January 13, 2011

Reforms Lure Major Convention Back to Chicago

Meetings Focus - the Destination Experts

January 13, 2011


Reforms Lure Major Convention Back to Chicago Chicago's McCormick Place, which instituted major reforms to lower costs, improve labor relations and relax union work rule flexibility, netted the rebooking of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), which reversed its decision 15 months ago to drop Chicago from its rotation. Read more »
Chicago CTB Hires New Chief The Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau hired Don Welsh to replace Tim Roby as its president and CEO. Read more »
HSMAI Sets Affordable Meetings Agenda The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International announced the dates for its upcoming Affordable Meetings conference series this year. Read more »
Luxury Hotel Slated for Chicago Plans are in the works for a luxury property called Langham Chicago Hotel to open in 2012 in Chicago's former IBM Building. Read more »

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
	Conveniently located between Chicago and Milwaukee, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa offers professional amenities, renovated guest rooms, decadent dining options and an array of activities for fun and relaxation. It's an expansive 1,300-acre, AAA Four Diamond getaway in the middle of gorgeous Wisconsin countryside. Book now and choose from FREE Reception, FREE Continental Breakfast or FREE Money.
For more information, call (888) 392-8000 or visit www.grandgeneva.com.

		Chicago Suburbs Alfresco Allure
		By KATIE MORELL
		Chicago's suburban region may be frigid in January, but come spring when the snow begins to melt and residents come out of hibernation, everyone, including groups, starts looking for outdoor experiences.
Thankfully for planners, Chicago's many suburban communities offer a slew of great places for groups to breathe in fresh air, from gardens and zoos to concert venues and charter boats. Following are several standout options. Read more about Chicago Suburbs ...

Hilton Chicago Northbrook \| Hilton Lisle/Naperville \| Doubletree Hotel Chicago/Alsip
	Meetings Are Our Business! Three amazing hotels in three ideal locations in the Chicago suburbs. We specialize in business meetings, corporate events, executive board meetings, sales trainings, product launches and everything in between. Each of our luxurious hotels features spacious and flexible meeting rooms, grand ballrooms, on-site audiovisual and Allgauer's award-winning cuisine! Our professional staff is dedicated to making sure every event is perfect! Request on RFP online and be sure to ask about our Spring Meeting Deals!
For more information, visit www.northbrookallgauers.com, www.hiltonlislenaperville.com, www.alsipdoubletree.com.

Happenings – Chicago Suburbs

Northern Suburbs

In May, Hotel Orrington was rebranded the Hilton Orrington/ Evanston (847.866.8700).

The 225-room Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-North Shore/Skokie (847.583.1111) recently completed a $4 million upgrade.

Site Scene

Indiana

The JW Marriott Indianapolis is slated to open in February, coinciding with a $275 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center across the street later that month. The new $450 million hotel will offer 1,005 guest rooms, 53 meeting rooms and 104,000 square feet of meeting and event space. It will be the largest JW Marriott in the worldwide chain. There will be a network of elevated walkways to the expanded Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. For more information, call 317.860.5800.

Read more Site Scene »

Historic Wisconsin Resort Closes Doors - 12/15/2010
Chicago CTB Chief Resigns - 12/07/2010
Hotel Tax Hike Proposed for Michigan - 11/17/2010
Chicago Taps Big Guns for Convention Board - 11/10/2010
Industry Survey Shows Meetings Optimism - 11/02/2010
McCormick Place Launches New Reforms - 10/28/2010
Hilton Debuts New Doubletree Brand Identity - 10/20/2010
Show Organizers Embrace Digital Media - 10/13/2010
Kimpton to Manage Historic Minneapolis Hotel - 10/06/2010
Southwest Airlines to Buy AirTran - 9/28/2010

Reforms Lure Major Convention Back to Chicago

Chicago Suburbs

Alfresco Allure

By KATIE MORELL