20 minute read
DESTINATION
QUAD CITIES
Brimming with history and affordable activities, the Quad Cities have plenty to offer meetings and events. BY ROGER GORDON
THE QUAD CITIES plays host to a surprising number of international conventions and regional events. “It’s a great destination because we’re centrally located within six hours of a great population, 37 million people,” says Jessica Waytenick, public relations and marketing manager for Visit Quad Cities. “Meeting and convention planners love the ease of our area because they can get around easily, there are great, affordable activities for convention attendees. We have walkable downtown areas, and people can walk to dinner after their meetings are over. The Quad Cities is also known for craft breweries and live music venues.”
The Quad Cities also brims with the history of John Deere, a well-established blacksmith who, in the 1800s, realized that the Midwest needed blacksmiths for the expanding settlers who were there. So the Vermont native moved to Grand Debour, where he invented the steel plow, which made it easier for farmers to plow the rich Midwestern soil. “When Deere moved to Moline, he started a factory that was quite successful,” Waytenick says. “He became a wealthy entrepreneur in this area and really helped shape the Quad Cities area, bringing other businesses to the area.
“The influence of Deere’s company is longreaching. We have the John Deere Pavilion, which is the history of Deere’s company. A lot of people think he invented the tractor, but that’s not the case. He got everything started
From opposite page to right: An aerial view of the Quad Cities; Element Moline’s outdoor patio; visitors learn the history of John Deere’s influential business in the John Deere Pavilion.
before that, and technology has moved forward from there. There are also factory tours in which guests can watch a combine being built. And at the Deere & Company World Headquarters, people can tour the lobby and see the timeline of machinery. There are historic homes that were built by John Deere’s grandson Charles Deere in the late 1800s that are available for tours.”
The following are five hotels on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities that offer meeting and event space.
Element Moline
When you walk into Element Moline, it has the feel of a warehouse. That is not surprising, considering the hotel, which has 96 guest rooms, is located in the old Sears-Roebuck building that was constructed in 1917. “You walk in where the loading docks used to be,” says General Manager Nick Holke. “All of the pillars are still there. You can see the exposed ceiling and the exposed brick. The floors, especially on the historic side of the building, all have the original floors, the concrete. It’s the same thing in the lobby. It gives you that feel of 1920, 1925, the 1930s.”
An outdoor patio has a depiction on the wall, a mural that is about 20 feet long and some 15 feet tall, which shows an aerial view of the downtown Moline area in 1920. “It’s got our warehouse on the one side where you can see the old John Deere factories,” Holke says. “You can see just how big John Deere industrial was in 1920 right next door.”
There are two event spaces, the largest of which can accommodate up to 80 guests seated and up to 120 standing. The other can host up to 30 guests seated and up to 40 standing. Both spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows that provide views of downtown and the Mississippi River.
Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Moline
For a Wisconsin or Minnesota Northwoods feel, the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center is for you. Located on the scenic banks of the Mississippi River, Stoney Creek doesn’t feel like the typical cookie-cutter corporate hotel. “It’s more of a relaxed atmosphere. It’s homey and has a lodge feel to it,” says General Manager Kim Bothel. “We’re casual with a fancy twist.”
Just minutes away from the many attractions the Quad Cities has to offer, the hotel has 140 guest rooms, including themed suites. There is a business center and fitness center, and there are indoor and outdoor pools and a whirlpool.
QUAD CITIES BY THE NUMBERS
500,000-PLUS RESIDENTS 6,400-PLUS HOTEL ROOMS 1930s THE DECADE THE REGION WAS NAMED 170 SQUARE MILES 12 CRAFT BREWERIES
Hyatt Place Hyatt House Quad Cities’ River Room
The majority of the event space is located in the conference center. The main ballroom in the conference center breaks down into three equal-sized sections. The ballroom can accommodate up to 400 guests for a seated dinner and up to 550 for a cocktail party. There are seven other event spaces.
Groups must choose from a preferred catering list.
“Groups like the convenience of how our hotel is laid out, the service and the overall feel,” Bothel says.
Hyatt Place Hyatt House Quad Cities, East Moline
It’s two hotels in one.
The newest hotel on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities, the Hyatt Place Hyatt House is comprised under one roof of a Hyatt Place and a Hyatt House. The Hyatt Place has more traditional guest rooms, while the Hyatt House is more of an apartment-style setup. There is a total of 233 guest rooms—134 in the Hyatt Place and 99 in the Hyatt House—including rooms with views of the Mississippi River. “In the commons areas, all of the public spaces are shared between the two properties,” says Sales Manager Brittany Haas.
