Find Awards Ceremony venues to rent in Chicago, IL

About Chicago

Chicago is described as a cosmopolitan playground because it’s bursting with plenty of things to see and do. It's also a city that goes by many names including "The Windy City," "Chi-Town," "The Second City," and "The City That Works."

The Chicago skyline is renowned for providing stunning views with the sweeping shores of Lake Michigan in the distance. 77 colorful neighborhoods make up the city, with a selection of 65 breweries and 7,300 restaurants. The city's beauty is further showcased by the 580 parks and 26 beaches. Besides supporting diverse recreation events, Chicago also hosts several world-famous annual events. The city has 200 dance companies, 225 music venues, and about 250 theatres.

There's equally an endless list of beautiful locations to host various events around the city. With a special occasion coming up, you should consider renting an awards ceremony venue in Chicago.

Award Ceremony Options in Chicago

Perhaps your awards ceremony is meant to thank employees for their hard work or recognize outstanding professionals in your field of business. Whatever the case, these festivities gather a target group to celebrate special milestones and achievements. From identifying the best awards ceremony venue in Chicago to pulling together the finer details, local businesses are ready to help.

• MC/Host
  Every awards ceremony needs a good Master of Ceremony or Host to keep the crowd engaged. You want hosts who are in tune with human emotion and can easily weave in relatable comedic anecdotes. You’ll find selections of award ceremony hosts and MCs in Chicago.
  
  
• Event Rentals
  The big award ceremonies set the precedence, and now, red carpets are a staple for similar occasions. The scale of your event doesn't matter because guests will enjoy the VIP treatment of walking the red carpet while having their pictures taken or interviews recorded. Visit the event rental stores in Chicago for staging, lighting, red carpets, and other items needed to liven up your awards ceremony.
  
  
• Music
  Again, to borrow a leaf from the big awards ceremony, you should include some live music in your event. From the red carpet to the interludes between speeches or award presentations; having some music playing in the background creates the right ambiance for the occasion. The Windy City doesn't disappoint, and you'll be spoiled for choice when choosing a live band to play at your event.
  
  
• Trophies
  Get quality trophies and professionally done plaques for your ceremony. It's a great touch to have them inscribed with the winner's name and their accomplishment. Selections of trophy shows in Chicago offer customization and engraving services.
  
  
• Gift Bags
  Everyone who attends an award ceremony should leave feeling like a winner. Hand out gift bags filled with goodies that the attendees will appreciate and it doesn't hurt if they are company-branded merchandise. The gift stores in Chicago can assist.

Awards Ceremony Companies in Chicago

Whether yours is a corporate or social awards ceremony; you could use some help from the local professions to pull off a seamless event.

• Total Event Resources
  This event planner has mastered the art of delivering the experience your audience expects. They'll help you strategize, market your event, handle the logistics, and produce the occasion from start to finish. Vendor coordination, speaker management and even food and drinks are covered by Total Event Resources.
  
  
• Chicago Award Source
  Contact Chicago Award Source for befitting congratulatory trinkets. Their product catalog includes plagues, trophies, resin sculptures, and executive desk sets. They also offer engraving and customization services.
  
  
• Urban General Store
  Launched in 2008, Urban General Store is an online gift store based in Chicago. Their lists of well-designed, functional, and inspirational items include apparel, accessories, cards, books, home, office, and novelties.

Pros and Cons of Award Ceremonies in Chicago

Chicago is top-rated when it comes to just about all of the "big city things" including sports, culture, and food. Like any other major metropolitan area in the nation, The Second City has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

• Excellent food
  Chicago is home to 24 Michelin-starred dining establishments and 58 restaurants that have been accorded the Michelin Bib Gourmands award. Your awards ceremony menu is taken care of with a catering company in Chicago handling it.
  
  
• Diversity
  Besides being home to a multicultural community, Chicago's 70-plus neighborhoods showcase the city's diversity. Each neighborhood has a unique feel and identity which means that you can find an awards ceremony venue in Chicago that reflects the theme of your occasion.
  
  
• The culture
  Chicago hosts more than 100 festivals across its 65 theatres, 10 opera houses, 13 ballet centers, and other venues. You'll have a selection of suitable awards ceremony venues in Chicago for your event.
  
  
• An effective public transit system
  Most neighborhoods in Chicago have everything you could need within walking distance but if you need to run errands, the city's public transit system proves highly effective. Your guests will have the choice of about 130 bus routes and 145 train stations.
  
  
• Sports
  Professional baseball, soccer, football, and basketball teams hail from Chicago. The sports frenzy makes the city an ideal place to host a sports-related activity or event.

Disadvantages

• Rough winters
  Winter weather in Chicago involves below-freezing temperatures, blistering winds, and grey skies. The howling winds and flooding that happens once the snow melts don’t provide the best conditions to host an event.
  
  
• Traffic
  Chicago ranks as the third-worst in terms of traffic across America. You'll have to schedule your activities around rush hour and try to avoid venues near bottleneck hotspots like Interstate 290/294.
  
  
• Parking
  Estimates have it that the city's residents put in an average of 56 hours each year looking for parking spots. Go for an awards ceremony venue in Chicago with ample parking space or at the very least, make arrangements for it if the location doesn't provide it.
  
  
• It's an expensive city
  Compared to other big cities, the cost of housing is affordable in Chicago. However, when compared to the national average the cost of living in this city is higher. You'll feel the pinch with costs related to transportation, utilities, and groceries.
  
  
• Pollution
  The city's waterways are known for their history with pollution, and some homeowners have had the unpleasant experience of dealing with the aftermath of basements flooded with sewage. It should guide your decision when considering outdoor awards ceremony venues in Chicago.

Famous Locations in Chicago

• Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain
  The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain stands as one of the world's largest water-based installations. It's the Grant Park's focal point, and the fountain springs to action daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  
  
• Navy Pier
  Opened in 1916, the Navy Pier formerly served as a shipping facility and amusement area. It stands as an amusement park with restaurants, parks, shops, concert venues, and other attractions that occupy 50 acres of garden space.
  
  
• Wrigley Field
  The Chicago Cubs hail from the nation's second-oldest Major League Baseball Park – Wrigley Field. In-season ballpark tours take visitors around the field, dugouts, and press box. If you are lucky enough, you might catch one of the Cubs’ big games.