Tour Operations Update
Starting in January, the Center will be open Friday-Monday through at least February. The hours of operation will be from 10am-4pm. The Call Center will be open 7 days a week. We will evaluate March hours in February.
Tours and Exhibits -November Highlights
Walking Tours
There were 177 walking tour departures in November. Average tour capacity utilization was 36% for the month with an average of 6 guests per departure. 48% of guests were members, compared to 51% in 2019. Even though the numbers are low compared to 2019, we have seen a shift with more paid guests making up a majority of guests on tours.
River Cruise
This past month there were 120 departures and 8,880 tickets sold. 5 of the 120 cruises went out at over 90% capacity but the average capacity utilization for the month was 39%. The cruise season ended November 21st. Thanks to Wayne Galesek (Docent Class of 2005) for giving the last river cruise of the 2021 season!
Exhibits
November’s total exhibit attendance was 2,013 guests. This included 831 adult tickets, 241 student tickets, 443 River Cruise up-sales, 166 walking attendees, 127 OTA (online travel agency) purchasers, 62 comps, and 143 members. Note: the price of admission also did increase from $12 for a standard ticket to $14.
Field Trips
We offered 3 field trips for 93 middle school students in November, including AIA Chicago bringing students again for the first time since the beginning of the Pandemic.
Retail
November 29 marked one month since we took over the retail store. The On-Line shop went live on December 2. Retail Business has been picking up speed with the upcoming holiday season in tandem with the guest’s obvious joy of our shop returning to its Design focus. Customers are excited for what is to come next. A few noteworthy items:
- Thanks to all who attending our Docent/Volunteer night on November 30. We also hosted a Members Night on December 3rd.
- The Most Popular Item in November: A View From the River (34 sold).
- Highest Sales Item in November: Buddah The Buddah Board is a message/doodle board where you write with water on a canvas and as it dries the message disappears. This is on display in the store for customers to use and that has helped drive sales.
- Our top performing “departments” were Toy, Seasonal/Holiday, and Jewelry and Home both tied for 3rd . Each also have margins of close to 65% as well. This is also a shift from what we experienced with Event Network where the top performing Department was typically books. Now the biggest revenue drivers are again what we had when we ran our own store at the Santa Fe Building.
On going:
Vaccine Requirement DEADLINE!!! We are now past the deadline. Even if you do not have any upcoming shifts, please email vo********@ar**********.org with a picture of your vaccination card.
All Docent Day Recording:
Below is a link to the recording with audio transcript as well. There were quite a few unanswered questions and just waiting to hear back from our speakers. Those will be posted as soon as information is received.
Passcode: @wGq9%=a
Neighborhood Tours: The Will Call lists will be posted on The Bridge after 5 pm the day before your tour. Look for Will Call List under Quick Links. If the Will Call list is not posted, you can email ti*****@ar**********.org and staff will get an updated version up as soon as possible. If your tour is not listed on the current will call list, this means there are no sales and you do not need to come in for your tour. This applies to Neighborhood tours ONLY.
Guests must sign up for neighborhood tours on line. We are currently not allowing walk-up purchases for neighborhood tours. This is now clearly stated on the CAC website. Notes under all neighborhood tours include this language:
- Advance reservations are required for this tour.
- Access to building interiors featured on this tour may be subject to change, due to weekend and holiday schedules or unforeseen closures.
- Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your tour.
- View the CAC’s hours.
Please also be sure to fill out the Neighborhood Tour Report Form after your tour. If your tour has zero tickets, you do not need to fill out the report. If your tour is not listed, choose OTHER and fill in the tour name in the comments.
And be sure to review CAC’s COVID Safety Policies for our guests.
PARKING
We are no longer issuing the parking vouchers for members. The discounted parking is still availlable at 111 East Wacker Drive. CAC guests and members receive but YOU MUST GET YOUR PARKING TICKET STAMPED at the CAC Box Office or the dockside CFL River Cruise box office. To receive your discounted rate pay at the LAZ garage office located inside 111 E Wacker opposite Potbellies Sandwiches. The parking garage is open 24/7.
Several other public parking garages are available in the River North and Loop neighborhoods. SpotHero can help you find a good deal. To reserve your parking spot, visit the Chicago Architecture Center SpotHero Parking Page and book with rates up to 50% off drive-up. Please note: if parking is prepurchased, early arrival or departure is subjected to additional charges at the garage’s discretion. New to SpotHero? Click here to download the SpotHero app. Questions? Give SpotHero a call at (312) 566-7768.
- QR Code for TripAdvisor
- We are testing a slightly lower rate for admission to the Center, Adult admission rate will lower to $14 per person effective 8/21. The Student rate will remain at $10. The River Cruise add-on price is still $5.
- No Walk-Ups on Neighborhood Tours: Please remember that we are still not allowing for walk-ups on tours. This is listed on website for all guests/members to see.
- Below is a list of tours with the status of their interiors. These are tours that are currently on the schedule. We are still evaluating the schedule and/or waiting on confirmation on interior access for tours not listed. Masks are required while inside any interior (per CDC guidelines).
- CDC Guidelines were updated on architecture.org here and will also be in the upcoming CAC@Home.
