Get ready to take on the 2013 River North Challenge June 25!!

It's that time of year again! Competitors are forming teams to compete in the 4th Annual River North Challenge hosted by the River North Business Association June 25. Teams will spend an evening adventuring through River North hotels, partaking in mental and physical challenges. Each check point presents a new challenge, when accomplished earning competitors "challenge points" towards a grand prize as well as a stamp on their "passport". A team's overall point sum, completed passport and the accuracy of their challenge answers will ultimately determine the River North Challenge winner!   The locations along the River North Challenge will keep you fueled for success. This event, which delivers in the fun and games department, is accompanied by complimentary food and beverages at River North's favorite destinations -- Challenge Stops. Each Challenge stop presents teams with the choice of an active challenge, mental challenge or both to gain maximum points. Upon completion of each challenge the team will be provided with the location of their next challenge.  Bonus Checkpoints along the journey will provide competitors with additional opportunities to increase point totals.  Get your team together because you won't want to miss out on these prizes. The winning team will take home a tremendous prize package from the Businesses of River North. All event participants also will be entered in a Door Prize Drawing to further their chances of taking home great prizes such as gift certificates from restaurants, bars, hotels and spa packages.   Teams are encouraged to wear costumes and uniforms, or design their look around a team theme. Don't be afraid to pull out all the stops. The teams with the most creative attire will win big!   Upon completion of the challenge, enjoy the River North Challenge After Party at the Hard Rock Cafe. While waiting for the Challenge winners to be announced, rock out to the music of "No Direction" while you munch on Hard Rock Cafe favorites and enjoy the open bar until 9:30 p.m. Register as a team of four for $150 or purchase a Single ticket for $40 and be placed on a team. Upon registration competitors will receive a River North Challenge Backpack bursting with give aways from many members of River North Business Association as well as food and water. Registration takes place at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza beginning at 5:30 pm. The Challenge takes place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is followed by the after party at the Hard Rock Cafe from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. June 25.  For questions call the River North Business Association at 312-645-1047. River North Business Association represents more than 325 businesses in the area bounded by the Chicago River to the south and west, Division on the north and Wabash on the east. The area boasts the highest concentration of restaurants and entertainment venues and is Chicago's most exciting neighborhood to live, work, shop, dine and play. For more information, visit rivernorthassociation.com.

Kurman Communications nominated for "River North's Best" Awards

The River North Business Association has announced its nominees for its annual "River North's Best" Awards. We are happy to announce that Kurman Communications, Inc., a long-time member of RNBA has been nominated in the "Best Business or Service" category.

We encourage you to vote early and vote often until February 10 at 10:45 p.m. Winners will be announced shortly after at the RNBA annual meeting.

Nominees include:

River North's Best New Restaurant: Prosseco, Sunda, Mercadito and Italiasia

River North's Best Restaurant: HUB 51, Maxwell's at the Club, NAHA and David Burke's Primehouse

River North's Best Green Business: The Merchandise Mart and Friedman Properties (Greenway Garage)

River North's Best Entertainment or Hospitality Business: The Redhead Piano Bar, Hard Rock Cafe, Cityscape Bar/Holiday Inn Mart Plaza and Martini Park

River North's Best Retailer, Showroom or Gallery: Ricci and Company and KaBloom of Merchandise Mart

River North's Best Business or Service: Kurman Communications, digitallife LLC and Regus Office Center

Kurman Communications, Inc.'s president Cindy Kurman has been on the Executive Board of Directors of the River North Business Association for eight years. She also contributes a lot of her time and our company's creative to helping the RNBA in its marketing and event efforts.  As a member of the Marketing Committee this past year, Kurman was instrumental in working with the rebranding efforts of the association. Along with her team at Kurman, Cindy was also instrumental in organizing and marketing the highly successful OctoberFeast event last fall and the annual holiday party Jingle & Mingle. Since Kurman's time on the RNBA Board, she has volunteered her time and utilized her resources to promote and publicize all of RNBA's fundraising events and announcements.  She also was co-chaired the last River North Rendezvous. Behind the scenes, she introduced the group to Twitter, setting up @RiverNorthChi as a way to grow its exposure as well as creating its Facebook fan page.  We urge you to follow them and to become a friend if you haven't already done so!

Vote here for the River North's Best Awards. Voting is unlimited!

Bull and Bear hosts official after-party for Chicago Gateway Green

As if the impressive celebrity participation and once-in-a-lifetime grand prize weren't enough to entice you to play in this charity tournament, Chicago Gateway Green is happy to announce that River North's newest luxury hot spot, Bull & Bear (431 N. Wells St., 312-527-5973) will host the official after-party for the July 15 event.

Every player will receive a wristband and complimentary drink ticket to redeem at Bull & Bear, plus a guaranteed no wait in line. For every player that attends the after-party, Bull & Bear will donate $5 to Chicago Gateway Green.

There's still time to purchase tickets! Visit www.greenpoker.eventbrite.com to get the hottest ticket in town.

River North Association Re-launches as River North Business Association

The River North community, home to Chicago’s most eclectic mix of hotels, restaurants, art galleries, nightlife, retailers and many businesses and services, announces the re-launch of the River North Association under its new name, the River North Business Association (RNBA) (222 Merchandise Mart Plaza; 312-645-1047). Under its new name, the RNBA provides the same membership benefits and networking opportunities the organization has always offered, however the new name helps highlight the association’s dedication towards promoting and securing prosperity for neighborhood businesses.