The hotel has an artistic feel. “We’ve got a lot of local inspiration for the artwork around the hotel,” Haas says. “They took different Midwest feels but also made it very modern and colorful throughout the property. Each of the floors has unique images.”
The largest event space can host up to 80 guests seated and up to 100 standing. A new event center next door is scheduled to open in June.
Favorite dishes on the in-house banquet menus are the grilled salmon and the bacon crispy Brussels sprouts.
Holiday Inn Rock Island
Location, location, location.
That is the main attraction for groups at the newly renovated Holiday Inn Rock Island. “We’re located in the downtown area in the arts and entertainment district,” says Director of Sales Jamie DeRudder. “I think what’s attractive to a lot of the travelers who come to this area is that we have right out our back door within about a two-, three-block radius quite a few restaurants and shopping. We’re right along the Mississippi River where we have
Clockwise from top: The Rust Belt; Blues Brothers statue in Rock Island; Deere-Wiman House
bike trails and walking paths.”
The hotel, which has 172 guest rooms, has seven event spaces. The largest is the grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 guests seated and up to 750 standing. It can be broken down into two smaller spaces. An indoor swimming pool is sandwiched between two health clubs.
Popular entrees on the in-house banquet menu are the chicken supreme, prime rib and chicken piccata.
The Axis Hotel by Hilton, Moline
The Axis Hotel by Hilton, scheduled to open its doors downtown in August, will be located in a historic building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “We’ve preserved a lot of the original building. It has a lot of the original floors and walls from the late 1920s,” says Kelsey Sheley, The Axis Hotel brand manager. “It will have modern amenities, but the look of the structure will be very historic. There will also be a lobby skylight.”
There will be 104 guest rooms and an exercise room. There will be two event spaces of almost equal size. The larger one will be able to host up to 200 guests both seated and standing. There will also be an in-house caterer.
Get Connected
THE AXIS HOTEL BY HILTON theaxismoline.com 309.640.0060
ELEMENT MOLINE elementmoline.com 309.517.1659
HOLIDAY INN ROCK ISLAND holidayinn.com/rockislandil 309.794.1212
HYATT PLACE HYATT HOUSE QUAD CITIES hyattplaceeastmolinequadcities.com hyatthouseeastmolinequadcities.com 309.755.6000
STONEY CREEK HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER stoneycreekhotels.com 309.743.0101
Find out who our readers have chosen as
the winners and runners-up of the
Illinois Meetings + Events Best of 2019 readers’ choice awards.
By Melissa Sersland
Best AudioVisual Provider
AV CHICAGO
avchicago.com | 312.229.4100 Top A/V tips from AV Chicago: 1. Always consult with your A/V provider prior to signing your venue contract. 2. Include your A/V provider in any preconference meetings with the venue and clients when applicable. 3. Ask questions! Your A/V team is there to help! ILM+E: What was one of the coolest projects you’ve worked on in the past year? AV Chicago: Projection mapping video across nine screens using a Green Hippo media server, which led to receiving the NACE ILEA Chicago Excellence - N.I.C.E. Award in 2019 for Best Use of Production for a Corporate Event or Fundraiser/ Nonprofit Event.
Runners-up: PSAV; FROST
BEST BREWERY/WINERY/DISTILLERY
CITY WINERY CHICAGO
citywinery.com/chicago | 312.733.9463
ILM+E: What is something clients don’t know about City Winery that sets the space apart? City Winery: City Winery Chicago is a fully-functioning winery, restaurant, private event space and live concert venue. We serve wine made on-site, and guests have the option to create a custom label bottle of wine for any event.
ILM+E: What was one of your favorite events that you hosted in the last year? City Winery: We had the pleasure of hosting a surprise birthday party that truly transformed our main dining room space into a Moroccan-themed lounge.
Runners-up: Revolution Brewing; CH Distillery
BEST CATERING COMPANY (ON- OR OFF-SITE)
BLUE PLATE CATERING
blueplatechicago.com | 312.421.6666
ILM+E: What was one of your favorite menus that you have prepared recently? Blue Plate: Blue Plate recently partnered with the Field Museum, Mantra by Indian Garden and Yanni Design Studio to host a destination dinner—Spicy Soirée—with décor and cuisine that transported guests to Southeast Asia. The evening featured expertly curated hors d’oeuvres by Mantra, cocktails and a three-course menu by Blue Plate, as well as a chef demo and henna artists.
