Read of the Month: Good to Great
This book illustrates what makes a good establishment from a great one. If you want to learn to be great, check out this month's read. Available on Amazon.com
Labor Day Party Ideas
Labor Day is more than just a three day weekend. It's a great reason to relax and throw a party. Here are ideas for hosting a great Labor Day Party THEMES & DECOR FOOD & BEVERAGE
Labor Day Cocktails
Labor Day is basically Summer's Last Hurrah. Make it tasty with these beverages! Blackberry Soda Recipe from Imbibe Magazine 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup water 1/2 cup fresh lemon verbena leaves, loosely packed 2 pints fresh, ripe blackberries Ice cubes Soda water...
Fall Conventions in Chicago
Conventions are happening all the time in Chicago, but fall is definitely one of the busier seasons in Chicago. Stay on top of what's going on by checking out this list of Fall Conventions from Choose Chicago.
Easy and Delicious Hors d’Oeurves
Having a house party? Selecting interesting appetizers before the main show isn't always easy, especially if you've had enough of the mini sausages and egg rolls to last you a lifetime. Here are 7 great recipes for delicious hors d'oeuves everyone will love! (Click...
Read of the Month: Good to Great
This book illustrates what makes a good establishment from a great one. If you want to learn to be great, check out this month's read. Available on Amazon.com
Labor Day Party Ideas
Labor Day is more than just a three day weekend. It's a great reason to relax and throw a party. Here are ideas for hosting a great Labor Day Party THEMES & DECOR FOOD & BEVERAGE
Labor Day Cocktails
Labor Day is basically Summer's Last Hurrah. Make it tasty with these beverages! Blackberry Soda Recipe from Imbibe Magazine 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup water 1/2 cup fresh lemon verbena leaves, loosely packed 2 pints fresh, ripe blackberries Ice cubes Soda water...
Fall Conventions in Chicago
Conventions are happening all the time in Chicago, but fall is definitely one of the busier seasons in Chicago. Stay on top of what's going on by checking out this list of Fall Conventions from Choose Chicago.
Easy and Delicious Hors d’Oeurves
Having a house party? Selecting interesting appetizers before the main show isn't always easy, especially if you've had enough of the mini sausages and egg rolls to last you a lifetime. Here are 7 great recipes for delicious hors d'oeuves everyone will love! (Click...
10 Pop-up Event Venue Ideas
Sometimes other people can say things better than you can yourself. Cvent has this great blog post about Pop-up Event Space that I just HAD to share! So reconsider how you may use an empty space and turn it into a fabulous party!...
RM Champagne Salon
All Photographs by Derek Richmond RM Champagne Salon: The name alone sounds pretty fabulous. The concept is also great - a cozy yet classy establishment with great wines and champagnes complemented by small plates, cheeses and salad options. There's a lovely...
Taking My Own Advice: Social Media in Real Life
Last week I wrote about the importance of getting more involved in-person with your social media efforts. This week I had the pleasure of working a dinner for a company who wanted to display their products for people they recognized to be very influential for...
Have an Event with Grand Lux Cafe
There are so many places to enjoy in Chicago, especially when it comes to food. Grand Lux has always been one of my favorite restaurants since I first moved here about 7 years ago. There's a wide variety of delicious food and the decor is beautiful. My family...
Top 5 Things to Do for a Short Trip to Chicago (If You’ve Never Been)
Let's say you're just here on business or you've only got a weekend in the city and you've never been here before. What are things can you do to really get a great sense of the city quickly? Here are my top 5 suggestions (in no particular order) for seeing Chicago...
What to do this weekend: Festa Italiana & Classical Music in the Park
After Lollapalooza, some of us need a break but if you don't, check out Festa Italiana which starts today at 5PM and runs through Sunday. To learn more click here. Want something enjoyable and relaxing to do on a Sunday morning? Check out Classical Music in the Park...
Social Media Isn’t Everything — You Should Literally Be Getting Out There
Social Media is something I write about all the time because I love it and it's a major part of my life. Facebook & LinkedIn are part of my daily morning routine and it keeps me up to date on what's going on with people I know. But that's a stepping stone. I...
The Raccoon Dentist
Most days I try to write really relevant stuff, great topics that will inform and excite the event planning community of Chicago (whether or not it really does). But every once in awhile it just so happens that my mind goes blank and I find myself watching...
What ARE Logistics, Anyway?
I feel like I always hear the word "logistics" thrown around. It's such a broad, non-descript word that I feel like business people use when they don't want to describe what they're doing and would rather just assume you know. "Hey man, what have you guys been...
Take the DIY Approach for Any Event
Part of the reason Pinterest is so popular is not just because you can focus on things you like, but because the things you like can be something you have especially if you're willing to make it yourself. The growing world of Do-It-Yourself is wonderful because it...
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Join Us Monday, Dec 15th!
Hear from Rose Horcher O’Connor, VP of Client Services at Choose Chicago and Hannah Loftus, VP of Research at World Business Chicago about the trends, major events and conventions, and economic indicators that will shape Chicago in 2026. Gain insights into demands, growing sectors, opportunities for your business, and what to expect in the year ahead.