at the same time, our performer displays enormous strength and flexibility as she demonstrates a multitude of acrobatic positions seemingly impossible to achieve. Having performed with Cirque du Soleil, our artists will literally “bend over backwards” to win your applause.

Hand Balancing
Two male hand-to-hand balancing artists perform an incredible exhibition of strength and stamina. The two combined will create emotion through motions. They complete difficult maneuvers demonstrating perfect synchronization, while fusing strength and power.

SPINNING CUBE
Witness the art of juggling being transformed into a spectacular performance piece, as our artist spins the frame of the cube around his body, launches it into the air and then dives acrobatically through the whirling frame. Masterfully manipulating the cube with dexterity and complete control in an infusion of acrobatic movements, this act is both mesmerizing and refreshingly original.

4 POLES CUBE
Experience the thrill as our colorfully attired artists slither up floor-mounted poles with amazing speed and agility. Defying gravity at 25 feet in the air, they perform difficult maneuvers such as vertical balancing, hand spinning and various acrobatic positions requiring an enormous amount of upper body strength. With their hypnotic, serpentine dance these masters will astound and shock their audience.

The German Wheel
The German Wheel act features one acrobatic stunt performer. Six and a half feet in diameter, the wheel consists of two metal hoops joined at six points. Our stunt performer rolls, turns and spins the wheel while performing gravity-defying somersaults and acrobatics while inside and around the wheel.

HULA HOOP
With her svelte body and delicate grace, our contortionist whisks a multitude of silver hoops around her body continuously while demonstrating an abundance of difficult acrobatic positions throughout. She is a sight to behold in the limelight and she never loses motion or contact with the rings, creating a beautiful mixture of unique visual images.

ELECTRIC JUGGLER
Set to a dramatic soundtrack, complex juggling patterns are performed in partial light and black light, with computer-controlled props to produce a breathtaking visual experience. A microprocessor at the heart of every club controls internal light-emitting arrays allowing the clubs to change color, strobe and be synchronized with the music.

TRAMPOLINE WALL
The Trampoline Wall is made up to look like a 15 ft. finished building. Our performers tumble and vault into and out of the building’s windows, challenging the laws of gravity as they vertically run up and down the building’s walls, creating the look and feel of a construction site but with a whole new twist. Phenomenal timing and spatial awareness is key to this performance. The artists’ incredible acrobatic ability allows them to accomplish intricate aerial movements with speed and agility. Excitement builds as they spring and twist in the air with surprising ease and grace performing multiple synchronized somersaults, mid-air twists and high dives at an unbelievable pace.

POWER SKIPS
The Power Skip performers will dazzle your audience by performing multiple synchronized somersaults and mid air twists at an unbelievable pace.

SPHERES
Whether in the water or on land, our Spheres will captivate your audience with its presence. Great for strolling & meet & greets!

ROLLA BOLLA
With incredible balance, our Rolla Bolla performers will have you sitting on the edge of your seats. Our performers will entertain any crowd by juggling clubs and maneuvering through mini hoops, all the while balancing atop rolling cylinders that could come crashing down at any second. This act is engaging to any type of audience and will certainly have the biggest reactions.

CHAIR BALANCING
Watch in amazement as our talented performer uses unbelievable acrobatic balancing skills stacking up to eight ordinary household chairs, and performs different acrobatic positions a top of them. He stacks and climbs these chairs using grace and athleticism that can only be found in the highest levels of acrobatic performing. Yevgeniy has amazed audiences all around the world with his signature cirque style handstand, twenty-five feet above the audience’s heads. During this act’s finale, Yevgeniy completely amazes the audience by balancing on one hand at the top of the stack and rotating around an astonishing 360 degrees.

CIRQUE CLOWN & MIME
To err is human, to laugh is divine”… Well, not quite, but you have to admit that laughter is the best medicine. And there is never a shortage of laughs when Crackers & Tulip are around. Two original characters who add an extra element of excitement and even audience participation during and between acts.

NOVELTY CLOWN & MIME
This dynamic duo will surely have your guests in stitches. Pepe & Max have been performing together for over 6 years now and have created two original skits that incorporate audience participation. Also, watch as they hysterically interact with your guests during the cocktail hour. Great for Meet & Greets!

