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The Close Of A Chapter: Chicago 2016
Posted on October 6th, 2009 by Joe Chura
Concierge Preferred publisher Tim O’Malley has returned from the long journey across the pond with stories aplenty. Read more about his travels in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Friday Morning/Early Afternoon
This morning the delegation was abuzz with anticipation for the IOC presentation. After waking up to the sounds of security and media in Copenhagen–there was no question that today was a big day!
The majority of the Chicago 2016 delegation was here at the Admiral hotel, watching the IOC presentation on a live feed provided by the IOC. The room went dead quiet as the presentation began. As the presentation went on, you could see the pride on the faces of people in the room as you couldn’t help but be proud of the Chicago 2016 pitch team. The delegation went wild when Mayor Daley, Mr. Ryan (photo below), the Olympians and the Obamas spoke. I literally had goose bumps a number of times. Lots of buzz about how impressive the first lady’s speech was. President Obama’s final commitment that he promised that “Chicago would make the world proud” was absolutely electrifying!
There was some time between city presentation that allowed for catch up time with friends from the industry including:
-John Curran & Rob Pierson, Chicago Trolley
-Daniel Thomas & Carey Randal, John Hancock Observatory
-Mary Twomey, Essex Inn
-Holly Agra, Chicago’s First Lady
-Mary Ann Rose, Tamar Productions
-Colleen McShane, MPEA
-Marilynn Gardner, Navy Pier
-Jim Horan & Beth Bracco, Blue Plate Catering
-Billy Dec, Arturo Gomez & Brad Young
-Tony Lorenz from Freeman
-Phil Stefani, Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants
-Patrick Donnely, Hyatt Regency Chicago
-Erin Gilbert, Art Institute of Chicago
-Lynn Osmond, Chicago Architecture Foundation
-Tim Roby, John Patroski, CCTB
-Dennis Gannon, Chicago Federation of Labor
The highlight of this morning was when the pitch team for Chicago 2016 returned to the Chicago hotel from the presentation. All were beaming, including Pat Ryan and Mayor Daley. I had the chance to talk to the Mayor who felt very good about our efforts. (photo left)
As I sat and watched the Tokyo and Rio presentations, I realized that I have had way too much of the “company Kool-Aid” to have an objective opinion. That said, both were very impressive, I had to leave during Madrid presentation to knock this out and get ready for tonight’s event-hopefully it is a celebration for getting the Chicago 2016 Olympics!
I’ll be back later (hopefully with good news).
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Chicago 2016, Chicago Accommodations, Chicago Entertainment & Attractions, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants, Chicago Transportation
Final Days In Copenhagen
Posted on October 6th, 2009 by Joe Chura
Concierge Preferred publisher Tim O’Malley has returned from the long journey across the pond with stories aplenty. Read more about his travels below and in his blog of the bid announcement.
Thursday
For the Chicago 2016 Delegation, Thursday was a day for people to take in the city or prep for Friday’s IOC bid presentation. Many delegates took bike and boat tours which seem to be the most popular activities (outside of the ice bar which seemed to have captured the hearts of the delegation – must be a “longing” for Chicago in January!)
The highlights of the day was when Chicago 2016 delegation gathered at the Danish Royal Playhouse to show our support for the IOC which was cruising by on a boat. In true Chicago fashion, our crowd was enthusiastic to say the least!
From there, we went to a local restaurant with Jim Horan and Beth Bracco from Blue Plate (pictured right) and our gracious hosts, Rob Pierson, his lovely bride Nancy, and John Curran, V.P. at Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co . We had a ball. The local food here is big and hearty with lots of meat and fish. The food was ok but the hit of the meal was the local drink – it was absolutely terrible! We drank a Danish alcoholic beverage called Gammel Dansk which I have come to find out is actually bitters made of a ridiculous number of herbs and spices ranging from rowanberry to anise to ginger – YUCK!
The bartender had lots of fun at our expense as he served us another sort of local drink as follow up saying, “if you thought that was bad, try this!”
Next on the hospitality area of the hotel where we met lots of interesting people including one of the most famous Danish sportsmen, Morten Anderson. Mr. Anderson played in the NFL as a kicker for 25 years and is the NFL’s all-time leading scorer!
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Chicago 2016
Head Up, Chicago. Big Shoulders. Next Big Thing?
