Illinois M+E Best of 2018 Readers' Choice Award Winners (Listed)

THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS 

Best Convention & Visitors Bureau Outside Chicagoland

THE WINNER IS: Greater Galena Marketing Inc.
Galena | 815.776.9200

Runners-up:
» Bloomington-Normal Area CVB
» Rockford Area CVB

Best Convention & Visitors Bureau

THE WINNER IS: Choose Chicago
Chicago | 312.567.8500

Runners-up:
» ​Rosemont CVB
» Chicago’s North Shore CVB (tie)
» Meet Chicago Northwest (tie)

Best Destination Management Company

THE WINNER IS: 360 Destination Group
Chicago | 312.600.4005

Runners-up:
» Hosts Chicago
» ​Total Event Resources 

THE NECESSITIES

Best Audio-Visual/Visual Presentation Provider

THE WINNER IS: PSAV
Schiller Park | 877.696.2360

Runners-up:
» AV Chicago
» Sound Investment AV 

Best Catering Company (On- or Off-Site) 

THE WINNER IS: Blue Plate Catering
Chicago | 312.421.6666

Runners-up:
» Food for Thought
» ​Paramount Events

Best Event Decor/Florist

THE WINNER IS: Kehoe Designs
Chicago | 312.421.0030

Runners-up:
» M&M Special Events
» ​HMR Designs

Best Entertainment (Performer or Talent Agency)

THE WINNER IS: BeatMix Music
Northbrook | 847.892.4150

Runners-up:
» ​Fig Media Inc.
» ​Magnificent Events

Best Photography/Videography

THE WINNER IS: Rick Aguilar Studios
Chicago | 773.478.6607

Runners-up:
» Jennifer Girard Photography
» ​Edward Fox Photography & Video

Best Rental Service Provider

THE WINNER IS: BBJ Linen
Niles | 847.329.8400

Runners-up:
» ​Halls Rentals
» ​Windy City Linen

Best Team-Building

THE WINNER IS: Topgolf
Naperville | 630.596.1000

Runners-up:
» ​WhirlyBall
» ​Pinstripes

Best Transportation

THE WINNER IS: Windy City Limousine
Broadview | 847.916.9300

Runners-up:
» Signature Transportation Group
» ​A1 Limousine

THE CLASSIC SPOTS

Best Conference or Resort Venue

THE WINNER IS: Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
Galena | 815.777.5000

Runners-up:
» Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center
» ​Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center 

Best Hotel with Meeting/Event Space (Less Than 350 Guest Rooms) 

THE WINNER IS: Chicago Athletic Association
Chicago | 312.940.3552

Runners-up:
» Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago
» The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel (tie)
» The Godfrey Hotel Chicago (tie)

Best Hotel with Meeting/Event Space (More Than 350 Guest Rooms) 

THE WINNER IS: Palmer House Hilton
Chicago | 312.726.7500

Runners-up:
» The Drake, a Hilton Hotel
» ​LondonHouse Chicago 

Best Private Dining Space in a Restaurant

THE WINNER IS: Little Goat
Chicago | 312.600.9601

Runners-up:
» City Winery
» ​Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

Best Venue Outside Chicagoland

THE WINNER IS: Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin | 877.741.9598

Runners-up:
» ​The Abbey Resort
» ​Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

THE FRESH IDEAS

Best New Venue

THE WINNER IS: Marriott Marquis Chicago
Chicago | 312.824.0500

Runners-up:
» ​Wintrust Arena
» ​Ace Hotel Chicago

Best Renovation

THE WINNER IS: Theater on the Lake
Chicago | 312.414.1313

Runners-up:
» ​Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
» ​The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel 

THE OUTSIDE-THE-BOX VENUES

Best College or University Venue

THE WINNER IS: Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum at UIC
Chicago | 312.413.9875

Runners-up:
» ​Conference Chicago at University Center
» ​The Theatre School at DePaul University

Best Historic or Cultural Venue

THE WINNER IS: The Field Museum
Chicago | 312.922.9410

Runners-up:
» ​Chicago Cultural Center
» ​Adler Planetarium

Best Holiday Party Venue

THE WINNER IS: The Geraghty
Chicago | 312.967.2520

Runners-up:
» ​Carnivale
» ​The Drake, a Hilton Hotel

Best Nightlife Event Venues

THE WINNER IS: LH Rooftop
Chicago | 312.357.1200

Runners-up:
» ​ROOF on theWit
» ​Revel Fulton Market

Best Outdoor or Rooftop Venue

THE WINNER IS: Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe | 847.835.5440

Runners-up:
» ​Lincoln Park Zoo
» ​Millennium Park

Best Venue on the Water

THE WINNER IS: Odyssey Chicago
Chicago | 312.321.7600

Runners-up:
» ​Chicago’s First Lady
» ​Anita Dee Yacht Charters