ACROBREAKERS
Features 3 gymnasts dressed in colorful costumes. The performers dazzle audiences by performing multiple synchronized somersaults and mid air twists at an unbelievable pace.

CIRQUEMOSPHERE DANCERS
Swan-like grace, magnificent costuming, quirky characters and exquisite physical beauty, our dancers are a feast for the eyes. Trained at some of the finest dance schools in the world, and having danced in many of the best plays on Broadway, this group embodies the elegance, refinement and skill that makes dance a true art form. From delicate pirouettes to animated interpretive dance, their performance is forever enchanting, leaving the audience breathless and mesmerized.

CIRQUE STILT WALKERS
Peg Stilts and skilled Specialty 4 Peg Stilt Walkers are a great addition to any event. Their quirky yet charming characters work well during cocktail hours, meet & greets, photo ops and for other strolling entertainment purposes.

TISSUE (AERIAL CHIFFON)
In a stunning display of grace and strength, our Aerial Chiffon artist floats over and around the audience on the whisper of billowing fabric, performing a breathtaking acrobatic aerial dance which requires agility, flexibility and enormous skill. A contrasting combination of beauty and power, this act is sure to mesmerize the audience with its exquisite presentation.

LYRA (AERIAL HOOP)
Suspended in the air, our aerialist pivots and twirls through a whirling hoop performing stunning feats of grace and dexterity in a colorful blend of strength, technique and artistic expression. Performing at times with only one hand or one foot through their strap, while hanging upside down and showcasing their dynamic tricks, the element of difficulty and danger will captivate any audience and leave them breathless.

AERIAL CUBE
In this unique act, the Aerial Cube is a combination of acrobatics and technical prowess, in which the threshold of disequilibrium could be crossed at any moment. Awareness of the other and the quest for a point of stability 24 feet above the ground becomes the theme of this trio’s cubic performance. This original and dynamic act is also a graceful and captivating dance where the acrobats move in perfect balance.

STATIC TRAPEZE
With a light swinging motion, the Static Trapeze offers the perfect frame for this amazing act comprised of head and hand stands, and blended with dance and aerial acrobatic movements. Our artist becomes a moving picture in this frame displaying perfect balance and grace while demonstrating incredible athletic skills.

AERIAL ROPE
CUSA has taken this traditional circus act and added exciting new flair with this unique cirque style of performing. Watch as our performer finishes this act by flying around the top of the rope with only the strength of one hand!

BUNGEE
Watch breathlessly as our seemingly weightless acrobats, attired in vibrantly colored costumes, soar through the air performing dynamic gymnastic tumbling and aerial dance displays in unison and counterpoint, reaching astounding heights and speed.

For all Chicago corporate performers, visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s event planning resource directory.

MEETINGS, EVENTS AND INCENTIVE TRAVEL: CRITICAL TO AMERICAN JOBS, COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES

[ 0 ] February 24, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

MEETINGS, EVENTS AND INCENTIVE TRAVEL: CRITICAL TO AMERICAN JOBS, COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES

USTOA

Threats of federal regulation and sensational coverage are creating a paralyzing environment where companies across the country are canceling meetings and events for legitimate business purposes.

After three strong years, Chicago’s downtown hotels are facing tougher times as businesses cut travel budgets and tourists stay home. Because more businesses and groups are canceling meetings at hotels or spending less on food and drink, hotel owners are looking for ways to cut costs.

Business-related travel – including meetings, events and incentives – is a vital part of our national economy and essential to sustaining well-paying American jobs, the health of large and small businesses and the solvency of public services supported by federal, state and local tax-revenue. Broadly, business travel creates 2.4 million jobs, injects more than $240 billion into the national economy annually and generates $39 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.

Specifically, meetings and events:

Create 1 million jobs to the American workforce in local communities – from big cities to small towns – across the United States.

Many of these jobs support working families in the hospitality and food service industries.

Generate $27 billion in wages for hardworking Americans that are critical to local economies across
the United States, and can play a critical role in our nation’s economic recovery.

