Explore River North's hottest hotels with the "River North Sleep Around Challange"

Participate in the first-ever River North Sleep Around Challenge 5 p.m., Thursday, May 6. Join the fun in Chicago’s own version of the “Amazing Race,” hosted by the River North Business Association. Solve puzzles, answer quizzes, take pictures and tour hotels in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, ending with an after party at Martini Park (151 W. Erie St.) to celebrate the winning teams.

Registration begins at 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. Guests can bring their own team of four or be assigned to network with other groups. Teams explore various hotels, finding clues and answering questions from 6 p.m. until the after party at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per individual, or $125 for team of four people available now for purchase at www.rivernorthassociation.com.

Participating hotels in the Sleep Around Challenge include the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza (350 W. Mart Center Dr.), Hotel Sax (333 N. Dearborn St.), Embassy Suites Chicago-Downtown (600 N. State St.), dana hotel and spa (660 N. State St.), Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/River North (30 E. Hubbard St.), Hotel Felix (111 W. Huron St.), The Hotel Cass Downtown Chicago (640 N. Wabash Ave.), Residence Inn Chicago Downtown/River North (410 N. Dearborn St.) and the new Hotel Palomar (505 N. State St.).

Each hotel has devised their own challenges to introduce guests to the properties. Hotels provide light refreshments so teams can keep up their energy for the contest. Fantastic prizes are awarded to the first team to finish and answer all of the questions correctly and also awarded for most creative answers, team apparel, fastest time and other categories. Prizes include an Overnight Stay in a King Suite at the Amalfi Hotel, four tickets to a hit show from Broadway in Chicago and an American Girl Overnight Package from Embassy Suites Chicago.

The after party hosted by Martini Park includes one hour of open bar and appetizers. Admission to the after party is included in the cost of the Sleep Around Challenge ticket.

Many of the hotels are offering special rates for the night. A team of four can purchase event tickets and stay in one of River North’s best hotels for less than $200. Parking is available for $12 for the evening at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza.

Sponsors of the event include David M. Kover and Associates, Point B Communications, Kurman Communications, Stacy Sweat Designs, Martini Park and Merchandise Mart Properties.

For more information, or to purchase tickets for the River North Sleep Around Challenge, visit www.rivernorthassociation.com.

About River North Business Association
The River North Association was founded in 1981, and quickly became a force in the community, representing businesses and providing member services to help them succeed. The organization recently changed its name to the River North Business Association, but maintains the mission and ideals of which it was founded. The RNBA hopes to preserve a community environment that will provide a high quality of life for all who live, work and visit River North. For more information, visit www.rivernorthassocation.com or call (312) 645-1047.

Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn Receives 2009 Green Initiative Award

The DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) awarded the Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard (1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn; 630-629-6000) the 2009 Green Initiative Award, accepted by the hotel at the DuPage CVB's 20th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Luncheon at noon Friday, October 2 the Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Itasca, Ill. The bureau recognized the hotel's environmental commitment, including sustainable programs like guest recycling, insulated low-E glass windows and energy-reducing boilers. The committee also acknowledged the hotel's adjacent restaurant, Glen Prairie, serving locally-sourced, seasonable fare from local farmer's markets.

At the event, DuPage CVB's executive director, Skip Strittmatter, presented the award at the luncheon in front of an audience of 275 people, all members, partners and supporters of the bureau. The Crowne Plaza's general manager, Kim Wicker, and director of sales Diana Dowdy accepted the award on behalf of the hotel.

"We are honored and delighted to accept this award from the Dupage Convention and Visitors Bureau," said Wicker. "The Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard has strived to offer a 'green' alternative to our guests, and we are grateful to accept this award for our efforts."

The Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard opened in August 2008 as the first "green" Crowne Plaza in the Chicago area. The hotel's linen reuse program, use of regional vendors, hybrid transportation, CFL light bulbs and more, make it an environmentally conscious property. Daniel Ovanin, executive chef of Glen Prairie, makes three visits weekly to local farmer's markets to source the freshest ingredients for the restaurant. The restaurant also promotes sustainability and "green" living by using recycled paper for its menus and employing only 100% compostable and biodegradable materials for its take-out supplies. This is the first award from the DuPage CVB for the hotel.

The property, located at 1250 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, Ill., is owned by Glen Ellyn Hospitality, LLC, and managed by F & F Realty. For more information or to book a reservation, please call (630) 629-6000 or visit www.cpglenellyn.com.