The Second City: Second to None Event & Meeting Spaces
How about hosting your next corporate or private event at the very same space where celebrated and award winning comedians like Joan Rivers, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey have performed?
The Second City is available for private parties, corporate meetings, and special events of all kinds, for up to 450 people. You have the choice of different theater spaces and classrooms, numerous catering options, customized entertainment, workshops, and more, all under (or on top of) one roof, minutes away from downtown Chicago.
An Unforgettable Experience
The Second City offers an unforgettable experience and will handle your request professionally and 100% catered to your needs and wishes. Whether you want to host an intimate team building workshop or a wedding for hundreds of people: it is all possible. You decide what you want and a dedicated team will handle everything, including:
• Totally unique event spaces (private and semi-private)
• Full-service catering & diverse menus
• World-class entertainment
• A/V & tech equipment + support
• Bespoke production & custom content creation
• Professional workshops & meeting facilitation
Group and Event Sales Information
Nicole Cylkowski, Director of Group Sales and Events - 312-487-1015 - www.secondcity.com/events/chicago
SkyDeck Chicago: Stunning Views, Unforgettable Experiences
When the now-Willis-then-Sears Tower was completed in 1973, it became the tallest building in the world and it remained so until 1996. Today, the Willis Tower continues to be the tallest building in Chicago and one of the tallest in the world. Needless to say that attending an event on the 99th floor of this iconic architectural gem -with views of the Lakefront ánd four surrounding states!- is an unforgettable experience.
360-Degree Views
Throughout the years, the Skydeck has hosted hundreds of various events for many iconic organizations, including corporate meetings, birthday parties, weddings, and convention receptions. Spectacular 360-degree views ranging up to four states, combined with a Ledge visit, make any event an unforgettable experience.
Whether the occasion is professional or personal, for a large or small group: the Skydeck team will guide you throughout the creative process of organizing a memorable event. Their collaboration with several preferred catering partners allows you to make your event as fancy as you wish: from a pizza pie in the sky to a luxury dinner experience.
The Sky's the Limit
The Skydeck team has creatively accommodated weddings as well as several wedding proposals. At the same time, they have conducted military installation ceremonies, referred personal photographers, reserved private Ledge time, coordinated advance floral arrangements — the sky is literally the limit!
Skydeck Specs
- 8000 square feet of space
- Capacity of 50 to 175 seated guests, up to 300 for reception-style events
- Dance floor
- VIP access to Skydeck and the Ledge
- Optional photo packages
- Customized column color washes
- Close discounted garage parking
- Day-of event coordinator
Need more information?
Check the dedicated web page or call 312-875-1632
Blue Plate : Running Strong for over 35 Years
Blue Plate Catering must be Chicago’s most trusted partner for food service, food delivery and -of course- catered events. Blue Plate has been around for over three decades and many of the staff members have seen the company grow and thrive throughout the years. And they all have fond memories of the many events they have worked with. One event though, stands out when asking the team about their favorites: the Chicago Marathon.
Chicago Marathon & Blue Plate: 20+ years of partnership
Beth Bracco: “We’ve enjoyed a 20+ year partnership with Chicago Event Management who manages the event on behalf of Bank of America, and prior to that LaSalle Bank. We have many staff members who have worked this event every year, as well as run the event! So many old employees have fond memories.â€
Smooth operation
“The catering services we have provided have grown exponentially each year as the Marathon has become one of the premier sporting events in the world. In 2019 there were 45,000 runners from over 100 countries and we served more than 4000 guests in multiple locations throughout Grant Park. Our culinary and ops teams of more than 100 people literally build a kitchen on site starting at midnight on race day and are ready to serve guests by 6am. Since the tragic violence at the 2013 Boston Marathon – security and operations have become a top priority for the planning teams.â€Â
Celebration year
“The race was cancelled for the first time in its history in 2020 so it was a major celebration for both the Blue Plate and Marathon teams to successfully execute the event this year. While it was a scaled back version of the race and the amenities we provided it was a great weekend of activity.â€
The team at Blue Plate is already looking forward to next year’s marathon, when runners from all over the world will be able to enjoy one of the greatest races in the world again. And the Blue Plate team will make sure they are all being catered for, as they have been doing for over twenty years.
More information about Blue Plate can be found on their website.
Blue is Back!
Blue Man Group Resumes Its Chicago Residency
Theatrical phenomenon Blue Man Group has made its long-awaited return to Chicago’s Briar Street Theatre. A dynamic combination of art, music, comedy and technology, Blue Man Group encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) child in order to see the world through a new perspective.
“For more than 20 years, Blue Man Group has established itself as one of the top entertainment destinations in Chicago,†said Mary Grisolano, Managing Director of Blue Man Group. “We are absolutely thrilled to return to the stage and welcome new and returning audiences to the Briar Street Theatre.â€
About Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group originally debuted at the Briar Street Theatre in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in 1997. Three bald and blue men explore today’s cultural norms with wonder, poking fun at the audience’s collective quirks and reminding them how much they all have in common.
The show is continually refreshed with new music, stories, custom instruments and state-of-the-art technology. It is a celebration of human connection that has universal appeal for a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds.
Blue Man Group has become part of the pop culture zeitgeist and has served as the face of branding campaigns for Intel and TIM/Brasil and appeared countless times on hit shows like “The Tonight Show,†“Arrested Development,†“Ellen,†“Schlag den Raab†(Germany), “WOWOW†(Japan), and “Caldeirão do Huck†(Brasil).
Beyond the stage show, they are Grammy-nominated recording artists, known for their contributions to various film and TV scores and multiple Blue Man Group albums. Their “Megastar World Tour†rock concert parody played arenas across the globe. The group’s first-ever book, Blue Man World, is a visually stunning anthropological exploration of the curious bald and blue character. 35 million people have seen Blue Man Group worldwide. Now it’s your turn. If you haven’t seen Blue Man Group, you haven’t seen Chicago.
Tickets & Group Reservations
Blue Man Group Chicago tickets are on sale now and prices range from $49 – $89. They can be purchased by visiting www.blueman.com. A full show schedule and pricing can also be found at www.blueman.com. Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more, varying from $57 – $70 per person. For groups of 10 or more, email chicagogroups@blueman.com to request information.
How AV Chicago can take the stress out of hosting an online or hybrid event
Safety is still at utmost importance as we continue to work from home and take precautions around events and social gatherings. As the vaccine numbers increase steadily, meeting and event professionals are gearing up for hosting in-person and hybrid events to bring people back together safely. Luckily, AV Chicago and partner Chop Shop have found a way to take the stress out of planning hybrid and online events. With an expert team and a state of the art facility, any planner should feel comfortable enough to explore the possibilities of hosting a hybrid event.
In order to keep engagement after so much technology fatigue, a new hybrid approach may be your best option to keep attendees engaged. Not only will a hybrid event help create an exceptional experience for all your attendees no matter where they are participating, but it will also take care of your in-person hospitality needs as well. President of AV Chicago, Andrew Brode notes
“The studio will be a great asset to our client’s upcoming virtual and hybrid events. We have built a space that looks as spectacular in person as it does virtually. Coupled with our production skills and event platform, we continue to elevate what a virtual event should be.â€
- Andrew Brode, President, AV Chicago
Meeting and event planners are looking for ways to make their upcoming events stronger by using high-end production work including professional video, audio, and lighting. To produce quality online events, you need to find a good partner that can not only handle the technical aspects but also provide a scenic space that will look great on camera and in person. With only a few studios in the Chicagoland area set up for these types of events, AV Chicago’s Chop Shop studio is the premier partner for any hybrid or virtual event.
Make it easier on yourself for your next event, and create your most engaging presentation yet! To learn more about AV Chicago’s Chop Shop Studio, visit AV Chicago.
Written by: Natalie Kokaska
What You Need to Know About #HTSOnline
The Hospitality & Tourism Summit is coming at you completely online for its 19th annual year! So, what does that mean? How can a one-day trade show full of tangible experiences pivot to an online experience?
Ateema Media & Marketing, the producers of the summit, have worked hard over the last several months of quarantine to re-imagine the next best alternative. Dubbing this new format as the Hospitality & Tourism Summit Online, all attendees will have the ability to log on and log off at their leisure throughout the week.
The goal for the Hospitality & Tourism Summit is to bring together all industry friends after months of disconnect. The week is built for everyone to pick and choose their own pathway/schedule based on their interests, prior commitments, etc. Ateema has made this "pick and choose" format possible as they will be uploading the recordings of all of the webinars after they are presented live for attendees to watch on-demand. As well, attendees will have access to the trade show floor until next year's summit. They want all attendees to maximize their attendance but also be strategic with the programming you choose to attend live, because you can!
Keep on reading for some common misconceptions about the Hospitality & Tourism Summit Online and how you work around them:
Common Misconception #1: That you have to be online the entire week.
You do not! You can log on and log off based on what is on your personal agenda is each day. It is recommended that you choose a couple of opportunities to attend live each day. The summit has programming that is as short as 45 minutes. Even the longest sessions don't exceed 90 minutes.
Common Misconception #2: If you don't attend everything live, you won't be getting your ticket's worth.
So wrong! All educational sessions will be recorded and placed online for you to view at a later time that works better for you. The trade show floor will be live until April of 2021 so you can go back in at any time and keep browsing all of the exhibitor booths.
Common Misconception #3: Virtual networking is boring and awkward.
Not anymore! The Hospitality & Tourism Summit virtual networking events will be using a lifelike and user-friendly networking software that requires no prior setup on your part. Simply, click a link to enter the networking rooms, "walk-up" to any table, and join the conversation. If you aren't into the conversation or want to find some new people to talk to, leave the conversation just as easily! Live entertainment will also be provided during networking events.
Common Misconception #4: I am furloughed/out of work right now so this won't bring me value.
Switch your mindset! This is the PERFECT time for you to get involved if you are not currently working. At a time when many people in our industry are looking for solutions, trends, timely topics, and predictions for the future, you can say you were a part of those conversations! This is the time to invest in yourself.
CDC's Advice to Planners
Meeting planners have been thrown a few curveballs over the past few months to say the least— from cancelled events and now new restrictions on in-person events. As we continue to adapt to COVID-19, it is crucial that meeting planners are up to date on the latest advice from the CDC in regards to hosting safe in-person events. We know you have many questions, and we are hoping to provide you with some answers based on guidance from the CDC.
How do you plan for an outbreak at an event?
The first step in planning an event in the COVID-19 era is by developing an emergency plan well before the event. The CDC recommends designating “an administrator or office to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. All staff and attendees should know who this person or office is and how to contact them.†Be sure to speak with local health officials about the event and have plans in place such as flexible refund policies for those who do not attend the event because they are not feeling well and plenty of supplies such as masks and hand sanitizer.
How do you prepare staff for the event?
Staff should be trained on all safety protocols. Virtual training is ideal to avoid contact with others, but if in-person training is necessary, make sure social distancing is possible. Consider using the CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers for guidance.
How many people can attend the event?
The CDC does not have a limit on how many people can attend an event, but be sure to check state and local policies on event capacity. Make sure there is plenty of space for event attendees to socially distance at all times, and consider an outdoor space as it is often easy to keep people spread apart and provides better ventilation than an indoor setting. Another way to limit the number of people at an event is by having entry times for staff and attendees.
Do attendees need to be tested for COVID-19 before the event or should their temperature be taken?
Testing all event attendees and staff is not recommended. Temperature screening and questionnaires asking attendees and staff if they have symptoms, have been in contact with anyone known to have the virus, or if they have travelled recently is recommended as long as it does not invade privacy.
How do you make sure attendees social distance at the event?
Hosting smaller events in larger spaces is one way to keep participants spread apart. It also helps to use designated entrances and exits to keep people from running into one another and use signs to indicate which direction guests should be walking. Avoid lines at places like bathrooms or registration areas. Techniques such as online check-in before the event can help to shorten lines and speed up the registration process. If lines are ever necessary, be sure to have signs and markings on the floor to remind people to keep six feet apart.
What can staff and attendees do to limit the spread of COVID-19 at the event?
Be sure that staff and attendees stay home if they are not feeling well as a first step in limiting the spread of COVID-19. Once at the event, be sure handwashing stations and hand sanitizer are easily accessible and that staff and attendees are utilizing these resources often. All staff and attendees should wear a face covering, especially it is not as easy to stay six feet apart from others.
What is the proper way to sanitize the event space before, during and after the event?
High touch surfaces such as door handles, sinks, drinking fountains and hand railers should be sanitized at least daily or as much as possible during the event. Other shared surfaces like countertops should be disinfected between uses. A cleaning schedule indicating what needs to be cleaned and when can help ensure that proper sanitation occurs during the event. EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19 should be used, but make sure there is proper ventilation so toxic vapors are not inhaled.
How do you safely distribute food at the event?
According to the CDC, “Avoid offering any self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations. Consider having pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee.â€
What do you do if someone develops COVID-19 symptoms at the event?
Immediately separate anyone who develops symptoms at the event and provide them with clean disposable face masks. Close off all areas and disinfect anything the person with symptoms was in contact with. Contact local health officials about the potential case and be sure event attendees and staff are aware of possible exposure to COVID-19. Anyone who was in close contact with the potential case should also be separated.
How do I know if it is appropriate to cancel the event or not?
If the event space is not going to accommodate social distancing and it is not possible to find a larger space, it may be necessary to cancel the event or move the event online. If a large number of attendees are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms, it may be necessary to cancel or encourage these participants to not attend the event. If there is an outbreak in your community or in communities in which many attendees are coming from it may also be necessary to cancel. Ultimately, be sure to consult with local health officials when making this decision.