Provide $16 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local level.

Contribute $101 billion in spending to the U.S. economy.

Support over 200 local convention centers around the county

Are responsible for nearly 15 percent of all travel in the United States.

When businesses cancel productive meetings and events, the American worker and local communities from coast-to-coast are the unintended victims.

Without the jobs generated by meetings, events and incentive travel, the current unemployment rate of 7.6 percent would rise to 8.2 percent and cost the average American household an additional $136 in annual taxes.

Critics have mislabeled many meetings and events as unnecessary and frivolous – causing companies that have received federal government support and many that have not – to cancel planned and future activities.
Whether a company has received emergency government lending or not, its inclination is to avoid the prospect of being ridiculed like AIG, Wells Fargo and others.

No region of the country is immune to the economic impact of canceled meetings, events and incentive programs. American workers and local communities pay the price as meetings, events and incentives decline.

The U.S. Labor Department reported a loss of nearly 200,000 travel related jobs in 2008 and Department of Commerce data predicts a loss of an additional 247,000 travel-generated jobs in 2009.

The meetings and events component of business travel is responsible for nearly 15 percent of all travel in the United States, drives $101 billion in spending, generates one million jobs and creates $16 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local levels.

Without the one million jobs generated by meeting and event travel, the unemployment rate in the United States would jump from 7.6 percent to 8.2 percent.

As meetings and events decline, local communities – nearly all of whom are dependent on visitor taxes – struggle to pay for essential services such as education, public safety and social services.

Business travel and events are a smart and cost effective way to retain and develop employee talent, generate ideas and share knowledge that drives future business growth.

Meetings, events and incentives are essential tools for companies to strengthen business relationships; align and educate employees and customers; and reward business performance. Members of Congress share this practice when convening their annual retreats at resorts outside Washington, DC

Incentive programs are two to three times more effective than cash at motivating employee performance. Companies can spend less on incentive travel than on cash compensation to achieve exceptional productivity from employees.

The recipients of incentive travel programs are typically hardworking middle class Americans who have earned trips for their exceptional performance.

According to a recent survey of Fortune 1000 Chief Marketing Officers, meetings and events provide the highest return on investment of any marketing channel.

Companies using taxpayer dollars must abide by best practices for meetings, events and incentives.

Companies that have received emergency government lending have an obligation to operate in a transparent and accountable fashion.

The travel community has addressed an urgent public need by developing clear, workable guidelines designed to ensure responsible business travel practices within companies that have received emergency government lending.

Additional punitive policies to limit meetings, events and incentive travel will unite business, labor and local government leaders in opposition.

The demand for face to face meetings is strong and the importance of having them is greater than ever in our history. For example, within one week of sending the invitation for our Here’s Chicago Meetings and Hospitality St. Pat’s BASH event taking place on March 2, 2009 we are at capacity with the most meeting and event professionals registered in the history of this event with over 400 registered attendees and another 100 on the waiting list.

“Business, Meetings and Incentive Programs are what built this economy” and “Our industry is being punished for the mistakes of a few”

“In Obama’s defense, I don’t believe he knows that the meetings industry contributes to “mainstreet”, the exact market he is trying to help. Bus boys, waiters, bellman, sedan drivers, etc.” says Jim Grillo, CMP of Hereschicago.com.

Meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and incentive travel generated $122.3 billion in direct spending in the United States last year, according to the Convention Industry Council’s Economic Impact Study, released in September. Corporate meetings and events comprised one-third of that, or $40.3 billion; association events accounted for the rest.”

The industry employs 1.7 million people on a full-time basis, and is the 29th-largest contributor to the country’s gross national product.

Looking at types of meetings, conventions and exhibitions account for $67.9 billion, or 55.5 percent, of the total direct spending pie. Corporate and association meetings generated $48.1 billion in spending, or 39.4 percent of the total, while incentive travel made up the remaining 5.1 percent, generating $6.2 billion in spending. (Conventions and exhibitions are defined as events where exhibitions make up the largest component of the meeting, while meetings have a larger meetings component.)

