Plenty of great Northwest suburban options for corporate get-togethers
The search for the right location to host a corporate meeting or event can be a delicate and important process.
By their very nature, these are high-profile gatherings, meaning exact planning and attention to fine details count for a lot in pulling off a successful event. Everything from the crispness of the lunch salad to the reliability of the Wi-Fi connection have to be perfect.
It also helps if your venue has some "Wow" factor.
Good thing the Northwest suburbs are home to plenty of great options to stage the perfect corporate event. Here are several to consider in your search:
Harper College
One of the nation's premier community colleges is also a resource and destination for hosting corporate events.
Harper College at 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine features the Wojcik Conference Center, which offers state-of-the-art meeting facilities for groups of 5 to 250. The facility has a multitiered auditorium, small meeting rooms, and a hotel-class dining room.
Amenities include: the 250-seat Conference Center Ampitheater, which offers ergonomic seating and more; conference dining room with a lake vista; advanced technology, featuring phone conference capabilities, satellite downlinks and internet access.
Harper has other facilities on campus that could fit specific corporate and business needs. These include Performance Art Center, computer labs, mobile lab, field house, pool, and athletic fields.
The college is northwest of Chicago, just 20 minutes from O'Hare International Airport, in an area that includes more than 60 hotels. Harper is ADA compliant and includes adjacent free parking.
For information about the Wojcik Conference Center, call (847) 348-5100 or email: wcc@harpercollege.edu
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
Did you ever think of using a theater as the site of a corporate event? Metropolis at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, offers a variety of unique spaces for business events, social functions, meetings or gatherings.
Options include the main theater that seats 309 and 3 classrooms/meeting rooms for groups of 20 to 100 people.
A house technician and house manager to oversee technical needs and day-of logistics are part of theater rentals, which may also include an on-site bar, green room, and two dressing rooms upon request. Metropolis even rents out production stock - costumes, props, set pieces and more.
Metropolis' building and surrounding area is also home to an array of restaurants that Metropolis is happy to partner with, including Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant & Pub, Metropolis Ballroom, and more. These restaurant partners are available to provide any meal request from breakfast to dinner or snacks and hors d'oeuvres.
For more information about renting the Metropolis, contact Michelle Kramer at (847) 577-5982 x 228.
Schaumburg Boomers Stadium
What could be a more unique venue for a corporate meeting than a baseball stadium? Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg, is available 365 days a year for a variety of functions and events.
The Schaumburg Club offers an exciting, low-cost alternative as this beautiful facility overlooks the playing surface at the home of the Schaumburg Boomers. Located above the right field line, the Schaumburg Club is a great place to host a company holiday party or any private gathering, from business meetings to service organization gatherings to formal luncheons.
The Schaumburg Club is available for rental year round to create a memorable experience. The Boomers staff will take care of all the details, from setup to clean up.
For information, call (847) 461-3695.
Sears Centre Arena
The Sears Centre at 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway in Hoffman Estates is best known as a home for sporting events and concerts, but the facility is also available to rent for corporate events.
The 17,000-square-foot arena floor can accommodate large banquet, sales meetings and company receptions for more than 600 people. For a unique presentation or added touch, the Sears Centre Video Wall and Ribbon Board can deliver a customized company message.
Other meeting and reception areas include The Club and Suite Lounges. The Club includes lounge seating, a bar, private restrooms and televisions. The 8,000-square-foot area is a great location for a small meeting or larger reception and can accommodate up to 250 people. The two suite lounges, each 1,750 square feet, are ideal for meetings, dinners and receptions of 10 to 250 people.
Catering is provided by Levy Restaurants. Audio/visual equipment and services are available upon request. There are 2,500 on-site parking spaces available.
For information about renting space in the Sears Centre, call (847) 649-2222.
Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, Chicago
Dynamic rooms that inspire and captivate guests mark the event space at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, Chicago.
The facility at 1800 E. Golf Road features more than 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, with versatile venues including a 3,100-square-foot starlit terrace. The meeting rooms are designed with modern décor and feature the latest audiovisual equipment, state-of-the-art technology, and Wi-Fi. There's also professional on-site catering options.
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, Chicago has the added benefit of being close to shopping and entertainment. Enjoy Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg Convention Center, Legoland, Six Flags Great America, Arlington International Racecourse, Chicago Botanic Garden, and several other major Chicago-area attractions.
The hotel features complimentary shuttle service to Woodfield Mall, major local business centers and locations within the 5-mile radius.
For information, contact the catering department at (847) 517-6920.
iPic South Barrington
Whether you're entertaining a group of 10 or a larger corporate function, iPic Theaters at 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington offers a variety of preset and custom packages for corporate entertaining, Meetings and a Movie, holiday parties and more.
iPic features eight theaters with seating for 50 to 86 guests, Premium Plus sections that seat 14 to 26 guests, in-cinema food and beverage service, digital projection/state-of-the-art technology and PowerPoint presentation capability.
The iPic Bar, which can accommodate 150 people, features signature cocktails created by world-class mixologists, and a diverse beer, wine, and spirits selection. There are two lounge areas, billiard tables and restaurant-style seating, flat screen TVs, and custom buffet/action stations.
Hungry? iPic Express and Tanzy Restaurant feature items designed to be picked up and eaten in-cinema that are fired when ordered - nothing waiting under heat lamps - and feature local, fresh and organic produce.
For information, call Michael Morin at (630) 378-8040 or email at michael.morin@ipic.com
European Crystal Banquet & Conference Center
Flexible spaces that adapt to your goals and technology that accommodates the most demanding presentation and communication requirements are available at European Crystal Banquet & Conference Center. At 519 W. Algonquin Road in Arlington Heights, European Crystal also offers experienced on-site support to promptly respond to every need.
The facility has five function rooms that can accommodate 20 to 550 guests. There is 14,000 square feet of dedicated conference and banquet facilities that provide a range of flexible, beautiful settings for business or social occasions.
Comfort, space and up-to-date technology, the conference center has an atmosphere where co-workers can focus, collaborate, and share ideas.
A certified meeting planner is available to help plan conference or meeting.
For information, call (847) 437-5590 or email: info@ecbanquets.com
Chicago Prime Steakhouse
Corporate planners will find plenty of options for dining rooms and food and drink packages when scheduling an event at Chicago Prime Steakhouse, 1444 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg.
The Walnut Room seats 32 people, the State Room has a capacity of 35 people, the Walnut & State Room can accommodate 85 people and the Main Dining Room will seat a maximum of 130 people.
Amenities include an award winning wine selection and complimentary valet service, coat check, and Wi-Fi.
Food is a star attraction here, with dining packages that include such treats as Steak Diane, Scottish wild caught salmon and Tiramisu.
For information, contact Joshua D. Olson, private dining manager, at (847) 969-9900, or email at Events@ChicagoPrimeSteakhouse.com