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

——————————————————————————–

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′

——————————————————————————–

Food and Beverage

Catered Meals
Cocktail Lounge
Concessions

——————————————————————————–

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

——————————————————————————–

Lifts

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

——————————————————————————–

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.

——————————————————————————–

Additional Areas in Facility

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

——————————————————————————–

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

Packages available on events booked prior to August 31, 2010.

Package includes general admission, welcome table with maps upon arrival, and private outdoor seating area alongside the breathtaking Jackson Park Lagoon.

Picnic buffet served from 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Quarter Pound Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers
Chicago Style All-Beef Hot Dogs or Polish Sausage with all the Trimmings
Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts

Old Fashioned Potato Salad
Vegetable Pasta Salad
Fresh Watermelon Slices
Assorted Cookies and Lemon Bars
Iced Tea, Lemonade and Water

Adults (12 & older): $45.00 per person
Children (under 12): $35.00 per person

Pricing does not include sales tax and 20% service charge.

Minimum 100 people.

Click here for more information on picnics at the Museum of Science and Industry – Mention Hereschicago.com

EVANSTON, Ill. – Hotel Orrington, located on Chicago’s North Shore, will become the Hilton Orrington on May 4, 2010.

The nine-story 269 room hotel at 1710 Orrington Ave., Evanston, Ill., first opened its doors in 1923.  Totally renovated and reopened in 2005, Hotel Orrington continues to be the premier locale for upscale parties, bar and bat mitzvahs and glamorous weddings. The hotel also offers meeting planners an IACCC-approved 12,000 square foot Conference Center for meetings from 10 to 300.  Dining options at Hotel Orrington include The Globe Café, Futami Restaurant and Indigo lounge.

“The Hilton name will bring additional traffic to the hotel and increase awareness of this great property,” said general manager Russ Abell, who will continue as general manager of the property.
Abell said staffing will remain the same with Randy Pluta handling sales and marketing and Glenn Griffith overseeing catering.

“Our meeting and event planners and guests will receive the same outstanding service from our experienced team of hospitality professionals,” Abel said.

Located in the heart of Evanston, Ill., Hotel Orrington is within walking distance of 186 specialty shops, 72 restaurants, the Northwestern University campus, and beautiful Lake Michigan, and is just 30 minutes from O’Hare International Airport.  Hotel Orrington is managed by Magna Hospitality.

Click here for more information or to contact the Hilton Orrington Hotel for your upcoming meeting, conference or event Please mention Hereschicago.com when contacting us!

Vertigo Sky Lounge at the Dana Hotel & Spa in Chicago – Contact Sandi Robinson (312) 202-6001

Visit Hereschicago.com event planner resource directory for more unique Chicago event spaces

It’s opening week for the Cubs season and we invite you all to Brixen Ivy rooftop for networking and to watch the game on Friday April 16th! 

It’s all inclusive! Enjoy a food and drinks and watch the Cubs game on Brixen Ivy Rooftop all while networking with colleagues and friends.

When: Friday April 16th, 2010

Where: Brixen Ivy Rooftop, 1044 Waveland Avenue

Game: Cubs Vs. Houston

Game time: 1:20 pm

Click here to view details or to register

Il Mulino Chicago
1150 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL

With its Chicago presence, the restaurant serves that famous food in the sumptuous Second Empire style Biggs Mansion.

The Small Private Dining Room:
Located on the second floor of the Mansion with four east-facing windows offering tree-top views of our 100 year old elm trees, this room offers seating for up to 30 Guests for a sit down event, or cocktail space for up to 50. It is especially popular for corporate board meetings, but the carved marble fireplace, crystal chandelier and ornate mahogany wainscoting make it perfect for lavish social events as well.