For more information, visit the CDC website.
Written By: Kelly Pawlak
How Hotels Can Appeal to Meeting Planners
As the COVID-19 crisis continues and we adjust to this new normal, meeting planners are looking for spaces to safely host in-person events. In Lodging Magazine, VP of Product Development at Knowland Kristi White outlines what meeting planners want from hotels that are reopening.
Duty of care standards have a new level of importance to meeting planners than before. Whether a hotel has its own DOC standards or is following state regulations, these standards must be made clear to meeting planners. White emphasized that all hotel staff should be comfortable explaining these policies to guests and planners, and these policies should be easily accessible throughout the hotel and online.
Events are not going to be able to accommodate as many people as before, so as a hotel, it is important to follow local restrictions and requirements customers may have. “Prepare for a variety of options—whether six feet, seven feet, eight feet, or 12 feet of distancing,†White said.
Lower capacity in event spaces essentially means smaller events in larger spaces—potentially resulting in less revenue. White said it is important to work with the hotel’s revenue management team “to better understand how to price and optimize meeting space with the new social distancing guidelines.†A detailed plan for every scenario including room setup and number of rooms required will help sales teams sell events more seamlessly.
Self-serve buffets are not going to be seen at events in the near future, so hotels need to find ways to redesign banquet menus. In an article on Cvent, Megan Boley explains, “Seated dining could be an alternative option, if there are available staff members trained in sanitation and food-handling measures. These extra steps and layers of caution could tack on added cost to F&B, so it’s in the venues’ best interest to offer cost-effective solutions for food and beverage at events.†Pre-packaged meals and individually wrapped items are solutions to buffets, and White says these changes need to be clear in the hotel’s menu and pricing.
No matter what changes hotels make in preparing to host meetings, all changes and precautions must be clearly communicated to meeting planners and customers. Whether this be through email messages, a landing page, or creating an app for meeting planners and event attendees with safety information, all details should be easy to understand and access. White said creating an FAQ page and updating it as new questions come up is another effective way to communicate. It is just as important that sales teams are constantly updated on changes to effectively inform clients when selling events. As White said, “[planners] will want to book with hotels that have taken precautions and extra efforts to ensure their safety.â€
Hosting an event at your hotel may require more work than before, but luckily there are ways to safely and successfully host events at hotels during and beyond COVID-19.
Written By: Kelly Pawlak
Three Ways to Host Safe Events Now
The events world has been shaken up for quite a bit now. As the industry progresses through the phases of reopening, there has been one common denominator: safety first...and that will likely be the new standard. Through remaining connected with our industry peers, we found that what almost everyone wants to know is “Of all the work-arounds due to COVID-19, which ones are here to stay forever?â€. Until the future of events unravels, here are three ways you can host an event now without compromising the safety of your stakeholders.
1. Try out a hybrid event
While virtual events aren’t going away anytime soon, a hybrid event might be the next stepping stone to ease people back into in-person events. Cannonballing into the pool of pre-COVID events might not set you up for success. Instead, you may find that doing a hybrid event, partially live and partially virtual, is a great way to dip your toes in. For instance, try having your presenter(s) broadcast live at a venue, yet keep attendee participation virtual.
At Virtual Planner Master Class, broadcasted live from The Old Post Office, the Ateema team hosted their event at a venue, just as one would for an in-person event. The main difference was that the presenters were speaking to the attendees through a room equipped with A/V broadcasting capabilities and their outfits included a mask as the finishing touch instead of a name badge. What didn’t change was the wow factor. Jamie Sowski, Marketing & Events Manager for The Old Post Office, was able to have a video production team pre-record their gorgeous and historic event space, play that video during the broadcast, and do a live voice-over just as if she was actually walking potential clients through the venue.
2. Think unconventionally when working with vendors
Okay, so you may not want to have a medieval-times-feast-style meal for safety reasons. However, that doesn’t mean you have to rule out catering. Whether your event is hybrid or strictly online, catering companies have plenty of creative ways for your attendees to indulge while also keeping them safe.
For virtual events, consider having boxed meals or DIY cooking kits delivered to attendees’ homes. This way, you are bringing the “IRL†factor while eliminating the potential for others (not equipped with PPE and lawfully required to meet sanitization standards) to come in contact with the food. To turn it into a hybrid event, consider broadcasting from a kitchen or bar with a live demo for the attendees to follow along with their goodie boxes delivered prior to the event.
