Meeting planners will want to tap into the expertise of Chicago’s Hispanic- and Latino-owned vendors as they begin organizing their next conference or event. These savvy local businesses can assist with everything from venues to dining, special services, and exciting live entertainment.
Venues
Introduce attendees to the culturally rich National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen. Book a docent-led tour to guide your group through the exhibitions displaying artwork and artifacts dating from ancient Mexico to modern day. Admission is always free to view the exhibits and attend special theatre, music, dance, or film programs. Explore the surrounding neighborhood using the museum’s A Guide to Pilsen’s Murals to see the area’s renowned public art.
The Pilsen Arts and Community House, a neighborhood hub doubling as an art gallery and community meeting space, hosts cultural events and activities. Thought-provoking art exhibits showcasing Chicago artists and themes change monthly. The nonprofit center is available to rent for meetings, with tables, chairs, a projector, and screen provided.
Feel the inspiration during meetings and events held at The National Puerto Rican Museum in Humboldt Park. Housed in an 1895 structure originally built as a livery, the restored historic landmark is now the only museum in the country dedicated solely to Puerto Rican art and culture. Work with the museum staff to plan events for 80 to 200+ attendees in the beautiful gallery space, courtyard, or on the main lawn.
Bar Sol at Navy Pier offers Latin-inspired decor and cuisine, surrounded by stunning skyline and Lake Michigan views. Private rooms of varying sizes accommodate from 50 to 300 people. Open-air seating on the patio is a lovely seasonal option. Brunch, lunch, and dinner menus can include tuna ceviche tostadas, fried red snapper, grilled skirt steak, and churros for dessert.
Treat attendees to a lively gathering at Everything Bar in the West Town neighborhood. Reserve one of the two bars (the main room or the cozier underground Bootleg, which accommodates up to 50 people), a backyard patio, or sidewalk seating for your event. The casual pub fare includes house grilled wings, fried shrimp poppers, burgers, pizzas, and cheesecake.
Dining and catering
La Josie, a chic Mexican restaurant and agave bar in the West Loop, offers spaces for brunch and dinner events. The 5,000-square-foot indoor space features two bars and can accommodate up to 150 attendees. For up to 50 guests, reserve the rooftop bar, which has a retractable canopy and heat lamps. With a 48-hour notice, La Josie can cater meals for your event. Items can include ceviche, taco trays, salsas (molcajete, verde fresca, and habañero), fajitas, enchiladas, skirt steak, and more.
Venture to the vibrant Little Village neighborhood and host a meeting at Mi Tierra, an authentic, family-owned Mexican restaurant. Reserve one of three private rooms and choose from family- or buffet-style serving options. Your menu can include a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes, in addition to sides like rice, beans, potatoes, and tamales. Or opt for Mi Tierra’s catering services, with food delivered to your venue.
Tasty Puerto Rican-inspired dishes are on the catering menus from Dope Drip Cafe in Garfield Park. The cafe — which serves coffee, sandwiches, and rice bowls with Puerto Rican or white rice — can also create a customized menu for your event. You’ll want to include their original tamafongo, a beef or shrimp tamale made with mofongo instead of masa. Catering trays, finger foods, and breakfast or lunch boxes are also options.
Handmade, savory empanadas stuffed with roasted pork, beef, or cheese (or a brunch version with eggs and cheese) are staples at Chicago Empanada Mama coffeehouse and restaurant in West Town. The tropical-inspired space is available for special events for six to 40 guests. Customize a catering package for up to 80 people. Appetizers and sides include yucca, Puerto Rican rice with pigeon peas, parmesan dip with plantain chips, shrimp ceviche, and street corn. Coconut flan makes for the perfect dessert.
Fulton Market’s Atzimba Catering and Events offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus for functions of nearly any size, specializing in traditional Mexican and pre-Hispanic dishes. Popular items include green mole dishes, coconut flan, chicken or dark chocolate tamales, and salmon al pastor. Taco bars and veggie lunches are also options. Professional services can include waiters and bartenders, along with the rental of tables, chairs, and utensils.
Services and entertainment
Plan an after-hours activity that allows attendees to take a deep dive into Chicago’s beloved Pilsen neighborhood. During one of the Pilsen Public Art Tours they’ll learn about culture and creativity in Chicago while viewing some 200 colorful murals depicting Mexican heritage, struggles, and triumphs. On the one-hour tour, attendees can scope out neighborhood places for a return visit to eat, drink, and shop.
As a resident company at Millennium Park’s Harris Theater, Ballet 5:8‘s troupe of diverse artists gives breathtaking performances that combine dance and storytelling. Book a Living Room Series experience for your meeting or event — dancers, live piano music, and narration are elements of the dynamic show. After the performance, attendees can participate in the dance company’s TalkBack panel discussion.
Suburban Wheeling-based MOTR GRAFX specializes in delivering stunning graphics, in addition to providing marketing solutions and special services like augmented reality. The printing company expanded its portfolio over the past 25 years to include billboards, vehicle wraps, window dressings, digital campaigns, interactive direct mail, and trade show booths. Photography, design, packaging, and fulfillment services are also available.
Order premium merchandise customized by CHICAGOMIDWESTMADE. Items branded with your company logo or message can include T-shirts, beanies, hoodies, and jackets from brands like Champion, Dickies, and Hanes. Look into screen-printing on a minimum of 24 garments or embroidery on a minimum of 12 pieces. Stickers and banners are also available. Explore the many options at their Pilsen store or view the online catalog.
Looking for professionals to staff your event? Consult International Convention Staffing. This women- and Hispanic-owned company provides versatile, qualified, and multilingual employees to match a client’s needs. Staffing includes registration personnel, event and exhibitor assistants, and human resources support.
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