What’s Happening at CAC
On August 2nd and 3rd, the Newhouse display in the Orientation Space next to the Guest Services desk will be uninstalled. On August 9th and 10th, a new Watercolor exhibit will be installed.
Exhibit/Tours/Programs-June Recap
Walking Tours
There were 311 walking tour departures in June. Average tour capacity utilization was 58% for the month with an average of 8.4 guests per departure. 57% of guests were members
River Cruise
In June there were 407 departures and 49,015 tickets sold. 26 cruises went out at over 90% capacity but the average capacity utilization for the month was 52%.
Exhibits
June total exhibit attendance was 3,115 guests. This included 1,053 adult tickets, 339 student tickets, 906 ARC upsell purchasers, 347 walking attendees, 109 OTA (online travel agency) purchasers, 86 comps, 117 private group attendees, and 158 members.
Group Sales
Group Sales has had an extremely active month in June. The first week of the month the Director of Sales attended US Travel’s International Travel Trade show (IPW) in Orlando and completed 42 appointments resulting in strong leads for 2023 with international tour operators. And the last week of the month the CAC ran private departures of our tours for the attendees of the AIA’22 convention serving more than 2,600 guests (9 river cruises, 11 Bus Tours, and 24 walking tours). All attendees were invited to visit the Center for half price. We were also the site for one of the AIA Award ceremonies on Friday night .We have seen an 18% increase in revenue over 2019. We expect this number to continue to climb as the lead time for groups booking tours has shortened and tourism to the City continues to increase. Venue rentals have also begun to pick up, in June we hosted 8 private events
Retail Sales
Retail sales in the month of June have significantly increased from January-May. Our sales profit margin was at 60.4%. The focus of June was customer experience and increasing our local vendors. We are finding a good flow of popular product and plan to reset the sales floor soon to freshen up the store. Our top three categories are: Publications, Educational Toys and T-Shirts.
Education
The first in-person summer camps since 2019 returned to the Chicago Architecture Center in June! All 6 summer camps, including teen programs, are sold out with full waitlists. We look forward to continuing our summer of learning both at the Center and in the community.
Upgraded Network and Wifi Information
We’ve made some updates to our network and changed the wifi password. You should experience faster internet speeds immediately, in the Office as well as the Galleries and Store. The computers in the library are already updated but use the information below to update your phone/laptop as you see fit.
Guest Wireless
SSID: Chicago Architecture Guest
Key: welcometocac
There are new logins for the library computers. Please refer to this article for more information: New Login Information for Library Computers.
Updates to CAC Memberships
CAC has made some slight changes to our member benefits. The most notable change is that members will now pay for Premier Tours (neighborhood tour offerings). Tours departing from the CAC will remain free. Please review our new member benefits here for a more detailed listing.
Members can email me********@ar**********.org with questions about the policy. When members have to start paying for certain tours depends on when the membership started and/or expired. Anyone who purchased a new membership after April 18 will follow the new layout.
Current CAC members who renewed their membership prior to April 18 will continue to have the previous member benefits until their next renewal (so that depends on if they have a one or two year membership).
All members will be under the new plan by April 2024.
REMINDER: We do not accept walk-ups anymore. Members regardless of where they fall in line with the rollout, still need to make reservations in advance.
What about docents and volunteers?
- All docents, education guides, exhibit hosts, and guest services are eligible to earn an INDIVIDUAL membership or DUAL membership (pending hours served or option to upgrade) as long as they fulfill their requirements the prior year.
- All docents, education guides, exhibit hosts, and guest services will still have FREE access to ALL walking tours.
- All docents, education guides, exhibit hosts, and guest services receive a 20% discount in the CAC Design Store.
When did the new membership benefits structure go into effect?
- The new membership benefits went into effect on Monday, April 18, 2022. Current CAC members who renewed their membership prior to April 18 will continue to have the previous member benefits until their next renewal.
When will my membership benefits change?
If you joined as a new member of CAC or if you have renewed your CAC membership prior to Monday, April 18, 2022, your member benefits will change once your current membership expires and you renew.
Has the price of membership increased?
- The price of membership has not increased.
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.
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.
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.
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.