South suburbs offer variety in business event options

The South and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago offer an interesting variety of options for business and corporate events.

Here are some of the highlights:

Jacob Henry Mansion, Joliet

Built in 1873 by a railroad magnate and maintained today as one of only 87 National Historic Landmarks in Illinois, the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet and its surrounding estate offers a unique environment for a corporate meeting or event.

The mansion at 20 S. Eastern Ave. consists of more than 40 rooms occupying 16,800 square feet with elaborate carvings, ornate fireplaces, recessed windows and a magnificent staircase, according to the website, jacobhenrymansion.com.

The mansion can accommodate as many as 200 for a seated meal in the mansion, 300 in the Victorian Ballroom nearby on the estate and 350 in an outdoor courtyard.

Several other buildings occupy the estate including a Gathering Room, Old Central Church, Lawn and Gardens Pergola and parking.

"The majestic mansion ... offers a regal setting for business and corporate events," the website says. "The Drawing Room is the perfect setting for business meetings, power lunches or farewell dinners. The mansion's layout is convenient for conference style meetings offering one main meeting area with smaller breakout rooms for brainstorming."

For information, call (815) 722-1420.

Olivet Nazarene U., Bourbonnais

If you're looking for a campus atmosphere a bit removed from the daily grind, Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais 50 miles outside Chicago's Loop is an option to consider.

The 110-year-old private Christian liberal arts school offers a serene campus on 275 acres with century-old architecture.

The university has well-equipped accommodations for conferences, retreats and business meetings with a wide assortment of food service options and lodging availability for as many as 2,000.

Among highlights: The Perry Student Life and Recreation Center has 168,000 square feet of space including meeting rooms for 25 to 100; the Weber Entre-

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preneur and Leadership Center has well equipped space for conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops and banquets; the Hawkins Chapel and Crawford Auditorium is the primary venue for large group gatherings with seating for as many as 3,030; Chalfant Hall is adaptable for casual or formal events with seating for as many as 800 banquet style and 1,885 auditorium style.

For information, email jhacker@olivet.edu or call (815) 939-5045.

Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield

While Brookfield Zoo has a strong family-oriented reputation, it's also a unique and lively spot for corporate events and business outings.

The zoo offers "Cocktails with the Animals" receptions in its exhibits and can customize day or night events for any type of occasion with full catering.

"If you want to host a 'wild' function at Brookfield Zoo, you can choose from four new exotic venues," according to the zoo's website, czs.org. "The Pavilions at Brookfield Zoo are located near the North Gate entrance with 216 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds as background and can accommodate approximately 2,000 guests for both day and evening events,"

The zoo's venues provide a backdrop for a wide range of events - from company picnics to formal affairs and company celebrations.

"Our top-notch catering staff and professional culinary team will ensure that your event is elegant and virtually effortless," said spokeswoman Sondra Katzen.

For information, email catering@brookfieldzoo.org or call (708) 688-8355. The zoo is at 8400 31st St. in Brookfield.

Joliet Slammers

The Joliet Slammers, a Frontier League baseball team, derived their name from the local prison, but it also connotes fun and home run power.

Team officials think they have a powerful relationship with corporate partners too.

During the April-October season, the Slammers accommodate groups of all sizes in a variety of all-inclusive party areas.

"We have groups of 20 all the way up to 2,000-plus," said Porscha Johnson, manager of corporate partnerships. "We've even rented the entire stadium out for corporate picnics in left field, brought in inflatable jump houses and opened up the ballpark just for their group to have the run of the park."

Fourteen luxury sky boxes host 20 to 58 people per box or businesses can rent a wing of suites to accommodate as many as 300.

The picnic area hosts corporate outings for as many as 300 or more with all-you-can-eat picnics, and the team has smaller party areas for groups of 20 to 60 on a rooftop party deck or the right-field terrace.

For information, contact Johnson at pjohnson@jolietslammers.com or phone 815-722-2287. Slammers Stadium is located at 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet (stadium naming rights also are available.)

DiNolfo's Banquets, Homer Glen

First opened in 2005, DiNolfo's Banquets on 10 acres in affluent southwest suburban Homer Glen prides itself on distinctive ambience without upscale prices.

