b'international destinationPhoto Credit: Adam-Alexanderfront yard of Chicago. Completed in 2004, the park features 319 acres of mixed use space including the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and concert lawn, a public art collection, five acre urban garden, seasonal ice rink, theatre, monuments and sculptural bridges. Topping every shoppers bucket list, a trip to Chicago would simply be incomplete without a trip to the Magnificent Mile. Rivalling New York Citys Fifth Avenue or the Champs-lyses in Paris, France, the Magnificent Mile is a 13-block stretch of 50 landmark buildings, over 500 high-end shops, 270 restaurants and Magmile-Shopping 60 hotels. Walking along thebustling Mile provides endless entertainment, including theatres, It also offers free WiFi to attendees,honey bees which not only pollinatemuseums, and even unique-to-allowing 45,000 users to connectthe plants, but produce 30 pounds ofChicago street performances. simultaneously with speedy results.honey each year.After exploring the city, one would McCormick Place is serviced byIf a large convention centre is notbe remiss to not indulge in the many a collection of hotels, shopping andthe right fit, Chicago also offers anepicurean delights that abound within dining options connected to thearray of distinct and unconventionalthe city. Whatever the food craving, convention centre. Fondly known asvenues to give any event an extra bitChicago can satisfy it. Whether it is McCormick Square, the collectionof Chicago flair.the staples the city is known forsuch includes five hotelsincluding theFor smaller events, the choicesas deep dish pizza or Chicago-style Hyatt Regency McCormick Place andare endless from the historic Revelhot dogsthere are hundreds of Marriott Marquis Chicagoas well asMotor Row to the recently refurbishedacclaimed eateries to choose from, all multiple dining and shopping venues.and improved Navy Pier, the Theaterwith a wide variety of price points. For The entire McCormick Place campuson the Lake or Larkin Hall, Andersonthose seeking a historic experience, is connected by a host of pedestriansaid. As a city steeped in a rich historyChicagos century-old restaurant, The promenades and sky bridges.and culture, the choices are plentiful. Berghoff, is the place to dine. Want In addition to its abundantAll work and no play is neversomething more diverse? Explore one amenities, McCormick Place isa good option when it comes toof the citys 77 diverse communities also known for its commitmentChicago and the stunning sites it hassuch as Greektown, the Indian-to conservation and sustainableto behold.infused Devon Avenue, or the largest initiatives. In fact, the facility hasChicagos Lake Michigan waterfrontChinatown in the United States. prioritized sustainable green policiesis home to a host of different sightsChicago can appeal to many as a top business strategy. Asideand experiences. Not only does thedifferent tastes, Anderson said. It is from off-setting 100 per cent of itscity have 29 kilometres of publicknown as a city of experiences. Visitors energy consumption with alternativebeaches, visitors can also spend themay come for the meeting, but theyll wind energy by purchasing Green-eafternoon exploring the Museum Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs),Campus where dolphins and belugastay for the vast array of things to do the convention centre also boasts thewhales splash around at the Sheddand see.largest farm-to-fork rooftop gardenAquarium, or ancient Egyptian tombsAccessible to approximately which sprawls atop the west building.await exploration at The 46 million people who are within Planted in partnership with theField Museum.a one day drive of Chicago, its no Chicago Botanic Garden, the rooftopIn the heart of Chicago is thewonder this gem of the Midwest is an area produces kale, carrots, goldenfamous Millennium Park whichattractive destination for the business beets, cherry tomatoes, dill, cilantro,welcomes five million visitors eachworld. With top-notch airports, and other herbs and vegetablesyear to enjoy the many culturalexquisite accommodations, abundant for use in the convention centresprograms, concerts, exhibitions, toursmeeting space and numerous sites to restaurants and catering activities. Theand family activities. Open and freebehold, Chicago certainly is The City rooftop garden is also home to 30,000to the public, Millennium Park is thethat Works. 26 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca'