The Tortoise Club to Open in Spring
Posted on December 5th, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
A new throwback restaurant is coming to Chicago. The Tortoise Club, at 350 N. State St., will be introduced next spring, and the restaurant hopes to be reminiscent of the Prohibition Era with a certain spirit and intimacy popular for dining clubs back then.
Tortoise Club restaurateur Keene Addington sees his new establishment as a Crickets or 21 Club, referencing a famous Gold Coast restaurant that was popular among the elite that began in the 1920s.
The Tortoise Club will serve American food in a sophisticated atmosphere. Along with an extensive spirits menu featuring cocktails and wine, the club will also prepare dishes like Dover Sole, Pheasant Pie, Steak Tartar, and Maine Lobster Roll.
The dining room will be decked out with red leather booths and tables with white tablecloths, and original Chicago paintings, sketches and artifacts will line the walls. Other antiques on display will be original mahogany millwork from the old Pump Room and an antique ballot box.
And to complete the Prohibition Era effect, live music from either a pianist or jazz trio will be offered nightly.
The establishment hopes to attract everyone, from business and community leaders, to the average Chicago citizen, to visitors coming from elsewhere. “We will provide an approachable experience that is uniquely Chicago,” said Addington in a press release, “and hope to draw a clientele seeking a neighborhood dining/club experience they can consider their own.”
Tags: Chicago Dining, Chicago restaurant, Hospitality Industry News, Tortoise Club
‘Hort Couture’ on Display at 2012 Chicago Flower & Garden Show
Posted on November 18th, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
The Chicago Flower & Garden Show (March 10-18, 2012, at Navy Pier) has announced its theme: “Hort Couture.” Five models, Dani, Ana, Sophie, Spencer and Natalia, will literally set the tone for the show.
The models each represent a different color. Dani is yellow, Ana is pink, Sophie is purple, Spencer is blue, and Natalia is green. The models will appear in CTA ads, on street pole banner signs and in other advertising and marketing media, and they will represent the colors and styles of aesthetically pleasing flowers and gardens.
“Flowers and fashion have a lot in common: vibrant colors, rich textures, the power to inspire – and make jaws drop,” Tony Abruscato, director of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, said in a press release. “Just as gardens have unique personalities, so does the look of this spring’s hottest event-of-the-season.”
While the models and the mantra are designed to get people intrigued in the event, the Chicago Flower & Garden Show seeks to teach all people interested in gardens a thing or two about the craft.
“A beautiful environment is important to our health and well-being – that’s the ultimate message we’re delivering – yet this show’s not all about the glam,” Abruscato said. “While our brand speaks to a largely feminine demographic, the Chicago Flower & Garden Show’s mission is to motivate people of all ages and skill levels, to create or improve their own personal green space in a way that’s practical, makes sense and is doable.”
About the Chicago Flower & Garden Show
People attending the show could participate in cooking demonstrations, seminars, and renovation and maintenance tips for any size lawn, patio or deck. Children’s activities are also scheduled.
The Chicago Flower & Garden Show is expecting 60,000 visitors. Weekday tickets will be sold for $15, and weekend tickets will be $17.
Tags: 2012 Events in Chicago, Chicago Flower and Garden Show, Events, Navy Pier, Things to do in Chicago
EXPO Chicago debuts at Navy Pier in Sept. 2012
Posted on November 17th, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
Chicago is introducing a major art fair scheduled 10 months from now.
From Sept. 20-23, 2012, EXPO Chicago will be held in Festival Hall at Navy Pier. The International Exposition of Contemporary/Modern Art and Design will host the expo, and it will showcase a list of the world’s premier galleries. The fair’s goal is to kick off the international fall arts season and to establish Chicago as a chief art fair and cultural destination.
EXPO Chicago is aiming to have many famous and renowned exhibitors, but they will limit the total number to 100 in an effort to ensure the highest standards of exhibitors.
Expected partners of the exposition include the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, Threewalls, Experimental Sound Studio, ArtTable, the Smart Museum of Art, and the Union League Club.
Many top international dealers have commitments as well. David Zwirner, Richard Gray Gallery, Galerie Hans Mayer, Barbara Mathes Gallery, Annely Juda Fine Art, CRG Gallery, D’Amelio Terras and Galerie Karsten Greve are expected to be there.