Runners-up: Food For Thought; Tasty Catering
MEET CHICAGO NORTHWEST
chicagonorthwest.com 847.490.1010
ILM+E: What sets your organization apart? Meet Chicago Northwest: Our third-party clients always comment on how complimentary our sales department is to that of their organizations—making sourcing and servicing their business seamless.
ILM+E: Are there any upcoming developments that planners should know about? Meet Chicago Northwest: The Village of Schaumburg has announced the development of an entertainment and mixed-use district adjacent to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and Hotel. Our first attraction development, Topgolf, is under construction.
Runners-up: Choose Chicago; Rosemont Convention Bureau
Best Conference or Resort Venue
HILTON CHICAGO/OAK BROOK HILLS RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER
oakbrookhillsresort.com | 630.850.5555
The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center has completed a four-year renovation. The final phases included a full room renovation with a new color scheme to the window treatments, furniture and carpeting; new bathroom fixtures and custom wood barn bathroom doors; and new carpet and LED lighting in the corridors.
BY THE NUMBERS
$29 million renovation now completed 42,500 square feet of IACC conference center meeting space 386 guest rooms and suites 36 meeting spaces
Runners-up: Lincolnshire Marriott Resort; Catalyst Ranch
GREATER GALENA MARKETING INC.
visitgalena.org/ggmi-services | 815.776.9200 Proudest accomplishments over the past year: » We secured the 2019 Circle Wisconsin annual event, which is the first time it has ever been hosted out of Wisconsin.
» We’ve surpassed 100,000 followers on Facebook. » We survived the polar vortex and welcomed more visitors in January 2019 than we’ve ever welcomed in any January from prior years.
ILM+E: What sets your organization apart? Greater Galena Marketing Inc.: We’re a tiny but mighty team! We do most design and promotional content prep/layout inhouse, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. This allows us to completely control our promotions and own our authenticity.
Runners-up: Visit Champaign County; Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
BEST DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY
360 DESTINATION GROUP
360dg.com | 312.600.4005
Proud accomplishments over the past year: » We increased sales by 55 percent year over year in 2018, while welcoming five new faces to our team and touching a total of 28,000 attendees across 32 Chicagoland hotels. It was a record-breaking year! » Our General Manager Michelle Castady Orlando, DMCP, was recently named DMC Professional of the Year by the Association of Destination Management Executives International.
Runners-up: CTC Destination Management; ACCESS Destination Services – Chicago
BEST ENTERTAINMENT (PERFORMER OR TALENT AGENCY)
BEATMIX MUSIC
beatmixmusic.com | 847.892.4150
ILM+E: What’s new for 2019? BeatMix Music: We are expanding our offices to include a full, state-of-the-art sound stage and rehearsal/dance studio with recording and filming capabilities. We’re looking forward to creating more of our own unique offerings, and BeatMix Rehearsal Studios will be available to the public for hourly or project-based rentals by June 2019.
ILM+E: What advice do you have for planners? BeatMix Music: The more information planners can provide when seeking entertainment, the better.
Runners-up: Fig Media Inc.; Magnificent Events
Best Event Décor/ Florist
KEHOE DESIGNS
kehoedesigns.com 312.421.0030
In the past year, Kehoe Designs launched a new division, BlackOak Technical Productions. BlackOak Technical Productions grew out of Kehoe Designs’ lighting department and is led by Kehoe Designs founder Tom Kehoe and Managing Director Adam McCarthy.
ILM+E: What do you enjoy most about the work that you do? Kehoe Designs: The challenge of coming up with something new, staying current and exciting and continually exceeding client expectations.
Runners-up: HMR Designs; Revel Decor
Best Historic or Cultural Venue
CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER
chicagoculturalcenter.org | 312.567.8500
A look at the Chicago Cultural Center’s history: 1897: The Chicago Cultural Center is completed as the city’s first central public library. 1920: The Chicago Public Library begins to outgrow its building with the addition of its circulation and reference departments, library for the blind, children’s library and music library. 1964: The City of Chicago plans to tear down the building; preservationists and politicians fight to save the building. 1972: The Chicago Public Library building is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1991: The Chicago Public Library moves to Harold Washington Library Center and the building becomes the Chicago Cultural Center.
