Chicago, IL business or pleasure travel deals

Business travel is a normal part of some people’s lives. Even with the advancement in technology that we see today with webcams, digital conferencing, webinars, and VoIP, there is still a huge need for interpersonal communication done face-to-face. Take the example of a public speaker. There is no way for them to utilize technology in an effective enough manner to communicate what they are trying to say. Whether it is a business meeting, conference, resolving a conflict, or a public speaking event, there is a certain dynamic that occurs between a speaker and the audience, and that can only be felt when done in person. One of the primary destinations for traveling when it comes to business trips is the “Windy City,” or Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago has the pleasure of being a city that works for both business and pleasure. While many come to meet with heads of businesses, plenty of individuals come on Chicago vacations as well. At the very least, individuals on business take an hour or two out of the day to see what Chicago has to offer. Chicago is known as the home of the blues and jazz, one of the birth places of comedy and the skyscraper. Most businesses remain within the Loop (downtown) and Michigan Ave. Some of the biggest names in businesses in the city include the Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and headquarters for Boeing, United Airlines, and Abbot Labs, to name a few. There are numerous hotels around that area that you can stay at when on your business trip.

When looking at accommodations for your business trip. There are a number of things you need to think about. You need to determine the budget allotted by your business for your travel expenses, including accommodations, how you are going to get to Chicago, and how long you are going to be in Chicago for, if you will need transportation while you are there. Luckily, today many travel agents work alongside businesses to propose the perfect Chicago package. This package will include airfare, accommodations, and a rental car. It can be quite daunting to find all of these items on your own, and businesses often maximize the use of a travel agent to ensure they are getting the best deal and not paying too much out of pocket. Most businesses work with a specific travel agency because they trust them to provide the best price.

Aside from getting to Chicago, one of the most important things for a business trip is your accommodations. You want to stay at a place where you can do work, sleep, and store your items. Many hotels in Chicago come with a number of amenities, including satellite television and complimentary meals. As a businessman, you most likely also want accommodations that offer free internet access in the rooms to do additional work as well as a personal safe to store important documents while you are out. Depending on how long your business trip is for, you may want to ask about laundry and dry cleaning services. If your business trip is going to last for a few weeks, inquire about getting a suite in a hotel. It is a bit more comfortable than a regular guest room and offers a number of additional amenities, including a small sitting area as well as a small kitchenette, or at the very least, a mini refrigerator and microwave for personal use. You want to make sure you are comfortable while on business.

A majority of businessmen tend to stay in hotels that are either right in downtown or in close proximity to the major airport in Chicago, O’Hare International Airport (ORD). A number of the major hotel chains are located right next to the airport, including Best Western, Comfort Inn, Courtyard by Marriot, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, and Ramada Plaza Hotel. Aside from the amenities listed previously, some of these hotels offer additional ones, including swimming pools, meeting rooms, and even fitness center. As well, all the hotels have free shuttle services between the hotel and the airport.

Another item that is important for a business trip in Chicago is a rental car. Many businesses provide employees with a rental car when they are on a business trip. As someone traveling on business, most likely you have a lot of items to carry, including papers, presentation materials, a computer, and so on. It can get quite expensive to pay for taxies all the time, and quite inconvenient to lug all these items on public transportation. Not to mention that you have to be on time for everything, and if the bus or tram is running late, you will probably be running late as well. Having a rental car provides you with the opportunity to not only travel at your own leisure, but also make it so you arrive to everything on time without feeling rushed and/or disheveled from taking public transportation. If you are giving a big presentation to a possible new client, the last thing you want to do is be late due to a hold up with public transportation. It does not make a good first impression with the business you are looking to woo over. It has become quite standard practice to rent a car while on a business trip.

Most likely you will have a few hours to yourself while on a business trip. Take the time to explore the area. It would be a shame to be there strictly for business and not do anything that would line up in the “pleasure” category. First of all, there is the amazing food. No Chicago vacation is complete without Chicago’s main claim to fame in the culinary industry – the deep dish pizza. Also nicknamed “Chicago style pizza” outside of the city, it is the best place to get this delectable delicacy. Chicago is also known for its hot dog. Because of the large number of German and Polish immigrants to Chicago, the city takes its hotdog very seriously. Just do not ask to put ketchup on your hotdog as many hotdog establishments do not even offer it!

There is also much to see and do while in Chicago. Millennium Park is one of the most well known attractions throughout the entire city. It offers a beautiful collage of amazing architecture and art. There are constant free tours going on to learn about the architecture and the creation of the part. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor (which locals often call “the Bean), the Lurie Garden, and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

One of the biggest landmarks in the city is the Willis Tower. Formerly known as the Sears Tower, the Willis Tower is the third in height in the world and easily recognizable. It stands at 110 floors (equaling 443 meters). When the day is clear, those who reach the top of the tower are offered a spectacular view that stretches up to 80 kilometers away and includes Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. While it is still a working office building, there are a number of attractions and entertainment options as well. At the top is the Skydeck, a multimedia presentation of the history of the city, including sports, literature, and music. Do not forget to check out “the Ledge” – a five sided glass box that is not for the faint hearted. The floor is transparent and allows visitors to feel as though they are suspended in air and hovering more than 400 meters from the ground.

The Navy Pier is another attraction that you should take time out to see in between meetings and such. This half a mile stretch of pier was built in 1916 and acted as the military pier and municipal wharf. It is a popular tourist attraction today, offering shops, restaurants, and gardens. There is also a large Ferris wheel, amphitheater, carousel, IMAX theater, and miniature golf. There is also a number of museums, including the Museum of Stained Glass Windows, Chicago Children’s Museum, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

One last stopover while in Chicago is the Field Museum. It is home to Sue – a 65 million year old Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, the oldest to be discovered anywhere. The Field Museum explores different environments as well as cultures found all over the world. There is Dinosaur hall with various skeletons, an Africa Exhibit where individuals can learn about the Sahara as well as the slave ships, and even an Ancient Egypt exhibit that provides real insight, with 23 real mummies in a recreated burial chamber. A newer exhibit, the Ancient Americans, offers insight into 13,000 years of western hemisphere, pre-European culture.

As mentioned, just because you are in Chicago on business, does not mean you cannot take a minute to enjoy some of the fun and interesting things that Chicago has to offer as well. Some people elect to extend a business trip by a day or two to get in some leisure time in the city.