Expo offers a taste of suburban hospitality

The suburbs showed they could throw a good party Thursday during the first Chicago Northwest Hospitality Expo presented by the Daily Herald Business Ledger and the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau.

More than 350 people came to the Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows to see the offerings from 43 exhibitors in the hospitality industry, ranging from hotels and restaurants to entertainment venues.

In addition to networking and the possibility of landing new clients, expo attendees were treated to a number of extras from giveaways and raffles to samplings of some of the area's fine dining establishments.

“Any time you can educate people about what you have to offer, it's worth it,” said Marisa Marek of Texas de Brazil steakhouse in Schaumburg, who was handing out samples of the eatery's signature steak and chicken dishes.

The Meadows Club is a sponsoring partner of the expo. Marketing partners are hereschicago.com and the National Concierge Association. Tasty Catering is bartending partner.