Blue Plate Catering hosted a happy hour after Virtual Planner Master Class where they showcased their deliverable, seasonal offerings, and encouraged attendees to GYOB (grab your own beverage) while watching a mixologist demo their “sealed-with-safety†margaritas.
3. Design strategically for maximum comfort
In addition to the type of hybrid event we mentioned earlier, there are other ways to host a hybrid event. One of those ways is to allow a limited number of attendees to experience the event live with the event host and presenter(s). But before you go crazy with sending out these VIP invites, you need to envision the event design and event flow for maximum safety and respectively, maximum comfort.
So, how can you grab a venue that permits the ability to socially distance with ease? An answer to this question is outdoor events...bring your guests outside to the openness and fresh air. Or, opt for a large venue. Long gone are the days when a venue says “we've squeezed 100 people in a 500-square-foot room beforeâ€. Rooms with spacious floor plans are going to be better received by skeptical guests. It creates a feeling that their personal space is not threatened.
Also, give every guest a way to display their level of comfortability without the awkward do-we-hug-or-do-I-just-wave-hello moment. Support a local printer and create stickers with comical sayings like “Can’t Touch This†or “Free High Fivesâ€. When you create stickers for your attendees, don’t forget stickers for the floor...yes, you read that correctly. Having reminders on the floor that show people which way to walk and how far apart to stand is a great way to plan safe event flow and spatial comfort.
Written By: Emma McVady
5 Trends To Think About While Pivoting Back to Live Events
As companies try to resume conducting business under the new normal, it will be a learning curve for all including event planners, hosts, vendors, venues, and attendees. Adjusting to the new norm post-COVID-19, those that are able to be flexible, adaptable and can pivot during these challenging times could be the most successful!  Keeping an open mind to new ways of hosting events which includes human interaction can be very advantageous as the industry plans for live events. Here’s our projections for what trends we might see when we start meeting in person again...
Never Enough Precaution
Besides checking your typical details with vendors, suppliers, and the venue, safety and security processes will now be incorporated. These safety protocols should be communicated to your guests to ensure them that their health and safety are at the forefront. It is now standard protocol to have a COVID-19 event checklist that includes temperature checking of employees and guests, in addition to requiring all to wear a face covering. There will be a dramatic difference with how everyone interfaces with each other as well. Long gone are the days where greeters are handing out materials such as maps and agendas as events will establish more self-service features for their participants. In addition, hand sanitizer will be more readily available and very much appreciated. Guests might be limited to bringing their belongings as ensuring the safety for both your guests and employees will go a long way. 
Innovative Food Options
It is important that participants feel all safety precautions were considered when it comes to the food being served at the events. As part of taking precautionary measures, buffets may not be a popular option to avoid serving utensils having multiple touches and to avoid people standing in lines. But don’t worry, planners are looking at creative meal options. Boxed lunches or pre-packed grab and go individual meals will be offered as well as seated meals. Planners will also be thinking outside of the box such as leveraging favorite food trucks or catering from your popular restaurants with carry out style options to still make it an enjoyable event. Although seating may be more restricted in numbers at a table, who says you can’t have a great experience with a smaller intimate group which may encourage better networking and connections?
Behind-the-Scenes Workers Now in the Spotlight
Pre-COVID 19, it was all about seamlessly transitioning the events with flipping the rooms quickly to avoid any type of event distractions. Post COVID-19 attendees might want the staff to be more visible. Seeing them frequently wiping down high touched spaces and continuous cleaning will now be more than welcomed. As well, I’m sure attendees won’t mind the cleaning crew to spend a little extra time in between room flips.
Empty Rooms a Good Thing Now?
In order for participants to feel comfortable to be in the same room with others while allowing the appropriate social distance, it is now acceptable and expected that rooms are not filled to capacity to reassure their guests. Brainstorming possible event room layouts with bigger rooms for less people and to how to space out the furniture will be key. Foot traffic directions that include warning signs that show “high traffic†or “high touch areas†will be part of the event set up too. Lastly, event planners will need to consider the staff’s ability to wipe down as frequently as possible based on venue layout.
Hybrid! Hybrid! Hybrid!
As we adjust to our new norm, hybrid events should be considered as an option. Hybrid events combine live people with virtual attendees and with budgets that may be more limited to hosting smaller groups this still allows for that personal connection. Something else to consider is combining live presentations and entertainment broadcasted from different rooms as that will help avoid having too many people in one room at a time. An additional benefit to hosting hybrid events, is the ability to be more flexible because the resources that you will be depending on will be more limited such as security, staff, catering, PPE, cleaning supplies, etc. Hybrid is a great alternative option for those who may still fear gathering with other people but also an opportunity to keep your event participation rate high.