Are you looking for a great way to entertain, for your next group outing, or to just enjoy a concert?

Call 1-866-VIP-TIXX or email chicagovip@livenation.com today for pricing and locations on your package. Please mention HeresChicago.com for your special incentive!

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL

The First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre located in Tinley Park, IL is gearing up for a great 2009 summer concert season. VIP Sky Suites are now available for your next group outing!

Sky Suites can accommodate 18, 22, or 45 seats – we have the package for you!

Come see your favorite concert this summer with VIP tickets:

VIP tickets to your favorite show
Your own private sky suite
Access to our on site VIP Club
Wait staff service to your suite during the show
VIP Parking!

Call 1-866-VIP-TIXX or email chicagovip@livenation.com today for pricing and locations on your package. Please mention HeresChicago.com for your special incentive!

Here is a list of shows currently announced, with more to come soon!

George Strait with Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough – Saturday, May 23rd
New Kids on the Block with Jabbawockeez- Friday, June 26th
Rock the Bells – Saturday, June 27th
The Fray with Jacks Mannequin - Sunday, June 28th
No Doubt with Paramore – Saturday, July 11th
Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sunday, July 12th
Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick – Friday, July 17th
Cruefest 2 featuring Motley Crue & Godsmack with Theory of a Deadman / Drowing Pool and introducing Charm City Devils – Wednesday, July 22nd
Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne – Friday, August 7th
Nickelback with Hinder, Papa Roach and Saving Abel – Friday, August 21st
Aerosmith with ZZ Top – Friday, August 28th
Creed – Sunday, August 30th
Toby Keith with Trace Adkins – Saturday, September 19th
Dave Matthews Band with Willie Nelson & Family – Saturday, September 26th

Call 1-866-VIP-TIXX or email chicagovip@livenation.com today for pricing and locations on your package. Please mention HeresChicago.com for your special incentive!

What does it take to build a bike with the members of your team?  If you’re participating in the Chicago Charity Bike Event, it will require teamwork, effective communication, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get involved.

The Chicago Charity Bike Event combines physical and mental team challenges with the construction of a working bicycle.  No previous bike-building experience is needed and everyone will find the Chicago Charity Bike Event to be fun, engaging, and memorable.

Groups create team names, compete to earn bicycle parts, negotiate for remaining parts, and present marketing campaigns to promote their bikes.  Your team’s tools include collaboration, communication, planning, resource allocation, creativity, a wrench, a screwdriver… and a lot of heart. 

But the program doesn’t end there.  At the end of the event, all bicycles are donated to underserved children within your community – or the charity of your choice in the Chicagoland area.  When possible, we bring the children to the program and the donation becomes personal.  This is truly a moment they will never forget.  Have you ever seen a child’s face light up as they receive their first bike?  With the Chicago Charity Bike Event, you won’t have to imagine…and there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

Program length and complexity will be tailored to fit your specific timeline. We’ll bring everything needed to build the bikes…you bring the tissues.  The Chicago Charity Bike Event allows you to build teamwork as you build bikes.  If you remember you’re first or favorite, bicycle… then you’ll understand why this program is so impactful.

Chicago Charity Bike Event Logistics:

Foundation and Briefing:  Each team will receive all the materials needed for the Chicago Charity Bike Event:  equipment for 1-2 bikes, tools, helmets, bike locks, marketing materials and decorations.  Teams would be stationed at different team tables.  The team will receive an overview of the Children’s Partner Organization along with the key objectives for the event.   

Chicago Charity Bike Building Session:  Teams will have approximately 2 hours to build the bikes, solve the team challenges, and create a marketing plan.  At the end of this time, each team will have the opportunity to conduct a short marketing presentation about their bike company!

Managing the Results:   Once teams have completed their marketing presentation, they will think that the event is over.  This is where the element of surprise takes place as participants and kids are brought together.  Participants are taken by surprise and are extremely moved by the spontaneity of the moment and witnessing the pure joy in the eyes of each child.  The participants will be able to spend some time with the kids to share their stories, take pictures and experience this memorable time together. 

Contact Corporate Teams for your next Chicago Bike Building Charity Event.

Chicago Watercraft small boat custom cruises for northerly island concerts, bachelorette parties, corporate events, unique client outings, and more.  10 - 12 people on your own boat on Lake Michigan!

Enjoy a Northerly Island concert and hear a great show surrounded by all your conveniences of your CW party boat! It’s like Ravinia on the water. Why spend $100+ on tickets, parking, drinks? Listen to Your favorite music on the lake with spectacular views. Charter a CW party boat/yacht; use our caterer or BYO food and beverage. Spilt costs!

Visit Chicago Watercraft and ask for Captain Vernon Patrick.  Tell em Hereschicago.com sent you!

