Chicago’s alternative to conventions, meetings and conferences, The Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Il – Recently renovated in 2010

Conveniently located 30 minutes west of Chicago, near O’hare airport and 10,000 hotel rooms!

Building Specifications

15 acre site
Capacity 2000 Cars
130,000 square foot facility
Direct drive access to exhibit
floor from parking facility
212′ clear span building
Concrete floors – 400 psi
Ceiling clearance:
North & South Halls:
- 26′ lowest point
- 50′ highest point
Insulated Pitched Roof Mezzanine:
- 18′ lowest point
- 40′ highest point
Heated and air-conditioned
Telephone, ISDN, gas, water and compressed air

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Freight Access

Two drive-in, overhead doors
- North Hall – 10′ wide x 14′ high
- South Hall – 14′ wide x 14′ high
18 additional 6′ wide doors
2 additional 8′ wide doors
Elevator 8′ x 5′

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Food and Beverage

Catered Meals
Cocktail Lounge
Concessions

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Electrical Services 

In-House electrician
120 volt, single phase,
60 cycle
208 volt, single phase,
60 cycle
208 volt, three phase,
four wire, 60 cycle
480 volt, three phase,
four wire, 60 cycle
Total amps available 3,000 plus;
3 phase

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Lifts

2 fork lifts, 5,000 lb. capacity ~ 13′ high
Scissors lift, 400 lb. capacity ~ 30′ high
Aerial lift, 800 lb. capacity, ~ 46′ high

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Exhibit Space / Meeting Rooms

Over 85,000 square feet with minimum pillars
South Hall – 22,000 sq. ft.
North Hall – 22,000 sq. ft.
Upper Mezzanine – 14,000 sq. ft.
Banquet Hall – 9,000 sq. ft.
Lower Mezzanine – 6,000 sq. ft.
Other Areas – 12,000 sq. ft.
Can accommodate 600; 8′ x 8′ booths
All exhibit services and equipment available “in house”, including piping, draping, tables, chairs, staging, carpeting, electric
Audio/Visual equipment
Telephones, floral pieces, hostesses
A variety of meeting space is available accommodating from 10 to 5,500 people
9,000 square feet Banquet Hall that breaks out into 4 meeting rooms, approximately 1,800 sq. ft.

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Additional Areas in Facility

North Conference Room
Lounge
Promoter’s Office
Box Office
Security Office
First Aid Room
Referee Room
Pro Shop

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In House Convention Services

Pipe & Drape
Tables
Staging (16′ – 7′)
Audio Visual
Compressed air
Floral
Water
Chairs
Carpet
Signs
Telephone
Sport Court
Right to work facility, security, ushers, stagehands, and other labor can be made available through the ODEUM as requested.

Click here for more information or to contact Brad or Jamie at the Odeum Expo Center for your next business meeting, conference, sporting event, wedding or convention

CHICAGO – Tasty Catering, 2010 Best Place to Work in Illinois, is proud to announce it has been recognized as one of twenty winners of the 2010 Top Small Company Workplaces competition as a best small place to work in the country by Inc. magazine and Winning Workplaces. Tasty Catering is in good company with companies ranging from the NY Jets to PortionPac Chemical Corporation in IL.

Winning Workplaces, the Evanston, IL-based nonprofit organization, has recognized firms that attribute much of their business success to their commitment to exemplary people practices and outstanding workplace cultures. The common characteristics of the Top Small Company Workplaces include a commitment to aligning their workforce with a clear vision, mission, and values; communicating with openness and trust; and investing in employees’ continuous learning and development.

“This year’s winners show that the quality of the workplace can be a competitive advantage. I’m amazed at how well they have come through the recession. Clearly, their commitment to their values and people practices are an important part of this success,” said Gaye van den Hombergh, President of Winning Workplaces.

“Tasty Catering business results are clear and directly related to the fact that we invest in the success of our people,” said Tom Walter, CEO and founding partner, Tasty Catering.  “A winning workplace is better for people; better for business; better for society.”
 
About Tasty Catering

Tasty Catering, a suburban-Chicago based corporate catering and event planning services company, has been exceeding the catering needs of Chicago area corporations and organizations for more than 20 years. Known for its commitment to excellence and attention to detail, Tasty Catering is built upon the single premise of providing its customers with exceptional service and quality. Tasty Catering customers include Cushman & Wakefield, Hamilton Partners, Sherman Hospital, University of Chicago, Comcast, RSM McGladrey, Cummins-Allison and Harris Bank. 

Tasty Catering, 2010 Achievement in Catering Excellence (ACE) award winner, 2009 Better Business Bureau Torch Award Winner for Marketplace Ethics and 2008 Caterer of the Year, is the “go-to” caterer for Chicago business. Tasty Catering is WINNER! 2010 NICE Awards — Best Catered Event Off Premise under $10,000, Best Catered Event Off Premise over $25,000, Best Picnic, Most Creative Planned Menu, Best fundraiser/Non-Profit Event and Best NICE Team Event. The company has also been named Best Place to Work in Illinois for three consecutive years (2010, 2009 & 2008), is a 2009 Best and Brightest Winning Company, 2008 DePaul University Entrepreneurial Quest Award Winner and is listed on the Inc. 5,000 food and beverage category as one of the fastest growing companies in the Midwest for 2008 and 2009.

Click here for more information or to contact Tasty Catering for your upcoming corporate event

Classic Chicago Party Rental is the Midwest’s largest event rental company and among the largest in the country. Our 35 plus years of experience combined with our wide selection of event and food service equipment along with our extensive inventory of tents and clearspan structures can accommodate all types of events.

Classic Party Rentals has many target markets which include corporate functions, weddings, outdoor celebrations, catered affairs, fundraising galas, home entertaining and large scale national events.

We provide:

Classic Tents
Unique Tabletop Rentals
Prime Event Group
Designer & Lounge Furniture
Chameleon Chairs

Click here for more information or to contact Valerie Braun of Classic Party Rentals.  Please mention hereschicago.com when contacting me.

Hospitality One has specialized in providing quality staff for the hospitality industry since 2003. We have been delivering superior and professional staff to over 9,000 events ranging from 5 to 6,000 attendees in the greater Chicago land area, to locations as diverse as street festivals and museum campuses to corporate offices and private homes. Hospitality One has had the privilege of serving with some of Chicago’s premier hotels, catering companies, event planning services, and private clients.

Hospitality One provides staffing services in the food service end of the hospitality industry, some of the positions H1 provides staff for are:

• Greeters, Hosts/Hostesses
• Function Directors
• Servers
• Bartenders
• Culinary Staff
• Event Attendants
• Steward/Utility Staff

Click here for more information or to contact Christine Ronan of Hospitality one Event Staffing Services. Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting me

Peace of Mind Tips

What will you need on stage?

1. Stage mobility needs – Do you plan to stay near your computer or walk around? If you are mobile, you may want to talk to your Event Technology Specialist about adding a wireless mouse to advance your slides, or a wireless microphone, if you don’t already have one.

2. Sound needs – Do you have any audio/sound on your presentation? If so, see your Event Technology pecialist about adding the necessary equipment so everyone can hear.

3. Audience interaction needs – Do you plan to ask questions & include the audience in your presentation? You may want to verify that there are aisle microphones or hand held microphones, if needed.

4. Use Confidence Monitors for assistance with details – Remember that Confidence Monitors can assist presenters with detailed content. If you don’t want to use a confidence monitor, use your laptop as your monitor—avoid looking at the overhead screen. Stay focused on the audience and avoid talking to the screen.

5. Time keeping needs – Are you on a tight schedule? You may consider adding a speaker timer to keep track of time.

6. Clothing choice – Wear a light blue (not white) shirt if you know you’re being video recorded. If you know that
IMAG will be in use for your presentation, try to avoid wearing a striped shirts (or wear a jacket over the striped shirt). This will help avoid the pattern effect or interference caused by the stripes.

PowerPoint Preparation Tips

1. Make a shortcut of your presentation – place the shortcut on your desktop to prevent searching for your file.

2. Create a conclusion slide – so that your presentation does not revert to your desktop when you advance past your final slide.

3. Use readable backgrounds – Dark backgrounds are better than black on white; a yellow background and black lettering is considered the most readable.

4. Consider readability on LCD projectors – What looks good on your screen may not look good on LCD projectors—be prepared to adjust the color. Also, keep in mind that 10% of audience members have difficulty with reds and greens.

For more information or to contact Nick Madsen of PSAV Presentation Services, visit their listing on Hereschicago.com

Scavenger Hunts In Chicago (SHIC) is Chicago’s largest provider of exciting and creative “Mission Impossible” Scavenger Hunts and Great “Amazing Races” taking place at locations throughout the city and suburbs. SHIC creates, organizes and leads your event as teams collaborate to solve clues used to reach fun and unique destinations. At each destination, groups are required to complete missions, take hilarious pictures and collect unique items. One facilitator is provided per team. With a facilitator assigned to keep people focused and answer questions, SHIC is able to create a significantly more sophisticated and challenging event.

The event concludes at a destination of your choice – a meeting, cocktail reception, dinner or a Cubs game!

c: Murrel Karsh – Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting me

Chicago’s Featured Planner Preferred Bus Charter Transportation Companies – Bus Charters, Trolley Rentals, Ground Transportation Coordination/Services, Limousine/Sedans

Chicago Bus Charter Services/Rentals/Companies

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company – Chicago’s Planner Preferred charter bus rental company. We provide transportation for Chicago’s corporate groups, company parties, shuttle service to conventions, city tours for new hires & visitors, group specialty tours, golf outings, one day tours, bachelor/bachelorette parties, convention shuttles, proms, graduations, tradeshows, senior outings, weddings, sporting events and team building outings.

