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My Favorite Vendors Archive 11.06.08 10:26 AM Factio Magazine Fancies EnVent and 4Art Inc. Henrique Kerch Henrique Kerch is the publisher at Factio magazine, a position he has held since he and partner Melissa Maynard launched the Chicago-based fashion publication in 2002. Kerch began planning events for the magazine two and a half years ago, and Factio now holds two large initiatives annually—one in April that mixes spring fashions and art, and another in October to showcase fall looks—and produces boutique mini sales and magazine-issue launch parties throughout the year. Venues: "We love to use raw spaces, and we have had events at two great spaces, EnVent and 4Art Inc. 4Art Inc. has great high ceilings and the kind of wonderful flooring that we look for; it is very New York warehouse-ish. EnVent is like a refurbished warehouse that has these wonderful wood columns. We had our Bowler Hat party there, and it can hold a good crowd of about 400 people." Rentals: "All of our tables, linens, and glassware come from Tablescapes. I really like their selection, they have great prices, and they are always on time; I really have to thank them for that." MORE >> RELATED TOPICS Factio Magazine 10.02.08 12:11 PM Parkways Foundation Likes Limelight Catering Brenda Palm Brenda Palm is the executive director of the Parkways Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds to benefit the Chicago Park District. In the position for five years, Palm plans four local events annually, including Galapalooza, a large sit-down dinner to kick-off Lollapalooza, and Garden Party, a social luncheon for 100 guests held this year at Northerly Island. Catering: "Limelight is fantastic. For Galapalooza this year they came up with the idea to have dim sum carts, not the typical Chinese dim sum, but fun small plates that people could just take off a cart as they rolled by. They always come with something new, and never have a cookie-cutter menu." Decor: "Tom Kehoe [of Kehoe Designs] is the best in the city. Every year we have a themed garden party, and he always comes up with amazing ways to communicate and deliver a theme. He did a Japanese garden party for us one year, and this year we had a 1933 World’s Fair theme. He did Art Deco arrangements for us and even found historic postcards from the fair to incorporate into the centerpieces." MORE >> RELATED TOPICS Parkways Foundation 09.04.08 4:49 PM Gen Art Likes BBJ Linen Lauren K. Hurley Lauren K. Hurley has been the event producer for Gen Art Chicago since August, and she spent four years as marketing and events manager of Screen Magazine. Hurley is responsible for producing 40 regional events throughout the year. She is currently working on the October 1 Fresh Faces in Fashion, and an October 4 shopping event, which will both take place inside the tent at Millennium Park.   Audiovisual Production: "Sound Investment Ltd. makes our job so easy. We have complete trust in them and a loyal relationship because we know that we will be taken care of with no problems, and they are flexible with our needs." Catering: "One of the things I really like about Food for Thought is that they use unique ingredients and creative cuisine presentations. Their creative flourishes and modern tastes are amazing and leave an impact on your guests. We’re using Blue Plate Catering for Fresh Faces. They are an industry staple. They’re a quality caterer with a wonderful reputation and when you use them, you know your event will be a success. Another caterer that is on my radar is Greg Christian Catering. He positions himself as a conscious caterer and uses clean, environment-friendly ingredients and eco-practices." MORE >> RELATED TOPICS Gen Art 07.31.08 2:26 PM Children's Memorial Foundation Picks Event Architects Jennifer B. Steffus Jennifer B. Steffus is the vice president of annual programs and events at the Children's Memorial Foundation. In addition to planning five major events throughout the year, she manages a 12-member team of event specialists who work on more than 200 events annually, including fund-raising galas and golf outings. Currently, Steffus is working on the September 10 public launch of a fund-raising campaign for the Streeterville hospital (which recently celebrated its groundbreaking). Decor: “Event Architects. We have an amazing working