Runners-up: Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago; The Field Museum
BEST HOLIDAY PARTY VENUE
THE GERAGHTY
thegeraghty.com | 312.967.2520
The Geraghty, a venue owned and operated by Kehoe Designs, features 25,000 square feet of open space with 22-foot ceilings.
ILM+E: What sets The Geraghty apart from other Chicago venues? The Geraghty: How proactive and nimble the space is. Despite our large footprint, we often transform the space to accommodate 100-1,500 guests. The Geraghty was built to be completely customizable to inspire innovation and to allow event designers to create captivating experiences with flawless execution.
Runners-up: Topgolf; The Drake, a Hilton Hotel
CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION HOTEL
chicagoathletichotel.com | 312.940.3552
Originally an elite men’s social and sports club that opened in 1893, the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel reopened on Michigan Avenue four years ago following a three-year renovation. So far in 2019, the hotel was voted by readers of the Chicago Tribune to have the best views in the city from its rooftop restaurant and bar, Cindy’s. The hotel’s team members have also been nominated for HSMAI’s Rookie of the Year and Sales Team of the Year awards.
Runners-up: The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel; Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
Best New Venue
THEATER ON THE LAKE
theateronthelake.com | 312.763.8165
Theater on the Lake reopened in 2017 following a renovation, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a 3-acre Lakefront Green space adjacent to the building. The space can accommodate 500 for a seated dinner and more than 1,200 people reception-style including its terrace, surrounding green space and patio space. Theater on the Lake has been named a Best New Event Space by Crain’s Chicago Business, and the Lakefront Restaurant has been named one of the best places for a business lunch by Crain’s.
Runners-up: The Dalcy; Tao Chicago (tie); Rockwell on the River (tie)
PALMER HOUSE HILTON
palmerhousehiltonhotel.com 312.726.7500
ILM+E: What makes the hotel unique? Palmer House Hilton: Believing the hotel’s Grand and State ballrooms would host royalty, presidents and celebrities, the Palmer family instructed the architects to build a green room one floor below with a separate staircase going directly up to the back of the Grand Ballroom. This was used, for instance, 20 years ago during the launch of George Magazine when John F. Kennedy Jr. was slated to speak to a crowd of 1,500 people.
Runners-up: LondonHouse Chicago; The Drake, a Hilton Hotel
Best Meeting/Event Venue (No Hotel)
MORGAN MANUFACTURING
401morganmfg.com | 312.763.3317
Morgan Manufacturing offers 20,000 square feet of meeting space split between three spaces with six skylights and a 23-foot built-in bar.
ILM+E: What sets the venue apart? Morgan Manufacturing: Our clients are often surprised to learn the variety of furniture options that are included with the rental of the space, as well as the customizable LED lighting feature throughout the facility.
ILM+E: What is new for 2019? Morgan Manufacturing: We’ll continue to expand our audio-visual production capabilities and distinctive furniture offerings.
Runners-up: Spiaggia; 19 East
Best Nightlife Event Space
ROOF ON THEWIT
roofonthewit.com 312.239.9502
2018 was ROOF on theWit’s most successful year in private events. The venue has also recently received the following recognitions: » #1 Hotel in America for 2017 and 2018 for Guest Satisfaction & Loyalty for Hilton
» #1 Nightclub in Chicago 2018 from Nightclub & Bar Media
» Named one of the top three rooftop bars in the world from Travel + Leisure
Runners-up: Revel Fulton Market; LH Rooftop
Best Outdoor or Rooftop Venue
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
chicagobotanic.org | 847.835.5440
The Chicago Botanic Garden was named a finalist in 2018 for a Catersource ACE Award and received a Leadership Award for the organization’s work with the Windy City Harvest Program by the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council. This summer, planners can enjoy a farm-to-table dinner experience in the Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Groups can also mingle with a garden horticulturist during cocktail hour as part of the garden’s Bees and Beyond program to learn more about the importance of pollinators.
Runners-up: Ignite Glass Studios; Ravinia (tie); Millennium Park (tie)
BEST PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEOGRAPHY
RICK AGUILAR STUDIOS
rickaguilar.com | 773.478.6607 ILM+E: What were some of the highlights of the past year? Rick Aguilar Studios: One of our highlights last year for the studio was being chosen by Illinois Meetings + Events magazine readers for 2018’s Best Photography/ Videography award. We also photographed a spectacular 50th anniversary party for an international manufacturing company that brought in from all over the world the CEOs of their Fortune 500 corporate partners.
