Catalyst Ranch is Chicago's premiere creative meeting and event space!
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Catalyst Ranch has meeting space for rent, for corporate and nonprofit meetings, focus groups, and weddings and other celebrations. Our one-of-a-kind environment immerses you in color and stimulation, sparking innovation and creativity. Our four rooms range in size from 300 to 3,000 square feet, and can be used in any combination to achieve the desired format of your event. Since there are so many
possibilities for your day at the Ranch, please call one of our Client Services Managers for a quote, (312) 207-1710.
09/12/2023
We pride ourselves on being the most creative space for innovation work in all sectors. So we're pleased, to say the least, to be chosen by HYPE Innovation as the setting for their multi-day North American conference in two weeks. It'll be quite the meeting of the minds!
š Have you seen the agenda for INNOVATE North America lately? Join us in Chicago to š§ LEARN. š£ļøSHARE. š¤NETWORK.
š§ We have two full days of workshops, open-floor seminars, and coaching from industries and organizations around the world, including The United Nations, CVS Health, and more, designed for Innovation novices and experts alike.
Space to Imagine More: meaningful connection.... We take great pride in being the American Marketing Association Chicago go-to space for putting the in .
Grow your connections and chime in on important topics this Wednesday!
Do you want to hear about , discover how to better connect with multilingual audiences, and find out how to get a great professional headshot? Our next Connex event at Catalyst Ranch is for you!
Marketers can connect in small groups, covering topics led by Kristian A. AlomĆ”, PhD; Jill Kishner Bishop, PhD; and Michelle Kaffko. There will also be and light supper catered by Äma, a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant.
Sign up for the event todayāregistration is free for AMA Chicago members and full-time students! We look forward to seeing you there. https://bit.ly/47xcHcG
09/08/2023
We recently served up more Ranch Recommendations, for when your creative meeting or special event here ends: https://bit.ly/ranchrecsEATchicago
And to make it that much easier to find them (and find your way *back* to CR), we've compiled ALL our Recommendations in a handy dandy Google Map linked here. Happy hunting, friends!
22 places - When you wrap up your creative meeting or event at Catalyst Ranch, our staff wants you to feel at home in Chicago abroad. Here are our personal recommendations for how to DO and EAT Chicago! Read full descriptions here: https://bit.ly/ranchrecsDOchicagohttps://bit.ly/ranchrecsEATchicago
09/05/2023
When you or your clients aren't enjoying our esteemed caterers in our space, you'll need guidance for where to eat like a Chicagoan, i.e., eat *well*. š¤¤ With our latest staff-curated Ranch Recommendations, we're focused on satisfying your taste buds! Find them in our ...
Earlier this year, we presented a set of insider recommendations for things to DO in Chicago. This shortlist of choice activities was curated by your very own Ranch staff as a token of our trademark Champagne Customer Service. Whether you come from near or far, we want you to feel feeling at home .....
09/01/2023
WOWOWOW š®š®š® Fresh and early Friday morning, Chicago's own (and one of Catalyst Ranch's cherished Preferred Caterers) Taylor's Tacos will represent our city on the national stage that is Good Morning America's 'United States of Tacos' competition! Check the video linked to see them clinch the Chicago title earlier this week, and send your love and luck to restaurant owners Maya and Taylor as they face the Finals on Friday. >>> Y'all STAY making all of Chicago proud! We are blown away!! š®š®š®
It's a surf-versus-turf battle between the crispy shrimp taco from Taylor's Tacos and the campechano taco from Taqueria Chingon..
Tonight's the night: Run The Light brings a lineup of stand-up talent with headliner Chris Higgins! Bring your bestie and a bottle, and start Labor Day weekend early. You deserve it. š
08/29/2023
You might liken us to a mullet, because we're business in the [daytime], party in the [evening]. (But honestly, we can host both simultaneously. It's called MULTITASKING, baybeeee.)
This Thursday's party-in-the-evening vibe is brought to us by Run The Light stand-up comedy. Come let your hair down!
