PEERSPACE

Meeting Notes PLANNER’S POCKET DICTIONARY 13 F&B 14 EXPERT ADVICE 16 SIGNATURE DRINK 19

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PEERSPACE peerspace.com team@peerspace.com

Uncovering Off-Site Gems

New platform helps planners discover unconventional meeting spaces.

AS meetings and events trend toward out-of-the-box, interactive experiences in untraditional venues, planners are on the hunt for new and creative locales. Enter Peerspace: the Airbnbstyle space sharing platform pairing planners with unconventional and underutilized venues that fuel more effective meetings.

“Peerspace was founded on the idea (and research shows) that location is key when it comes to meeting productivity,” says Rony Chammas, co-founder and chief product officer of Peerspace. “Meeting in a unique or comfortable space with features like natural light, plants or interesting artwork or architecture can boost inspiration and productivity. It’s all about finding those one-of-a-kind, unexpected spaces to help your team meet more creatively.”

Those looking to break away from windowless conference rooms and drab ballrooms can find hidden gems in the local art galleries, lofts, photography studios, warehouses, museums and even movie set locations listed on the platform.

Users simply scroll through the platform’s online marketplace (which currently hosts over 8,000 listings in 46 states) to find the perfect space to host anything from workshops and corporate retreats to teambuilding events and fitness classes. Venues are Peerspace reviewed and approved, and include a detailed description of the space, guest capacity, rental price and user reviews, as well as high-quality photos (Peerspace offers professional photography for high-potential listings). Venues can be booked online at the click of a button.

“We’ve made finding and booking a space as simple and streamlined as possible so planners can actually enjoy that process of discovery,” says Chammas. “We want to make discovering and working in new and unique spaces easy and exciting.” —By Megan Gosch

PEOPLE» Relationship Goals

For these four couples, the events industry proved to be much more than just a career.

BY KELSEY OGLETREE

Emily Cornelious

Director of Sales and Marketing, St. Jane Chicago

Marcus Cornelious

Director of Sales and Marketing, The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel

THE MEET CUTE IMEX in Las Vegas in October 2013 through mutual friends

THE WEDDING June 13, 2015 in Monterey, California

THE MUSHY STUFF Emily: “I love the way Marcus loves. His ability to show love to all and his kindness is remarkable.” Marcus: “Emily is my best friend. She supports me through my ups and downs, pushes me to be a better person and loves me unconditionally.”

THE INDUSTRY CONNECTION Emily: “We get each other’s frustration, wins and losses. When I was traveling a ton, it was easy because he understood. We always make time for each other even through the long demanding nights at work.” Marcus: “Through the good and bad days, it makes it easy for us to understand each other on a deeper level. We also seek guidance from each other.”

ON TALKING SHOP AT HOME Emily: “We both admire each other’s professional success. We try to keep it to a minimum to not be consumed with work at home.” Marcus: “We are technically competitors, so we draw the line and we don’t talk about the details.” THE MEET CUTE At Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in 2007, where they were both working at the time, she in rooms and he as a banquet manager (when the lobby underwent a renovation years later, David asked them to save a piece of the floor, and he used that to stand on when he proposed at the Blackstone Hotel)

THE WEDDING Aug. 20, 2011 at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, featured on TLC’s “Four Weddings”

THE MUSHY STUFF Micaela: “I love that he can carry a conversation with anyone. He is smart with a sense of humor, and he is always positive. He is generous and thinks of others. Handsome, for sure! I know that he would like me to write about his smile and hair—we called him ‘Colgate’ 10 years ago.” David: “When we first met, I loved her Argentinian accent, beauty and popularity around the resort. She even had her picture with Mr. Marriott by the time I arrived at the company. I was reaching way out of my league! Now it’s her thoughtful and sweet actions. She is a caring and wonderful partner.”

THE INDUSTRY CONNECTION Both: “The industry can be very demanding of your time, energy and feelings; we have an understanding. We spend our days putting others first. We stay close laughing and telling stories about the good old days.”

ON TALKING SHOP AT HOME Micaela: “We bounce ideas off each other all the time. He is stronger in sales and marketing, and I am in operations. We complement each other in that way.”

David Haas

General Manager, Miracle Method Surface Refinishing (hotel vendor)

Micaela Haas

General Manager, The Rose Hotel

William R. “Will” Host

Associate Professor, Roosevelt University School of Hospitality & Tourism Management; and Meeting Planner

Denis Frankenfield

Retired Director of Events and Catering, Sodexo, Shedd Aquarium

THE MEET CUTE September 1980 at Meeting World at Rosemont Convention Center, when Denis was exhibiting for Marriott Indianapolis and Will was a meeting planner for an international trade association

THE WEDDING Officially, Sept. 24, 2015 on their 35th anniversary, at the Cook County Courthouse; though they joke they were really married by Hyde Park Bank in 1981 when they joined their personal finances

THE MUSHY STUFF Will: “I love his steadfastness and calming attitude when I go neurotic. He is also wonderful at nursing me through a number of illnesses and health conditions I’ve had.” Denis: “I love Will’s compassion and empathy for humanity, friends and relatives, and his thoughtfulness to his students, colleagues, friends and neighbors—along with his impulsiveness.”

THE INDUSTRY CONNECTION Will: “We clearly understand the work-life challenges faced by those of us in the industry—late nights, long days, weekends that are way too short or not at all.”

ON TALKING SHOP AT HOME Both: “Denis talks about the client who sends in their specification the day before the event, wants to make major changes to the menu and setup the morning of. Will talked about the stupid setup the catering manager gave him for a simple buffet of 150 people. We did agree, however, not to talk about our work if Will was holding a meeting at one of Denis’ properties.” THE MEET CUTE Through a friend at Sofitel Chicago Water Tower’s Le Bar in 2008, when Lisa was working there as PR and marketing manager

THE WEDDING June 27, 2009 at Trump International Hotel Chicago, where one of the bridesmaids was conference services manager

THE MUSHY STUFF Lisa: “Gordon’s intensity, compassion for others, and sense of humor are some of his best traits. I’m continually amazed by his uncanny ability to quickly determine what is important to a person, find common ground and immediately make a lasting connection.” Gordon: “I have yet to meet anyone that can laugh at themselves more than Lisa. Life with her is unpredictable and fun. And, she is the ultimate conversationalist while also being the best listener I know.”

THE INDUSTRY CONNECTION Both: “Our love for hotels was our first real connection that has endured for the last 10 years. We live and breathe hospitality and share an affinity for the Chicago market.”

ON TALKING SHOP AT HOME Both: “Our No. 1 hobby is exploring restaurants, so our pastime is looking at the service experience, cuisine, atmosphere, and PR and marketing surrounding a restaurant. We also enjoy hotels and discussing what factors make them truly memorable. It’s exciting for us to discuss what makes businesses successful.”

Lisa Taylor

President, Illuminate Public Relations, Inc.

Gordon Taylor III

Director of Sales and Marketing, Waldorf Astoria Chicago

EVENT COMPANY PROFILE»

16” ON CENTER

Chicago hospitality collective 16” on Center partners with local businesses to turn everything from bars to theaters into serviceable event venues. Founding partners Bruce Finkelman and Craig Golden have transformed 14 businesses (like Bite Café, Dusek’s Board & Beer, MONEYGUN, The Promontory, Thalia Hall and more) and have provided a single point of contact for event planners interested in utilizing these spaces as venues.

Each visionary branch of 16” on Center, including the venues and event rental services, is inspired by the real passions of the company’s team. A small, but experienced staff of hospitality experts is on hand to help event planners create a thoughtful, highly personalized function.

Finkelman, a Chicagoland native, says the inspiration for 16” on Center came from the time he spent working at a live music club in Columbia, Missouri, as a college student. It was there that he first fell in love with intimate music venues and their potential for event functionality.

“All of the individual concepts and entities presented in our venue options and services are extensions of the unique people here,” Finkelman says. “We feel it’s best to bring ideas to the public that we ourselves like.” –Josephine Werni

The Promontory

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16” ON CENTER 16oncenterchicago.com | 312.796.7116

Chef Kristine Antonian-Vilarosa’s chocolate mint donuts

EVENT RENTAL SPOTLIGHT

In addition to neighborhood event venues, 16” on Center rents unique items to spice up the F&B at any event.

JUICE BOX: Both the mobile beverage container itself and the cocktails it transports are completely customizable.

ICE CREAM CART: It’s movable and can be filled with whatever flavor of ice cream and toppings clients desire.

PASTRY PROGRAM: At The Promontory, chef Kristine Antonian-Vilarosa uses seasonal ingredients to craft an ever-changing menu of breads, pastries and desserts.