From great outdoors to sleek interiors, event options abound in North suburbs

As home to 23 companies listed on the Fortune 1000 and dozens of smaller, but still significant, business entities, the northern suburbs has plenty of demand for hosts of corporate events.

Fortunately, the region is home to numerous options for event planners and corporate leaders.

From traditional conference centers to outdoor venues with stunning views and even a whiskey distillery where business and bourbon mix, the choices are many.

Here's a look at some venues that stand out:

Marriott Lincolnshire Resort

Perhaps best known for its resort setting, award-winning theater and 18-hole PGA Championship golf course designed by noted architect George Fazio, the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort also offers everything a planner needs for virtually any type of corporate event.

Situated just off the Tri-State Tollway where routes 22 and 45 meet in Lincolnshire, the resort features 72,000 square feet of flexible banquet, meeting and exhibit space.

That space includes 22 breakout meeting rooms, a 32,000-square-foot exhibit center, a 10,080-square-foot grand ballroom, four unique outdoor pavilions and the Grand Marquee Pavilion, with 12,000 square feet of space with floor-to-ceiling windows.

There's space for a multimedia presentation for 1,300 attendees or a lavish banquet for 950 guests.

What sets the Marriott apart from many hosts is the amenities it offers for guests when they're not tied up in meetings and presentations.

Along with the theater and golf course, the 175-acre resort features indoor and outdoor pools, three on-site restaurants, hiking biking trails (with bike rentals, a 24-hour fitness center, a tennis club and almost 400 newly-renovated guest rooms.

For more information, call (847) 634-0100 or visit marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiln-lincolnshire-marriott-resort.

Double Tree by Hilton

Located within the triangle formed by routes 45, 60 and 83 in Mundelein, Double Tree by Hilton features plenty of event space highlighted by a 8,350-square-foot ballroom for a 450-guest gala or a conference for 500 colleagues.

The facility also includes numerous smaller-scale options, including the Karma Private Event Space and meeting rooms with full-service catering and an LCD projector.

Dining options include the Karma Pub, featuring a pub menu with American-style appetizers, salads and sandwiches, along with a progressive list of sake, sparkling, white and red wines, an ever-changing selection of seasonal cocktails and an extensive beer list featuring local microbrews.

For guests of the 183-room hotel, there's an outdoor patio, indoor pool and fitness center.

For more information, call (847) 949-5100 or visit doubletree3.hilton.com.

Lake County Fairgrounds

Carnival rides, demolition derby aficionados, country music fans and all manners of farm animal make the Lake County County Fairgrounds their home every year in late July, but the year-round facility serves as host for all kinds of events the other 51 weeks on the calendar.

The Grayslake facility combines a modern indoor exposition and function space, with outdoor venues, plenty free parking and friendly service.

The centerpiece of the site is the 65,000-square-foot exposition hall, which has space 325 10-foot by 10-foot booths and 5,540 visitors.

The fairgrounds also has a pair of meeting rooms with maximum capacities of 80 and 100, respectively, and more than 100 acres of outdoor space that's hosted music festivals, picnics, obstacle fun runs and car shows.

And the fairgrounds has something that perhaps no other venue in region can boat - a Show Barn. Built in 2008, the barn offers a stylish and memorable setting for social affairs, equestrian-themed events or even a traditional barn dance.

For more information, call (847) 680-7200 or visit lcfair.com.

Independence Grove

If you're looking to host an event in the great outdoors, there may be few if any options better than Independence Grove near Libertyville.

The 1,100-acre nature preserve features serene event spaces and stunning views.

Among the most memorable of those spaces is Audubon Hall, an award-winning cedar, stone, and glass building that sits at the highest point in the preserve, offering panoramic views of the marina, water, and beach. The indoor/outdoor venue features an upscale rustic design, fireplace, built-in bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views.

Other spaces include North Bay Pavilion, a covered cedar pavilion with large open lawn and patio adjacent to the beautiful North Bay; the Native Garden, an intimate space where a waterfall, wildflowers, and abundant greenery create a serene and private setting; The Grassy Knoll, a large open lawn overlooking the lake, playground, and Audubon Hall; the Observation Deck, a wooden deck that overlooks the lake and the entire nature preserve; and Millennia Plaza, a beautiful open-air space with brick pavers, stunning landscaping, and views of the marina and lake that can be transformed into a unique event space with a substantial investment in tenting, lighting, and climate control.

Events at Independence Grove include personalized service, and award-winning gourmet catering from Catering By Michaels.

For more information, call (847) 247-1111 or visit eventsatindependencegrove.com/.

Loft 21

Located at 1501 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Lincolnshire, Loft 21 bills itself as "an event space with a distinct blend of industrial and ultramodern design."

The facility sits in a renovated building that previously was home to the Cubby Bear North sports bar, which closed in January 2014. Last year, Jazmine Gonzalez, who owns an entertainment production company, bought the former nightclub with plans to convert it into an event space with an urban feel.

"The building has been truly transformed from the sports bar look to something that's elegant with a cool, hip vibe," Gonzalez told the Daily Herald shortly before Loft 21's opening this spring.

The devisable 31,000-square-foot facility has room for up to 600 seated guests and 1,800 cocktail party guests. It's played host to corporate gatherings, weddings, bar mitzvahs and other events.

For more information, call (847) 868-5638 or visit loft21events.com.

Beelow's Steakhouse

The Midwestern weather makes holding most celebrations and corporate events in an outdoor setting nearly impossible for much of the year.

Beelow's Steakhouse in Lake Zurich, however, has figured away to beat the winter chill.

Located at 763 S. Rand Road, Beelow's offers a large outdoor patio with a retractable, allowing planners to host events with an outdoor feel in the dead of winter. It even has its own fireplace, bar, televisions and restrooms.

The four-season patio has room for about 110 seated guests. There's room for another 120 guests inside the restaurant.

For more information, call (847) 540-0600 or visit www.beelows.com.