The largest share of the convention and exhibition dollar, 35 percent, is spent in hotels. The rest is widely distributed throughout local economies, with 24 percent spent on air transportation, 14 percent in restaurants, and 12 percent on business services.

It is our responsibility today to communicate the positive messages from our industry and how we all directly contribute to the future growth of our economy.

Let’s make history together,

Jim Grillo, CMP
President
Hereschicago.com
Chicago’s Meetings and Events Resource Directory

Emmy Award Winner, Alternate Media/News 2008
Hall of Fame Supplier, Illinois Meetings & Events 2008
President, Meeting Professionals Internatio, nal Chicago 2003-2004
President, Hospitality, Sales & Marketing Assn of Ill. 2001-2004
Committee, Meeting Professionals International 2004-2008
Mentor/Ambassador, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, 2000-2002
Member, MPI International Student Advisory Council 2008-2009

For a P.R. Toolkit, visit the U.S. Travel Association (USTOA)

Sunda Chicago, Chicago’s Newest Asian Dining Restaurant

[ 0 ] February 23, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

Sunda, opening to the public on Monday, March 9th at 110 W. Illinois in River North, is at the vanguard of America’s New-Asian cuisine movement.

Helmed by renowned Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot, known as the “Food Buddha” to international media, Sunda showcases contemporary and progressive interpretations of traditional dishes from Japan, China and the rest of the Southeast Asian Island region. The surprising, simple, flavorful dishes are served and shared while a full sushi bar will service an assortment of sushi, sashimi and nigiri options. Sunda’s beverage program revolves around a progressive list of premium sakes, an assembly of Asian beers, a well-rounded list of Champagnes, sparkling wines, white wines and red wines and an ever-changing seasonal cocktail list. The chic space, designed by award-winning restaurant and hotel designer Tony Chi, seats more than 200 guests and is a spectacular combination of innovative yet comforting design in which delicious authentic New Asian cuisine is served at accommodating prices, where each guest can choose the level of their dining experience from a myriad of menu options. Visit Sunda

To book your groups and private events, contact Nicole Salerno at (312) 943-7600 ext. 13 or visit Sunda

Visit Hereschicago.com for a complete guide to Chicago restaurants for group dining.

Corporate Team Building Events in Chicago With Parties That Cook

[ 0 ] February 21, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

Corporate Team Building Events in Chicago With Parties That Cook

chicago teambuilding parties that cook

Parties That Cook stages deliciously fun cooking class parties and corporate team building events. Whether you´re interested in cooking up collaboration at a team bonding activity, planning a private chef demo or a memorable 40th birthday party, Parties That Cook will provide you with the ultimate gourmet gathering.

Parties That Cook has mastered the recipe for unforgettable corporate team building events. Our hands-on team building cooking classes encourage teamwork, boost morale, build culinary confidence and foster camaraderie.

Parties That Cook’s exciting hands-on cooking class parties are perfect for all occasions:

Chicago corporate team-building events
Chicago birthday parties & anniversaries
Chicago girls’ night out
Chicago showers and bachelorette parties
Chicago wedding rehearsal dinners
Chicago group dinner parties

How It Works:

Parties That Cook’s culinary staff will greet guests with hors d’oeuvres and beverages, then welcome everyone to mix and mingle while listening to music tailored to your group.

Your Parties That Cook chef then presents a lively and interactive cooking demonstration chock full of kitchen tricks and techniques. We take time to respond to your cooking questions. Afterward, guests are divided into teams to create their mouthwatering dishes at fully equipped cooking stations.

Each recipe and cooking station has detailed instructions and all of the necessary ingredients and cooking tools. Throughout the cooking, our chefs are on hand to coach you. Parties That Cook takes care of serving and cleaning up so you can enjoy the party!

Choose the party format that fits your occasion:

- Small Plates is a cocktail-style appetizer cooking class party (2 hours).
- The Chef’s Table offers a four-course sit-down meal with hands-on cooking class (3 hours).
- The Kitchen Challenge is an Iron Chef-style competition and extremely popular corporate team building event (3 hours). The Ultimate Kitchen Challenge includes an additional workshop with business coach and facilitator Starla Sireno (4 hours).
- A Feast of Chocolate and Cheese is dedicated to cooking with two sinfully delicious ingredients (3 hours).
- Chef Demo is a lively lesson in cooking tips and tricks from the professionals. Includes food samples or meal (1 hour).

After the party, we will send all guests all of the recipes you followed, along with a link to digital snapshots of the fun.

Pricing:

Chef Demo: $45 per person
Sumptuous Small Plates: $75 per person
Chef’s Table: $95 per person
Feast of Chocolate and Cheese: $95 per person
Kitchen Challenge: $115 per person
Ultimate Kitchen Challenge: $185 per person

The cost includes our professional culinary instruction, service, menu, recipes, ingredients, music, kitchen equipment, setup, and cleanup. Please note that this does not include a venue rental fee, party rentals or optional services.

Minimum/Maximum # of Guests: We can accommodate any party size from 1 to 300 guests.

Dates/Times: Cooking class events are held any time of day, based on availability of venue and staff. Depending on the type of event selected, parties last 1 to 4 hours, with the option of adding on additional time for speeches or presentations.

Take Aways & Attire: Each guest will receive a copy of recipes and digital photos from their event. Aprons are provided to wear during the lesson or may also be purchased as party favors to take home.

Alcoholic Beverages: You may BYOB at most party locations, or Parties That Cook will suggest one of our fine wine/alcohol purveyors, depending on your chosen location.

Visit Parties That Cook on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Event Planning Resource Guide to Chicago’s Planner Preferred.

Illinois Meetings + Events magazine announces Best of 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards & Hall of Fame Inductees

[ 0 ] February 19, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

Chicago, Illinois, February 13, 2009— The best of the meetings and events industry was on display last night as 300 meeting and event professionals applauded the industry’s finest at the fourth annual Illinois Meetings + Events Best of 2008 Readers’ Choice awards celebration at The Underground in Chicago.

chicago's top meeting professionals

The awards honor the dedication and creativity of event professionals who have earned the respect and admiration of their clients and peers. The award winners were selected through an online reader poll. The winner are:

Best Attraction – Navy Pier
Best Audio-Visual – The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc.
Best Banquet/Reception Venue – Tie between Galleria Marchetti and River East Art Center
Best Boats/Cruises/Charters – Kanan Cruises
Best Caterer – Blue Plate Catering
Best Conference Venue – Gleacher Center
Best Convention & Visitors Bureau – Chicago Convention & Visitors Bureau
Best Destination Management Company – On the Scene
Best Eco-Friendly Supplier – Greg Christian Catering and Events
Best Entertainment – Just for Fun Entertainment and Events, Inc.
Best Décor – Kehoe Designs
Best Florist – The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc.
Best Golf Resort – Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Best Historic Venue – Chicago History Museum
Best Hotel with Meeting Space (less than 440 rooms) – The Blackstone Hotel
Best Hotel with Meeting Space (more than 440 rooms) – Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Best Photography/Videography – Tie between Promax Productions and Studio T Photography
Best Rental Service – Classic Party Rentals
Best Teambuilding Facility/Organizer – Corporate Event Interactive
Best Transportation – Windy City Limousine
Best Unique Venue – Chicago Illuminating Company
Best Venue Outside Chicagoland – Pheasant Run Resort
Editor’s Pick Best Event Décor – Ivan Carlson & Associates
Editor’s Pick Best New Intimate Event Space – Vertigo Sky Lounge
Editor’s Pick Best Casino – Horseshoe Casino Hotel
Editor’s Pick Best Experimental Event Expert – Minding Your Business

New this year, Illinois Meetings + Events magazine recognized its first-ever Hall of Fame, chosen by the magazine’s editorial advisory board.

Lifetime Achievement – Bill Pry, Partner – BBJ Linen
Best Special Events Planner – Andrew Schorr, President and Principal – In the Loop
Best Meeting Professional – Kimberly LaBounty, President – Apex Management & Special Events Inc.
Best Up-and-Coming Meeting Professional – Justin Rhodes, Associate – Corporate Events for Jones Lang LaSalle, Chicago
Best Supplier – Jim Grillo, President – hereschicago.com
Best Up-and-Coming Supplier – Renee Barricklow, Event Producer – Kehoe Designs, Chicago

“We are pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions of these organizations and individuals to the meetings and events industry, which plays an important role in Illinois’s vitality and economy,” says Lauren Hurley, editor of Illinois Meetings + Events magazine.