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Rebecca Taras
Yes, for supporters of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Games, it’s a tough moment. A whole lot of us worked to make 2016 a year for the history books, but Chicago was just eliminated from the running in the first round of voting during the IOC bid decision process in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Everyone at Chicago 2016 and in city, state and federal government should hold their heads high. They have written a new book on how to handle a bid and Chicago will turn its boundless collective energy into the next big thing. Want to start throwing ideas out there?
Thanks to the entire staff at Concierge Preferred, as well. They’ve worked on the clock, and off, to support the bid and heads up, Chicago. The finest points of our city and our country have been showcased to the world thanks to this process and we will quickly rise from this momentary setback.
Thanks again and hearty congratulations to the host city of the 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Games, whosoever it should be (won’t be Tokyo; either Madrid or Rio at this point).
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Add new tag, Chicago 2016
More 2016 Chicago Announcement Viewing Parties!
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Mike Chamernik
Many Chicagoans are waiting anxiously for Friday’s announcement on which city will end up with a successful bid to host the 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
It happens at 11:30 a.m. CST, or thereabouts, and the city’s official celebratory rally’s going down at Daley Plaza. If you’re not feeling standing around with a bunch of random folks, here’s where else you can go to watch:
**Cans Bar and Canteen: Doors open at 10:30 a.m. at this sometimes rowdy Bucktown bar, where you can watch the results of the Olympic decision, as well as the Blackhawks’ season opener in Finland, against the Florida Panthers. Get the famous wings, chicken sandwiches or mini burger–and be casual.
**Park 52: If you’re around the Hyde Park area—a stone’s throw from the site of the proposed Olympic Stadium—a lunch viewing party kicks off at 11 a.m. with special noshes like the “Ancient Greek Games Burger,” a Greek turkey burger with hand-cut fries or salad; “Red White and Bleu Burger,” with bacon and bleu cheese; and “Windy City BBQ,” a half-slab of house-smoked baby back ribs and signature Park 52 sauce.
Check out the other viewing parties in the city (UPDATED) on the Chicago Travel Blog.
Follow @Audarshia on Twitter or find her at 312diningdiva.com.
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Chicago 2016, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants, Park 52
Nadia Comaneci & Bart Conner: They Back the Bid
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Joe Chura
Mike [Magnusson] and I met Nadia Comaneci, the legendary, gold medals-winning gymnast, and her husband, Bart Conner, who took individual gold himself–on the parallel bars at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.
We couldn’t come up with another name that personifies the Olympics more than these two and they couldn’t be nicer. Mike had his picture taken (above left) with Mr. Conner while I wasn’t around; he says I look like I’m having too much fun. Anyway, go Chicago! Stay tuned. Signed: @TimOMalley
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Chicago 2016
Olympic Boxer David Diaz Means It: Chicago. 2016.
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by admin
A four-time Chicago Golden Gloves winner and member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, boxer David Diaz says all questions will be answered if Chicago gets Olympics in 2016. He looks like he means it!
“It would be an awesome experience for everybody,” says Diaz in this video. “[Participating in the Olympic Games] is an emotion and a thing that you can’t explain. You have to be part of it whether competing in it or just simply being a spectator of an Olympic sport and being right in front of it. It’s an awesome experience.”
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Chicago 2016
Copenhagen ‘Restaurateur’ Predicts Win for Chicago 2016…We Think?
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Joe Chura
The owner of Shaw Ma Kebap Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, feels good about Chicago’s chances to host the 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
He says: “Chicago two-hundred and size ten. Powerful woman.” Translation: “Chicago deserves the Olympics in 2016!” This guy knows his stuff.
Chicago Performers Light Up Copenhagen Nightlife
Posted on October 2nd, 2009 by Joe Chura
It’s a little strange, if you think about it, being in Denmark with so many reminders of Chicago popping up around every corner.
Back home in Chicago, both my business partner, Mike Magnusson, and myself visit Mike Ditka’s Restaurant all the time, and ‘Da Coach has been a big supporter of Chicago for a long time and is four-square behind Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Games. Besides the prime rib nachos, one of our favorite things about Ditka’s is the talented singing of Johnny Vincent.
A big guy with a heart of gold, he can do Frank [Sinatra] and he can do Louis [Armstrong] and he does Johnny Vincent very well, too. (In the photo above, Mr. Vincent is the garrish gentleman in the middle.)
