ITASCA, IL. (November 8, 2021) –Westin Chicago Northwest is excited to introduce its brand-new holiday party event, Buddy The Elf Pop-Up Christmas Experience. The Christmas affair is taking over the Westin’s Seared Restaurant from November 27 through December 26. Known for his iconic lines and bright green outfit, Buddy inspires this four-course culinary experience.   “We are thrilled to welcome Buddy The Elf Pop-Up Christmas Experience!” said Heather Larson, President & CEO of Meet Chicago Northwest. “The Westin’s Christmas creativity will be the perfect addition to the holiday ..read more

We searched high and low for a list of Chicago Northwest Restaurants open this Thanksgiving (November 25, 2021)! Check out the list below and make your reservations today. Let our restaurants do the cleanup!   Blackwood BBQ Menu Order deadline: Friday, 11/19 Pick up or delivery on 11/22, 11/23 & 11/24 Chandler’s Chophouse Menu Open Noon – 6PM Reservations Recommended Chicago Marriott Schaumburg Menu Reservations Required Christy’s American Grill  Call to order at 630-595-4845. Cooper’s Hawk Dine-In and Heat & Serve Menus Eaglewood Resort & Spa Reser ..read more

Welcome to Partner Spotlight!   A highlight of the diverse and talented individuals in our Chicago Northwest region’s hospitality industry. MEET JOE PODLASEK, Founder and CEO of Trickster Cultural Center Joe Podlasek got his start in the not-for-profit world as a systems engineer at the Chicago History Museum.  While setting up the computer systems for the museum, he spent quite a bit of time chatting with the Executive Director and discovered he was more interested in sharing history with people than he was working on computers.  He left his position and became the Executive Di ..read more

Welcome to Partner Spotlight!   A highlight of the diverse and talented individuals in our Chicago Northwest region’s hospitality industry. Meet Lisa Gregor, Owner of Church Street Brewing Company in Itasca Lisa grew up in the small town of Leland, Illinois.  She graduated from Lake Forest College with a degree in Spanish and International Relations.  She later earned her MBA from Kellogg University in Finance and Accounting. Lisa’s son had begun home brewing as a hobby and introduced the process to his father, Joe, a UOP chemical engineer at the time.  After five years of ..read more

The Midwest is home to some of the best fall activities in the country and the Chicago Northwest is no exception! From pumpkin patches to farmers markets, you’ll have your schedule completely booked this season. The following 5 activities span across the entire region, with many occurring outdoors in the crisp, autumn air. Get your hands on delicious, warm drinks and apple cider donuts at Goebbert’s Fall Festival. The annual event runs through Halloween and is a great place for families to come and have a great fall day. Enjoy animals, watch a pig race, see the famous Pumpkin Eating Dinosaur ..read more

SCHAUMBURG, IL. (October 12, 2021) — Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector car auction company, will hold Mecum Chicago 2021 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. An estimated 1,000 American muscle cars, classics, Corvettes, trucks, exotics, hot rods, customs will cross the auction block, October 21-23, 2021. “We are very excited to welcome Mecum Chicago 2021 back to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel,” said Heather Larson, President of Meet Chicago Northwest. “This event is the largest annual collector car auction in the Midwest and i ..read more

October 27 — October 30, 2021 SCHAUMBURG, IL. (October 6, 2021) – The longest running event of its kind in the world, Pinball Expo celebrates its 37th anniversary October 27 through October 30.  Advanced planning is already indicating this will be the largest gathering in Pinball Expo’s history when the doors open at the Schaumburg Convention Center. Located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, the new venue will provide more than 60,000 square feet of exhibit space for the pinball extravaganza, nearly tripling the amount of space required to host the event in recent years. “We are thrill ..read more

Karina Parada joins Meet Chicago Northwest as Creative Content Manager Schaumburg, IL (October 4, 2021) – Meet Chicago Northwest, the official destination marketing organization for Chicago’s northwest suburbs, has selected Karina Parada as their new Creative Content Manager. Karina Parada will manage the social media marketing, calendar of events and creative content writing for Meet Chicago Northwest. Karina began her career with WTVO 17/FOX 39 Eyewitness News in Rockford November of 2016. She started out as a news and sports photographer and quickly rose up the ranks to a multi-media and on ..read more

Schaumburg, IL (September 13, 2021) – Meet Chicago Northwest is pleased to welcome Dandiya Raas, featuring internationally renowned artist Kirtidan Gadhvi on Friday, September 17, 2021 to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel. Dandiya Raas is a folk-dance originating from the Indian state of Gujarat and popularly performed during the festival of Navaratri.  Navaratri is a Hindu festival that spans nine nights and is celebrated every year in autumn. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of Indian culture. This event is hosted by Shree ..read more

Schaumburg, IL (September 8, 2021) – Meet Chicago Northwest is pleased to welcome back the annual Chicago Toy Soldier Show.  They are celebrating their fortieth anniversary — you can’t keep a good toy soldier down! The Show will be Sunday, September 26, 2021 from 10:00am to 3:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, located at 1800 East Golf Road, Schaumburg (across from the Woodfield Mall). The cost is $10 for an adult, children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Veterans are free with ID (VA ID card, VFW card, or Veterans of Foreign Wars card). Be reunited with the toys yo ..read more