Thank you to our event partners; Underground, The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc. and Classic Party Rentals.

Illinois Meetings + Events magazine is one of eight regional meetings and events magazines published by Tiger Oak Publications, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. The idea-driven magazine focuses on the issues facing today’s meeting and event professionals in Illinois and beyond and looks to address all aspects of the industry through in-depth feature stories, insightful departments and helpful news and updates on tips and trends. For more information and to view photos from the event, visit www.ilmeetingsmag.com.

Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s event planner resource guide featuring Chicago’s top Planner Preferred vendors for Chicago meetings and events.

the Mitchell Dental Spa is a full-service facility in Chicago’s Water Tower Place

[ 0 ] February 19, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

chicago dental spa

the Mitchell Dental Spa is a full-service facility in Chicago’s Water Tower Place

Unlike other cosmetic dental offices which are only spas or salons in name, the Mitchell Dental Spa is a full-service facility offering dentistry along with massage, facials, and skin rejuvenation. Dental appointments include a complimentary 10 minute spa treatment, where clients can choose anything from a back massage to a lip hydration treatment.

I visited the the Mitchell Dental Spa for a teeth whitening, but as you can see in the following video, this is not your ordinary dental visit which most of us dread. It was more like a one hour stress free vacation that would make anyone look forward to going to the dentist.

Here’s Chicago Presents Mitchell Dental Spa. A video By BMP. from Video that rocks. on Vimeo.

Sample their fully-stocked refreshment bar. Let one of their massage therapists knead the tension out of your neck and shoulders. Then lay back with your own private flat screen TV while Dr. Mitchell creates the smile of your dreams. 30-90 minute spa treatments are also available.

Mitchell Dental Spa
Water Tower Place
845 North Michigan Ave
Suite 922 East
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: 312.642.1014
http://www.mitchelldentalspa.com/

Visit our directory of Chicago Spa’s and more on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s meetings and event planning directory.

Chicago Event Planning Companies

[ 0 ] February 8, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

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D3 Event Planning Company Chicago

D3 Events is a boutique event planning agency dedicated to building exclusive relations with each client and consistently exceeding expectations. Our innovative staff specializes in seamlessly producing every aspect of your event down to the last detail. With imaginative décor, customized cuisine and unparalleled service, D3 Events creates an unforgettable experience for our clients and their guests. Whether you are having a corporate affair, product launch, nonprofit gala or any other social gathering-we promise to deliver it all for every occasion.

D3 founder Joey Vartanian brings years of Chicago entertainment experience to the table. Having planned events for numerous celebrities from Justin Timberlake to Hillary Clinton, solidifies his premier standing within the entertainment industry. This industry expert has assembled a team of exceptional individuals with expertise in both event directing and production.

Our talented event director, Arona Martin, is recognized as a trendsetter in the event planning industry, raising the bar for each of her D3 employees as well as her competitors. With experience that ranges from feature films and celebrities to full-scale events for HBO or Michael Jordan, her artistic vision continues to expand.

Fully equipped with a gifted event planning team, an inventive in-house production staff and a brilliant and artistic director we create unforgettable events for all of our clientele.

The capabilities of D3 Events extends above and beyond that of a typical corporate event planner. Our boutique atmosphere allows us to work with our clients on a more intimate level and personally coordinate every step of the event planning process.

