Exhibit/Tours/Programs- October Recap
Volunteers
Although the season is winding down, docents and volunteers have donated just over 1,500 hours of service to the CAC during the month of October.
CAC welcomed 15 new volunteers at a recent Exhibit Host training. It was the second session of the year. Over 150 applications have been received for the 2023 Docent Class, and over 100 interviews will be conducted by mid-November. Final class decisions will conclude in early December.
Over 100 river cruise docents celebrated with Chicagos’ First Lady at their annual year-end party. The Agra Family toasted the docents and shared their thanks for another successful season. All Docent Day was November 5 at the Studebaker Theater and over 150 docents attended the event. The theme this year was “Sustainable Architecture.” Guest speakers included Jen Masengarb of AIA, Thorsten Johann of Studio Gang, Marzia Sedino and Nicholas Chan of SOM.
Walking Tours
There were 325 walking tour departures in October. Average tour capacity utilization was 57.8% for the month with an average of 9 guests per departure. 50% of guests were members.
River Cruise
In October, there were 326 departures and 42,380 tickets sold. 60 cruises went out at over 90% capacity and the average capacity utilization for the month was 53%.
Exhibits
October total exhibit attendance was 8,219 guests. This included 998 adult tickets, 284 student tickets, 961 ARC upsell purchasers, 410 walking attendees, 140 OTA (online travel agency) purchasers, 5,273 comps, 45 private group attendees, and 108 members. Note, the uptick in comps is due to the CAC being a site for Open House Chicago, seeing a total of 5,148 guests between October 15 and 16, record setting OHC attendance for the CAC.
January and February Hours:
Starting in 2023, the CAC will be open Friday through Mondays from 10am-4pm. These shortened hours will reflect in the new schedule for 2023. We will reopen to 7 days a week sometime in March/April, which is still to be determined.
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!
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.