Thrillist, the lifestyle Web site, hosted its third annual Hotel Thrillist in Chicago on July 27 and 28. Geared toward 100 invited guests whom director of communications Devon Giddon described as "social influencers, media types, V.I.P.s, and sweepstakes winners from across the country," the weekend bash had the new Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel as its home base and hotel partner.
Guests stayed and partied there over the weekend and also made stops at events organizers planned in the West Loop, the Gold Coast, and Lincoln Park. "Last year, Hotel Thrillist was held in Los Angeles, and the previous year in Miami," said Giddon. "As opposed to focusing on one or two primary locations for the weekend as we did in L.A. or Miami, we are expanding the program to cover more ground and really showcase the best of the entire city to our group."
Other partners included Southwest Airlines, which provided flights for guests; Uber, which provided airport transportation; and local nightlife and events Web site Do312. The events themselves also showcased sponsors Bacardi, Axe Hair, and Doritos with everything from mirror decals to hairstyling stations. Here's a look at some of the weekend's most entertaining and business-savvy ideas.