Chicagoland Events Worth Staying Inside For

Now that fall is here, many of us are looking forward to the leaves changing color, the pumpkin-spiced product of the day, and those chunky sweaters that haven’t been worn since last fall. Despite the hype for autumn, there are quite a few people who do not look forward to the end of summer. As the temperatures drop, many just want to hibernate until spring comes around. GMS can’t spring forward time, but we can recommend things to do in the Windy City that are indoors and away from the cold.

The Loop--Chicago Pizza Tours

Courtesy of Chicago Pizza Tours

Operating since 2009, Chicago Pizza Tours has been packing the punch in flavor as they guide their tours via bus. Enjoy authentic, Chicago style pizza, as well as four other distinct styles, throughout several Chicago neighborhoods. Not only do you get to enjoy pizza for the next three hours, but you also learn about the science behind making the perfect pie. 

Skokie, IL--The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center

“Remember the Past, Transform the Future.”  This is what the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center stands for as the local Holocaust survivor community put over 30 years of work into the building that stands today. This particular exhibit that we are highlighting is “Besa: A Code of Honor.” This exhibit focuses on the American photographer, Norman Gershman, and his work on Muslim Albanians who helped save Jews during the Holocaust. This somber learning experience is recurring daily until March of 2018.

Bucktown--At North Bar

Courtesy of At North Bar

For those who have a funny bone, At North Bar hosts an open mic called “Smart Mouth Comedy Open Mic.” Once a week, 20 people can sign up on Facebook to tell their best jokes for 20 minutes. In order to get more on-stage time, comedians must correctly answer trivia questions. If the spotlight is a little too hot, you could always choose to be a member of the audience and take a seat at 7 pm.

Not only can Global Management Services schedule fun, warm events, but we can do it without you having to worry about the little details. If you are looking for a fun outing for your corporate event, then you are at the right place!

Beverage Tastings That You Should Go to This Weekend

At the end of the work week, many of us come home wanting a drink a little stronger than coffee made in the office kitchen. Whether it is to celebrate the start of the weekend, or to forget about work for the day, a good drink cannot only be relaxing, but enticing to the senses. The only thing better than a good drink is a good drink you don’t have to pour yourself! This weekend, three awesome cities are having events and tastings, so there is no need to crack one open or pop a cork at home. GMS recommends these events to go to after work.

Chicago -- The Dreihaus Museum

On 40 East Erie Street this coming Friday and Saturday, The Dreihaus Museum is hosting “A Toast to The Glided Age: Crafting Cognac” where guests can experience not only Cognac-based cocktails, but also learn about the popularity of cocktails in the United States during the late 19th century. For this two-hour event, sip on a nice cocktail and learn about distilling and the origins of this French drink, all the while sampling hors d’oeuvres and listening to music.

Boston -- Short Path Distillery

Just outside of Boston, experience the first distillery in Everett, Massachusetts, since the prohibition. Short Path Distillery focuses on local and organic ingredients whenever possible to make their high-quality spirits. Tastings in their 4,000 square feet facility happen on Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm to 11pm, Saturdays from 12pm to 11pm, and Sundays 1pm to 6pm. In order to taste a sampling of their spirits, you pay absolutely nothing. Tours of the distillery are also available Thursdays to Sundays.

Seattle -- Woodland Park Zoo

For those who not only want to start the weekend a little early but also monkey around, Woodland park zoo is hosting “Brew at the Zoo” this Thursday, where you can try several different types of beer as well as experience animal encounters. Tickets start at 32 dollars, but VIPs also get a complementary glass as well as a complementary buffet. This fundraiser would benefit The Woodland Park Zoo and to help take care of the cute animals that you see during the event.

All of these events are really great, but we can help you find events even more fun things to do while you have your incentive trip in these three cities. Contact Global Management Services to get started on one the greatest incentive trips you would ever have, where we believe that you should experience event excellence.

Non-Monetary Incentives for Employee Engagement

Retaining talented employees is becoming increasingly difficult—more so with millennials. With over half of job separations for new hires being voluntary in 2016, it’s becoming increasingly vital for companies to build employee loyalty in non-traditional ways. A recent survey found that most employees between 20-40 years of age are in favor of tangible non-monetary rewards. This means incentives that make employees’ work day better, or have lasting effect on them—especially those that they can share with friends and family—are likely to result in lifelong employee loyalty. In all cases, the incentives must be viewed as valuable by the employees rather than those conceived by management in isolation. Here are a few non-monetary incentives for employee recognition a company can offer to reward engaged employees [or loyal clients for that matter] and grow a stronger team.

Individual Workplace Incentives

The Wall of Fame:

It might seem old fashioned, but peer-to-peer recognition at your office through a “Wall of Fame” motivates employees and rewards talent based on day-to-day successes managers might not always see. These peer-to-peer recognition programs like this can even be made social through free software applications now available [like Globoforce and Achievers].

