Insite - by Event Architect by Event Architect

Oh, the snow…the slush…the soggy winter boots…

I’m a Chicagoan by choice and certainly proud to be one, but it’s always around this time of year that I find myself daydreaming of warmer, sunnier times in our gorgeous city come summertime.  And what better way to daydream than to combine memories of warmth, great food and celebrities?

During August of 2009, Event Architects partnered with The Rachael Ray Show to conceptualize and produce an authentic Chicago block party that served as the backdrop of the 2009 season premiere of the show...

 Our clients have been raving about this year’s New Years gift from Event Architects — which arrived at their offices in eco-friendly Greenheart Shop boxes last week. Ladies and gentlemen around the globe opened adorable boxes (made by artisans from a single village in the Philippines) to discover fair trade teas, coffees, caramels, truffles and other goodies courtesy of one of our favorite Chi-town shops, the Greenheart Shop. Next time you need to pick up a gift or a new décor item for your home, stop by this boutique on trendy Division Street in Wicker Park (1911 West Division Street).

It has been just about 6 months since I made the big move north, from Florida to Chicago. So how would I rate my first 100+ days? Let me begin by saying, I <3 Chicago! 

I have hit some of the major “must-sees” of the city but I haven’t even scratched the surface of all Chicago has to offer! First on my list of things to do… Wrigley Field, it was summer after all. My dad and I went to a Cubs game my second day in the city and I quickly learned that in Chicago, it’s not just a baseball game; going to see a Cubs home game is an all-day event! Pre-game took place at The Cubby Bear, our seats were in the outfield bleachers with, what my dad calls, “the bleacher creatures,” and post-game, we went to Harry Caray’s. I feel as though I got the full Cubs experience that day, which I repeated a month later with some friends. The first event I worked with Event Architects provided an opportunity for me to experience a different kind of all-day event at Wrigley; The Rachael Ray Block Party... 

For the third year in a row, United Airlines selected Event Architects to manage the details of their annual Worldwide Planning Forum—an elaborate Sales Strategy Meeting.  This year, well over 600 international United employees attended the conference that was themed, “It’s Our Time Now.”

With the objective of hosting an optimistic, fun and high-energy annual meeting, the 3-day event kicked off in the ballroom at the Renaissance Schaumburg with a tremendous video and an in-person Welcome Speech from CEO and Chairman, Glenn Tilton.  After some introductory remarks by Mr. Tilton and several executives, guests headed to the Welcome Reception... 

This new ELEVATE SERIES celebrates Event Architects’ commitment to elevating brands and event experiences. It also is a nod to our butterfly mascot! Basically the ELEVATE SERIES will pay homage to anything that is “fly” or actually can fly. (We’re having some fun with our figurative and literal word play.) Today’s post celebrates a phrase you rarely hear around Event Architects’ offices (because there is nothing we ever deem impossible), the phrase, “When pigs fly.”

Though it seems like a year ago, just this past summer our CEO was determined to renovate our office. Tear down commenced on October 1st, and four months later… boom. I'm pretty sure we now have the sleekest, chicest, coolest office in an 8,500 square foot space in Chicago. 

These renovations truly took over the entire office. Dark-colored walls were painted light hues, doors and windows were cut out, carpet was torn up and hard wood floors were put down. Everyone was shuffled around at one point or another (think: event producers forced to work in the conference room a la college study sesh).