Chicago Concierge Day 2012

Concierge Preferred Magazine, a leading hospitality industry publication in Chicago, worked with Mayor Rahm Emmanuel’s office and received an official proclamation naming January 26, 2012 as the second annual “Concierge Day in Chicago.”  This proclamation is in recognition of the impact that the concierge community has on the positive experience had by visitors to and residents of Chicago. Mayor Emmanuel appreciates the contributions that the concierge professionals, hotel, corporate, hotel and residential, make to establish Chicago as a world class place to visit, work and live. 

The special day was commemorated by a huge celebration produced by Concierge Preferred Magazine and hosted by Hard Rock Café Chicago on Thursday January 26, 2012.  The celebration included two major elements – the induction of three members into the Concierge Hall of Fame and the awards for the “best of the best” in Chicago.

First, the concierge took this day to recognize three professional concierges who have dedicated their careers to Chicago, by inducting them into the “Concierge Hall of Fame.”  The three concierge awarded this honor were Alfredo Caliva, Chef Concierge at the DoubleTree Chicago Magnificent Mile, Bobbi Chiodo of the InterContinental Hotel Chicago O’Hare and Arlene McDermed, Chef Concierge at the Chicago Marriott Downtown.  These three join last year’s winners John Winke, Paula Fortney and Sheryl Novak in the “Concierge Hall of Fame.”

Next, the city’s concierge also voted for their favorites in four categories – dining, culture & attractions, nightlife and shopping.  All the favorites in each category are listed on the Concierge Preferred website.  The top five winners in each category, as chosen by the concierge, were as follows:

DINING: Sunda, Quartino, Gibson’s, Le Colonial, and Gino’s East

CULTURE& ATTRACTIONS: Navy Pier, Chicago From the Lake, John Hancock Observatory, Museum of Science and Industry, and The Art Institute of Chicago

NIGHTLIFE: Buddy Guy’s Legends, Howl at the Moon,The Redhead Piano Bar, Paris Club and The Second City

SHOPPING: Macy’s, 900 North Michigan Shops, Shops at Northbridge, Water Tower Place and Nordstrom

The impact of concierges on Chicago’s visitor market is undeniable. Almost five million referrals are made by Chicago’s 750-plus city and suburban concierges with over 1.3 million dining recommendations; 1.1 shopping suggestions; advice on 658,000 nightspots; and almost 1.2 million referrals to the Chicago area’s various cultural attractions being made each year.