ILEA Spark Awards 2025 Winners
Each year, the ILEA Chicago Chapter Spark Awards honor the creativity, innovation, and excellence of the city’s event and hospitality professionals. From breathtaking décor and immersive culinary experiences to powerful fundraisers and corporate celebrations, this...
How Wedding Planners Can Successfully Design Destination Weddings, Micro Weddings, and Elopements in 2025
Weddings have never been a one-size-fits-all affair, and in 2025, that truth has never been more apparent. The modern wedding landscape is defined by flexibility, personalization, and intentionality. Couples are breaking free from traditions, opting instead for more...
Event Industry News Updates for Friday, April 25, 2025: New Venue Openings & Events Starting Today
Here's what's new in event industry news this week around Chicago. AMC Roosevelt Collection 16 Opens Today in the South Loop AMC has purchased the ICON Theater located in the Roosevelt Collection Shops and will open some of its theaters today. The most exciting...
The Ultimate Venue Walkthrough Checklist for Event Planners
As an event planner, one of the most common things you will do is tour venues. Whether you’re planning a corporate gala, a wedding, or a private social celebration, the walkthrough is your chance to uncover all the details that can make or break your event. Every...
How to Break Into the Event Planning Industry: Tips for Landing Your First Role
If you've ever dreamed of working in event planning, you're not alone. The event industry is known for its excitement, creativity, and endless opportunities to work on amazing things ranging from media and marketing experiences to corporate events and trade shows and...
ILEA Spark Awards 2025 Winners
Each year, the ILEA Chicago Chapter Spark Awards honor the creativity, innovation, and excellence of the city’s event and hospitality professionals. From breathtaking décor and immersive culinary experiences to powerful fundraisers and corporate celebrations, this...
How Wedding Planners Can Successfully Design Destination Weddings, Micro Weddings, and Elopements in 2025
Weddings have never been a one-size-fits-all affair, and in 2025, that truth has never been more apparent. The modern wedding landscape is defined by flexibility, personalization, and intentionality. Couples are breaking free from traditions, opting instead for more...
Event Industry News Updates for Friday, April 25, 2025: New Venue Openings & Events Starting Today
Here's what's new in event industry news this week around Chicago. AMC Roosevelt Collection 16 Opens Today in the South Loop AMC has purchased the ICON Theater located in the Roosevelt Collection Shops and will open some of its theaters today. The most exciting...
The Ultimate Venue Walkthrough Checklist for Event Planners
As an event planner, one of the most common things you will do is tour venues. Whether you’re planning a corporate gala, a wedding, or a private social celebration, the walkthrough is your chance to uncover all the details that can make or break your event. Every...
How to Break Into the Event Planning Industry: Tips for Landing Your First Role
If you've ever dreamed of working in event planning, you're not alone. The event industry is known for its excitement, creativity, and endless opportunities to work on amazing things ranging from media and marketing experiences to corporate events and trade shows and...
Questions to Ask a New Vendor
Photo by Cam Morin on Unsplash Whether you’re working in a different city, your client insisted on working with this company, or perhaps you’re just giving someone new a shot, it’s important to ask new vendors the right questions that will help you understand how you...
Tips Your Staff Should Know About Maintaining Your Ice Machines
Photo by Kike Salazar N Chicago is a city full of cocktails, and one of the most important components, aside from the liquor is the ice! In this article, Brittney Shader from Empire Cooler is giving us 5 tips business owners and staff should know about ice machines....
Get Your Hotel, Restaurant, or Venue More Business from Event Planners with These 4 Easy Website Updates
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash While marketing is important, once you get someone to your website, make it is easy for them to work with you. For busy planners, they want the details cleanly and clearly laid out, with minimal needs for a back and forth...
How to Build Your Vendor List
Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash One of the most important things a planner can have is a solid vendor list. It's important to make sure you have reputable partners who can help you execute a great event. Building (or refreshing) your vendor list can feel...
New Chicago Restaurants Coming Soon
New venues coming to Chicago – from restaurants to the new St. Regis hotel restaurants, including a British Steakhouse making its way to Chicago, and Guinness’ new brewery opening in the West Loop
AI Headshots Don’t Have to Ruin Your Photography Business
Photo via DailyDot Kelly Baums is one of many TikTokers talking about AI generated headshots. This conversation quickly has professional photographers following with "I'm worried." But the reality is that the person who is only spending around $20 on these headshots...
The Bellevue Replacing Tavern on Rush, Opening Spring 2023
Many were surprised when Chicago Gold Coast staple Tavern on Rush announced it was closing last year, but Rush Street is one of the most popular dining areas in Chicago, so it was bound to find new owners soon. The two-floor space will now feature contemporary...
2022 Holiday Guide
Read this year's Holiday Guide with all of the information you need to plan your event this year! From Selecting your food and beverages, to How to Plan like a Pro, to Award-Winning & Trending Restaurants - find the resources you need to have your best holiday...
Chicago’s Biggest Fundraising Event: the Lincoln Park Zoo Ball
Friday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m., the Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoo will be hosting its largest annual fundraiser, Zoo Ball. Themed “Birds of Paradise,” this year’s event is bringing back the in-person, black-tie gala to support not only the nearly 200 species who...
Highland Park Cancels July Events After Tragic 4th of July Parade Shooting
In light of the tragic shooting at the City of Highland Park Fourth of July Parade, the City of Highland Park has announced the cancellation of the following upcoming community events:• Food Truck Thursdays, July 7 and July 14• Takeout Tuesday at The Lot, July 12•...