A Get-Out-Of-Work Card:

Who wouldn’t like the idea of being able to throw down a card and claim an extra day of PTO in exchange for a job well done? Offering employees a chance at adding a valuable day off to their calendar could help them to pull through on more difficult projects. Needless to say, the extra PTO should be subject to all pre-existing company policies on paid leave so business can continue without too much interruption.

Conference Perks:

Not every conference is hosted at your city’s downtown hotel Ballroom C. If your employees attend conferences that require travel, make it an incentive. If the team reaches one benchmark, maybe you upgrade their airfare or hotel. Second benchmark, make them reservations at a restaurant and pick up the bill. You could even make attending the conference itself the incentive, if it’s not essential to attend but you know your employees will learn and grow.

Incentive Trips:

The above incentives have measurable impact on employee performance and engagement.  But nothing impacts employee performance more than the prospect of a trip to an exotic destination with a partner.  Studies have shown that the beneficial impact of a well-planned and executed incentive trip far exceeds its monetary costs in improved performance and ultimate profitability.  While monetary rewards may motivate employees briefly, the prospects of an all-expenses-paid trip to a desirable destination along with an employee’s partner—or even family—will create a deep-rooted competitiveness to excel.  Depending how an incentive trip is structured, it can not only enhance performance but also foster employee engagement.  Some companies opt for monetary incentives for ease of administration. However, an incentive trip will likely have far more beneficial impact on the company’s bottom line if it is appropriately designed and implemented.

GMS Global Management Services, Inc. is a boutique incentive agency and event planning company with offices throughout the US and Canada.  We specialize in custom-tailored incentive programs that guarantee improved performance and profitability.

GMS Rolls the red carpet for Lions Club

Celebrating its centennial, Lions Clubs International gathered in Chicago for this important milestone.   Lions Clubs International (LCI) is an international secular, non-political service organization founded by Melvin Jones in 1917. As of April 2015, it had over 46,000 local clubs and more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries around the world. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and global scale.  Lions Club German selected GMS to organize educational and popular tours of the Windy City for the diverse participants.  With all that this beautiful city has to offer, Lions Club could not have picked a more fitting backdrop for its 100th anniversary celebrations.  There were “lions,” some in colorful local dress of the country they represented, on every corner for the few days they got to spend in Chicago.  Chicago and Chicagoans rolled the red carpet in every way possible.  Weather could not have been nicer and Chicagoans were clearly proud to have an organization of this caliber in their midst.  GMS was honored to have been selected to showcase the city to such a distinguished group of luminaries.  GMS is looking forward to once again play host to the Lions next year when they head to Las Vegas. 

Chicago Private Architectural Cruise for Lions Club Germany

Porsche Canada teams up with GMS

Who doesn’t love speeding down the highway for a grand road trip? Although it sounds like a dream for many, this actually happened for a select lucky few! GMS got the chance to drive through Eastern Canada in a Porsche—leading a group of fast-car enthusiasts, all behind the wheels of Porsche vehicles. This all to commemorate 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation. With this tour, “it is a wonderful combination of culture, history, sightseeing, nature, and driving some of the best cars in the world!”  Anna Seitz, one of our account managers, learned to the truth about these words, as she concluded leading such a distinguished group of car enthusiasts!

Anna got to be in the driver’s seat for leading a tour for ten people during a 10-day period. Over 2,000 miles were driven to experience the wondrous landscapes and the historical city skylines. Although a little nerve wracking for Anna driving a luxury car for the first time, she soon got used to the car and began to enjoy herself just like the rest of the pros in the caravan.   

Each day was a day for exploration and excitement. Participants drove themselves in a brand-new luxury Porsche vehicle to discover gems throughout Eastern Canada.  From Toronto to Halifax, they drove on winding roads without a care in the world. When the driving stopped for the day, guests got to spend their evenings in first-rate accommodations and ate dinners that reflect the mix of cultures that you can only find in The Great White North. For every day trip in each city, Anna and the participants got to see 19th century architecture while enjoying 21st century style and convenience. From spending a night in Drake Devonshire with staff setting up a fun prank for guests to eating at Sim’s Corner with exceptional oysters and steaks, such places beautifully balance the historical with the modern. Some of Anna’s favorite places on the trip were the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City and driving on the famous Cabot Trail on Cape Benton Island.  With these elements, 10 people started this journey as strangers, but they ended as likely friends for life.

The Trip was also covered by various magazines. Continue reading here:

Auto Trader

Herald Wheels 

The Car Guide

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In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, Porsche Canada is promoting a driving experience across Eastern Canada.  Twenty lucky participants will get behind some of the most sought-after Porsche vehicles and drive from Toronto, ON, to Halifax, NS.  The 10-day journey will cover some of most historic sites in Canadian history.  For this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Porsche Canada selected Global Management Services from among many contenders to manage the logistics of the driving experience.  For 10 days, 20 lucky participants will get to experience some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in every turn while behind the wheels of some of the most advanced engineering marvels.  There is no better way to see some of Canada’s revered historic sites in this landmark year than onboard of an engineering masterpiece. Find out more here.