A look at the past & future of Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort
An interview with Dawn Plankey, director of sales and marketing and Eric Bates, general manager at Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort.
Q: Tell us a little bit about Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort.
A: (Eric) The resort opened April 1, 1975. It was Marriott's first winter resort, with ice skating, skiing, sailing, paddle boats and the only Marriott Theatre within the portfolio. The Lincolnshire area was all farmland with just a few major pharmaceutical companies starting to develop.
Our theatre, the first and only theatre in the Northshore immediately became famous with actors on the playbill such as Ricardo Monteban, Bill Bixby, Leonard Nemoy and Susan Saint James.
With more than 40,000 square feet of event space and 389 guest rooms, we have hosted many local corporations, LPGA tournaments, educational institutions, government, fraternal and social programs over the past 40 years.
Q: You are renovating?
A: The resort will soon be undergoing a complete $22 million transformation. This will showcase a natural unstated elegance and discreet luxury, adding services such as a spa and Marriott's new "M Club" concierge lounge. We will capitalize on bringing the natural beauty to the interior and extending the functions of the resort outside through the use of natural light.
Q: Describe the atmosphere.
A: (Eric) A warm, welcoming, comfortable environment, one that lends itself to each of our guests the ability to unwind and focus on their event, dining, theatre or wedding experience and return again and again.
Q: What's trending?
A: (Dawn) We are part of an exciting time in the corporate meetings industry. The trend is to take a room with four walls and turn the environment into one of what they call "collision"- how can you create more ways for someone to have an experience that affects them in a way that they hold onto and apply it for years to come. We are taking this concept not only in the general session but into the breaks and meals. It's not about imparting hundreds of hours of data download to your audiences it's about taking them to a whole new level of inspiration.
Q: What attracts corporate clients?
A: (Dawn) You know the old cliché about "location, location, location?" It is so true, we are nestled right among some of the most successful fortune 100 corporations in the U.S. and we are the only local venue that boasts four outdoor pavilions, golf and extensive meeting space in this market.
Q: What is one hospitality idea that you are willing to give away?
A: (Dawn) Many meeting planners are not ready to talk about audio visual at the time of contracting, my secret advise would be to leverage your audio visual needs at the time of contract. The hotel evaluates your business by the "total anticipated revenue" that a group can bring to the hotel each day of the event, your total package offer will be much more attractive if you have all of your spend, even outlet usage ready when you send out your request for proposals.
Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort
Address: 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Phone: (847) 634-0100
Owner: The Bricton Group
Number of employees: 250+
When business opened: April 1, 1975
Web address: www.chicagomarriottllincolnshire.com