relationship, and I trust them with our largest and most important events. Fergus Rooney, Emily Olson, Katie Ellis, Courtney White, David Wildman, Patrick Dejura, and Gary Cichester are some of my favorite people to work with. They are incredibly dedicated to our cause; they understand who we are as an institution; they work within our budget limitations; they’re incredibly strategic and creative; but most of all, they’re fun." MORE >> RELATED TOPICS Children's Memorial Foundation 07.03.08 10:30 AM Lincoln Park Zoo Chooses Frost, Local Cover Band Lincoln Park Zoo's Erin Dahl Erin Dahl started as the manager of donor events for the Lincoln Park Zoo in March after her position as coordinator for all auxiliary board events was expanded. She plans between 30 and 35 events annually, ranging from the large black-tie gala, Zoo Ball (which is set to take place July 11 this year), to more intimate cocktail parties in donors' homes. Entertainment: “We used Maggie Speaks for our spring benefit, and they kept the party rocking until 1 a.m. They’re a local cover band, and they do amazing work. We also used them for the Zoo Ball in 2007, and I have done other events with them; they are the ultimate crowd pleaser.” Lighting: “We work almost exclusively with Frost Lighting; they make life easy. They come in and do a beautiful job, and Dave Kelly is a really good person to bounce ideas off of.” MORE >> RELATED TOPICS Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo Auxiliary Board 06.12.08 2:34 PM Heffernan Morgan Handles Modern Luxury Media's Decor Kelly Owens Berg Kelly Owens Berg is the director of marketing for Modern Luxury Media Chicago, where she plans more than 200 events in Chicago and other metropolitan cities annually. In her two years at this position, Berg has coordinated intimate dinners, trunk shows, charity galas, and runway shows for the publishing house's five titles in Chicago, CS, The Men's Book, Chicago Social Brides, CS Interiors, and Front Desk. She has nine years of industry experience, including a prior position as director of special events for The New Yorker. Decor: “Local floral and design firm Heffernan Morgan always makes us look great. Their taste level aligns perfectly with our audience, and their attention to detail makes them a pleasure to do business with. Heffernan Morgan, known for their progressive designs, was a natural choice for the launch of our new home design book, CS Interiors. They transformed the raw warehouse space that we selected into a stunning labyrinth of separate spaces and imaginative vignettes, with furniture and accessories featured in the magazine.” MORE >> RELATED TOPICS Modern Luxury Media Chicago, CS Magazine, CS Interiors, The Men's Book, Front Desk, Chicago Social Brides, The New Yorker, Vera Wang, Chicago Social Brides 05.29.08 12:38 PM True Value Trusts In the Loop True Value's Susan Katz For four years, Susan Katz has been the director of corporate events at True Value Company, where she plans 100 meetings annually in Chicago and nationwide, plus educational programs and three major annual exhibits. She is currently working on a charity golf outing for the True Value Foundation to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. Her past positions include planning events for nonprofit organizations including the National Safety Council and the American Dental Association. Destination Management: "I work with Andrew Schorr at In the Loop, and they handled our entertainment. They themed our event and brought in props and entertainment. For the strolling entertainment they got us clowns, a magician, and the Blues Brothers." Caterer: “Blue Plate Catering does our annual employee award recognition dinner, and everything from an in-house catered party to a large event at public venues. I work with Beth Bracco, but they have always come with a team of people who are extremely creative and able to work within your budget.” MORE >> RELATED TOPICS True Value Company, National Safety Council, American Dental Association 05.22.08 9:15 AM Ronald McDonald House Relies on Stellar Productions Inc. Cathy Berk Photo: Eric O'Connor Cathy Berk has worked with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana for three years in fund-raising and  event capacities and has been in her current role as the manager of events for a year and a half. In addition to planning eight small