Tours and Exhibits-MARCH RECAP
Walking Tours
There were 97 walking tour departures in March. Average tour capacity utilization was 70% for the month with an average of 9 guests per departure. 44% of guests were members. The Center is open from 10am-4pm on Friday through Monday with tours departing each of these days. There are also neighborhood or non-CAC departing tours departing 7 days a week.
Exhibits
In March, the Center hours continued to be open Friday through Monday, weekly from 10am –4pm. Beginning the week of March 14, exhibit demolition began in the Skyscraper Gallery and the Chicago Gallery exhibits became half price. March total exhibit attendance was 1,192 guests. This included 538 adult tickets, 269 student tickets, 139 walking attendees, 107 OTA (online travel agency) purchasers, 47 comps, and 64 members.
Group Sales:
There is a strong increase in advanced bookings for the river cruise, as willingness to travel is increasing. At the end of the month, the Manager of Sales support traveled to the Circle Wisconsin marketplace and met with 40 tour operators from around the Midwest. Many of the tour operators have not been to Chicago since the opening of the Center and are excited to visit and bring their groups.
Retail
The focus during March was inventory and finding new vendors to diversify our shop for peak season starting April 1st. Since taking back the store, the best-selling category is Educational Toys- making up for 25% of the monthly sales.
CAC Updated Mask Policy-NEW
Effective immediately and in alignment with public health agencies, CAC will adhere to the new guidance by making face coverings highly encouraged and recommended, rather than required for staff, docents and volunteers. All guidance will apply to both the 13th floor and within the center. Chicago Architecture Center’s current testing and quarantine requirements for individuals who have been exposed to the virus or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are still in effect for all employees.
We will periodically review this practice and keep you informed of any changes. As state and federal authorities release new health and safety guidance and requirements related to the coronavirus pandemic, Chicago Architecture Center will continue to update our employees on our related business practices as needed. I ask that you remain respectful of your coworkers that continue to mask and when asked to mask during an in-person meeting that you do so.
Design Store Discount: Don’t forget! As a volunteer, you are eligible for a discount on product – so keep our store in mind for all your Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation, Wedding and Birthday gifts that will happen this spring and summer!
New 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.
New Hires
New additions to the CAC include:
Karen Bippus joined CAC as Director of Individual & Planned Giving on Thursday, March 31st. Karen is incredibly passionate about what is important to her and approach the world with an optimistic attitude. For the past ten years, she had the incredibly good fortune to work as a fundraiser for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Last year, she began a part-time pursuit of a master of science in nonprofit management from Northeastern University.
Joel Holt, Vice President of Information Technology. Joel has over 24 years of experience as an IT expert. He joins the Chicago Architecture Center after working with the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago for over 16 years. Joel began as a network administrator, then advanced to IT Manager, and then to IT Director.
Lisa Nucci, Vice President of Marketing effective March 23. Lisa comes to us from the Chicago Bulls where she was employed since 2013, her last position being their Executive Director of Marketing. Prior to that she worked at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Laughlin Constable and Allied Advertising.
Lexie Oliva, Volunteer Coordinator effective March 8th. Lexie is currently a graduate student at the University of Illinois-Chicago for Museum and Exhibition Studies. Lexie served as the Assistant Center Director at Mathnasium and managed schedules for instructors and students. She brings a lot of administrative and organizational skills to this position. You can reach Lexie at ao****@ar**********.org
There are new logins for the library computers. Please refer to this article for more information: New Login Information for Library Computers.
Vaccine Requirement: If you have not shown proof of vaccination, you have been marked “inactive” and will not be able to sign up tours/shifts. If you want to continue volunteering with the CAC, please contact Caroline at cd***@ar**********.org as soon as possible.
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.
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.