MPI-CAC Annual Holiday Party Draws More Than 300 Attendees

Party-goers put on their best sparkles and were ready to shine at the MPI-CAC Holiday Party Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The hotel’s American Craft Kitchen & Bar restaurant played host for the event, utilizing its open floor plan to keep the party flowing.

4theBeat, provided by Mary Monica Entertainment, kept the party hopping playing a variety of dance songs throughout the evening.

Guests were able to snack at several interactive food stations.The Stockyard BBQ food station was popular, drawing people in with ribs, brisket and hot links draped across racks, much like you would find at a butcher shop. Other appetizer stations included assorted sushi, smoked striploin carpaccio, octopus carpaccio and petite salads.

The biggest hit for the evening was the raclette station, where the hot melting cheese was scraped onto assorted bread for a warm, cheesy bite. The decorate your own holiday cupcake station allowed attendees to customize their frosting and toppings, creating sugary sweet holiday treats.

And in case guests with a sweet tooth weren’t satisfied, Spin-Spun All Natural Cotton Candy offered a sweet selection of the fluffy sugary dessert.

Fitting with the theme of tinsel and ‘tinis, the bar offered Chocolate Espresso and Sparkling Cosmo martinis.

To commemorate the fun time, the Drawing Booth offered strolling artists who captured quick digital portraits of guests. Attendees could also have their photo taken as they became part of a wintery scene inside a giant inflatable snow globe provided by Record-A-Hit Entertainment.

The giving trees saw plenty of action, as attendees plucked candy canes priced from $25-$100 to redeem for experiences, hotel stays and restaurant gift cards worth double the purchase price.

The silent auction also offered a variety of hotel stays and experiences, including a Caesar’s Las Vegas experience, a 3-night stay at the Andaz resort in Costa Rica and a two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Miami with airfare.

As attendees left, they could grab a cigar to go courtesy of U.S. Poker & Casino Parties.

About the Author: Warthen is Chief Events Officer for 22nd Century Media, an award-winning media company specializing in hyperlocal content in Chicagoland. Hired as its first employee in 2005, she is a former award-winning journalist and photographer who now manages the planning, logistics, marketing and executing of community events and expos. She is co-chair for the MPI-CAC Marketing & Communications Committee.