Chicago Suburbs
Off-Sites in the Outskirts

by KATIE MORELL

· While the city of Chicago has countless world-renowned venues, what lies just outside town might surprise planners. Tucked into communities such as Glenview, Schaumburg, Oak Park and Wheaton are a bevy of fascinating attractions, many with a historical flair that is sure to impress groups. Following are eight favorites for outstanding off-site events.

The Grove Redfield Estate
847.298.0095
www.glenviewparkdist.org/The-Grove/Redfield-Estate.htm

Located in the center of the bustling suburb of Glenview is a retreat center that gives visitors the feeling of being away from it all.

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Sponsor

Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center, Chicago North Shore

The Doubletree is ideally located in the heart of the North Shore. It offers 22,000 square feet of total meeting space and is an IACC-certified facility. Complete meeting packages are designed especially to meet specific budgets and include audiovisual services, continuous breaks and complimentary high-speed Internet throughout. Awarded Hilton’s prestigious “Conversion of the Year Award,” the hotel offers complete comfort and convenience with ergonomic chairs and a full-service EMC with a dedicated administrator.

For more information, visit www.skokieillinoishotel.com or call (847) 679-7000.

Happenings – Chicago Suburbs

Northern Suburbs

· Holiday Inn Chicago North Shore (847.679.8900; www.ichotelsgroup.com) recently finished updating its guest rooms. The 244-room hotel offers 15,000 square feet of meeting space.

· Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center Chicago North Shore (847.769.7000; www.hilton.com) in Skokie renovated its fitness center in 2009. The property features 369 guest rooms and 22,000 square feet of meeting space.

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Sponsor

DuPage CVB

DuPage, The Magnificent Miles West of Chicago™ DuPage County offers quick, easy access to Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway international airports, a top-notch commuter airport, convenient expressways and mass transportation. With over 1.9 million square feet of combined meeting space, 16,000 guest rooms, free hotel parking, seven IACC-approved facilities and four golf resorts, DuPage is an outstanding choice for groups up to 5,000.

Ask about our Signature Elite incentive program, which can save you cash on your next event, at meetings@discoverdupage.com or (800) 232-0502.

Short Takes

Museums & Attractions

· Dinosaurs Unearthed, at the Saint Louis Science Center, is the biggest exhibition of its kind ever to visit St. Louis. More than 20 life-sized dinosaurs, some animatronic, and some of the first feathered fossils and models are displayed in realistic, prehistoric habitats. Visitors have an opportunity to take control of the movements of eight animatronic dinosaurs such as a baby Stegosaurus, Baryonyx, Parasaurolophus and an Allosaurus. Five life-size skeletons are also on display in tropical settings, including a towering 62-foot long Omeisaurus. Throughout the exhibition, bones and footprints are displayed in glass cases, along with in-depth information pertaining to each fossil. The science center offers group options that include green meetings packages. For more information, call 314.286.4634 or visit www.slsc.org.

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Planning in a Tough Economy Webinar

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

In today’s economy you need to plan like your job depends on it, because more than ever, it does! Learn ways to trim your budget without dampening the attendee experience and how to show the savings you gained to the organization you plan for. By employing a few simple cost-cutting strategies from this webinar, you can provide a quality meeting without breaking the bank. In this webinar, Joan Eisenstodt, a premier meetings industry educator and consultant, will let you know how you can make the most with less both for your attendees and the bottom line.
Join Meetings Media for this free webinar Wednesday, Jan. 27, and learn more. There is no fee to register.

Visit MeetingsFocus.com/webinars to register or learn more.

Sponsored by: The Scottsdale Plaza Resort and Glen Cove Mansion Hotel & Conference Center.