December 14th, 2006
The MPI Chicago Area Chapter (MPI CAC) holiday party at Scoozi was a huge success with an unbelievable turnout with just under 400 attendees. This party has become one of the largest parties in the Chicago area meetings industry. In attendance were MPI members from hotels, cvb’s, attractions, teambuilding companies, ground transportation companies, restaurants, tourist boards, meeting service providers, DMC’s, event planners, meeting venues and students. Members in attendance were also from Holiday Showcase which took place the day after the party.
As a member of MPI, Hereschicago.com was in attendance and brought a new member, Anthony George of Coach USA who networked with other members of MPI. Anthony is a veteran in the travel industry and enjoys working with planners to coordinate any ground event or shuttle in Chicago.
In addition, Hereschicago.com brought a student, Gabrielle Duda who seeking to break in to the industry. Gabrielle is currently taking her masters in Integrated Marketing Communication and is seeking a full time position in the meetings and events field. Let me go on record now and say that she is going to be one of the newest stars to enter our industry. In you are interested in this hidden gem for future employment, send Gabrielle an email. You will be glad you did!
Enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed taking them!
Photo 1: The Past Presidents of MPI CAC!
(L-R) Bill O’donnell of Source 4 Marketing, Tracy Stein of Hyland Group, Jim Grillo, CMP of Hereschicago.com, Katie Callahan-Giobbi of The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Photo 2: The MPI CAC Photographers!
(L-R) Tunwa Yee, Photographer of Edward Fox Photography and Jeff Brown, Photographer of All Event Photography. Both Tunwa and Jeff have taken photos for MPI CAC for many years and it was an absolute pleasure to finally get both of them in a photo!
Photo 3: The MPI CAC Photographers and Alisa!
Sorry Tunwa and Jeff, this photo looks a lot better now with Alisa Peters, CMP of Chicago Indoor Racing in the picture!
Photo 4: Rising Star is born!
(L-R) MPI CAC Past President, Jim Grillo, CMP of Hereschicago.com with Gabrielle Duda, student and future new member. She is a rock star and she is looking to find full time employment as an event planner after completing her master’s degree in the spring of 2007.
Photo 5: The Rock Star and The Rock Star!
(L-R) Gabrielle Duda, Student and Craig Raughton, MPI CAC President Elect with One Smooth Stone. Craig becomes the President of MPI CAC starting July 1, 2007 and is truly going to be one of the best MPI CAC has ever had! (next to Tracy Stein that is 
The Meetinghouse Companies supplied the decor which was fantastic! The giving tree, raffle and silent auction this year was phenominal. I can not say enough good things about the party this year. Out of all of my years attending the MPI Holiday party, this one was one of the best! Kudos to all of the volunteers of MPI for producing such a great event. The MPI Holiday Party committee should be commended on such a great event!
Hereschicago.com is Chicago’s Meetings and Special Events Directory featuring Planner Preferred Vendors and Video Site Tours.
December 11th, 2006
Chicago, IL (December 2006) – Busy Chicagoans need look no further than North Halsted Street for a cornucopia of holiday delights ranging from fantastic food to the gift of giving to those in need.
Food, Glorious Food!
Cornelia’s (750 W. Cornelia, 773-248-8333) Celebrate the “Eves,” both Christmas and New Year’s, with an elegant dinner at Cornelia’s. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Cornelia’s will be serving up assorted appetizers and salads along with Steak Oscar, an 8 ounce filet with crabmeat and hollandaise, Chicken Audrey, halibut, salmon, lobster or crab legs and desserts from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Cost is $45 per person on Christmas Eve and includes a free bottle of wine per couple, and $100 per person on New Year’s Eve and includes a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne per couple. Reservations are recommended.
The Hearty Boys (3819 N. Broadway, 773-244-9866) A traditional and delectable Christmas repast is as close as your oven when you stop by The Hearty Boys. Each item is cooked to perfection, packed into disposable containers and ready for reheating in the convenience of your home. Choices include Traditional Tenderloin of Beef Wellington with Wild Mushroom Duxelle and Foie Gras Paté, Salmon Wellington with Tarragon Leeks and Dijon Crème Fraiche, Cider Braised Loin of Pork stuffed with Figs and Apricot, Whole Honey Brined Turkey, Mashed Bourbon Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel, Mashed Potatoes with Leek and Thyme, Three Cheese Scalloped Potatoes, Eggnog Trifle, Traditional Pumpkin Pie, Cranberry Pear Tart or Flourless Chocolate Torte.