We were also treated to some high level Chicago blues courtesy of Eddy Clearwater (pictured here performing in Copenhagen in photo Sept. 30). “The Chief” of Chicago blues absolutely rocked the house with a mix of performing styles. This really is the trip of a lifetime. Will check in again soon; also, follow me on Twitter: @Tim_OMalley.
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Add new tag, Chicago 2016, Chicago Entertainment & Attractions, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants
Chicago 2016 in Copenhagen – What a Day!
Posted on October 1st, 2009 by Joe Chura
The day started with my partner, Mike Magnusson, and I on a fun run that featured many big Olympic names including Michael Johnson–the world’s fastest man. Since I may be the world’s slowest man, this was quite the match up! We also had a chance to run with pro boxing champ, David Diaz, fresh off a win Saturday night versus Jesus Chavez. He was still showing the bruises under his eyes.
Lots of media covered the run, which ran past the hotel where the IOC (International Olympic Committee), though the media coverage seemed to grow as the day went on (right).
We had a great lunch at an ocean-front restaurant that featured salmon, beef and lots of different sauces. Food was pretty tasty. Lots of boats in the harbor outside the restaurant including this one that just came back with a big catch. 
I also saw my first thatch roof!
Next was a castle tour of Frederiksborg Castle with the guys from Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.; Rob Pierson, his wife Nancy, and John Curran. Great tour of one of the former royal castles but we were all looking forward to the evening’s big event.
As the red carpet was being set up, I had a chance to chat with Phil Stefani (@philstefani), one of Chicago’s top restaurateurs. See photo at right: pictured left to right are Patrick Donnelly from the Hyatt Regency; Mary Ann Rose from Tamar Productions; and Phil Stefani. We marveled at the huge group of press that was waiting hours for the arrival of Chicago’s “first ladies” – Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.
The highlight of the day was the “Welcome Dinner.” Electricity in the room was unbelievable. Literally a “who’s who” list of prominent Chicagoans. From the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Lynn Osmond to Mayor Dailey, it was quite a group!
Oprah (@Oprah, pictured right) showed up and took a lap around the room to press the flesh. She was very gracious in her words and giving of her time. Michelle Obama gave a moving speech that left many in the room with tears. She is a highly effective speaker who has really improved
given her new “job” as first lady. Her speech made me proud to be an American and even prouder to be a Chicagoan!
We had a fantastic dinner with Judo Silver Medalist Bob Berland and his wife Helen. Bob was fortunate to greet the first lady at the dinner and filled us in on the experience. We also got to meet gold medal gymnast couple Nadia Comaneci & Bart Connor (pictured left). We couldn’t come up with another name that personifies the Olympics more than these two and they couldn’t be nicer. What a thrill!
Mike and I met State Senator, Kwame Raoul who was celebrating his birthday. Great guy!
The organized portion of the night ended with a blues party where Eddy Clearwater (pictured below left), the Blues Brothers and Ditka’s Restaurant regular Johnny Vincent performed.
Many in the crowd were wearing “Blues Brothers” hats and glasses while quite a few Chicago themed songs were played. Again, the energy at the party was unbelievable!
In all, Chicago 2016 did an outstanding job representing our city – the momentum for our bid continues to grow. While 3 world class cities remain as our competition I liked what Copenhagen “insider” and owner of the Shaw Ma Kebap Palace predicted for Friday’s announcement!
If you’d like to follow us “live” on Twitter @CP_Chicago
More to come!
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Chicago 2016, Chicago Accommodations, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants
Chicagoans On The Run in Copenhagen
Posted on September 30th, 2009 by admin
“Chicago’s 2016 delegation did a 2.2-mile run in Copenhagen this morning at 2 a.m. Chicago time (CST),” relates Tim O’Malley, president, Concierge Preferred. “Lots of Olympic athletes participated, including David Diaz and Connie Moore, and the world’s fastest man, Michael Johnson. For the record, I did finish the race!”
A number of former, Chicago-based Olympicans are on hand and participated in the run, as well, like Willie Banks (below).
The international media is on the scene, waiting to find out–just like the athletes–where they’ll be setting up shop to cover the 2016 Olympic & Paralympic Games.
Tags: 2016 Olympics, Chicago 2016, Chicago Accommodations, Chicago Entertainment & Attractions, Chicago Nightlife, Chicago Restaurants, Chicago Shopping, Chicago Transportation
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