Conference - April 21-24XXX Exposition - April 22-24

Companion Activities

Companion Hospitality Room and Tour Information

Please note that for your convenience and comfort, the companions’ hospitality room at McCormick Place will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday (April 22, 23) and from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 24. You are required to wear your registration badge for admittance to the hospitality room and for all tours and activities.

Companion Lounge Activities

Activities April 22-24, 2008 (Subject to change without notice.)

Stress Reduction and Weight Loss through Pilates and Yoga
Tuesday, April 22 & Thursday, April 24 – 8:30 am to 9:30 am

Tarot Card Reading
Tuesday, April 22 , 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

The Chicago Blues
Tuesday, April 22, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Mary Kay Makeovers
Tuesday, April 22 & Thursday, April 24 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Jump Start Your Health
Tuesday, April 22 – 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm & Wednesday, April 23 –12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Chair Massage Therapist
Wednesday, April 23 – 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Handwriting Analysis
Wednesday, April 23 – 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

The Perfume Room
Wednesday, April 23 – 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Palm Readings
Thursday, April 24 –10:30 am to 12:30 pm


Companion Tours

Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Chicago - From the Sears Tower to Lake Michigan

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 , Morning Tour

Chicago Grand Tour (5 hour tour)
Chicago is, above all, the prototype of the modern American City. It is the cradle of modern architecture, yet boasts some of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in the world. This Grand Tour of Chicago, full of interest, history and beauty, will take companions through pristine parks, along the beaches that line Lake Michigan’s shore, and all the beautiful and magnificent highlights along the way. Price: $69.00 per person


Tuesday, April 22, 2008, Open All Day

From Architect to Author: Frank Lloyd Wright Home/Studio Walking Tour/
Hemingway House (6 hour tour)
Companions will be escorted to famous Oak Park, located twenty minutes from downtown Chicago. Oak Park is a 4.5 square-mile village with over seventy architecturallyand historically significant buildings, twenty five designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Regarded as America’s most creative and prolific architect, Frank Lloyd Wright left a dramatic mark on the Prairie State of Illinois. Here, companions can experience the groundbreaking ideas that changed the course of 20th century architecture. Companions will explore the unusual complex that served as Wright’s private residence, studio and architectural laboratory during the first twenty years of his career from 1889 to 1909. After touring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio, companions will be transported to the Hemingway House. The Hemingway House is a restoration of Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace. Take a glimpse into the early years of his life through a private tour which will point out all that makes this home special.
Price: $118.00 per person


Tuesday, April 22, 2008–Afternoon Tour

Chicago Mansions of Yesteryear (4 hour tour)
Join us on a historic trek through Chicago. The Prairie Avenue Historic District, two blocks east of Michigan Avenue, is a rich preserve of 19th Century residential architecture. Companions will enjoy a guided tour of the Glessner and Clarke Homes in this historic district. While enroute to the mansion tour baskets of snacks that are made in Chicago, such as Jelly Belly jelly beans, Jays Potato Chips and Tootsie Rolls will be provided.
Price: $76.00 per person


Wednesday, April 23, 2008– Morning Tour

Masterpiece Chicago: Chicago Sculpture & Art Institute Tour (4 hour tour)
A guided tour highlighting the fascinating sculptures of Chicago. From the Picasso Statue in the Daley Center to Calder’s Flamingo in Federal Center Plaza. Explore the many facets of Chicago along the way to the trendy up-scale gallery district. The gallery community offers a unique opportunity for participants to experience the Chicago art scene and view exhibits of famous pieces currently up for sale or auction. The next stop will be at the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world’s most famous museums. Guests will discover artistic creativity from ancient Chinese bronzes to the latest work by today’s artists. Guest will view an internationally acclaimed collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces, with many outstanding examples by Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh.
Price: $69.00 per person


Wednesday, April 23, 2008–Morning Tour

Chicago Sports Tour (4 hour tour)
For the true sports fan, Chicago is your city for cham-pionship teams. Guests will not only see great highlights of Chicago, but also take a more in-depth look! Companions will find a fantastic Chicago treat waiting for them. Wrigley gum, Jays Potato Chips, Tootsie Rolls and Jelly Belly’s. Guests will visit a variety of Chicago stadiums. The tour’s famous stops may include one or more of the following championship venues:

Soldier Field: Guests will travel to Soldier Field, where memories of the Super Bowl Shuffle, Ditka, and “the fridge” all come to mind. Guests will have the opportunity to step out onto the field.

The United Center: Next, guests may experience backstage at the United Center! Interactive and educational, the tour includes the Chicago Blackhawks Organ Room, the Press Box, the Scoreboard Control Room, the 100 level concourses, and a suite. After the tour, guests will enjoy a Chicago inspired lunch in the Budweiser Select Brew Pub and Carvery, located inside the United Center.

Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville: The guided tour of Wrigley Field provides visitors with a view of the entire arena, up close. The tour consists of a visit to the skybox, press box, stadium club, and even the dugout! It’s a great way for visitors to get a behind-the-scenes feel for one of Chicago’s most famous sites.

U.S. Cellular Field: U.S. Cellular Field is the home of the 2005 World Series Champions, the Chicago White Sox. The park features a unique scoreboard with dazzling fireworks, an old-time facade complete with arches and over 40,000 unobstructed view seats. Visitors will be taken behind the scenes to explore the Stadium Club, the suite, the press box and a chance to be on the field!
Price: $129.00 per person


Wednesday, April 23, 2008-Open All Day

Paella Cooking Class and Second City Tour (5 hour tour)
Café Ba Ba Reeba is an amazing tapas restaurant located in Lincoln Park. The vibrant décor, with vivid Mediterranean colors, is the perfect backdrop for enjoying tapas. This boisterous Spanish restaurant is one of the hottest places in Chicago with hot tapas, cold tapas, and tapas to go!

Your chef will teach guests how to cook the perfect paella. During this interactive cooking demonstration, guests will enjoy soup, cold tapas, hot tapas, paella, red and white wine, dessert and sherry to top it off! Guests will be able to bring the art of paella home with them. Café Ba Ba Reeba will give each of your guests their own Paella recipe book.

A tour guide will escort your guests on a Second City walking tour. Known for its diverse cultural neighborhoods, there is nothing like walking on a beautiful day to truly experience Chicago.
Price: $163.00 per person


Thursday, April 24, 2008–Morning Tour

Experience Chicago’s Museum Campus (4 hour tour)
The Museum Campus is located on the beautiful lakefront of Lake Michigan
and is comprised of The Field Museum of Natural History, The John G. Shedd Aquarium, and The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum–Carl Condit once said the Museum Campus is “architecturally the most impressive cultural center in the United States,” and it remains so today. During your tour of the Museum Campus, guests will be able to explore the cultures of the world, the depths of the oceans, and the ends of the universe.
Price: $143.00 per person