The Hearty Boys will take orders until 12 p.m., Thursday, December 21. They will be open for pick-ups on Saturday, December 23 until 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. A credit card confirms the order and other forms of payment are accepted at pickup time. Any orders not picked up will be charged to the credit card.
Horizon Café (3805 N. Broadway, 773-883-1565) celebrates the holiday season with special four-course entrées on Christmas Day. Diners can choose between the following: Southern Baked Virginia Ham with sliced, seasoned pineapple and whipped sweet potato mousse ($14.95); Roast Hand-Carved Turkey Breast with choice of brown or cream gravy, homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce ($14.95); or New York Strip Steak(12 oz.) with sautéed garlic spinach and creamy au gratin potatoes ($17.95). All entrées include soup, a tossed garden salad, vegetable and select dessert. Reservations are recommended.
Additionally, Horizon Café will have plenty of fresh homemade pies on hand including their Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie with Mom’s Praline Pecans ($8.95). To reserve a pie, contact the Café at (773) 883-1565. Pies must be picked up no later than 2 p.m.
Are you thankful for a certain special someone? Show your gratitude with a Horizon Café gift card, available in any denomination. Stop in the Café to purchase your gift card today!
Cool, Yule
Cold Stone Creamery (3510 N. Halsted St., 773-248-3510) features Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream during the month of December. Try it in a Mintnight Snack Shake (Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream with Oreos) or in a Dark Chocolate Peppermint Pleasure Cake (Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream with chocolate shavings, red velvet cake, ganache frosting and candy cane crumbing). Special promotions throughout December include Waffle Wednesday: free waffle cone with any “Love It or Gotta Have It” purchase from 5 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday; Family Night: free kid’s scoop (for children 12 and under) on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. with any “Love It or Gotta Have It” purchase. Additionally, every Saturday and Sunday evening, Cold Stone Creamery provides free shake, pie and ice cream cake tastings.
Celebrate the Season
Looking for a place to dance the night away? Look no further than Lucky Horseshoe Lounge (3169 N. Halsted St., 773-404-3169) . On Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, Lucky Horseshoe Lounge opens at 2 p.m., with live dancers at 3 p.m. On Christmas Day, the club opens at 6 p.m. with dancers beginning at 7 p.m. Holiday revelers looking to get a jump start on the new year can begin their celebration on Sunday, December 31 at 2 p.m. with dancers beginning at 3 p.m. Later that evening, the club will have a special New Year’s Eve celebration that includes party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. There is no cover charge.
Tan for the Holidays
Get a healthy glow at Halsted Street Beach Tanning (3741 N. Halsted St., 773-327-1005) where the month of December features specials on tanning packages, spray tanning, designer tanning lotions, shower gels and more!
The Gift of Giving
Lakeview Pantry (3831 N. Broadway, 773-525-7718) Lend a helping hand to your fellow Chicagoans with a holiday tribute gift from Lakeview Pantry. Tribute gifts include a card explaining how much food will be purchased on the recipient’s behalf and a brief description of Lakeview Pantry. The cards are wrapped together with a Lakeview Pantry tote bag, a perfect size for carrying groceries. Cards come in $10, $20, and $50 denominations. Each card has a “To:” and “From:” line so that they can be personalized. Holiday tribute gifts are available through January 2007.
Lakeview Pantry also accepts non-perishable food donations and hygiene items. Donations can be made during the business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but please call ahead at (773) 525-7718 to verify that someone is available. Regular monetary donations can be made on the Lakeview Pantry website through a secure server at www.lakeviewpantry.org.
The Northalsted Area Merchants Association (NAMA) represents 80 businesses along Chicago’s Halsted Street corridor. NAMA works diligently throughout the year to maintain the North Halsted business community as a friendly, exciting and diverse shopping and entertainment area. NAMA’s activities throughout the years have established it as an organization of prominence within the City of Chicago, the Lakeview community and the media.
For a list of restaurants, venues and meeting services, please visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Online Directory.