"Our professionals have the experience, creativity and talent to take your wedding, conference or banquet to new heights," the venue says on its website, dinolfosbanquetshomerglen.com. "DiNolfo's specializes in creating elegant events with the distinctive details that reflect the unique spirit and style of our clients."

Among the amenities DiNolfo's offers are:

• An elegant 50,000-square-foot customizable facility.

• Thirty-foot floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking private courtyards.

• Staircases in each dining room.

• An outdoor gazebo.

• A sports pub

• Outdoor garden.

• Consultants to coordinate and customize the event.

• A variety of catering and lighting options.

For information, contact DiNolfo's Banquets, 14447 W. 159th St., Homer Glen at (708) 645-1900.

Four Rivers Center, Channahon

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center offers a unique setting for a business retreat or conference at the McKinley Woods - Kerry Sheridan Grove at 25055 W. Walnut Lane in Channahon just southwest of the I-55 and I-80 cloverleaf.

A part of the Will County Forest Preserve District, the woods and grove is home to biking, hiking, running, inline skating, cross-country skilling, snowshoeing, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, geocaching and a variety of other outdoor activities.

"Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is a model of green architecture, featuring a repurposed building site and interior fireplace, geothermal heating and cooling system, recycled and sustainable building materials, and energy saving technology," according to the forest preserve district website, reconnectwithnature.org. "Four Rivers' name comes from its location, positioned near where the Des Plaines, DuPage and Kankakee Rivers meet to form the Illinois River. Every room in the building provides views of the Des Plaines Rivers and the peaceful, natural surroundings."

For information, call (815) 722-9470 or email fourrivers@fpdwc.org.

Evil Horse Brewing, Crete

Just a year old, the Evil Horse Brewing Company nonetheless has plenty of experience going for it.

For one thing, it's housed in a historic building in south suburban Crete that was built in 1911 for a grain, flower and feed business and later became a dance hall, roller skate rink, movie house and bowling alley. Entertainment was in the building's timbers even before it was renovated in 2015 for the Evil Horse.

For another, its award-winning brewmaster, Steve Kamp, became a member of the American Homebrewers Association in 1984, is a former president of the Chicago Beer Society and co-founded the Brewers of South Suburbia in 1991, according to the pub's website, evilhorsebrewing.com. He has brewed hundreds of recipes and styles.

An energetic location for a corporate event or party, the tap room can be rented Sundays and Mondays. Email kayla@evilhorsebrewing.com for details.

Evil Horse is in the Seggebruch Building, 1338 Main St. in Crete. Phone: (708) 304-2907.

Mistwood Golf Club, Romeoville

While major renovations that transformed the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville are fairly new, the club's Scottish roots in the Fox Valley run deep.

Owner Jim McWethy's forebears arrived in the area in 1869 and his grandfather helped found the Aurora Country Club. His ambitions for Mistwood sparked a metamorphosis in recent years that garnered major awards and recognition as he's worked to make it a golf destination.

For corporate events and meetings, Mistwood provides a tranquil backdrop and a wide assortment of amenities in addition to the golf.

The Great Hall accommodates seating for as many as 300. The Terrace Room accommodates 48 seated or 60 cocktail style. An outdoor courtyard offers majestic views of the golf course.

McWethy's Tavern located in the expansive clubhouse serves "Scottish inspired and American made meals," according to the website, mistwoodgc.com.

For event information, email events@mistwoodgc.com or call (815) 306-4640.

Opera House Steak & Seafood, Plainfield

One of the most prominent buildings in downtown Plainfield is the historic Opera House, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1898.

Over the years, it hosted opera performances from Chicago, live theater, movies, dances and an old-fashioned grill and soda fountain.

Today it's home to the recently established Opera House Steak & Seafood restaurant.

Its Queen Anne style architectural splendor adds a special touch to corporate events for as many as 60 people.

"From small strategic planning meetings to festive holiday parties, we provide a fun but upscale setting for your event," says its website, operahouseplainfield.com.

For information, call (815) 782-5916. It's at 15060 S. Illinois St., Plainfield.