| EVENT REPORT 09.23.08 11:33 AM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| Ready for Takeoff |
| Hosting a 2,300-guest gala on an airport runway presented plenty of challenges for staffers at the After School Matters Gala—even after all 1,060 of them had cleared security. |
|
"The next time someone uses this runway, hopefully it'll be Air Force One," said an O'Hare employee at Friday night's After School Matters Gala, a fund-raiser for the nonprofit organization devoted to providing after-school activities for local teens. But instead of the president and his posse, the airport's not-yet-complete Runway 9 Left/27 Right was overrun with trolleys, 2,300 local philanthropists, and a 100,000-square-foot tent.
"The After School Matters Gala is known for occupying unique venues," said Kim Snoddy, the nonprofit's director of events. Still, Snoddy and her team were somewhat hesitant last November when they received a call from the commissioner of the O'Hare modernization program, asking if they'd be interested in hosting their gala on the airport's newest runway, due for completion on November 20. (Mayor Daley hopes to inaugurate the runway with an Air Force One landing, as he announced in a press conference earlier this year.) |
|
CONTINUED > |
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY |
 | The cocktail reception was held in the same tent that housed the art gallery. Flower-adorned highboys were staggered throughout the space.
Photo: Rick Aguilar |
|
|
 | A sponsor/V.I.P. reception took place in the United Airlines hangar.
Photo: Rick Aguilar |
|
|
 | The temporary art gallery featured painting, metalwork, photography, and sculpture from teens affiliated with After School Matters; all work was available for purchase.
Photo: Rick Aguilar |
|
|
 | After School Matters teens decorated lampshades that adorned tables in the dinner tent. The lampshades sold for $125 a pop, and proceeds benefited After School Matters.
Photo: Rick Aguilar |
|
|
 | Along with a speech from Maggie Daley, the evening's program featured singing and dancing from After School Matters teens.
Photo: Rick Aguilar |
|
|
 | Plasma and video screens hanging from the tent's roof showcased sponsor logos and pictures of lamps from the "tabletop art gallery."
Photo: Rick Aguilar |
|
|
 | Trolleys transported guests from a designated airport parking lot to the entrance of the tent.
Photo: Rick Aguilar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
"We thought we'd go out and see the site, but I wasn't sure that it would work," Snoddy said. "We had all these concerns: 'Is it too far away. Will it be too noisy, what about security?'" But when she actually saw the runway, some of Snoddy's hesitations were put to rest. "It was located at the perimeter of O'Hare, so I saw that we wouldn't have to go into the innards of the airport," she said, adding that the noise from overhead planes wasn't as obstructive as she had imagined. Still, the neighboring runway was closed on the night of the actual event to ensure that planes weren't flying too close to the festivities.
With the venue chosen, the gala's planning efforts began in earnest last January. Knowing that the event would involve a speech from Chicago's first lady, Maggie Daley, who champions the cause, and a staged performance from the After School Matters teens, Snoddy enlisted Event Creative to produce the evening's sound, staging, and lighting. Associated event management and production company Event Architects also came on board to assist with staffing and guest interface.
According to Event Creative's Sean Cannon, a shorter-than-usual setup schedule was one of the challenges involved in working with the unusual venue. "Normally, we have two weeks to do a project," he said. But because the new runway is almost constantly being used for testing before its November opening, the Event Creative crew only had a six-day window in which to erect the tent, which comprised a temporary art gallery to showcase the teens' work, a stage area, and a dinner tent—not to mention 34 video and plasma screens that had to all be in sync throughout the evening to show sponsors' logos and footage from the event. Other challenges involved accounting for details that the venue couldn't provide: With no electricity or plumbing on the runway, Cannon and his crew had to bring in restroom trailers and 10 generators.
But Snoddy and Cannon both said that the greatest challenge of the planning process was dealing with security. More than 1,000 staffers involved with the gala had to be checked against a terrorist watch list prior to the event, leaving planners responsible for procuring each staffer's name, address, make and model of vehicle, and license plate number. Some 2,300 guests also had to clear security.
In the end, the gala raised $3.7 million for After School Matters, exceeding the evening's goal.
—Jenny Berg
RELATED TOPICS
After School Matters, Maggie Daley
MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
Chicago Chefs Prepare Apple-Cider Bubbles, Whipped Salt Cod for Food & Wine Entertaining Showcase
MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute
New Moon Premiere Beckons 10,000 People and 2 Live Wolves
Astronauts Greet, Galileo Tends Bar at Adler Planetarium's Celestial Ball
Fur Ball Offers Separate Amenities and Ticket Prices for Human and Canine Guests
MORE STORIES ABOUT AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS
Chicago's Top Benefits 2008
MORE STORIES ABOUT MAGGIE DALEY
Chicago's Top Benefits 2009
Dirty Dancing Cast Members Help Celebrate Opening of Joffrey Ballet's New Academy
Halloween Ball Showcases Cultural Center Event Space to Sarah Palins, Zombies
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Spiaggia Private Dining
The exclusive private dining rooms extend the exquisite offerings of the four-star Spiaggia, offering a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan in a warm, elegant setting. The Italian cuisine of James Beard Award-winning chef Tony Mantuano, paired with highly personalized service, make Spiaggia one of the finest luxury dining experiences in the country. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Event Architects
Event Architects is an event management and production agency with ideas that transform everyday places and routines into engaging experiences. As traditional marketing methods become less effective, Event Architects specializes in making your brand noticeable and memorable through meetings and events. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.
A genuine Chicago experience, Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company offers distinctive and professional service for all types of events. Corporate groups are their largest segment of business, but they also serve more than 500 weddings yearly, many not-for-profit organization events, and have a youthful following for nightime pub crawls. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