December 11th, 2006
Planning a week-end getaway? Well, there’s a new resource available to assist you. A new website, www.VisitHistoricIllinois.com, might be just the help you need. It features historic homes in Illinois and has 10 suggested tours to lead tourists from one interesting home to the next. The site is sponsored by a newly formed group, Historic Homes of Illinois. This coalition has been working together since February of 2006 to enhance tourism in northern and central Illinois. The group was the brainchild of Rolf Achilles, art historian, who is a professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the curator of the Smith Museum of Stained Glass at Navy Pier. The first meeting of the coalition was held in February 2006 at the Hegeler Carus Mansion in La Salle. At the first meeting, it was decided that participants would begin working together by sharing brochures with one another, and to plan on developing a website that would include all of the participating homes. Alan Langguth, owner of Homestead B&B in Plano, generously donated the web address to the group.
Since that first meeting, the group has enjoyed visiting other sites around the state for meetings. They have met at Ellwood House in DeKalb; the David Davis Mansion and Vrooman Mansion in Bloomington; the Lovejoy Homestead in Princeton; and the Zinser House and Doctor’s Office and Ruppman Home in Washington. Participants enjoy visiting each other’s sites as well as comparing policies and management challenges.
The purpose of the Historic Homes of Illinois Coalition is to encourage people to visit the interesting and varied historic homes within Illinois. The group includes museum/homes, B&B’s, and state owned sites. The Coalition determined that working together would benefit all by promoting tourism in Illinois. To that end, all the participating sites work together to send visitors to other historic homes. Suggested tours have also been developed to help visitors plan trips including as many homes as possible. Other historic homes are encouraged to join in the coalition so that visitors will be given even more choices to enhance their travel arrangements.
Plan a trip to one or more of these fabulous historic homes in Illinois by visiting the Historic Homes of Illinois website at www.VisitHistoricIllinois.com or visit the Heritage Corridor CVB.
The Heritage Corridor CVB is a Planner Preferred Vendor of Hereschicago.com, Chicago's online resource directory.
December 5th, 2006
Howl at the Moon Chicago…Chicago Nightlife at its finest!
It’s a singing, clapping, stomping, interactive dance on the piano rock-n-roll dueling piano show! It’s part piano bar, part sing-along with 2 baby grand pianos all centered around audience participation….located downtown Chicago at 26 West Hubbard Street.
Check out our Chicago dueling piano show Sunday-Thursday at 745pm, Fridays at 545pm and Saturdays at 645pm! Howl at the Moon Chicago specializes in corporate parties of 10-400 people with full service catering packages, customized company songs and the most unique experience your coworkers have ever had! If you can’t bring your party to use then let us bring the party to you! Call today to get information on “Piano Shows to go!” To plan your next event please contact April Wolcott at Howl at the Moon Chicago.
Howl at the Moon is a Planner Preferred Vendor of Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Meetings and Special Events Directory.
December 1st, 2006
George Soros, one of the most successful investors of all time, earned more money through his investments in one year ($650 million) than almost anyone else in history. Hey, no room for jealousy here! Let's find our what he did.
Most experts in finance will tell you that it is mathematically impossible to consistently beat the market averages, but Soros, in a revealing comment, suggests that he uses more than just mathematics, more than science, more than his considerable intellect.
Here's what impelled me to write on this topic. In his book SOROS ON SOROS (Wiley & Sons Publishers, paperback, 336 pages, 1995), Soros wrote: “I feel the pain. I rely a great deal on instincts. When I was actively running the Fund, I suffered from a backache. I used the onset of acute pain as a signal that there was something wrong in my portfolio. The back didn't tell me what was wrong—you know, lower back for short positions, left shoulder for currencies—but it did prompt me to look for something amiss when I might not have done so otherwise.”
As you know, this is not an investment- advice column. I am featuring Mr. Soros's points because they may aid in many aspects of your life— finances, relationships, family, business, health and even travel. Here is the lesson in what Soros is saying. In the last MIND NOTES edition, I asked you to note and write any physiological occurrences during the moments when you have a hunch, when you sense something without any prior intellectual knowledge of it. You may have noticed your stomach tightening, your shoulders relaxing, a change in your breathing, a sweaty forehead, or your heart beating faster. It is important to have a body awareness. The amazing aspect of intuition is that throughout your entire life, something physical usually happens when you sense something is right or wrong. When you were a child it happened and now through adulthood it happens. It happens when you meet someone you like, it happens when you decide on a purchase, it happens when your child is not home on time, and it happens when someone is not quite on the level with you.
