How to put fun into your next function
Add some fun to your next board meeting, staff retreat or staff training session. Just southwest of downtown Chicago, the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor offers several unique locations for you to add a memorable experience to your next business function.
As the Forest Preserve District of Will County suggests "Reconnect with Nature" - enjoy guided hikes and trolley tours at Starved Rock State Park Lodge & Conference Center (Oglesby); view an impressive seasonal waterfall at Matthiessen State Park (Utica); enjoy the scenic riverwalk at the Four Rivers Educational Center (Channahon); or meet nestled away at the Isle la Cache Museum (Romeoville). All 2,630 acres of Starved Rock State Park are stunning, but the waterfalls are what truly make a hike through the canyons and trails worth it. The best time to see them is after a heavy rainfall or in the spring when the snow and ice have melted.
Meet in one of the many canal towns and explore the historic charm and vibrant specialty retail and dining options. Lewis University's (Romeoville) many classrooms and meeting spaces offer an ideal location for large or small business functions. After your meeting, tour the historic Fitzpatrick House and Isle la Cache Museum. In Lockport, the downtown offers unique meeting space, restaurant and museum opportunity all rolled into one at the Gaylord Building (Lockport). The National Register of Historic Places site also includes a wonderful exhibit exploring the creation and commercial value of the Illinois & Michigan Canal.
The Grundy County Historical Society (Morris) offers a nice retreat location to explore local history and meet away from traditional conference centers.
The 407 Building and Reddick Mansion offer great board retreat locations just a few steps from the meeting of the Illinois and Fox Rivers in downtown Ottawa. Of course, for an adventure filled meeting enjoy a boat ride or water sport activity provided by Quest Water Sports (Ottawa). The Uptown Grill, Lock 16 and Hegeler Carus Mansion all provide unique spaces in historic downtown LaSalle. The Hegeler Carus Mansion, offers both indoor and outdoor meeting locations, was recently filmed for possible episode of upcoming cable television show. At Lock 16, your staff could enjoy a mule-pulled interpretive boat ride on the I&M Canal (seasonal) and freshly prepared pastries and savory salads and sandwiches.
The Bolingbrook Golf Club offers 6 great meeting spaces for groups from 5-800, as well as an 18-hole championship golf course and driving range. The Nest is a great on-site restaurant for a meal or a beer.
If you're craving a little excitement as part of your meeting, visit the City of Excitement - That's Joliet. The Autobahn Country Club (Joliet) and Chicagoland Speedway (Joliet) both offer unique driving and/or riding experiences as a great added value meeting experience. Get the adrenaline rushing as you race around one of these exciting tracks. With Hollywood Casino Joliet and Harrah's Casino Joliet both offering traditional meeting locations with a bit of luck on your networking break.
Get Your Kicks with your Meeting on 66! The beloved Rialto Square Theatre (Joliet) and interactive Joliet Area Historical Museum/Route 66 Welcome Center both offer fun and unique locations for your upcoming business function. The museum offers a scenic rooftop space, or lower level space in which to host your event.
Make your meeting complete with a picture with Jake and Elwood at the Route 66 Welcome Center
Pair your next meeting with a wine and/or beer tasting at one of the following unique locations: Pollyanna Brewing (Lemont); Gordon Biersch Restaurant (Bolingbrook); Lone Buffalo Restaurant (Ottawa); and August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Company Tasting Room (Utica).
Pollyanna Brewing Company (Lemont) experiments with local fruits and spices, seasonal lagers, barrel-aging, wild yeast and bacteria, and cider-beers on occasion. In an intimate and truly unique taproom, they offer tasting flights, pints, and 64oz growlers and 32oz howlers to-go as well as free tours and a scenic look at the brewery. Bring your own food or look for special dates with food offerings.
Tangled Roots Brewery (Ottawa) is newest brewery in the Heritage Corridor which includes The Lone Buffalo "farm-to-table" restaurant. With meeting space overlooking the copper kettles - this location combines a great meeting space, delicious restaurant and brewery all under one roof.
Private events are special at August Hill Winery & Illinois Sparkling Company's private tasting room and meeting spaces. This combined location in downtown Utica features locally-made handcrafted wines, with wine tastings and flights, gallery of local art, outdoor patio all great for private events.
Make your next meeting, special event or workshop fun - courtesy of the unique venues in the region and the knowledgeable staff of the Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau. Call anytime at (800) 926-2262 or go to HeritageCorridorCVB.com for meeting ideas.
• Robert Navarro is president and CEO of I&M Canal Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau.