Find out who our readers have chosen as the winners and runners-up of the Illinois Meetings + Events Best of 2019 readers’ choice awards.
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
Best AudioVisual Provider
AND THE WINNER IS: AV Chicago
Runners-up:
» PSAV
» FROST
Best Catering Company (On- or Off-site)
AND THE WINNER IS: Blue Plate Catering
Runners-up:
» Food for Thought
» Tasty Catering
Best Brewery/Winery/Distillery
Click here to view the photos from the night! Feel free to tag yourself and share on social media! #BestofIL2018