Coach USA Chicago

Coach USA Chicago is Chicago’s Premier Motor Coach and Bus Company providing Airport Transfers, Charter, City Packages, Convention/Meeting Services, Custom Group Tours, Incentive Tours, Meet & Greet, Mini Bus, Motorcoach, Multi-Lingual Guides, Multi-Lingual Tours, Receptive Services, Sightseeing, Groups, Step On Guides, Transit, Van Rentals and gound transportation services in Chicago and the Chicago Suburbs.

Riteway Bus Service

Riteway’s Charter Bus division offers Chicago charter bus rentals for all of Illinois. Riteway works with a wide variety of groups within the Chicago area to accommodate your Chicago charter bus rental needs. Groups include but are not limited to: universities, K-12 school groups, church organizations, corporate functions and conventions in the greater Chicagoland area. Riteway is your one stop Chicago charter bus provider for almost any city in Illinois. Some of the cities that we service are: Northern Illinois, Buffalo Grove, Waukegan, Gurnee, Lake forest, Skokie, Evanston, Highland Park, Schaumburg, Downers Grove, and Oak Brook, IL. Our Chicago charter bus associates can help you organize your charter bus rental no matter what the occasion or destination.

Colonial Coach Lines Chicago

Colonial Coach is one of the most established charter companies in Chicago, Illinois. Our modern fleet of over 80 motor coaches and transit buses can accommodate from 21 to 72 passengers. With over 100 years of charter management experience and the DOT’s highest safety rating, you will always feel safe traveling with Colonial Coach Lines.

Chicago Ground Transportation Staffing/Coordination Services

Ariel Airport Services Inc

Ariel Airport Services Inc. is a unique supplier of multilingual travel services at major U.S. airports and cities. We cater to the corporate and leisure group needs of Meeting and Event planners, Corporations and Destination Management Companies, Receptive Tour Operators & Travel Agents. Our experienced staff is in charge of every detail, none are too large or small. Your clients are guaranteed a stress free and pleasant trip from start to finish and you can have peace of mind. We understand the importance of high standards and quality of service, and our professionalism and attention to detail leave nothing to chance.

Chicagoland Transportation Solutions, Inc.

Chicagoland Transportation Solutions, Inc. is a full service ground transportation company. We offer charters, meet & greet services, small to city-wide shuttles, scheduled service, tour services, and group activities. Our customers enjoy the fact that we focus on a few core services and perfect them to excellence instead of trying to do everything average.

Chicago Limousines Services/Sedan Companies

Executive Chauffeuring Limousine and Sedan Service

Call Executive Chauffeuring for all your business and personal ground transportation needs, such as: Airport Transfers (O’Hare, Midway & Mitchell), Chicago Corporate Travel, Chicago Conventions, Chicago Weddings, Sporting Events, Concerts, or just a “Night on the Town”. We have a perfect vehicle for any occasion.

O’Hare-Midway Limousine Service®

O’Hare-Midway Limousine Service®, a unique, service oriented, dependable, professional transportation company serving the Chicagoland area and beyond. Specializing in a fleet of Limousines, Sedans and Deluxe Mini Coaches. We realize that our success is the result of customer satisfaction – satisfaction that must be renewed every day.

Related Services

Chicago Meeting Venues - Chicago Corporate Activities - Chicago Restaurants with Private Rooms – Chicago Sightseeing - Chicago Conference Centers – Chicago Meeting Services - Corporate Entertainment - Chicago Nightlife/Bars – Chicago Private Party Spaces

Visit our directory of Chicago’s directory of resources for Chicago Bus Charter,Chicago Bus Rentals,Transportation Services, Chicago Corporate Functions, Convention Shuttles, Trade Show Transportation, Senior Outings, Trips, Ski Trips, Golf Outings in Chicago, Chicagoland, Proms, School Groups, Bachelor/Bachelorette, Parties, Weddings, One Day Tours, Multi Day Tours, Sporting Events (Bears, Bulls, White Sox, Cubs) to Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago Stadium, United Center, AllState Arena, Kane County Cougars, Schaumburg Flyers.

Photo booths and photo booth rentals are extremely popular additions to Chicago weddings, corporate events, client events, company party, friends gatherings, family and high school reunions, charity events, anniversary parties, school dances, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet 16’s and private parties. Photo booths are the perfect way to capture all of the fun and excitement of your event and a great way to give your guests unique and memorable keepsakes.