The Large Private Dining Room:
Also located on the second floor of the Mansion, the large private dining room boasts two working marble fireplaces, three crystal chandeliers and five foot tall mahogany wainscoting. Windows offering views both east and south make this the perfect space for a daytime office meeting or bridal shower. As many as 70 guests can sit down for lunch or dinner in this lovely room, 100 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. There is also a petite bar adjacent to this room with crystal sconces and a beautiful silk Italian tapestry.

The Outdoor Patio:
The front yard of our property, built by renowned Chicago architect Edward Burling in 1874, is home to one of Chicago’s most serene outdoor gardens. Wrapped in a period appropriate black wrought iron fence and home to flower boxes over-flowing with ivy, Guests enjoying our outdoor space feel as if they’ve stepped back in time. Depending on the season, we can serve pre-event cocktails and hors d’oeuvres outside beneath the twinkling Italian lights, or you may entertain a group as large as 50 for a sit-down dinner in your own “secret garden.”

The Entire Facility:
For a truly “over the top” event, the entire Il Mulino Chicago Mansion can be rented out. In addition to second floor rooms described above, the first floor offers three working fireplaces original to the home, as well as a large bar and three dining rooms outfitted with bookcases and five gorgeous vintage chandeliers. The entry hall is dominated by a grand, two-story carved staircase topped with a magnificent 18 branch chandelier. Due to the popularity of our restaurant dining rooms, restrictions and minimums for buyouts do apply.

For more information, details or to contact Nicole Boston of Il Mulino Chicago, click here to visit our listing and mention Hereschicago.com

For a complete list of all of Chicago’s best private party spaces, visit Hereschicago.com

Brookfield Zoo Announces new Chicago Event Space

This amazing 24,000 square foot, clear-span tent that was recently constructed at Brookfield Zoo by Classic Party Rental and will once again be available in the Spring of 2010 for large customized events in conjunction with our beautifully landscaped 216 acre campus.  

Just 14 miles west of Chicago, close to three major expressways and complimentary parking for all guests at after hour events, Brookfield Zoo not only offers a most unique event experience, but also convenience and affordability that is sure to please your guests.
 
The tent will certainly be in high demand next spring, especially due to the fact that we also plan to open our Great Bear Wilderness exhibit at this time.  It is going to be a fascinating 7.7 acre habitat consisting of roaming Bison prairie, underwater Polar Bear viewing, and would be a most unique and memorable setting for cocktails before dinner!
 
For more information on customizing your event, please contact and mention “Here’s Chicago”:

Brookfield Zoo
Susan Schoen
708-688-8357
susan.schoen@czs.org
Watch our video!

Visit Our Web Page on Hereschicago.com

Brookfield Zoo’s beautifully landscaped, 216-acre campus is home to 3,000 amazing animals and offers unforgettable events. Guests can enjoy cuisines from around the world while exploring world-class exhibits such as Habitat Africa!, Seven Seas, and Tropic World. We offer corporate picnics, weddings, meetings, galas, birthday parties, and much more! 

Chicago’s Event Planning Guide

 

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.

Navy Pier® The only thing we overlook is the Lakefront.

Make your event or corporate meeting part of history at a Chicago Landmark.
 
Built in 1916 as part of Daniel Burnham’s famed Plan of Chicago, today Navy Pier boasts the ultimate in flexibility of space, state of the art facilities, and unparalleled amenities in a spectacular and truly unique lakefront setting.
 
Festival Hall Exhibition Space • 170,000 sq. ft. of functional space divisible into two halls
 
Thirty-six flexible Meeting Rooms
 
Historic Grand Ballroom • 18,000 sq. ft. with a spectacular lake view
 
Lakeview Terrace • 15,000 sq. ft. with beautiful lake and city views
 
Rooftop Terrace and Tent • 8,000 sq. ft. tent on outdoor space above Lakeview Terrace
 
Plus, distinctive catering, exceptional service, on-site enclosed parking for 1,600 vehicles, and dozens of restaurants, shops and attractions to complete your Navy Pier experience.

Contact our sales staff at Navy Pier