[7-days]

I'm going to be in Chicago for several days around the second weekend of May. Thought it might be fun to meet up with any fellow ABWers who would like to do the same, perhaps over lunch on Saturday, May 12th. Let me know if you are interested and if you'd prefer downtown or something on the West side of the city and I'll try to coordinate a place and make us a reservation.

If you can't make lunch and would still like to meet up, I'm going to be available most of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 11-13.

Oh, this is open to any affiliate, merchant, OPM, etc. Several folks I know here wanted to meet up and a group lunch might be easiest and a chance for folks to meet others in their area they would not otherwise.

[JudiMoore]

Dave and I could come! We probably can't do Friday night, since Dave just switched to evenings for his last 6 weeks, but we can do Saturday any time. I don't think I can get away with doing anything on Mother's Day, though.

So, we're in if it's Saturday. We'll come downtown, but we live NW, so shorter drive if it's that side of town.

[7-days]

Great! Looking forward to seeing you again, Judi, and finally meeting Dave.

[JudiMoore]

Who lives in Chicago and knows a good Saturday place near where Ron is going to be? I sort of know the Woodfield / Golf Road / Schaumburg area - there's a great Italian place - Maggiano's - right at Woodfield, but that's a ways for anyone coming from downtown.

[Carolyn - ShareASale]

Hey, there's a Maggiano's downtown too :) It's on Clark and Grand: http://www.maggianos.com/locations/detail.asp?unit_id=001.025.0047

[JudiMoore]

There's one right across from the Wynn in Vegas, too! They're great. The one by Woodfield has a really wonderful bakery attached - like a Starbucks with benefits. :lol:

[Joe Lilly]

Not sure where Ron is going to be, but Cafe BaBaReeba is always one of my faves when I'm back home....

[Carolyn - ShareASale]

Oh yeah, that peach sangria...YUMMERS. Unfortunately, I will be out of town for a friend's wedding...

[7-days]

I'm going to be staying at the Marriot out by the airport, but I'm willing to drive where it is most convenient to others. I'll have a car and found my way around Chicago last year without much problem.

[JudiMoore]

I'll vote for something near the airport or Woodfield as we would be driving by them to get downtown.

BUT.... I hope I get outvoted by dozens of others who want to meet downtown!

[7-days]

Just bumping this up for anyone who may not have seen it. So far I think we have Judi, her Husband and Sarah from SAS. Anyone else interested? Still several weeks out, I know, but just looking to see who might be able to come....no commitment required at this piont.

[7-days]

Well, seems everyone is in NY at this time for Haiko's affiliate dinner. Boy, I wish I could do that one too, but I am on the road to Chicago that day. Okay, for those of you who can't do the NY dinner or Chicago is closer, come have lunch with us instead. :smiling:

[7-days]

Okay, we have this all finalized and have a handful of folks who are definately coming. Just listed it at affiliatedinner.com (http://www.affiliatedinner.com/), but here are the details. I have a large table reserved with a few open chairs and can easily expand if we get more in enough time to do so.

Time - 11:30AM - ?
Date - Saturday, May 12
Cost - Per Person
Venue - Maggiano's Little Italy
Address - 1901 E. Woodfield, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Join me while I am visiting Chicago for an informal lunch of affiliate friends, affiliate managers and merchants. RSVP as early as possible so I can get a bigger table if needed. This is not a recruitment luncheon, just a chance to visit old friends and make new ones.

Here is the URL for the Maggiano's: http://www.maggianos.com/locations/detail.asp?unit_id=001.025.0077 (http://www.maggianos.com/locations/detail.asp?unit_id=001.025.0077)

[JudiMoore]

Thanks for the link, Ron. I love Maggianos, but I've never looked at them online. I was just drooling over the menu and looking at the pics. yummmmmmmmm! And you can choose good healthy eating at a real Italian place, too. Think Mediterrainen diet!

Except the first thing I noticed was onion strings. :rotflol:

[7-days]

Thanks for the location suggestion, Judi. It sounds great. Looking forward to seeing you again.

[MINDsprinter]

Thanks for the invite again Ron! Sorry I can't make it this time. Enjoy the food, that place is delicious.

[7-days]

Sounds like Mike Payne will be joining us also.

Anyone else free for lunch this Saturday? All the details are here: affiliatedinner.com (http://www.affiliatedinner.com/)

If you can't make lunch and would like to get together another time, let me know and I'll try to swing it.

[Geno Prussakov]

I can't make it, Ron. :( ...but please make sure you bring pictures back (to ABW)!!

Geno

[7-days]

Made it to Chicago last night. Why do I always come to this down during rush hour??? Oh, my! And is there even more road construction than last year? Ha.

Looking forward to lunch tomorrow with those coming. If anyone wants to join us, please fee free. Again, we are at Maggiano's Little Italy at 1901 E. Woodfield in Schaumburg, meeting at 11:30 am.

[Rachna06]

Hey everyone,

Stumbled upon this older thread...

I used to live in Chicago and went to Maggiano's for my birthday (that was just this past weekend) a few years ago. When I was moving out of Chicago, some friends took me out to dinner at Cafe Ba-ba Reeba as well. So, this thread definitely is bringing back some fond memories.

Other favorites that come to mind right away are Buca di Beppo, Cafe Iberico and Duck Walk...ah, good memories!

I miss the city very much and can't wait to go back and visit!!

[rematt]

We miss you too.

[7-days]

We had a Buca di Beppo here in Omaha, but it closed after just two years. Shame!

[Rachna06]

Thanks rematt. :)

7-days - That is a shame that Buca closed down. Hope there is another Italian restaurant of almost equal calibre!

mmm, perhaps I will have some Italian for dinner tonight!