From Run The Light: Donāt forget to bring your own bevvies this Thursday 8/31, because this lineup is going to BRING THE HEAT! š„ We are back at it with an all new lineup of some of the most talented comics in the city, at one of the most unique venues in the West Loop.
08/25/2023
Next Thursday, we open back up for a night of stand up comedy: Run The Light brings the talent, and you bring a beverage. Laughter ensues. >>> Grab your ticket at the link!
Run The Light hosts their signature night of stand up comedy. Bring a friend and BYOB to a night of laughs in the West Loop!
08/25/2023
The '23/'24 fiscal year is approaching-looming-waiting-IMMINENT! Those 52 weeks will look untamable if your current planning isnāt bringing more clarity and unity.
Consultant and coach Jackie Sloane tells us how leaders can make the most of leadership meetings at an important time like this. All in the latest .
Try as you might to hold onto the summer, here comes autumn! And it's looking you straight in the eye, barreling at you with no sign of slowing. And from this angle, you can see the whole '23/'24 fiscal year trailing close behind, laid out before you clear as day. That is, you can if
06/16/2023
What better way to keep the Pride Month celebrations going than to enjoy a night of q***r drag talent??
This Saturday night, June 17, drag persona Koda Pendants emcees a DRAG VARIETY SHOW that will showcase drag talents, with a runway finale!
Learn more & See who's performing at the link>>>
Drag performer Koda Pendants hosts an ages 18+ evening of q***r drag talents and a themed runway finale!
06/16/2023
IT'S TONIGHT: The Run The Light comedy folks bring another great lineup to Catalyst Ranch for a BYOB show! We've loved having these performers and audiences bringing laughter to our spaces this summer...
Don't miss this show!
Run The Light hosts their signature night of stand up comedy with headliner Kenyon Adamcik. BYOB to a night of laughs in the West Loop!
06/16/2023
Perfect to celebrate Pride Month, our very own Koda Calma brings a stunning lineup of q***r drag performers to Catalyst Ranch tomorrow, June 17, for a Drag Variety Show! In our latest Creative Juice Blog post, we chatted with Koda about bringing ones creativity to work, the origins of his drag, and why Saturday's show is special... Check it out!
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, and at Catalyst Ranch we celebrate all our staff, colleagues, neighbors and clients who identify with any of the vibrant communities represented (including, but not limited to Gay, Le***an, Bi, Transgender, Q***r, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual individuals). On Satu...
05/31/2023
Are you interested in healing? In celebrating women's health & wellness? And working towards ending period poverty? ā
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Join Surge for Water's Power of Sisterhood event this Saturday, June 3, at Catalyst Ranch for gentle movement, mindful activities and meaningful conversations.
A tea party to to celebrate sisterhood and womenās health & wellness in honor of Menstrual Health Day.
05/26/2023
Surge for Water recognizes Menstrual Health Day next Saturday, June 3, with an important afternoon of community and celebration!
Registration is free: surgeforwater.org/sisterhood
As women and girls, we're deeply connected in many ways ā our cycles being just one of them. To deepen this connection, join us on June 3 at Catalyst Ranch for a one-of-a-kind tea party celebrating womenās health & wellness in honor of Menstrual Health Day.ā
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Through gentle movement, interactive activities, and engaging conversations, we'll cover:ā
TONIGHT: Run The Light returns to our confines with a fresh slate of outstanding stand up talent. Grab your ticket now for this BYOB showcase, and start your weekend off right!
Run The Light hosts their signature night of stand up comedy with headliner Kenyon Adamcik. BYOB to a night of laughs in the West Loop!
05/09/2023
Tonight we welcome the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago (KACC) for their panel discussion with senior executives about key learnings from their companies' Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Guests of Kellogg Alumni Club members are welcome.
Join the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago for a panel discussion: Annual Reflection of the Progress of DE&I Social and Policy-Related Programs
05/05/2023
Get your weekend started by visiting Taylor's Tacos' GRAND OPENING today!
Their long-awaited and hard-earned brick-and-mortar storefront is, fittingly, on Taylor Street in the UIC/Medical District. Our clients have been so happy since we've had them on our Preferred Caterers list. They're going to make so many MORE mouths happy with the debut of their own store! Congrats Taylor and Maya!!