Corporate Events
Convention Parties
Product Launches
Grand Openings
Annual Events
Bar mitzvah/ Bat mitzvah
Lighting Design
Venue Selection
Rentals
Invitations
Staffing
Creative branding
Décor
Music
Entertainment
Costumes

Visit Hereschicago.com for a directory of all Chicago event planning companies

HINTON+GRUSICH PARTNERS+ COLLECTION IS A HIT WITH BUSY MEETING PRO’S

[ 0 ] February 5, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

hinton and grusich chicago

GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR CLIENTS IN A TOUGH ECONOMY:
HINTON+GRUSICH PARTNERS+ COLLECTION IS A HIT WITH BUSY MEETING PRO’S

Chicago, IL — February 5, 2009 hinton+grusich is a leading national sales organization best known for representing upscale independent hotels and destinations. Recognizing that its client base of meeting professionals were increasingly tasked with doing more with fewer resources, the firm introduced its partners+ collection in early 2008. The newly expanded service offering includes hospitality service providers who play a prominent role in many meetings’ success.

This “hand-picked” group of industry partners in the collection is widely recognized as experts in their respective fields, and share similar business tenets as hinton+grusich: commitment to service, integrity and unique value. The partners+ collection roster includes: Continental Airlines, worldwide air travel; Hertz Co., nationwide car rental; Lettuce Planet, a division of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises; USA Hosts, nationwide destination management services; Buy-The-Sea, a cruise broker; One Smooth Stone, a worldwide event production company.

In its inaugural year, the partners+ collection has supported a plethora of meetings and conferences, witnessing an increased popularity with professionals who plan meetings as one of their many job responsibilities. Kevin Hinton, principal, stated, “Adding a select collection of services in support of our client base was a natural progression of our offering. We have learned by experience that offering extra value to our service helps everyone involved.”

Hinton attests much of the program’s success to its national sales team, as well as the Director of Industry Partner Sales, Karen Gravlin. A former meeting planner, Karen has been responsible for building the Partner relationships, while introducing the new services to the meeting professional community. Karen stated, “One of my primary responsibilities is to assist clients beyond their need for sleeping rooms and meeting space. As a former planner myself, I can truly appreciate the added value that our supplier partners offer in the planning process.”

Sonal Sullivan, CMP, Manager of Meeting Services for HIMSS is a hinton+grusich client who has seen the value of the new services first-hand. Sonal stated, “A few months ago I decided to investigate a cost saving and streamlining measure for the car rental process within our organization. Karen Gravlin and the partners+ program understood what we were trying to accomplish and worked closely with Hertz to meet our goals year round. We appreciated the level of professionalism and support that saved us time and resources.”

For more information about the hinton+grusich partner+ collection, contact Karen Gravlin at kgravlin@hintonandgrusich.com or 312-346-5679.

ABOUT HINTON+GRUSICH

Founded in 1986, hinton+grusich (www.hintonandgrusich.com) is a national sales organization that represents upscale hotels, destinations and hospitality suppliers that serve the meetings industry. Offering a cost-free approach to finding the right hotel, the firm creates efficiency and buying power for professionals who plan meetings through one point-of-contact. Its team of experts provides timely pricing and availability information, first-hand destination feedback, and relevant insight for meeting professionals nationwide.

hinton+grusich represents over 130 upscale, primarily independent hotels, six convention bureaus, and seven industry partners within their “partners+” collection. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm offers four regional offices and nine national sales managers furnishing regional and market-specific support to meeting professionals.

As longtime supporters of hospitality, philanthropic and civic organizations, members of the hinton+grusich management team currently serve in volunteer leadership positions with MPI, ASAE and SITE. For more information, visit www.hintonandgrusich.com or call 800.783.7350.
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hinton+grusich is a Planner Preferred vendor on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s online resource directory for meeting and event planners who are searching Chicago’s best venues, restaurants and services.

Restaurants in Chicago for Business Lunches

[ 0 ] February 1, 2009 | Chicago Party Planner

Lettuce Private and Group Dining is a division of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants and will help you book your client lunch absolutely complimentary in one of their downtown Chicago restaurants. Lettuce Private Dining is also the Meeting & Event Planners Universal Source to “Out of This World” group dining and special events. Lettuce Planet is a division of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants developed solely for the purpose of assisting the Professional Planner with finding the perfect venue for meetings and private dining events from amongst our 28 restaurant concepts. Contact us for your next business lunch in Chicago and we will book your reservation for you in any of our restaurants in Chicago and the Suburbs.

Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants are a Planner Preferred Vendor on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s group planning and event planning resource.