Marketing coordinator Oscar Gonzalez of the Parker Restaurant Group greets visitors at The Hampton Social booth during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Corporate event planners had a chance to see what's hot for their holiday parties or sales goals meetings Thursday at the Daily Herald Business Ledger DuPage Hospitality Expo at Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Attendees got to review and talk with representatives from more than 80 suburban vendors, ranging from restaurants and caterers to meeting sites, conference centers, hotels, golf courses and specialty businesses. Guests mingled and enjoyed food and drink samples and interacted with local businesses. Salads, barbecue pork sandwiches, desserts and fun bar drinks were some of the samples.
The expo, the second of three planned in the suburbs, is all about building awareness of the suburban hospitality industry, according to Chris Craven, Daily Herald Business Ledger advertising team leader and director of the expos.
The final expo of the year, focusing on the Northwest suburbs, will be Nov. 18 at the Schaumburg Marriott hotel.
Glenn Krause of Sugar Grove, left, thanks Alex Van Peenen for a food sample at the My Chef Catering booth during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
People mingle during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
People mingle during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Partnership manager Christina Nied of Meet Chicago Northwest visits with others at her booth during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Adam Hooczko, left, and Mallory Schmedeke share a laugh with visitors to their Alter Brewing Co. booth during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
People mingle and have their picture taken during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Marketing coordinator Lauren Anderson visits with people at her Topgolf booth during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Tom Belgio serves Chicken Vesuvio at his Belgio's Catering booth during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Sonja Knowles of the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau gets some popcorn during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Marcia Williams, left, of Chicago and Maxie Simon of Carol Stream enjoy a game of Blackjack at the U.S. Poker & Casino Parties booth during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Marcia Williams, left, of Chicago and Maxie Simon of Carol Stream, center, enjoy a game of Blackjack at the U.S. Poker & Casino Parties booth during the DuPage Hospitality Expo Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn. Dealing the game is Antonio Archer.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
The DuPage Hospitality Expo was held Thursday afternoon at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com