6 months ago we got the keys to a space we could call our own. After a lot of work and a whole lot of cosmetic finishes, we are finally grand opening our doors to YOU!
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Come eat, bring a drink, and get real merry because Taylorās Tacos is looking real cute!! š® We will have an extra special menu item, giveaways, and a feel great time all day from 11am - 7pm. Stop in and parTAY with us.
1512 west Taylor Street!!!!
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05/04/2023
Next week, American Marketing Association Chicago rejoins at our creative space, hosting discussion and networking that no Marketing Professional should miss!
How do you power personal and organizational growth? Need tips on marketing campaign planning? Join us for the next Connex on May 10th from 6-8 p.m. Catalyst Ranch to get expert advice!
Danielle Robinson Bell will lead a discussion on the value of skills and stakeholder communications. Danielle is an assistant professor and director of the IMC professional master's program at the Medill - Northwestern University School of Journalism. Her area of expertise is and its impact on business outcomes for organizations, brands, and executives.
Next, Shannon Lee, senior VP of creative at StudioNorth, will share her expertise in marketing campaign planning. Shannon leads a high-performing team of content creators and develops brand strategies and full-funnel marketing campaigns for her clients.
And of course, you wonāt want to miss our popular Speed Networking session. Youāll meet at least 4 people for a 5-minute conversation on hot .
Registration is free for AMA Chicago members and $20 for guests. Find out more about the session topics and register here: https://bit.ly/3zPDYYa
05/02/2023
So happy to have had a cozy nook at the Hospitality & Tourism Summit at Navy Pier today ā and grateful to have connected with so many of our industry colleagues. What a great city we share!
04/21/2023
The UN designated April 21 as World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise the awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development.
We're using the occasion to celebrate all the people who've brought their minds to Catalyst Ranch, such as the Urban Sketchers network, who cultivate community with their art!
World Creativity and Innovation Day is this Friday, April 21. Itās a day that is close to our heart, as our venue exists to inspire exactly that. All this week, weāre posting thought-provoking quotes on our social media that relate to creativity. How do you foster the
04/21/2023
It's the day of the show, y'all!
Run The Light brings a fresh lineup of stand-up comedy talent to our space tonight.
And, by the by, word on the street is you can score $5 off tickets with the code RTLAPRIL š¤
Join us for another round of Run The Light comedy. Friday April 21, 8 PM
04/18/2023
This roaming BYOB stand-up showcase gets comfy at Catalyst Ranch: Run The Light presents a fresh lineup every third Friday through June, with this Friday April 21 up next.
Grab a ticket, a pal, and your favorite hard seltzers, and enjoy a night of comedy!
Run The Light hosts their signature night of stand up comedy with headliner Kenyon Adamcik. BYOB to a night of laughs in the West Loop!
04/17/2023
What is there between you right now and your evolved state, your next phase? That time/feeling/space of transition is sometimes challenging but ALWAYS important.
Unpack it with us in our ...
Three things we know to be true: (THREE THINGS!) Change is hard. Change is necessary. Change is the goal. Let us explain that last one. In previous posts, weāve explored the science of innovation and creative thinking, because frankly, itās riveting. There has been a lot of research done focusin...
04/03/2023
To start a Zoom meeting on the right, er, foot, a recent Inc. Magazine columnist suggested asking this icebreaker: "What are you wearing on your feet?"
To that, we say "Yes, and!" Consider also "THREE THINGS," one of our fave Energizers. This easy game is great over Zoom, and even better in person. Try it out to inject some levity and, more importantly, to jumpstart your imaginations!
At Catalyst Ranch, our Ranch Hands are available to lead your team in a short "Energizer." This low-stakes, high-delight activity is a reliable way to get folks' heads in the game, and at any point in the day. Our collection of Energizers involve varying levels of introspection, competition and phys...
03/31/2023
Housing Action Illinois's 7th Annual Benefit is sure to be a wonderful opportunity to meet the organization's staff and their supporters. We're happy to have you all here on April 13!