fund-raisers, Berk produces three major annual events including the Big Mac Under Glass gala, the RMHC-CNI golf classic, and the Sporting Clays Tournament that is set for September 6 and 7 at Northbrook Sports Club. Catering: “Food for Thought is an amazing new vendor for us, and they have quickly become a favorite. They can handle large-scale events—our gala has 1,000 guests—but they still have the feel of a boutique catering company. The food is restaurant quality, contemporary, and delicious; it translates well from a six-person tasting to a 1,000-person seated dinner.” MORE >> RELATED TOPICS Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana 05.09.08 10:42 AM Association Forum of Chicagoland Chooses Berghoff Catering Thelma S. Dietsch has been the assistant director of learning experiences at the Association Forum of Chicagoland for the last nine years. She is responsible for securing caterers and venues for 60 educational sessions throughout the year, in addition to an annual meeting, gala, and trade show. The annual gala is set for June 19 at Navy Pier.   Catering: “On May 5, we hosted the fifth annual Chicago PAC reception with Berghoff Catering. We use them for our after-hour receptions. The grapes rolled in goat cheese were a huge hit. Rōti Catering does our V.I.P. breakfast and lunches, and their homemade hummus is always a crowd-pleaser. We also use One North Kitchen and Bar for our educational sessions. In April we enlisted the services of One North for seven breakfasts. The fresh-baked muffins and fresh fruit platter keep us coming back for more." MORE >> RELATED TOPICS Association Forum of Chicagoland 04.24.08 2:16 PM American Society of Neuroradiology Chooses Hyatt Regency Chicago Lora J. Di Padova-Tannehill Photo: Courtesy of Larry Dermody Photography A 13-year American Society of Neuroradiology veteran, Lora J. Di Padova-Tannehill is the society's director of scientific meetings and produces its annual convention for 2,100 attendees, in addition to roughly five smaller executive-committee meetings. Di Padova-Tannehill has 18 years of experience in the event planning industry. Venue: “Hyatt Regency Chicago has a great location. There is ease of transportation because it is a local spot around the great attractions in Chicago, so folks can do some sightseeing and shopping. It is also very conducive to a convention size—the space is very open, and conference attendees can get out of a meeting and go to the lobby bar.” Decor: "The Freeman Companies is really a turnkey operation. They work like clockwork and handle all of our logistics, signage, and installs." MORE >> RELATED TOPICS American Society of Neuroradiology MORE NEWS Search for Suppliers Activities/Experiences Catering/Food Services Decor/Design/Flowers Entertainment Event Planning & Marketing/Meeting Planning/PR Event Production/Audiovisual Services Gifts/Premiums/Awards Industry Resources Invitations/Name Tags Photography/Videography Planning Tools/Software Rentals/Props Security/Fire Services/Insurance Signage/Banners/Printing Special Effects Staffing Trade Show Services Transportation/Parking Services Search for Venues By Type All Types Activity Venues Ballrooms (All Venues) Banquet Halls Bars/Clubs/Lounges Boats/Yachts Casinos Conference Centers, Convention Centers & Auditoriums Entertainment Venues/Performance Spaces Golf Courses/Clubs Hotels Independent Event Spaces Lofts/Photo Studios/Raw Spaces Mansions/Houses Movie Studios/Sound Stages Museums/Cultural Spaces Outdoor Spaces Private Clubs Quick Trips Religious Spaces Resorts Restaurants Retail Venues Spas/Relaxation Places Stadiums/Arenas Terraces/Roofs/Gardens (All Venues) By Neighborhood/Location All Neighborhoods West Town Andersonville Bronzeville Bucktown Chinatown Garfield Park Gold Coast Greektown Humboldt Park Hyde Park Lakeview Lincoln Park Lincoln Square Little Italy Logan Square Loop Magnificent Mile Old Town Pilsen Printer's Row Ravenswood River East River North River West Roscoe Village Rogers Park South Loop Streeterville Ukrainian Village Uptown West Loop Wicker Park Wrigleyville Evanston Lombard Naperville Oak Brook Oak Park Rosemont Schaumburg St. Charles Other Areas Show Only New Venues Search Our Venue Directory PREMIUM SPONSORED SUPPLIERS BizBash SCHED* M&M The Special Events Company WPI Event Partners Inc. 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