Friday, September 10, 2010

Blogs tagged for Travel

Feb 23 2010

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Nothing helps keep the energy levels up than a little R&R… and having the opportunity to spend a little time in a warm, sunny climate in the middle of winter keeps this Chicago boy sane.  For the third time in as many years, I have had the occasion to spend some time in Mexico’s fabulous and affordable Puerto Vallarta and I thought I would share some of the highlights of this wonderful destination.

Each year a small group of friends gather in the sun and we choose a private condominium located on Playa Meurtes just off the Zona Romantica or the old town area.   The Zona Romanica is known for its great dining, unique shops and great nightlife.  The beach offers many activities (parasailing is the best time) and private palapas...

Feb 18 2010

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If you don't know by now, we here at EA love to travel. (See the "Jet Set Series" - a blog series dedicated to our travels.) For work or play, we never miss an opportunity to explore a new city, taste new flavors, see new sights. As a Chicagoan, I was desperate for a getaway to escape the bitter winter weather, so I was definitely onboard for a weekend trip to sunny South Beach Miami!

One of the first things you'll notice about South Beach's character is the Art Deco influence in the architecture, specifically Tropical Deco. The symmetry of the buildings, the stepped rooflines and color blocks in neon hues are all elements of Art Deco style.... 

Jan 21 2010

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We are the champions! 

I just returned from The Special Event 2010 (TSE) where Event Architects was the recipient of a Gala Award for Best Fair/Festival

This year TSE was held in New Orleans which is a great destination – the convention center is right downtown (walking distance from all the major hotels) and there is an overabundance of leisure activities and world-class dining at your fingertips. Basically, TSE involves 4 different education series and an exhibition floor for vendors. I attended a few different sessions and while I understood the goal, the content was a bit too general for my taste. I would recommend the classes to independent planners and event planners that are new to the business. Highlights from the exhibit hall? Linens, feathers, and flowers – Oh my! Check out Vivien – Virtual Event Designer. This is great software, but will never replace Liz, our resident renderer/ CAD expert extraordinaire

Jan 07 2010

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I recently had the opportunity to attend the EIBTM show in Barcelona. As one of the hosted buyers of David Spain and the Luxury Travel Partnership I spent 3 days at the show followed by an excursion to Lisbon.  Barcelona is hands down my favorite place to visit so even if the show proved unsuccessful at least I could get my fix of Zara and tapas. Not sure what to expect - the show turned out to be very informative with a plethora of unique DMCs, hotel properties and venues. One of the most interesting things about walking the show floor is the elaborate booth designs and ways destinations chose to market themselves. 

Jan 06 2010

Peace out 2009, and peace in 2010!


2009 is over? Wow, what a year!


Industry veterans traditionally say there is an event “season” for nose-to-the-grindstone six-events-at-once work, and then there is an “off-season” for rest and organization. Well, that never happened in 2009, at least not at Event Architects. This happened…



Dec 29 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts!

I love playing the role of tour guide. The Caitlin Monaghan Tour usually includes a mash-up of touristy sights, local underground hangouts and most importantly… my fav places to eat food. During a recent vacation to my hometown, San Francisco, a family friend stole my tour guide thunder and took my Chicago amigos and I on a bona fide “Bay Tour” in his four-seat Cessna. I must admit, he trumped my style, and nothing beats sightseeing from 1,000 feet (or less) above sea level.




Nov 20 2009

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 A venue hunting trip to L.A.?  Ok, I’ll go.  First we’ll start with a famous chili dog and fries at Pink’s , then maybe an afternoon spritzer at The Ivy after shopping on Robertson Boulevard.  And I can’t wait for dinner at Mozza and maybe catching some live music at the Viper Room afterward.

What?  Wait, let me turn down my iPod.  Oh… I understand.  I’m here to work.  Ok, let’s get down to business.  Venues to hit on my list included the Dorothy Chandelier Pavilion, L.A. Live, the Shrine Auditorium, Paramount Studios and the Peterson Automotive Museum. Be sure to check out highlights from our L.A. site visit here

Nov 18 2009

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Who would have thought that the EA crew would be frequenting to Seattle as often as we have in the last few months? Fresh off a return a week ago, another EA team is traveling back to the city at the end of the week for a presentation. A couple weeks ago, I traveled with two of our Sales Managers, Kat Greis and Lucy Stratton, to attend the 2009 Microsoft Vendor Showcase in Redmond. While we were there for business, we didn’t miss an opportunity to take in the sights, culture, and of course, the tastes of Seattle. Be sure to check out highlights from Pike Place Market here


Nov 11 2009

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Despite hectic travel itineraries, our staff of foodies always make time for great dining excursions.  During the past few trips to visit clients, it remains a top priority for my fellow co-workers and I to also schedule a little time to enjoy the local culture.

Sep 28 2009

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Welcome to the Event Architects InSite Blog! For those of you who have been following our InSight Newsletter, we hope you enjoy our play on words for the blog name, and continue to follow us for weekly updates.

Sep 28 2009

Always armed with a packed carry on bag, Event Architects’ employees fly around the globe executing client projects and exploring the newest sights and scenes. This past summer, our staff racked up some serious international airline mileage while planning and executing a five city global tour for the City of Athens and two-week Mediterranean cruise to eight ports of call in five countries for another client. The World of Athens project toured to Paris, Berlin, London, New York City and Chicago, and the Mediterranean cruise brought us to Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Ephesus, Istanbul, Santorini and Malta.