Our 7th Annual Benefit is happening at Catalyst Ranch in Chicago. We're thrilled to have the support of partners like Chicago Fire, Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, Navy Pier, KOVAL Distillery, Skydeck Chicago, First Ascent Uptown, DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington, and others who have donated items for our raffle and auction. Enjoy Connie's Pizza and drinks from Revolution Brewing!
03/29/2023
Make some noise for the performers in Thursday's Run The Light stand-up comedy show! šš¾šš¾šš¾
Grab a ticket, a pal, and your favorite hard seltzers. Our best bet for Thursday night is this BYOB night of comedy. Learn more at the link!
Run The Light hosts their signature night of stand up comedy with headliner Kenyon Adamcik. BYOB to a night of laughs in the West Loop!
03/23/2023
On Tuesday, March 28, the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago (KACC) welcomes members and their guests to learn from a panel of senior executives and their DEI investment and progress over the past year.
Find more information at the event page linked.
Join the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago for a panel discussion: Annual Reflection of the Progress of DE&I Social and Policy-Related Programs
03/22/2023
Cat Ranch, meet Cat-Ranch. Charmed, I'm sure!
Ranch is one of the creatures to have been recently rescued by The Catcade, a Chicago-grown nonprofit we admire, who recently made huge strides in their journey to expand their own, larger space.
Congrats to them, for all the work they do to find forever homes for so many feline rescues! Including Ranch.
Sincerely,
Us at Cat(alyst)-Ranch.
I have very few things left in life that make me happy. Gone are the days of the satisfying opening āflickā of a Sidekick 2, lying about reading books and earning a free Pizza Hut pizza, and staying up all night making crank calls. Chinese throwing stars, a nice wedge salad, and when the takeout restaurant inevitably forgets Shellyās side of ranch are the few things that keep me on this planet.
At first it was frustrating, then mildly entertaining, and now it is like the world is in on the joke and everyone hates Shellyās happiness by stealing one side of ranch at a time and few things make me happier than seeing her look deep into the bags of food then flail her arms in the air like she has been shot in the back with a BB gun.
In celebration of my happiness, we have chosen to name this cat, Ranch. Now Ranch can be adopted solo or with another cat but none of that matters unless we all bond together for the first true global conspiracy to make sure Shelly never gets her side of ranch again. c
03/22/2023
Next week, Run The Light returns with their popular BYOB stand up comedy show: Thursday, March 30, come enjoy a slate of Chicago comics, because we could all use a laugh! Get tickets before they sell out...
Run The Light hosts their signature night of stand up comedy with headliner Kenyon Adamcik. BYOB to a night of laughs in the West Loop!
03/21/2023
Inspired by this year's Women's History Month theme, "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories," we learned about women who've created space in Chicago for sharing stories.
We highlighted just a few in our latest Creative Juice Blog post; Who do you recognize and appreciate in publishing, artmaking, broadcast, and other forms of media and storytelling?
This weekend we had a veritable GANG of Urban Sketchers artists come through Catalyst Ranch, each capturing our likeness through a unique style and perspective, and we can't wait to show you their work.
FPV (First Person View) drone tour of Catalyst Ranch the most creative, colorful, inspiring meeting and events center in Chicago. Located in the West Loop, right off the highway. This is a drone tour of the newest floor addition 5E. Now Catalyst Ranch boast two floors of meeting space.
To book a drone tour contact 360 Chicago Tours we fly Drones so you don't have to. We also offer Standard video photography and virtual tours.
Pilot: Brandan Fpv
Produced by: Patrick McKay
Explore Chicago ART OF CHI GoPro
03/17/2023
If you love the seasonal GREENifying of the Chicago River and mugs of lager, perhaps you'll find your color-loving self at Catalyst Ranch this Sunday: Come spend a tranquil afternoon making new artāwith our vibrant space as inspirationāamong friendly peers in the Urban Sketchers Chicago circle. šØ
Folks new to the group are welcome to join this free event. Learn more at the link!
The artists of the Urban Sketchers Chicago group have their March sketch meetup at Catalyst Ranch. Come use our vibrant space as inspiration for your art!