Studio Gang Architects, led by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang, will join the Expo’s creative team in an effort to make the backdrop of Navy Pier – Lake Michigan and the skyline – part of the total art experience. Also, Vernissage, an opening night preview and meet-and-greet, is returning to Chicago and is slated to be held on Sept. 19, 2012.
EXPO Chicago: The excitement is building already
“The groundswell of support that we have received since our initial announcement of Expo Chicago has been tremendous,” Art Expositions, LLC President and Director Tony Karman said at a press preview earlier this week. “To have world renowned galleries, cultural institutions and museums joining us at this stage is truly extraordinary. I believe strongly that the art world will be marking their calendars to be in Chicago next September.”
Tags: Art in Chicago, Events, EXPO Chicago, Festival Hall at Navy Pier, International Chicago, Navy Pier
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago Announces Plans For New Restaurant In February 2012
Posted on November 11th, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
As if the Four Seasons Hotel wasn’t swanky enough, the luxury hotel will be adding a new restaurant in 2012.
A new, modern American restaurant is scheduled to open in February 2012. The new eatery is, in a roundabout way, replacing Seasons Restaurant, which is closing on January 1.
“For us at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, it is a time of exciting transition,” said General Manager Denise Flanders, “We now look forward to introducing a fresh vision and concept that recognizes the more relaxed turn that dining has taken in recent years. The new restaurant will be an approachable yet exciting destination for food-lovers.”
Executive Chef Kevin Hickey will stay on as the executive chef at the new restaurant. He was awarded a Michelin star rating in 2010 for his work at Seasons Restaurant.
The new restaurant, which has yet to be named, will be located on the seventh floor of the hotel, next to the lobby that contains the Seasons Bar and Lounge. The current Seasons space will be made into a private event space. The new private area will provide floor-to-ceiling views of Lake Michigan and Michigan Avenue, and the Seasons Bar and Lounge will also be remodeled. The structure of the bar will remain intact, but all the décor will be altered to present more of a “warm, approachable, and more modern aesthetic,” according to a press release.
Seasons Restaurant’s swan song will be on December 31, serving up their last meals that night. Until then, the restaurant will continue to serve dinner on from Wednesday to Saturday and brunch on Sundays. The Seasons Bar and Lounge will also remain open as well.
Tags: Four Seasons Chicago, Restaurant News, Seasons Restaurant
Convention Biz in Chicago Continues to Grow
Posted on October 28th, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
Chicago recently passed labor reforms in terms of exhibitions and trade shows, and the city is already experiencing its benefits.
Solar Power International will be holding its annual trade show in Chicago in 2013 and 2015, and according to show officials, the event will have a $40 million impact on the Chicagoland economy for both years. SPI expects 27,000 people to attend for each.
“Throughout the process we said that the labor rules must be changed so McCormick Place could be the No. 1 destination in the world for the convention and trade show industry,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “This is proof of that.”
The annual expo was in Dallas this year, and will be held in Orlando in 2012 and Las Vegas in 2014. Before this year’s show in Texas, the Solar Power International convention was traditionally held in California.
“We are thrilled that Solar Power International will be coming to Chicago,” said MPEA Trustee Jim Reilly in a statement. “There is no doubt that the recent work rule reforms had a clear impact on Solar’s decision to make Chicago their home and we anticipate others will follow.”
Also, Blackstone, the largest commercial real estate investor in the country, will spend $125 million in capital improvements on three Chicago hotels – Hilton Chicago, Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport and Wyndham Chicago.
Tags: Conventions, Growth, McCormick Place, Solar Power International
Historic Change Shows Bright Future for Convention Biz
Posted on October 21st, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
Big news about McCormick Place, conventions and trade shows was made this morning. According to Crain’s, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Pat Quinn announced agreements with two McCormick Place labor groups that will preserve work rule changes.
Under the agreements with the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and Teamsters Local 727, several reforms will be solidified on November 1, 2011.
Among the new rules, managers and exhibitors can do their own work in any size booth, using their own ladders and tools; Key Expanded Straight-time (Monday through Friday) is restored, and provisions reduce double-time pay for several major holidays; exhibitors can operate, load and unload their own vehicles at the McCormick Place docks; and two-person crews can work at McCormick Place, rather than three-person crews that were previously required.
