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

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.

Here’s Chicago’s Planner Preferred Full-Service Set Design and Staging Companies in Chicago including Event Production/Audiovisual Services (A/V), Set and Stage Designers/Construction, Full-Service Set Design and Staging Companies and Chicago’s best meeting and event planners.

The Meetinghouse Companies Inc.  Planner Preferred!
781 North Church Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126
630.941.0600

The Meetinghouse Companies is a full-service event design and production company with in-house capabilities including scenic decor, event technology, business theater, and floral design. Based in Chicago, the Meetinghouse Companies serve Fortune 1000 clients around the world. Combining innovative design and creative messaging with the utmost attention to detail, the Meetinghouse Companies produce fully integrated, cost-effective events that deliver exceptional results. Click here to view more details and contact information

Ivan Carlson & Associates Planner Preferred!
2224 West Fulton
Chicago, IL 60612
312.829.4616

Ivan Carlson & Associates specializes in scenic design, themed decor, stage sets and creative event design for corporate special events. We operate a 40,000 square foot facility on Chicago’s west side that is home to dynamic props, intriguing themed decor, unusual set pieces and an array of scenic design elements. ade shows and meetings. Click here to view more details and contact information

M&M, The Special Events Company Planner Preferred!
493 Mission Street
Carol Stream, IL 60188
630.871.9999

M&M is essentially an extension of your event team, providing: Tenting, Tables & Chairs, Linen, Table Settings, Décor, Floral and more! With more than 150,000 square feet of event equipment and over 150 event professionals, fleet drivers and installers, M&M works closely with you making your events a spectacular success! Click here to view more details and contact information

Absolute Production Services Planner Preferred!
9827 W. Farragut Street
Rosemont, IL 60018

Absolute Production Services is a full service event, meeting, seminar, and exhibit production company. Since our inception over 13 years ago, APS has established itself as a leader in the production industry. Our services range from a straightforward corporate meeting to a remote concert in the Blue Ridge Mountains with an attendance of 30,000 people and include the single largest simulcast in promotional marketing history, managing over 200 industry professionals simultaneously in 45 markets. Our success has been possible due to our relentless focus on the three cornerstones that define our company: Our People, Our Process, and Our Relationships. Click here to view more details and contact information

Total Event Resources Planner Preferred!
1920 Thoreau Drive
Suite 105
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847.397.2200

Under the leadership of President Kathy Miller, Total Event Resources has worked with Fortune 500 companies and associations nationwide in the management and production of their major events, trade shows and meetings. Known for our creativity, attention to detail, vast resources and commitment to success, we’ve built our business on staying at the forefront of innovation within the meetings and events industry. Click here to view more details and contact information

Below are some additional options for Full-Service Set Design/Staging Companies in Chicago including Event Production/Audiovisual Services, Set and Stage Design/Construction, Full-Service Set Design/Staging Companies for company meetings, corporate events, large outdoor events, in house hotel events, Chicago conference centers, Chicago convention centers and more.

Event Architects
311 West Walton St.
Chicago, IL 60610

Event Creative
311 West Walton St.
Chicago, IL 60610

Five-Star Audio Visual
550 North Commons Drive, Suite 101
Aurora, IL 60504

Freeman Company Chicago
5040 West Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60644

Kobotech Inc.
8 South Michigan Ave., Suite 810
Chicago, IL 60603

Plexus Productions LLC
821 Sivert Drive
Wood Dale, IL 60191
630.860.2948

Redline Event Services Inc.
4932 West Cullom Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641

Ronsley Special Events
1200 North North Branch St.
Chicago, IL 60622

SCS Productions
28 Congress Circle West
Roselle, IL 60172

Stage Right Inc.
13610 Boulton Blvd.
Mettawa, IL 60045

Stellar Productions Inc.
1201 Laura Lane
Lake Bluff, IL 60044

Williams/Gerard Productions
420 North Wabash, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60611

Visit Hereschicago.com for all of Chicago’s Planner Preferred Full-Service Set Design/Staging Companies in Chicago including Chicago’s Top Event Production/Audiovisual Services, best Set and Stage Design/Construction, Full-Service Set Design/Staging Companies for company meetings, corporate events, large outdoor events, in house hotel events, Chicago conference centers, Chicago convention centers and more.

Sarah Vargo: Top Nightlifer to watch by Chicago Magazine from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Jen Knoedl, Hereschicago.com video correspondent interviews Dennis McKinnon of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl Champions at “Helping out the Greater Chicago Food Depository!”

Helping out the Greater Chicago Food Depository! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Jen Knoedl, Hereschicago.com video correspondent at the “Crave Shopping Party with Here’s Chicago”

Crave Shopping Party with Here’s Chicago from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Jen Knoedl, Hereschicago.com video correspondent visits Planner Preferred Vendor of Hereschicago.com, “Tommy Gun’s Garage Roaring 20’s Dinner Theater.

Tommy Gun’s Garage from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Jen Knoedl, Hereschicago.com video correspondent visits the “Maven’s Diva Series w Le Dress!”

Maven’s Diva Series w Le Dress! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Jen Knoedl, Hereschicago.com video correspondent covers “”Fall Out” for Chicago’s Human Race at Soldier Field with Fall Out Boy Press Conference and Concert.

“Fall Out” for Chicago’s Human Race from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Jen Knoedl, Hereschicago.com video correspondent “Intro Video”

JenChicago Intro from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

Jen Knoedl, Hereschicago.com video correspondent “Sailing in Chicago”

Sailing in Chicago… oh yeah! from Jen Knoedl on Vimeo.

If you would like us to cover your next event, please call Jim Grillo, CMP for details (630) 916-8000 ext. 3 or send us an email