It's that time of year again, NRA time! So up your work-outs now to get the most out of the week. It truly is an endurance event and you won't want to miss the valuable networking time or time to learn on your own.

My advice to any newbie visiting the show is simple…

1) Wear comfortable shoes
2) Take public transportation
3) Choose samples wisely; it's easy to over-indulge and end up with a stomach ache.
     (As a chocolate-lover, I speak from experience here.)
4) Check out the live culinary competitions
5) Map out key booths or areas that are "must-see's"
6) Also, allow yourself to wander for 2 hours...give yourself a time limit so you're not
      aimlessly wandering away a day! (Again, I speak from experience here.)
7) Bring your own bag for literature and samples
8) Take advantage of at least 1 educational seminar
9) Come curious; don't be shy about asking questions and getting answers
10) Don't pick up tchotskeys you know you won't use

For the veterans, you know that the Show is just part of the exciting week. Dining in Chicago is second to none but if you haven't made a dinner reservation at a newcomer or perennial hot spot, never fear. Why not spring for a cab and really experience Chicago with some neighborhood dining superstars. You can't go wrong with this list:

1) Rose Angelis -- fabulous Italian fare in a Lincoln Park neighborhood, 773-296-0081



2) Jane's -- inviting upscale American in a homey A-frame in Bucktown, 773-862-5263

3) Tango Sur -- savory Argentinian BYOB steakhouse on Southport, 773-477-5466

4) Café 28 -- upscale and lively Cuban and Mexican on Irving Park, 773-528-2883



5) Harmony Grill at Schuba's -- delicious regional American comfort food, 773-525-2508



Check out Metromix for more suggestions.

If you have any unscheduled time, I recommend a trip on the Red Line to Addison…the Cubs are in town! A hot dog and Old Style at Wrigley is the perfect way to round out any trip to Chicago.



Posted by Molly Eaton

How many times have you been at a tradeshow or a conference and been given some trinket or goody bag full of trinkets with a company’s logo on it? Well just between us ... ( I usually throw that stuff out. Shhhhh! ) There’s only so much room on my desk for stress balls and I’m all set on XXL T-shirts to wear to the gym.

Now more than ever, people and corporations are interested in “going green” and what better way to start or continue that effort than by marketing your business in a way that supports greener living and/or is made using eco-friendly materials.

The most obvious way to do this is to print on 100% recycled paper and to use soy-based inks. But what about the giveaways? The premiums? The promos? The trinkets with logos?
Well, I’ve compiled a list of some great ideas for these things that will not only help you market your brand but also support the environment and hopefully offer people something so useful that they don’t want to it throw out.

• Coffee Mugs and Water Bottles: Styrofoam, paper coffee cups and plastic water bottles are piling up in our landfills at an alarming rate. Encourage your clients, vendors and employees to B.Y.O.B.H (Bring Your Own Beverage Holder). They even make them out of corn plastic which is biodegradable in landfills and composting.
• Biodegradable Balloons (hand-tied latex balloons with no plastic attachments)
• Seed Paper: You can print just about anything on this paper or have it die-cut into fun shapes. When the recipient plants it in a pot of soil, the embedded seeds sprout and bloom into wildflowers!
• Can Crushers: This is a personal favorite of mine...and I may be the first to come up with this idea. Now that people are more and more encouraged to recycle, why not give them a fun gift that makes it easier to do.
• Canvas Grocery Bags: This is a no-brainer. Whole Foods has already stopped offering plastic bags because they are so harmful to the environment.
• Seed Packets: You can print any message on these. Plus they are fun to receive!
• Tree Planting Kit: You can print a message or your logo on these.

Posted by Heather Simms