The new agreement also had some items survive from its June 2010 genesis, such as reforms to significantly lower food prices and the ability for exhibitors to choose their own electrical service provider.
These changes are not only expected to drive down costs, but also save customers money and provide more options for businesses.
The drive to get a deal done was spurred on by the threats that several big trade shows and conventions were going to leave Chicago for rival host cities. After today, though, Chicago will remain a top-notch convention city, with a bright future.
“We made changes last year in direct response to what our customers demanded,” Jim Reilly, trustee of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, said in a statement picked up by Crain’s. “Now, working in partnership with labor, we have overcome some of the biggest obstacles to our efforts to lure new shows to the city.”
Tags: Convention Business, Historic Legislation, McCormick Place
‘Ultimate Giveaway’ Celebrating Radisson Blu Aqua’s Arrival
Posted on October 20th, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
To celebrate the opening of the new Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago, Club Carlson is holding a huge sweepstakes – the Ultimate Getaway Giveaway. The contest will run for eight weeks (ending Dec. 16, 2011) and Club Carlson members can win a two-night stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, including airfare for two and $2,500 in spending money.
The grand prize winner will receive a five-night trip, including business class airfare for two, $10,000 spending money and a hotel stay at any Carlson hotel around the world.
“The Ultimate Getaway Giveaway sweepstakes allows us to offer our members a once-in-a-lifetime True Blu experience,” said Heather Passe, vice president, Marketing, Loyalty and E-Commerce, Carlson Hotels. “The launch of the Radisson Blu brand in the U.S. is a major milestone for Carlson, and we are excited to introduce the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago to our members and offer them the chance to stay at this distinctly unique hotel in Chicago’s landmark Aqua Tower.”
About the Radisson Blu Aqua
Distinctly unique is right. The Radisson Blu Aqua takes up 18 floors of the 81-story Aqua tower. Designed by Jeanne Gang, the tower is reminiscent of water – instead of being shaped like a rectangle, the tower’s exterior is wavy. As for the hotel in the building itself, it has 334 rooms, an Italian bar and restaurant, a fitness and spa, indoor and outdoor pools, an indoor basketball court and a garden.
Club Carlson members are eligible to enter the sweepstakes, with the opportunity to earn extra entries by reading fun facts about Carlson, or watching a short Club Carlson video. Members get five bonus entries for every night they stay at a Carlson hotel and an additional five entries per night if the reservation is booked through any Radisson Inn.
What about the travelers who are not yet members? Don’t fear: stay at any Carlson hotel or resort and join the program for free.
Tags: Architecture, Chicago, Club Carlson, Giveaway, Hospitality, Hotels, Industry News, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Sweepstakes
Data Shows Tourism on the Rise
Posted on October 7th, 2011 by Mike Chamernik
Things are looking up for the hotel and tourism industry.
What you just heard right now was sighs of relief and cheers for joy.
According from a recent report from the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, Chicago’s downtown hotel community had a great month for August. Hotels had 82.7% occupancy, which is up 2.7% from August of 2010. Chicago’s hotels also had a daily rate of $171.54, a 6.3% positive change, and revenue available per room rose to $141.94, a 9.1% change.
In terms of year to date, hotels had a 70.8% occupancy rate (up 3.1% since August 2010), an average daily rate of $170.44 (up 5.8%), and revenue available per room of $120.74 (up 9.1%).
Also, Chicago was selected as the host city for the World Routes Development Forum in September 2014. The city will host 3,000 delegates from the airline, airport and tourism industry to discuss matters related to commercial airline route development.
And in another piece of good news, the Chicago-China tourism relationship is thriving. Chicago had 97,000 visitors from China in 2010, which is up from the 72,000 they received in 2009 (a 35% increase). Thanks to Cathay Pacific Airways’ new nonstop flight to Hong Kong, Chicago now has six daily flights to China, reaching cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. That daily Cathay Pacific flight is crucial: it is expected to bring $200 million in new economic activity to the Chicago region, according to Don Welsh, president of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.
People in the hotel and tourism industry see these trends continuing through 2012 and beyond.
Tags: CCTB, Chicago Tourism Data, chicago travel, Chicago Visitor Industry, Conventions, Hotel Industry, International Business, Tourism
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