I went to Chicago to attend a candy show at McCormick Place. I flew into Chicago Midway airport, which was closer to the McCormick Center than O'Hare. I was able to purchase a round trip ticket on the shuttle for $40. I stayed at the Best Western Grand park Hotel. My initial feeling on seeing the hotel from outside, was that I had made a mistake picking this hotel. It appeared old and needed updating (including the lobby area). My room was the 7th floor, which ended up having a view of Grant Park and Michigan Ave. The room was fine. I couldn't get the wireless Internet working (I think it was my computer, not their system, but maybe too weak of a signal on that floor and at that end of the hotel).
Grant park was interesting. Everyday around 4PM, the locals would flock to the park with their dogs. It was almost as if there were a dog parade ;) During daylight, many people used the park for jogging, and the workout stations placed throughout the park along the trails.
On this evening, I met a friend who was also in town for the candy show. We should have asked for recommendations for dinner, but left the hotel with only a tourists pamphlet. The booklet proved to be worhtless, except for letting us know where we were in relation to our hotel. It did not help in finding dining places. We walked from 1100S to 200S and back (The waitress at our restaurant told us it was about 2 miles each way).
I got up early on Tuesday and headed to the candy show. I had to walk two blocks to the Hilton to get on the free shuttle to the event center. I had no idea there were other events going on at the center, and got on the wrong bus. Luckily, it went to the McCormick Center and I was able to ask for directions to the candy show. You have to have a badge to get into the show. I had arranged with two people to come out to give me a badge to gain entry. I had no idea both of them were coming into Chicago later in the afternoon on Tuesday, so I was stuck on the outside of the show until I found some people I knew to get me in. (Next time, I will ask everyone involved what their ETA will be, so I don't have to wait.
The show is for candy manufacturers and their customers. The manufacturers belong to a group that puts on the event. They pay a fee for booth space and dues to the organization. The customers pay a small fee to come to the show. Non-members pay $300 to get into the show.
My main reason for coming was to network.
I ate dinner at the Mei Restaurant that is attached to the hotel, but not part of it. Besides me, there was only one other person dining in the restaurant (I guess I should have payed attention to this). I asked if they could turn the tv to American Idol (it was finals night). They obliged, but did not turn on the volume (duh- it's a music show). The food was marginal. I had a ribeye steak with vegetables. I think the vegetables came out of a bag (pre-frozen). The steak appeared to be boiled instead of grilled. It was very fatty, not a lot of flavor. I would not eat here again or recommend the place to others. When finished I went to my room and went to bed so I could get up early on Wednesday morning.
I had to take my luggage with me to the show since I was checking out and my flight was at 5PM. The event center had a coat/luggage check in so I didn't have to haul it around or worry about it during the show. I networked until 2pm, then found the shuttle and made my way back to the airport where I had a bite to eat prior to boarding.
I did not get a chance to see much of Chicago on this trip. When you are there alone, you don't venture too far from the familiar. Maybe what I did see and do will help someone else enjoy their trip to Chicago.