So if you wish to add the special power of intuition to help in making your powers of reason even more effective, do not ignore your body. Mr. Soros himself does not ignore his own physical being. He states that his method of running a portfolio is based on more than simply logic. The great future thinkers, the great inventors, the great investors, the great leaders, even the great parents, and all great decision-makers know that to see the future, and to understand the present, you must balance reason with intuition.
Intuition is knowing something without knowing why you know it. You just know. And you will know a lot of things in this way when you are aware of your body.
Of course, just because you have an ache in your back tomorrow, don't jump and take your money out of silver and put it into gold. To use the Soros example, he analyzes the psychological, political and economic climate, then balances that knowledge with his instincts, his sensitivities, his intuition to verify the accuracy of his logic. Or he will do just the opposite, beginning with intuition then validating those hunches with thorough research. It's always a combination.
In just about every pursuit, the most effective decisions are made when knowledge is meshed with intuition, when the head is balanced with the heart. For the football quarterback, in the two or three seconds for him to make a decision, he can't overly think, yet he can't play entirely by feel. The Joe Montanas, the Dan Marinos, the Peyton Mannings, the Tom Bradys all knew (know) how to be in a zone where thought and instinct are balanced as one. To make policy, the Franklin D. Roosevelts and the Winston Churchills used thoroughly researched information together with an intuitive feel for how these decisions would impact the future of the world many years hence. And the Dr. Jonas Salks, Dr. Christian Barnards and Dr. Elizabeth Goulds, seeking elusive solutions to cure fatal diseases, blended their best hunches with decades of scientific precedence.
Think about what you do in both your work life and home life and how you can merge your intuition with your knowledge. In fact, just being aware of intuition as an option will begin to increase your intuitive skill. And being aware of your body will increase it even more.
The body is the barometer of the future. There are many other means of developing intuition too, but for now, center your awareness on what your physical being might be telling you. To help with this, I recommend participating in an activity like yoga, Pilates, a martial art, or meditation. Practiced on a regular basis, any one of these will bring you more precisely in tune with your body and will make you mentally cognizant of how it speaks to you. While we're at it, let's clear up a misconception. There is a phrase out there which tends to confine intuition only to women. Every once-in-a-while you hear the words “woman's intuition.” It is true. Women do have intuition, but perhaps the phrase has the implication that the female possesses this special gift while the male is void of any such talent. Yes, we males can be clueless many times, but all of us have intuitive ability, and perhaps more important, both men and women have the choice to use it or not.
“Woman's intuition” is a phrase which exists because I have a hunch that women probably feel freer to use their intuition, and thus women probably use it more liberally and more often. But at last check, George Soros is of the male gender, yet he too seems quite free to allow guidance to come from his sensitive side. So whether you are man or woman, erase any apprehensions, fears or misconceptions about the intuitive power, the gut instinct, the hunch, your sixth sense. You've got it! And to begin using it like Soros, you must now focus on your physical body and its changes. Then you will use intuition like never before. I know you will, because my intuition tells me so.
(c) copyright 2006, by Sidney Friedman.
For corporate entertainment, visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Meetings and Special Events Directory. Hereschicago.com features Chicago corporate entertainment including magicians, comedians, bands, disk jockeys, character entertainers, music agencies, Chicago jazz trios, Chicago dance bands and orchestras for corporate events in Chicago.
December 1st, 2006
One of the best restaurants in Chicago reside on Navy Pier. For instance, Riva, a seafood restaurant in Chicago is a navy pier restaurant offering a seafood cuisine and could be considered a casual to fine dining.
Stefani’s also includes Lino’s, 437 Rush, Tuscany, Tavern on Rush, Harborside International, Beer Garden, Crystal Garden. Stefani Restaurants offers Italian, seafood, pasta, catered events, catering services, parties and special events.
Whether you are seeking Chicago Italian dining, a Chicago private party, Chicago catering services, Chicago Italian cuisine, Chicago corporate events, rehearsal dinner space, Italian restaurants, a private dining room, business meetings, dinner party, outing, company golf event, celebration, reunion, picnic, shower, private, family, groups or planning a party, Stefani Restaurants is a great group of restaurants.
For a list of Chicago’s Planner Preferred Restaurants offering private event space, catering services, Italian, seafood, pasta and steaks, please visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago’s Meetings and Special Events Directory.
December 1st, 2006
In 2006 Chicago was ranked fourth with 132 shows and in 2005 Chicago was also ranked fourth, but with 116 shows
“For those of us marketing Chicago as a visitor destination, we know we have a fantastic product, but it's always nice to scale the ladder,” said Tim Roby, President and CEO of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. “Our customers also know what a great destination Chicago is - nearly every major tradeshow hosted in Chicago since May 2005 experienced record-breaking attendance and/or exhibit sales.”
According to Adam Schaffer, Tradeshow Week publisher, “The 2007 list of top cities underscores that Chicago remains a top player in the global tradeshow market. There are a number of factors we use to evaluate a city and the sheer number of shows is ultimately the most important one. Chicago has not only risen in the rankings, but continually adds shows. Show organizers know they need to be in cities that have an important drive in base — but that also is easy to fly to and is a quality destination. Chicago has all of that.”
Top 2007 cities and number of shows
Las Vegas - 250
Chicago - 150
New York - 145
Toronto - 136
Atlanta - 112
Orlando - 100
Boston - 91
Washington - 84
Dallas - 84
San Diego - 81
If you are planning a convention, tradeshow or meeting in Chicago, please visit Hereschicago.com for your meeting and event venues and services.
December 1st, 2006
By Kathy Bergen
Tribune staff reporter
December 1, 2006
Strike up a conversation with a longtime McCormick Place exhibitor, and it is likely they will recall a bad memory of working with the trade unions to set up or dismantle their booths.
Entrepreneur Bill Coxwell remembers being required to hire a tradesman for simple setup work, then having the man just sit in the booth because it was easier to do the work himself.
Dave Metzler, an executive with electronics giant Philips, recalls a time when, “If you wanted something done, you practically had to beg.”
And Carolyn Elson, trade show manager for Hologic Inc., can tell you about workers dragging their feet and padded billing statements.
But these exhibitors at the just-concluded convention of the Radiological Society of North America, and others, now say they have noticed a dramatic shift in worker attitude and performance that has the potential to win over big shows that otherwise might reject Chicago.
A series of initiatives aimed at making McCormick Place more customer friendly–labor union pacts with more-flexible work rules, customer-service training for workers and a mediation structure for handling exhibitor complaints–appear to be reducing costs and, perhaps more important, cutting down aggravation.
“I'm very impressed with the hustle these guys put in, and the quality they put in,” said exhibitor Ben Turner, vice president of sales and marketing for ETS Lindgren, a maker of scanner shields that was an exhibitor at the convention. “I wish I could've said that in years past.”
“There has been a huge change,” said Pam Cumming, a marketing executive with Hologic, which sells equipment for mammography and bone-density assessments. “People are hustling. They want to work for you. They recognize you are the employer, and they want you to come back next year.”
That's not to say Chicago can rest easy.
More of the nation's trade-show business has gravitated to sunny Las Vegas and Orlando. And many exhibitors find Chicago to be expensive, and not just at McCormick Place. In terms of lodging and restaurant meals, Chicago is the third-costliest city for business travelers this year, behind New York and Washington, according to Runzheimer International.
So far, only two of the five major unions, the riggers and the decorators, have eased work rules, and exhibitors would like the others to follow suit. As well, some large exhibitors would like some of the do-it-yourself flexibility that has been accorded the little booths.
“Chicago will be a lot better off when the negative reputation it has for how difficult it is to work in this building goes away,” said Steve Drew, assistant executive director of the Radiological Society of North America, which came very close to moving its 2003 convention to Orlando.
“The city and McCormick Place have worked closely with us, and labor has continued to try to improve things here, and for the foreseeable future we'll be in Chicago,” Drew said. The group is committed through 2011.
The convention, with more than 62,000 attendees, was the city's fifth largest this year and was expected to generate an estimated $116 million in direct spending. Those statistics, however, only hint at the show's importance.
It comes at a time of year when the convention business typically slows and brings crowds to Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend, a key shopping time. Many make it into a family outing.
Cincinnati radiologist and lecturer Dr. Stephen Pomeranz and his wife, Penny, have brought their six children to the city every year for 24 years. They stay at the Four Seasons, visit the museums, shop on Michigan Avenue and eat at such restaurants as Bistro 110 and Topolobampo.
“Two of our children are in college here now; it's like home for them,” said Pomeranz.
And three more may end up at college here too.
“It's all due to their experience staying here,” he said.
Erecting the radiologist association show “is like setting up the largest hospital in the shortest amount of time,” said Robert Fulton, chief steward for Riggers Union Local 136 at McCormick Place, the union responsible for setting up booths, putting together steel structures and moving machinery.
