From Startup to Catering Industry Leader: Jodi Fyfe on 15 Years of The Paramount Group
In 2012, Chicago Planner Magazine interviewed this new, up-and-coming catering company called Paramount Events. From the get-go owner Jodi Fyfe showed heart and determination to have delicious, sustainable food that create incredible events. Now, we're checking in...
Where to Celebrate National Oyster Day 2025 in Chicago and the Suburbs
Oyster lovers, get your slurp on because National Oyster Day is coming up on Monday, August 5, and restaurants across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are celebrating with delicious deals, inventive toppings, and chic seafood specials. From $2 happy hour...
5 Kid-Friendly Venues in Chicago
Color Factory Chicago Color Factory is more than a museum — it’s a joyful, immersive art experience that brings the magic of color to life through multi-sensory installations, interactive rooms, and thoughtfully curated moments. Recently voted the #1 Immersive Art...
Restaurants and Hotels: How to Win Holiday Bookings With Strategic Food and Beverage Offerings
Make it easy for planners to book your hotel, restaurant, or food business with menus that event they will love! The holiday season is the most wonderful (and profitable) time of the year, but only if your menus and packages make it easy for event planners to say yes....
The Quiet Shift from Leading Events to Leading Teams
A Thought Leadership Piece by Joey Rodriguez Event planners are leaders. We orchestrate chaos, juggle a thousand moving parts, and somehow make it all look effortless. From the outside, we’re the ones with the clipboard and the calm smile. But somewhere along the way,...
From Startup to Catering Industry Leader: Jodi Fyfe on 15 Years of The Paramount Group
In 2012, Chicago Planner Magazine interviewed this new, up-and-coming catering company called Paramount Events. From the get-go owner Jodi Fyfe showed heart and determination to have delicious, sustainable food that create incredible events. Now, we're checking in...
Where to Celebrate National Oyster Day 2025 in Chicago and the Suburbs
Oyster lovers, get your slurp on because National Oyster Day is coming up on Monday, August 5, and restaurants across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are celebrating with delicious deals, inventive toppings, and chic seafood specials. From $2 happy hour...
5 Kid-Friendly Venues in Chicago
Color Factory Chicago Color Factory is more than a museum — it’s a joyful, immersive art experience that brings the magic of color to life through multi-sensory installations, interactive rooms, and thoughtfully curated moments. Recently voted the #1 Immersive Art...
Restaurants and Hotels: How to Win Holiday Bookings With Strategic Food and Beverage Offerings
Make it easy for planners to book your hotel, restaurant, or food business with menus that event they will love! The holiday season is the most wonderful (and profitable) time of the year, but only if your menus and packages make it easy for event planners to say yes....
The Quiet Shift from Leading Events to Leading Teams
A Thought Leadership Piece by Joey Rodriguez Event planners are leaders. We orchestrate chaos, juggle a thousand moving parts, and somehow make it all look effortless. From the outside, we’re the ones with the clipboard and the calm smile. But somewhere along the way,...
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...
U.S. Travel Trends 2025: How Tourism Businesses Can Adapt to Shifting Behaviors
This week in industry news, travel and tourism dominate the headlines, revealing a stark contrast between global optimism and domestic caution—while international tourism forecasts for 2025 remain strong, U.S. travel trends are marked by hesitation. Global Travel on...
Best Easter Brunch Spots in Chicago for 2025
Looking for the perfect place to celebrate Easter brunch in Chicago this year? Whether you’re planning a family-friendly outing with the Easter Bunny, craving a luxurious rooftop buffet, or seeking a festive Easter brunch cruise on Lake Michigan, Chicago has a wide...
How Event Planners Can Build a Trusted Vendor List
Want to fast track your own list? Visit our directory. The most successful event planners have a trusted network of vendors, from caterers and florists to photographers, AV technicians, and beyond. A planner’s vendor list is essential to creating premium client...
7 Common Mistakes Event Planners Should Avoid
In the fast-paced world of event planning, even a small oversight can ripple into a big problem. Whether you're planning a corporate conference, nonprofit gala, or social celebration, staying ahead of common pitfalls is critical to delivering a seamless experience....
Top 5 Things to Do in Chicago Right Now, If You’ve Never Been
Chicago is an incredible city, but if you’ve never been here, it can feel very overwhelming. Whether you are organizing a high-energy team outing, an elegant evening for clients, or just need inspiration for your next hosted experience, Chicago’s dynamic mix of art,...
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...
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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.