Visit Hereschicago.com for a complete list of Chicago’s best Wrigley rooftops for your next company outing, friends get together, bachelorette party, or corporate event. Wrigley rooftops are one of the best networking venues in Chicago. It’s truly a unique and cost effective way to bring friends or clients together for one of Chicago’s most memorable corporate activities during the summer.

Prior to or after the game, book your group space at Cubby Bear or Vine’s on Clark. Both Wrigleyville venues are across the street from Wrigley Field and have group space for small and large groups!

Wrigley Rooftops Video produced by

Cooking is an Art. We Make It a Party.

A unique culinary combination of a hands-on cooking experience and a pampered dinner party, Bespoke Cuisine’s Cooking Parties are a big hit with epicureans and beginners alike.

Chefs from the Bespoke team lead groups through preparing a four-course meal. After the lesson, participants retreat to the loft-like dining room and enjoy being served the meal they created.

All through the lesson and meal, the team imparts tips, facts, and guidance about the food, methods and preparations used. It’s a fantastic opportunity to ask the experts and to learn the tricks of the trade.

Parties are held at Bespoke Cuisine’s location on Restaurant Row where clients have the opportunity to learn in a working commercial kitchen and then retire to the gracious dining room. In warm weather, our doors open onto Randolph Street for a wonderful city dining experience.
 
PRIVATE COOKING PARTIES in Chicago with Bespoke Cuisine - Our signature cooking parties are private social or corporate events, and are popular for for:

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

Cooking Party Menus: Click here for our Cooking Party Information & Menus. To have this information emailed or faxed to you, or to discuss a customized menu, please contact us.

Minimum/Maximum # of Guests: Minimum: 15 persons (20pp in December); Maximum: 35-40 persons depending on menu.

Pricing: $100 per person - includes professional hands-on instruction, 4-course meal, recipe packet, mini spice box, and soft drinks. Pricing for customized menus, including those with a competition component, will be slightly higher. Does not include food tax or gratuities.

Alcoholic Beverages: Bespoke Cuisine is BYOB. We would be happy to suggest wines, beers or other drinks to accompany your menu. Binnys and Kafka Wine Co. are two vendors who will deliver your order to Bespoke for a $10 fee so we can pre-chill your selections and have your beverages set up when you and your guests arrive. Kafka offers 15% off your entire order when you mention Bespoke!

Take aways: Each person leaves with a menu/recipe packet and a customized tin spice box.

Attire: We suggest wearing comfortable clothing and shoes. Aprons are provided to wear during the event.

Dates/Times: Cooking Parties are about 3-1/2 hours long and are held anytime in the afternoon or evening. Most parties start at 6:30pm and end at 10:00pm.

Other Services/Options:

“iron chef”-style competition
wine pairings or an accompanying professional wine tasting
take-home apron (can include personalization with notice)
customized menus

For more information and to contact Bespoke Cuisine for your next Chicago corporate team-building events, Chicago birthday parties & anniversaries, Chicago girls’ night out, Chicago showers and bachelorette parties, Chicago rehearsal dinners, Chicago group dinner parties

Visit our Bespoke Cuisine details page on Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s group event planners resoure directory.

Shedd Aquarium is pleased to announce the exciting details about the reimagined Oceanarium, its new exhibits and experiences. A rushing river pours into a pristine estuary where marine and freshwater fishes meet. A greatly enlarged sea lion habitat features new staging areas and trainer platforms. An otter trail weaves along the coast. Powerful birds of prey take wing. Small groups of guests—guided by trainers—can wade into the water and make connections with beluga whales. An unforgettable theater experience will unfold on the Oceanarium stage.

For Chicago sightseeing and group tours, visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s resource for group tour planners and meeting and event planners.

HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® 2009 Event Series Announced
Mid-America and West Shows Add Event Technology Expo™

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) announces the dates of its 2009 Affordable Meetings® Conference & Expositions, a trio of highly-acclaimed events that attracts more than 3,500 motivated planners from all sectors who attend looking for quality resources and education to enhance their meetings and events.

Due to the overwhelming response from attendees and exhibitors at the debut Event Technology Expo™ (ETE) at the 2008 Affordable Meetings National, ETE will return in 2009, and will be expanded to include an ETE component on the show floor and educational sessions at all three shows. HSMAI’s Event Technology Expo addresses all aspects of technology as it relates to tradeshows, meetings, and special events. Also, HSMAI’s Hotel Sales Strategy conference is being held March 31, 2009, in conjunction with Affordable Meetings Mid-America.

The 2009 HSMAI Affordable Meetings series schedule is as follows:

Affordable Meetings® Mid-America
April 1 — 2, 2009
Navy Pier
Chicago, Ill.

