Event Architects Helps Children's Memorial Hospital Break Ground

Date Posted: April 22, 2008

CHICAGO, IL – Event Architects partnered with the Children’s Memorial Foundation to celebrate the groundbreaking of their new state-of-the-art hospital, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Over 1,000 guests attended a kid-centric groundbreaking ceremony in downtown Streeterville yesterday, April 21, 2008. More than 1,000 guests, including hospital donors, board members and public officials—including Governor Rod Blagojevich, Senator Dick Durbin, Congressmen Rahm Emanuel and Jesse Jackson Jr. and Maggie Daley attended. Along with many patients of Children’s Memorial Hospital, these individuals addressed the crowd and shared personal stories of the hospital.

The Event Architects team planned an event that attacked the logistical challenges apparent in the traffic-heavy neighborhood. Through close working relationships with the Chicago Police Department, the Traffic Management Authority and V.I.P. Valet, all traffic issues were well anticipated and handled with ease on the event day. Six tents were built on the building’s footprint at 225 E. Chicago Ave. And in the shadow of the downtown skyscrapers, guests could gaze up through the tent’s clear roof at the neighboring architectural masterpieces.

Everything from the invitation to the decor and entertainment were colorfully designed with a focus on children and celebration. Young patients and children from the community participated as greeters, speakers and performers. The event's main tent had a clear roof, glass walls, and stadium seating in the round that accommodated guests during the performances and speeches. Running with a circus theme, Event Architects brought in Cirque du Soleil-style entertainment that included acrobats and contortionists from the Midnight Circus and an African dance troupe from ALYO Children's Dance Theatre.

After an inspiring speaking program, the tent’s floor panels were lifted and 40 dignitaries dug into the ground to mark the location and occasion. Confetti rained down while Merit School of Music's children's choir and violinists played. As each guest departed, they received a glass bottle filled with dirt from the site, along with a tiny metal shovel commemorating the groundbreaking.