Garden Inn offers array of meeting options
An interview with Heather N. Haynes, general manager at Hilton Garden Inn & Riverstone Conference Center.
Q: Tell us a little bit about the property.
A: Our hotel in Kankakee is located 50 miles south of Chicago at the intersection of I-57 and Highway 45/52 at Exit 308.
Q: What does the venue have to offer when it comes to corporate meetings?
A: We are the nicest banquet/meeting facility in a 30 mile radius with 10,000 feet of meeting space. We have a seasoned staff that is constantly looking at what is new and trending. Our meeting space can accommodate anything from a three-person deposition to a 400 person gala. We have a variety of menus and our own A/V equipment.
Q: Describe the atmosphere.
A: The atmosphere is very comfortable and we hear quite often that people are shocked that there is such a great venue in this area. Stroll the many parks in the Kankakee River area. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright homes and other historical sites. We're convenient to Olivet Nazarene University, including the Chicago Bears Training Camp, and Kankakee Community College. Other interesting attractions include the Barn Quilt Tour and activities at Perry Farm.
Q: What are people in your industry taking about?
A: Business people are very price conscious but they want to keep people engaged in the meeting as well. They want good food and state of the art A/V equipment to make it happen. For social events people are looking for unique things of high quality. So many people are watching things on TV or YouTube and they have their hearts set on events like that for themselves.
Q: What attracts clients here when booking meeting space?
A: Meeting planners like the versatility of our property as well as the amount of customer service we offer for our clients. Often times in a month we may see some of the same people 3 or 4 times for various business and or social events and they are always commenting on how they still look forward to coming out here because we are always trying new food or room set ups to keep things memorable and unique.
Q: Tell us one interesting fact about the venue that most people may not know.
A: President Obama was here for a fundraiser years ago when he was still a senator from Illinois.
Q: What is one hospitality idea that you are willing to give away to our readers?
A: Hospitality is driven by amazing customer service. Clients want to know that people are listening to their needs. Empathy goes a long way as well.
Q: How is social media changing the industry?
A: Social media is crucial but in our market word-of-mouth is just as important. It is so gratifying to get a call from a client after an event when they rave about how great everything is and the successes of their event.
Hilton Garden Inn & Riverstone Conference Center
Address: 455 Riverstone Parkway, Kankakee, Illinois 60901
Phone: (815) 932-4444
Number of employees: 50
When business opened: 2004
Web address: kankakee.gardeninn.com