Affordable Meetings® West
June 10 — 11, 2009
San Jose McEnery Convention Center
San Jose, Calif.

Affordable Meetings® National and Event Technology Expo (ETE)
September 9 — 10, 2009
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.

“In today’s economic climate, planners are seeking affordable options that still offer great value for their meetings,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “The 2009 series will offer a diverse selection of vendors and a strong educational component to help planners stay in tune with the changes in the industry while meeting their goals and staying within tightened budget guidelines.”

For exhibitors, HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings offers the opportunity to connect with an exclusive group of planners. More than 56% of Affordable Meetings planners do not attend any other trade show.

Margarita G. Muselli of InterContinental Hotels Group, Latin America, a new division created exclusively for Latin America, attended Affordable Meetings Mid-America with a blank database in 2008. “My mission was to find new clients with potential for Latin America. At the show, we were able to zero in on prospective clients, leaving with a solid list of contacts for immediate follow-up after the show.”

Planners note that in addition to finding quality resources to enhance their meetings and events, value comes out of the broad range of educational sessions offered at each conference. 2008 sessions focused on green options and new techniques to incorporate technology into meetings.

Attendees represent meeting and event planners from a variety of organizations, with a majority representing corporate, association and independent sectors, and the balance from government, non-profit, education, religious and medical/healthcare organizations, trade show management and the military. Attendance at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings is free-of-charge for qualified meeting planners.

Attendee information for HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings is available by calling 1-866-470-6605, emailing affordablemeetings@jspargo.com, or visiting www.affordablemeetings.com.

For exhibitors interested in booth space, please contact Craig Baker, account manager, exhibition sales, J. Spargo & Associates, (703)679-3942 e-mail: amexhibits@jspargo.com, or visit www.affordablemeetings.com.

For more information on the HSMAI Hotel Sales Strategy Conference, visit www.hdosm.org.

About HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings® |
HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings offers attendees the opportunity to meet and do business with exhibiting companies during a unique exposition that showcases venues, products and services to help produce various types of meetings and events. Year-after-year, the highly-acclaimed trade exposition is a main attraction for attendees looking to meet and network with knowledgeable suppliers who are determined to help produce valuable meetings and assist with purchasing decisions. Exhibitors represent hotels and resorts, university conference centers, unique meeting sites, convention and visitor bureaus, transportation companies, trade publications, software and audio/visual businesses, and other meeting and convention suppliers. HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region and managed by J. Spargo & Associates. Visit www.affordablemeetings.com or email affordablemeetings@jspargo.com for more information.

About HSMAI |
HSMAI is the hospitality industry source for knowledge, community, and recognition for leaders committed to professional development, sales growth, revenue optimization, marketing, and branding. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at annual events, including HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings®. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, Va. 22102; (703)506-3280; fax (703) 506-3266, or visit the website at www.hsmai.org.

Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s meetings and events resource directory for meeting and event planners is a marketing partner of HSMAI Affordable Meetings Chicago.

Contact Chicago Indoor Racing if you are seeking great suburban meeting space, fun Chicago Corporate Activities, Buffalo Grove Meeting Venues, North West suburban conference space or a West suburban meeting venue for your next conference or Chicago suburban sales meeting, fun things to do in Chicagoland, or Chicago team building.

Each event at Chicago Indoor Racing is customized by one of their group coordinators. They will assist you in all the finer details of your event and can help you achieve all of your goals, no matter how simple or complicated. Chicago Indoor Racing Buffalo Grove or Chicago Indoor Racing Addison can work with groups of six to groups of 600 or more. Chicago Indoor Racing’s group event space features the latest in Audio Visual capabilities, including complimentary LCD projectors with pull down screens, as well as flip charts.

Chicago Indoor Racing in Addison | NOW OPENED!

Our new 105,000 square foot location in Addison features two new tracks and a variety of state of the art meeting spaces & entertainment concepts, including CyberSport. Groups events can be booked by calling Alisa Peters at Chicago Indoor Racing; individual walk-ins and same day reservations are happily accepted. Corporate and Group Events.

Five Meeting Rooms featuring the latest in Audio Visual Technology and wireless Internet access.

(The entire facility is a “hot-spot”)

Stewart’s Bar and Grille, a full service Restaurant and Bar, features a large array of cuisine sure to delight any palate! After the Race each location features a full service restaurant with a variety of dining options for individuals and groups of all sizes. They also feature a multitude of alternative entertainment that can be enjoyed before and after racing or dining.

Click here to email or call Alisa Peters at Chicago Indoor Racing for either location (Buffalo Grove or Addison) and tell her Hereschicago.com sent you!