Back office Update:
As we prepare for the busy holiday season, the CAC Design Store will be receiving a lot of new product. We do not have a warehouse room like we did at our old location and we also did not incorporate a warehouse space in our design plans when we moved as we had originally outsourced our retail operations to a third party that did not need space. Due to this and now that we are running our store again in-house, we will be processing much of the shipments in the back office space. We will be ensuring a clear path to the library, but please watch your step and excuse the mess as we prepare for this important time of year for our retail business!
Exhibit/Tours/Programs-September Recap
Volunteers
September has been a busy month for CAC Volunteers. Docents and volunteers have donated close to 1,700 hours of service to the CAC during the month of September.
CAC staff will conduct its second Exhibit Host training on October 22. Applications are available online. The Docent applications for the 2023 Class are also available online. Over 40 people attended the last information session on September 24. Staff and docents have conducted over 40 interviews and sent 25 acceptance letters to date..
There are upcoming special events hosted by our docent and volunteer committees. The Volunteer Connections group has planned a visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art on October 12. Plans for All Docent Day on November 5 at the Studebaker Theater are finalized.
Walking Tours
There were 322 walking tour departures in September. Average tour capacity utilization was 58% for the month with an average of 8.6 guests per departure. 53% of guests were members.
River Cruise
In September, there were 414 departures and 50,881 tickets sold. In 2019, we had 52,598 guests so we have some work to do to get back to 2019 levels. We have also seen some days/weeks outperform 2019 levels as well. We did see a single weekend (Friday – Sunday) where there was a mechanical issue with one of the smaller vessels, and we unexpectedly had to cancel 10 cruises during that time. 54 cruises went out at over 90% capacity and the average capacity utilization for the month was 52%.
Exhibits
September total exhibit attendance was 2,956 guests. This included 924 adult tickets, 297 student tickets, 994 ARC upsell purchasers, 282 walking attendees, 130 OTA (online travel agency) purchasers, 66 comps, 129 private group attendees, and 134 members.
Wifi Information
Guest Wireless
SSID: Chicago Architecture Guest
Key: welcometocac
Comp Ticket Request Form
We have updated the link on The Bridge for Comp Request Form. If you have bookmarked this page, please delete and use the new one located underneath Quick Links.
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 do 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.
PARKING
We are no longer issuing the parking vouchers for members. The discounted parking is still available 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.