During a strategic planning session last fall, it became clear to the association’s leadership team that becoming the River North Business Association would give members, and the public, a better understanding of the association’s purpose, which includes a dedication to promoting and securing the prosperity of the neighborhood and its business community. “As simple as it may seem,” says RNBA President Mark Kelly, “adding the word ‘business’ to the association’s name helps to emphasize the true focus of our efforts, and helps prospective members quickly recognize the value of being a part of the River North Business Association. All of the services, support, events and opportunities of the RNBA provide our members make it quite obvious that we really do mean business in River North.”

The RNBA serves as a resource for all River North establishments, including its 400 members, and is even a tool for businesses outside the River North area. The RNBA’s mission is to operate as a business association that promotes awareness and visibility, fosters responsible business development, stimulates growth and advocates constructive influence for the River North community. The organization hopes to become the strongest visible advocate of responsible business growth and community development in the River North neighborhood, through membership and progressive leadership.

In addition to providing businesses a voice, guidance and opportunities to be successful, the RNBA offers a host of benefits to its members. RNBA membership benefits include: a company listing on RNBA Web site, quarterly newsletter and River North Directory; free monthly mixers including the Spring Fling, Showcase, SummerFest and Holiday Party opportunities; networking with hundreds of area businesses and residents; advertising on RNBA bi-weekly e-blast and newsletters; use of RNBA’s member mailing list; Street Banner advertisements; opportunities to increase reach and generate new business, and much more.

“We Mean Business in River North” Button Program
To help people understand the depth of business variety in River North, the association is launching a button campaign featuring: “we mean business in River North.” As part of the launch participating businesses will distribute special “We Mean Business in River North” buttons beginning March 25. There is no cost for the button, but wearing will have many benefits including discounts at participating restaurants and retail stores, as well as business services including accounting, legal, public relations, graphic design, advertising and other service oriented business calling River North home. RNBA member businesses will be providing special discounts to those wearing the button on designated RNBA Days throughout the year. The first RNBA Day is scheduled, appropriately for Tax Day, April 15. A complete list of participants and their discount offers is available by visiting the RNBA Web site at: http://www.rivernorthassociation.com/.

Customers taking advantage of the discount program need not be a member of the RNBA however; all participating businesses must be a member in good standing. Those businesses that choose to participate in the button program, will display a poster in their store window or office to their customers. The buttons will continue to be used for various discounts and promotions by RNBA members throughout the year.

Sharon Romack, Executive Director of RNBA, explains the benefits of joining RNBA. “Businesses looking for River North resources, seeking out new customers, reaching for greater exposure, or even looking to have a voice in city government can join RNBA for those benefits. Not only are the services of RNBA necessary in today’s economy, but they are affordable too.”

Top Ten Reasons to be a Part of RNBA
RNBA has put together the following “Top Ten” list to highlight the ten best reasons to become a member of the most diverse, eclectic mix of businesses in Chicago.
10. Get a River North Reputation.
9. Because RNBA means business!
8. Receive a cool sticker for a business’s window or door.
7. Two words: Street Banners.
6. Minimal annual investment gives local business more bang for their buck.
5. Have a hotline to Dana and Sharon, and play Stump the Administrative Staff for fun and prizes.
4. Gain access to 400 fellow members at networking events and through advertising opportunities.
3. Have a voice in the city government.
2. Learn about River North activities before any other business in the city!
1. Increase business!

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.

River North Celebrates SummerFest this Sunday, June 22

River North celebrates SummerFest 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Sunday, June 22 at Erie Park (Erie and Kingsbury streets). The day-long event celebrates life in River North and features restaurants, art, retail, and entertainment for young and old alike. The event is organized by the River North Residents Association and the River North Association. The suggested donation is $5 at the door.

Fifty area business will showcase their wares including Ai Japanese, Buca DiBeppo, Citizen, Kitsch'n, LaMadia, Melting Pot, Rocket, The Redhead Piano Bar, and Zocalo restaurants. " This provides the perfect opportunity to experience River North ,"says Art Bryan, an event sponsor and First Vice President of the River North Association. Entertainment includes Jesse White Tumbling Team, Pipe Dream, Sancocho, Jon Wade Ouartet, Impressionist Portraits, Personal Massages, Kayak Rides, Prize Drawings, and the new Erie Park Farmer's Market. There are special sections for children's activities and for pets, including pet adoptions.

Come prepared to explore, have fun and relax. There will be opportunities for massages, psychic readings, and portraiture.

Presenting sponsor of SummerFest are the East Bank Club and Erie-LaSalle Body Shop & Car Care. Supporting sponsors include Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant, Peak Organic Brewing Company, Harris Bank, and Green Heart. Other sponsors include Caribou Coffee, Dance Chicago, East Bank Storage, Erie Cafe, Juvenesse, Kozy Cyclery, Safegard, Park Kingsbury, 7-Eleven, Redhead Piano Bar, and Alderman Reilly.For information, contact River North Residents Association at http://www.rivernorthresidents.com/ or River North Association at http://www.rivernorthassociation.com/ or call 312-645-1047.