In the week before the show, between 750 and 1,000 tradespeople transform 7 million pounds of equipment and display materials into a smoothly humming, high-tech marketplace with 521,000 square feet of exhibits.
To ease the process and the costs for customers, Fulton's union made a number of concessions this past summer, most significantly agreeing to two-man crews for most jobs, down from three-man crews. It was the first union to do so.
“I can tell you, it works just as well, if not better,” Elson, of Hologic, said during setup, the sounds of hammers, grinders and planers in the background.
The radiologists' society estimated the concessions shaved $300,000 from exhibitors' costs, not a huge sum given that the bigger exhibitors will spend millions of dollars on their displays.
To many exhibitors, the big difference was the new attitude.
“It's not like we're the enemy anymore,” said Metzler, an events manager for Philips. “Now we're not just a paycheck.”
Or as longtime exhibitor Pomeranz put it, “It's just the attitude that they want to help when they can, as fast as they can. It's a dramatic change.”
For a list of Chicago's convention suppliers, restaurants, hotels, venues and services, please visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Meetings and Special Events Directory.
December 1st, 2006
By Kathy Bergen
Tribune staff reporter
December 1, 2006
One of the city's choicest conventions has been craving more tantalizing lunchtime offerings at McCormick Place, where the cash-and-carry cuisine tends toward burgers, pizza and shrink-wrapped sandwiches.
“We had been after McCormick Place to consider not renewing the exclusive contract Levy Restaurants has, because we wanted more variety,” said Steve Drew, assistant executive director for the Radiological Society of North America, whose convention attracts more than 60,000 well-heeled attendees.
This year, the association got variety, in the form of a Chicago neighborhoods-themed food market run by Levy, something of a trial balloon for a concept the convention center may develop more permanently.
The early reviews?
The radiologists' leadership was pleased with the pilot, which operated at the convention that wrapped up Thursday.
“Levy really stepped it up,” Drew said. “We didn't do any surveying, so this is nothing too scientific, but based on word of mouth, the length of lines and the number of sales, which were fantastic, it seems to have gone over pretty well.”
Levy agrees, and says it plans to operate such food programs again. “The show provided us a great opportunity to showcase innovative and delicious food options,” said a Levy spokeswoman.
The “Tour of Chicago Neighborhoods” offerings included Little Italy, with various gourmet pizzas; Far East Fusion, with curried chicken or garlic noodles; Gold Coast salads; Hyde Park barbecue; and Back of the Yards steak and sausage offerings, all in the South Hall.
A Wrigleyville-themed area in the North Hall featured grilled sausages, Robinson's No. 1 Ribs and Kirshner's Kosher Cuisine.
Diners interviewed this week mostly gave thumbs-up on the food quality, but some would've been happier with grab-and-go and lighter choices. And there were some complaints about seating shortages, paper waste and slow clean-up.
“In 20 years of coming here, this is the best yet, the best food,” conventioneer Dean Fredericks said as he dug into a carton of garlic noodles with scallions, peppers, broccoli and mushrooms from the Far East Fusion stand.
“There isn't enough seating, obviously,” said diner Christine Lindmark, who was trying to eat Sicilian thick-crust pizza and salad while sitting cross-legged on the floor.
For her, the offerings were too sloppy, posing the risk of messing up her business clothing.
“Oftentimes, it's easier to do sandwiches, or fruit–something portable,” she said.
And then there was the self-proclaimed “pepper thief,” who filched a whole red bell pepper from a display cart because he wanted something purely healthful.
“This is what I really wanted,” said Stephen Nemeth, a moviemaker attending the show, as he tore the pepper apart and began munching. He also objected to the use of disposable paper trays.
“It's horrifying,” he said. “A lot more effort needs to be put into the environment.”
The diners' suggestions come at an opportune time, as McCormick Place may revamp its food program, possibly to include a “Chicago Marketplace” concept.
A request for bids could go out as early as this month.
The amount of seating is determined by how much space show organizers can set aside for food operations, and that was limited at the Radiological Society's event, said McCormick Place and Levy officials.
Lunch seating capacity will expand next year when the West Building addition opens, with a food court and sit-down restaurant, added David Causton, general manager of McCormick Place.
As for the disposable trays, they were biodegradable and helped diners “grab and go,” a Levy spokeswoman said.
For a list of Chicago's Top Caterers for Special Events, visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Meetings and Special Events Directory.
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