Well, it’s finally here. The new season began April 1, and it was not a fool’s prank at all. The first boat cruises began, the new, revised versions of the Historic Treasures and Modern tours were traversed on the streets and for a while, anyway, the weather was getting warmer. The full summer season actually starts May 1, but CAC is stirring with summer season excitement.
A couple of tips for the upcoming weeks from CAC staff:
1. We’ve updated our Neighborhood Tour Report link! Please delete any bookmarked links you have and replace with this: Neighborhood Tour Report.
This is also on the right hand side of The Bridge under QUICK LINKS.
2.The GTS device kiosk on the east side of the entrance hall has moved back home. No longer will Guest Services people hand out GTS to tour takers at the end of the box office reception desk. The devices’ new home is now permanent – on the east side of the room, behind the window. Get your GTS devices there.
3. Some of the new devices have not worked as well as anyone would like. CAC is on the case and they are trouble-shooting the issues that have come up. So far, most problems have to do with batteries, and CAC is working to fix those. Remember, these devices will be used throughout the summer but they are not our permanent devices. They are being used until we get new ones that better meet FCC regulations about bandwidth. So, hang in there and don’t get worked up about them.
4. “Huddle Up,” is a new key word. Now that many more tours have two docents assigned for each time slot, this means we are expecting more guests. So please keep tour groups together in the map-orientation area. Remember that this area is also a walkway through to the Chicago Gallery and the restrooms; leave room for people to move freely throughout the floor.
5. We have new box office personnel: Alex, Anthony and Megan. Please say hi, be pleasant and remember they are learning their jobs.
6. Take a look at the new wall in Chicago Gallery, just to the right/west when you enter. New signage, new concepts, no artifacts. The new wall replaces the introduction to the exhibit that was there previously. This is an upgrade. Enjoy.
Finally, just a few anecdotes from the Group Sales department to “make your day.” We hope they make you smile.
1. Someone we might ID as a snowplow mother called to ask about a days-off-school program for her child. The daughter was “determined” to be an architect, the mom said, as evidenced by her play. It became difficult to find any CAC program to serve this family however. The child who reputedly knew for sure she was going to be an architect is all of 2-1/2 years old!
2. Another caller was certain that CAC was not accepting of mobility issues. The caller could not understand why there could not be a bus tour for the Pedway, for those who can’t walk. No comment!
3. Finally, the Group Sales reps report that many callers are geographically challenged. They can’t understand why if they took a River Cruise they wouldn’t see, say, Wrigley Field, or any one of a number of places NOT on the river. The Chicago River has its limits.
Enjoy April. Remember April showers bring May flowers, cliché or not.Have fun out there.