Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau

In 2007, best friends Jonathan Bricklin and Franck Raharinosy had a crazy idea—to practice ping pong night and day and get so good that they could make the USA Olympic Team. So, they got busy doing what any future Olympians would do—throwing a weekly ping pong party! Their parties drew in an eccentric range of artists and actors, musicians and bankers, brokers and broadcasters, and (of course) professional ping pong players and everyone in between. The diversity of the crowd fueled the fun and vibrant energy that remains the essence of SPIN today. Bricklin and Raharinosy joined forces with retired investment banker and former tennis pro, Andrew Gordon, to launch SPIN’s flagship location on Park Avenue in New York City in the summer of 2009. From the moment we opened our doors, we have seen the world-wide growth of an iconic ping pong culture, lifestyle, and movement, which has redefined the game to know no boundaries. It’s all about having fun, not taking life too seriously, making human connections and embracing the contradictions. At SPIN, we come together to socialize and celebrate play. At our core is the drive to connect through ping pong—a game that transcends age, gender, ethnicity, and all physical boundaries. We are the original ping pong social club, your offline social network, a place to call home. We welcome diversity and embrace the unconventional. With venues in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington DC and Boston we encourage you to participate. Do it together and never alone. #UnitedbyPingPong

WhirlyBall is the most fun you can have going 4 miles an hour! WhirlyBall combines lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and bumper cars in a game of skill coupled with a touch of chance. Plus spaces for meetings, conferences, bowling, laser tag, pop up games and more, WhirlyBall is a one-stop destination unlike any other.

Encore provides creative, production and event technology services to create events that transform. Encore creates memorable event experiences that engage and transform organizations. As the global leader for event technology and production services, Encore’s team of creators, innovators and experts deliver real results through strategy and creative, advanced technology, digital, environmental, staging, and digital solutions for hybrid, virtual and in-person events of any type.

Experience the world’s most advanced virtual reality at Sandbox VR. This full-body, immersive gaming experience transports groups into new worlds together. Survive a zombie apocalypse, compete in Squid Game, enter the world of Stranger Things, blast into space, and more! At Sandbox VR, you’re not just throwing a party, you’re living one that you and your guests will actually remember. Gather your squad, pick your world, and let us handle the rest. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, bonding with your team, or throwing the kind of party people talk about, we've got something for everybody.

Located on the Chicago Riverwalk, Taco Rio is the premier event venue, offering stunning views, authentic Mexican cuisine, and handcrafted cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices. We would love to help bring your next event to life—let’s make it unforgettable.

Planning your group event at Fogo de Chão, Oak Brook, IL is the easiest and most productive part of the meeting planning process. Located on 22nd Street adjacent to the Oakbrook Center, we proudly offer incredible service, world-class Brazilian cuisine, the best meeting and event spaces, and breezy patio space in the Chicago Metro Area to accommodate groups of all sizes and needs. Our fourth location in the Chicago-area is on the corner of 22nd and Spring Rd. within the newly-developed Oak Brook Commons neighborhood among luxury apartments, multiple restaurants, high-end retail, innovative office spaces, and a one-acre public park. The restaurant features an open-air churrasco grill in the heart of the dining room where guests can watch our Gaucho Chefs practice the art of churrasco as they butcher and grill a variety of fire-roasted meats. The main dining room is anchored by a white Carrara Market Table and our signature bas-relief interpretation of Antonio Carigni’s O Lacador statue, the embodiment of the gaucho culture. The Oak Brook location also features an expansive patio for al fresco dining, soaring wine cases, a contemporary bar with lounge seating and dry-aged meat cabinets for in-house aging.

Bringing the Quad Cities to the Windy City. Roots Handmade Pizza was born in the Quad Cities, raised in Chicago. It’s what happened when a bit of hometown nostalgia met our obsession with inventive, made-from-scratch food.

The Alston, an upscale steakhouse blending Midwestern comfort with French-nouvelle cuisine, will debut this May. Our well-appointed, 350-seat steakhouse will be open to the general public. The Alston will also feature an exclusive private member’s club. Guests may also apply to join our private member’s club for those looking to for a truly unique, exclusive experience perched above the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast.

Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Summer House is the place for sunshine all year round. Enjoy seasonal specialties, market-driven pasta, artisan pizzas, and fresh antipasti from Chef Ben Goodnick’s California-inspired menu. Reserve your table today and be transported to the West Coast by the beach house decor, retractable glass ceiling, and all-season courtyard.