ABOUT CHICAGO

Chicago not only goes by many names -- The Windy City, The Second City, The City of Big Shoulders and The City That Works -- it has many identities. Chicago is home to over 9.7 million people and was recently named a top ten Alpha World City, in recognition of its global presence. Chicago is the Midwest’s hub for transportation, finance and culture. Tourists flock to the city to shop on the illustrious Magnificent Mile, see famous buildings designed by renowned architects, visit the celebrated Museum Campus, cheer on Chicago’s notorious sports teams, and catch some of the best blues performances and improv comedy one can find. The history of Chicago is tied closely to the bodies of water surrounding and running through it -- Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. From these bodies of water, visitors have a unique vantage point to observe the landmark buildings that make up the legendary Chicago skyline. From the top of the Sears Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings, visitors get an aerial view of the city from the building’s Sky Deck.

While historically most known in the food world for its deep-dish pizza, hot dogs and Italian-beef sandwiches, in recent years a series of famous chefs have catapulted Chicago’s dining scene into a major player in the culinary world. Chicago offers one of the nation’s most extensive park systems, with a number of interconnected parks along the lakefront. In addition, the recently unveiled Millennium Park offers outdoor concerts and other programming all summer, although many come to see The Cloud Gate, a bean-shaped reflective sculpture designed by British designer Anish Kapoor.

Summer in Chicago also offers several neighborhood street festivals every weekend, including the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park which draws millions each summer to sample the diverse ethnic food options and Chicago standards, while enjoying free concerts and fireworks. The Taste of Chicago coincides with the 2008 NASABA Convention.

The Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel

The 2008 NASABA Convention will be held at the Westin hotel on North Michigan Avenue. Situated across the street from the John Hancock Building (one of the city’s tallest skyscrapers), the Water Tower (the only building that survived the Chicago Fire of 1871), and some of the country’s best shopping locales and dining destinations. The hotel itself offers an award-winning, newly renovated space.

Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom and East End Patio

Navy Pier is a 3,300 foot pier that juts out from the Chicago shoreline into Lake Michigan. It is home to a 150-foot tall Ferris wheel, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Chicago Children’s Museum, an I-Max theater and the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.

The Saturday Keynote Banquet for the 2008 NASABA Convention will take place at Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom at the eastern end of Navy Pier, which boasts an 80 foot domed ceiling and a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. NASABA has also secured the private East End Patio to view Chicago’s weekly firework display.

Driving Directions to the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel

From North

• Take Interstate 94 South and exit at Ohio Street
• Travel east on Ohio for approximately 9 blocks to Michigan Avenue
• Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
• Travel north approximately 9 blocks to Delaware
• Turn right onto Delaware and continue to hotel entrance

From West

• Take Interstate 55 East to I-90/94 North Exit at Ohio Street
• Travel east on Ohio for approximately 9 blocks to Michigan Avenue
• Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
• Travel north approximately 9 blocks to Delaware
• Turn right onto Delaware and continue to hotel

From O'Hare International Airport

• Take Interstate 90 East which turns into JFK Expressway (I-90/94)
• Take Ohio Street exit and travel east on Ohio for approximately 9 blocks to Michigan Avenue
• Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
• Travel north approximately 9 blocks to Delaware
• Turn right onto Delaware

From South

• Take I-94 North and exit at Ohio Street
• Travel east on Ohio for approximately 9 blocks to Michigan Avenue
• Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
• Travel north approximately 9 blocks to Delaware
• Turn right onto Delaware and continue to hotel entrance

Useful links

Westin Hotel Official Website

Directions to the Westin Michigan Avenue

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