Runners-up: Edward Fox Photography & Video; Fred Fox Studios (tie); Jennifer Girard Photography (tie)
BEST PRIVATE DINING SPACE IN A RESTAURANT
CARNIVALE
carnivalechicago.com | 312.850.5005
Carnivale can host 10-1,000 people in its seven event spaces. The restaurant utilizes its rooftop garden to grow vegetables and herbs for the restaurant’s menu. The garden is personally cared for by Carnivale’s chefs.
CARNIVALE’S ROOFTOP GARDEN BY THE NUMBERS IN 2018
300 pounds of tomatoes yielded in a single season 52 gallons of hot sauce made in-house each year 30 recycled planting boxes 13 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, 6 varieties of chili peppers, 10 herbs and 6 kinds of edible flowers grown
Runners-up: Spiaggia; City Winery Chicago
Best Renovation
THE METROPOLITAN
clubcorp.com/Clubs/The-Metropolitan | 312.876.3200
The $10 million renovation of The Metropolitan, one of the original tenants of the Willis Tower in 1974, was completed Nov. 3, 2018.
ILM+E: What were some of the highlights of The Metropolitan’s renovation? The Metropolitan: The reinvention is evocative of Frank Lloyd Wright design with nods to the steel frame of the Willis Tower and the natural hues of Lake Michigan. The club takes up both the 66th and 67th floors of the Willis Tower, which are both available for members and guests to use as private event spaces.
Runners-up: St. Jane Chicago; Rockit Bar & Grill
BEST RENTAL SERVICE PROVIDER
BBJ LINEN
bbjlinen.com | 847.329.8400
BBJ Linen celebrated a major milestone in 2018, honoring its 35th year in business. The company recently went through a corporate rebrand with a new website and new logo. In the past two years, BBJ Linen has launched 200 new fabrics with a variety of different patterns, prints and solids.
Runners-up: Hall’s Rental Service; Windy City Linen
BEST TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER
WINDY CITY LIMOUSINE
windycitylimos.com 847.916.9300
ILM+E: What did your team accomplish in the last year that you were particularly proud of? Windy City: 1. In 2018 and 2019, we were selected as the transportation provider for 26 major sponsors for the Super Bowl. 2. This year, Windy City was proud to win the Excellence in Service category for the 2019 Samsara Top Fleet Awards. We also earned the LCT 2019 Bus Operator of the Year Award.
Runners-up: Aries Charter Transportation Inc.; Signature Transportation Group
Best Team-Building
TOPGOLF NAPERVILLE
topgolf.com/us/naperville | 630.596.1000
ILM+E: What is something your team has accomplished that you are particularly proud of? Topgolf: We are very proud of our commitment to our local community and giving back. In 2018, Topgolf Naperville associates volunteered 557 hours toward some of our local nonprofits including: Loaves and Fishes, Ronald McDonald House, Feed My Starving Children, DuPage PADs, Make-a-Wish and Adopt Animal Shelter.
Runners-up: Corporate Event Interactive; WhirlyBall
Best Venue outside Chicagoland
GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA
grandgeneva.com | 262.248.8811
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa recently completed a renovation of the Forum Convention Center, the resort’s largest conference space. The renovation aligns with the resort’s 25th birthday celebration. The Forum Convention Center has over 13,000 square feet of meeting space, a private entrance and an outdoor patio. The resort has also updated its boardrooms and Grand Suite.
Runners-up: The Abbey Resort; Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
BY THE NUMBERS
62,000 square feet of meeting space 1,300 acres on the property 609 guest rooms
BEST VENUE ON THE WATER
ODYSSEY LAKE MICHIGAN ENTERTAINMENT CRUISES
odysseycruises.com/Chicago | 312.321.1241
While getting out on Lake Michigan is a well-loved Chicago summer pastime, many do not realize the Odyssey cruises year-round, says Dan Russell, regional vice president of Entertainment Cruises. “The sparkling winter landscape affords stunning views of Chicago’s skyline that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the city,” Russell says.
Last year, the Odyssey extended its upscale, temperature-controlled dining experience to the Chicago River with a glass-enclosed vessel that offers 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding architecture.
Runners-up: Chicago’s First Lady Cruises; Anita Dee Yacht Charters
