Get the latest meeting and event planning industry news: Odyssey Chicago River sets sail, VU is the South Loop’s first rooftop bar, the tri-brand Hiltons at McCormick Place opens, Hotel Julian Chicago debuts, Food & Wine names Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Antojería one of 2018’s best new chefs.

ODYSSEY CHICAGO RIVER SETS SAIL

Odyssey Chicago River has recently launched. The single-level, glass-enclosed dining boat sails the Chicago River, offering stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding architecture. The vessel is available year-round for full and partial charters, accommodating a maximum of 200 guests.

Learn more about Odyssey Chicago River.

VU ROOFTOP BAR OPENS IN THE SOUTH LOOP

VU Rooftop Bar

Located 22 stories above McCormick Place is VU, the South Loop’s first rooftop bar. The swanky penthouse space features two terraces with fire pits, three bars and epic city views, along with shareable plates. Groups can mingle in several private event areas, including the Karaoke Room or Club Bar.

Learn more about VU.

NEW HILTONS AT MCCORMICK PLACE OPENS

©Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place

The 466-room Hiltons at McCormick Place is the first-ever tri-brand Hilton, housing a Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites. It joins The Collection at McCormick Square complex, and is connected via sky bridge to McCormick Place. It also feature 6,600 square feet of meeting space.

Learn more about the new Hiltons at McCormick Place.

HOTEL JULIAN CHICAGO DEBUTS

Located in the newly renovated Atlantic Bank Building on Michigan Avenue, Hotel Julian is just steps from Millennium Park. Its ground-floor restaurant, About Last Knife, is a classic American steakhouse with outdoor patio seating.

Learn more about Hotel Julian Chicago.

CHICAGO’S MIDWAY AIRPORT UNVEILS NEW FOOD COURT

Billy Goat Tavern

Concourse A at Midway International Airport is home to a new 6,300-square-foot space housing a food court featuring outposts of popular Chicago neighborhood restaurants. Stop in for sushi at Arami or cheeseburgers from Billy Goat Tavern.

Learn more about the new Midway Airport food court.

CVENT RANKS CHICAGO THE #3 MEETING DESTINATION IN THE U.S.

McCormick Place ©Abel Arciniega

In citing Chicago’s ranking as the #3 meeting destination in the country, Cvent noted that more people travel to the city for overnight business than any other destination in the U.S. Cvent also pointed out that Chicago is accessible from nearly any country in the world, thanks to its two major international airports (O’Hare and Midway).

Learn more about Chicago’s Cvent ranking.

FOOD & WINE NAMES DIANA DÁVILA OF MI TOCAYA ANTOJERÍA ONE OF THE BEST NEW CHEFS 2018

Diana Dávila

Food & Wine’s 30thanniversary class of Best New Chefs includes Chicago chef DianaDávila, who is lauded for her joyful dishes and cooking at Mi Tocaya Antojería that is “authentic to her own experience as a first-generation Mexican-American.”

Read more about Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs 2018 List.

BELLEMORE RANKS #1 ON THE ROBB REPORT‘S LIST OF 10 BEST NEW RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA

The upscale Robb Report ranked Chicago’s Bellemore #1 on its list of America’s 10 Best New Restaurants. Noting the restaurant’s “creative and endlessly delicious take on New American cuisine,” the Robb Reportpoints to Bellemore’s popular oyster custard pie topped with caviar.

Learn more about the Robb Report‘s List of 10 Best New Restaurants in America.