Here are Chicago’s Top 3 Planner Prefered Photo Booth Rental Companies

Shutterbox Photo Booth Rentals

ShutterBox is a Chicago-based company, providing professional photo booth rentals for special events. A twist on an old-time favorite, our modernized photobooths accomodate 2-10 guests and print photostrips instantly.

c: Jen McCarty – Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting me

Photo Booth Express Photo Booth Rentals

Photo Booth Express photo booths are extremely popular additions to Chicago weddings, corporate events, charity events, anniversary parties, school dances, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet 16’s, promotional events, holiday parties and private parties.

Our photo booths will provide you and your guests with hours of fun filled entertainment. At the end of your event your guests will rave about how much fun they had in the photo booth. In addition to the entertainment value a photo booth is the perfect way to capture all of the fun of your event and give your guests unique and memorable keepsakes.

Call us today at to find out how a photo booth can help make your event exciting and memorable.

c: Mike Dodson – Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting me

 ShutterBooth Chicago Photo Booth Rentals

ShutterBooths are designed to blend in and compliment your event while adding another level of entertainment for your guests. Our booths can accommodate groups of 1-10 and our personalized photos print out instantly, providing an excellent keepsake for your guests. We know that each event is unique and we offer our clients a customized experience.

ShutterBooth is locally owned and operated – contact us to discuss how we can customize a booth for your event!

c: Cheryl Bayma – Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting me

Chicago Event Production Services

To round out your event, Chicago Event Production Suppliers offers complete production services to keep your audience engaged and to make your event memorable. As part of Chicago’s Planner Preferred production services, they offer the following production services in Chicago:

Develop concepts and ideas
Write scripts and speeches
Handle staging and room decor
Coordinate lighting, sound, video projection, and technical support
Design and execute speaker support slides, multi-image productions, film, and videotape
Coordinate live business theater incorporating performers, music, original lyrics, choreography, and special staging and effects
Speech coaching, media training, and progressive learning programs
Provide access to effective and economical teleconferencing and distribution systems

Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Directory of all Chicago Event Production Companies

 

The Best Chicago Destination Management Companies can provide the following meeting and event services:

Event planning
Site selection
Contract negotiation
Activities
Dine arounds
On-site staffing
Program logistics
Special events
Nationally recognized entertainment
Decor
Cutting edge audio visual
Integrated marketing
Tours
Transportation
Meet and greets
VIP services
Custom concierge
Amenities & gifts

Here’s a quick list of Chicago’s top Planner Preferred Destination Management Companies:

Bucom International 308 West Erie Street, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60654

BUCOM International brings years of knowledge and experience both domestically and internationally to service your planning needs.  We have researched, developed and executied meetings and incentive programs ranging from 20 people to 6,500 people.

Total Event Resources 1920 North Thoreau Drive
Schaumburg, IL 60173

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.

Masterplan 1601 W. 55th St.
La Grange Highlands, IL 60525
 
Established full-service DMC since 1991 with specialization in event management. As the preferred DMC of Chicago’s top hotels, Masterplan also provides transportation, customized tours/activities, and professional airport and registration staff. Our experienced team of meeting and event planners will ensure that you and your attendees are provided with outstanding service for all of your destination management needs.

In the Loop-Chicago 900 North Franklin St., Suite 403
Chicago, IL 60610

Chicagoland Transportation Solutions 2500 West Higgins Road, Suite 935
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

Chicagoland Transportation Solutions, Inc. is a full service ground transportation company. We offer charters, meet & greet services, small to city-wide shuttles, scheduled service, tour services, and group activities. Our customers enjoy the fact that we focus on a few core services and perfect them to excellence instead of trying to do everything average.

Ivan Carlson & Associates 2224 West Fulton St.
Chicago, IL 60612

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.

Otis Productions 4878 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60640
 
For over a decade, Otis Productions has designed custom events for organizations large and small. We combine professionalism, creativity, and supplier negotiation expertise to make your next event a success.

More Chicago Destination Management Companies…

Chicago Is
151 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1104
Chicago, IL 60601
 
Chicago Meetings & More
5118 North Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
 
CTC
2000 North Racine Ave., Suite 3800
Chicago, IL 60614
 
Eved Services
4811 West Oakton St., Suite 250
Skokie, IL 60077
 
Event Architects
311 West Walton St.
Chicago, IL 60610
 
GMS Global Management Services Inc.
360 North Michigan Ave., Suite 1001
Chicago, IL 60601
 
Masterplan Inc.
1601 West 55th St.
La Grange Highlands , IL 60525
 
On The Scene Destination and Event Management
500 North Dearborn St., Suite 550
Chicago, IL 60610

Revel Global Events
111 East Wacker Drive, Suite 2600
Chicago, IL 60601 

Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Destination Management Resource Guide for Chicago meetings and event planners seeking only the absolute best in Chicago.