If sports team championships are an analogy for anything, it’s that if you believe, work hard and ignore the naysayers who claim “it’s never gonna happen,” dreams can come true.
When the Chicago Cubs won the World Series last year, after reaching for the title for more than 100 years, residents of the Windy City and relocated fans of the beloved team far and wide burst into celebration.
“What I found uplifting was a sense that this was not only a wonderful Chicago story, but a story of positivity and pure joy that resonated around the country,” said David Whitaker, president and CEO of Choose Chicago.
A sports team can certainly spread cheer, as well as foster a sense of camaraderie that can glue communities together.
Similarly, for groups that book an off-site event at one of Chicago’s sports venues, there are opportunities for teambonding and fun, whether attendees are cheering from the sidelines or getting in on some competitive action.
Wrigleyville
Wrigleyville, the unofficial yet popular name of the area surrounding Wrigley Field, is an increasingly exciting prospect for meeting planners, as it also features Wrigley Rooftops, various group-friendly restaurants and upcoming developments such as a new conference center and park.
“Wrigleyville is a perfect destination for corporate groups,” said Andy Blackburn, Wrigley Field’s senior director of sales.
Its centerpiece, of course, is what fans call “Beautiful Wrigley Field,” which has preserved its original beauty, charm and traditions for more than a century.
“With the Chicago Cubs having won the World Series in 2016, fans and tourists are more excited than ever to support their favorite team and visit this iconic ballpark,” Blackburn said, noting that it sports newly renovated spaces for groups of all sizes.
Among them are Budweiser Patio and Left Field Porch, both located in the famous Budweiser Bleachers, and several climate-controlled suites.
“Whether clients are kicking off a convention or hosting a once-in-a-lifetime team outing, Wrigley Field is the perfect playground to take guests away from everyday life,” Blackburn said, and added that on non-game days, “groups can play catch, softball or even have a homerun derby on the historic field, with access to indoor batting cages and bullpen sessions.”
A noteworthy expansion at Wrigley Field, which according to Choose Chicago’s Whitaker has already generated a ton of interest from meeting planners, is nearing completion for the beginning of this baseball season. It includes the Park at Wrigley Field, an open-grass area that will accommodate tented receptions for up to 2,000 people, and adjacent to the park, the American Airlines Executive Conference Center, which will accommodate meetings of up to 300 people.
“Functional conference rooms include AV equipment and can be divided into smaller spaces, while a folding NanaWall system opens out to a patio overlooking Wrigley Field and the outdoor plaza,” Blackburn said. “Each meeting includes a personal touch of Wrigley Field, as guests receive Cubs-themed paper and pens.”
Another option for group gatherings during a Cubs game is Wrigley Rooftops, a set of 11 rooftops overlooking Wrigley Field, all with indoor and outdoor levels.
According to Co-Director Stacey Loukas, a meeting can be held inside in different settings, including boardroom, presentation or classroom setups, before the group moves outside for a game.
“It’s one of most unique sporting event experiences you can have,” she said. “It’s a way for groups to be part of the action—they’ll have views of Wrigley Field and of the city, too.”
The Pros
Chicago is home to facilities that host teams for every major league brand, from MLB’s Chicago Cubs at historic Wrigley Field to the NBA’s Chicago Bulls at the United Center.
“From a meeting planner perspective, this assures almost any time of the year while a meeting is going on in Chicago, there is an option of a major league sports team in town playing,” said Choose Chicago’s Whitaker.
He added that while no sports facility is more famous than Wrigley Field, there is excitement brewing over the soon-to-open 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena. The future home of DePaul University’s Blue Demons basketball team will be connected to both McCormick Place and the new Marriott Marquis Chicago, which should also be open by year’s end.
“It’s generating a lot of new buzz about event options for our existing and new clients,” Whitaker said.
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Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, is also buzzing, as it—and the city—was awarded the bid to host the 2017 MLS All-Star Game in August.
Soldier Field offers a variety of spaces, both inside and outside, for all types of special events, including meetings, tradeshows and galas, according to Luca Serra, its director of sponsorship and media.
“Our indoor club spaces are uniquely designed with high vaulted ceilings, historic columns and lakeside views,” he said, and added the space is ideal for large sit-down banquets and receptions.
Serra also mentioned that any integration with a Chicago Bears game needs to be arranged with the Bears organization, but that for all non-Bears events, including concerts and other sports games, planners can facilitate pre-event space, an executive suite and a tour of the stadium directly with Soldier Field.
Similarly, at Guaranteed Rate Field, which was renamed in November from U.S. Cellular Field, planners must work directly with MLB’s Chicago White Sox to facilitate group parties on game days.
According to Lou Bertuca, CEO of Guaranteed Rate Field, they can also arrange for a customized scoreboard greeting and have a group attendee throw out the first pitch.
There is also a Conference and Learning Center on-site for groups interested in meeting in “a unique venue with every imaginable amenity,” Bertuca said, either on a non-game day or before a game.
Amateur Hour
While sitting on the sidelines for a professional football or baseball game will certainly be memorable for groups, there are also plenty of opportunities throughout Chicago for attendees to compete with one another.
The most popular event for groups at the Windy City Fieldhouse, a multi-sport/entertainment complex that specializes in teambuilding, is a rotational competition during which both athletic and brainy attendees will shine.
“In a standard set-up, there are four activities followed by a culminating event to crown the overall winner,” said the facility’s president and co-founder, Murrel Karsh. “The activities vary from active stations like dodgeball and volleyball to less active stations that require more communication and problem-solving.”
Among the wide variety of activities available here, groups can also arrange a single-sport tournament; an interactive reception, during which attendees will network and bond over informal games of billiards, foosball and darts; or an off-site option that allows groups to get out and explore the city, including an Amazing Race-style event or a Mission Impossible-inspired scavenger hunt.
The Windy City Fieldhouse also has on-site spaces for meetings if the group would like to take care of some business before engaging in a fun activity.
SPiN Chicago, a ping-pong venue, has space for group gatherings as well, including center court with stadium-style seating for spectators and six ping-pong tables, as well as several private VIP rooms.
Throughout the venue, according to its director of sales, Jena Cherry, guests will find couches, eclectic light fixtures, a bar, communal-style dining tables and an expansive patio that is open during the summer months.
“Playing areas can be separated with edgy mesh copper curtains for personal group experiences, and subtle black lights can be turned on for a glow-in-the-dark experience,” she said.
SPiN accommodates corporate groups by arranging ping-pong tournaments and professional lessons, and by providing company-branded equipment.
“Ping-pong is an ice-breaker, conversation-starter and social activator,” Cherry said.
Customized group experiences can also be arranged at 10Pin Bowling Lounge, an upscale bowling alley that welcomes groups of all sizes.
“Half of your group can be competing on the lanes while others are enjoying our new ping-pong and pool tables, or relaxing in our comfortable lounges,” said Chelsea Stack, 10Pin’s event salesperson. “We’ve also entertained outside-the-box ideas such as photo booths, performers and caricature artists.”
10pin, which excels in corporate events, has an open-concept feel that is well-suited for large groups and venue buyouts.
“Everything is located on one level, which allows the group to remain all together even while entertained by different activities,” Stack said. “It is the games themselves that create an interactive, whimsical experience where guests play together and truly enjoy each other’s company.”