03/09/2023
It's not news that the achievements of women leaders, artists, makers, scholars, creators and innovators enrich our daily lives. We're grateful for that every day.
What is news, according to a recent study, is that in societies where the gender gap is smaller, people of all genders live longer and better lives.
From NPR: "'This International Women's Day, let's not forget that the evidence demonstrates that enhancing women's representation across multiple sectors contributes to wealthier and, hence, healthier societies for all,' lead author Cat Pinho-Gomes, a research fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and Imperial College London." (https://n.pr/3ZwNqux)
Cheers to the ongoing work to lift up women everywhere. Happy International Women's Day!
02/28/2023
It's THIS THURSDAY, y'all. Upgrade your evening AND your workplace communication style with improve it!
West Loop Community Organization pals: Use code CATALYSTRANCH here šš¾ http://bit.ly/3ENXqHB for HALF-OFF tickets. Trustāit's worth it.
02/24/2023
šØFresh *Creative Juice* alert!šØ
"If the olā box of donuts isnāt inspiring you, itās likely not inspiring your friends, family, coworkers or kickball team."
Any meeting is more enticing if you know someoneās bringing donuts. Fact. And thatās only the bare minimum application of the fact we all know: Food makes a gathering better. Food (and drink, if we're lucky!) accomplishes a lot: Food adds value for folks to physically arrive;
02/21/2023
Let's get this Venue Hop started!
š Kira and Lyndon are ready for a Fat Tuesday afternoon with our Meeting and Event industry peers. Planners: Grab some Play-Doh at our table at the starting point, and you'll have something to keep your imagination busy between each sparkling venue!
Thanks to Planner Master Class for having Catalyst Ranch on the Hop journey. š„
02/20/2023
It's not too late to join tomorrow's Venue Hop...
It's a prime opportunity for Chicagoland meeting and event planners to network while enjoying food and drink at this city's best venuesāall for free!
We can't wait to coax your Fat Tuesday feel-goods tomorrow afternoon. š„š„
A progressive showcase for meeting and event planners with a table-top networking event!
02/16/2023
Of course we're part a venue crawl ššš
Meeting and Event Planners, this one's for you: Join Planner Master Class in enjoying food & drinks at 5 unique venues in one afternoon. >> Register for free! See you here on Feb 21.
A progressive showcase for meeting and event planners with a table-top networking event!
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Company Holiday Parties in January
Right about now, Santa's stressed.
Don't be December Santa.
Party with your elves in January.
Reserve your January date at our place: Email [email protected] !
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#chicagoholidays #holidayparty #workparty #christmasparty #chicagovenue #corporateparty #newyearsparty
Company Holiday Parties at Catalyst Ranch!
Keep the harried holiday feelz in December. Let loose with your team in January.
Reserve your January date at our place: Call us at 312-207-1710 to book today!
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#chicagoholidays #holidayparty #workparty #christmasparty #chicagovenue #corporateparty
Training is Better at Catalyst Ranch!
Training is better at Catalyst Ranch, tbh.
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Before the year is up, bank your remaining 2021 training budget dollars with us now, so you can bring your team to Catalyst Ranch in 2022 at 2021 prices! >>Call us at 312-207-1710 to get started.
Have you experienced our space lately? No? Well then shake a leg! We're still THE spot for gathering. š
Call us at 312-207-1710 to schedule a tour!
The idea for Catalyst Ranch was born on a quiet, sunny day in early June, 2002. Eva Niewiadomski did her typical morning routine, hopped on the subway downtown and by 8:00am was hard at work at her job as New Products Marketing Manager in the Convenience Foods Division of Frito-Lay (most recently Quaker Oats, before the PepsiCo purchase). The division had just gone through a restructuring and Eva was excited about the new platforms she would be working on. What she thought was a meeting with her boss to talk about new priorities and projects actually turned out to be a discussion about her impending layoff at the end of August, 2002. Although it had been expected for a while, it still was a bit of a shock that the day had actually arrived. Thankfully, Eva had been thinking about what sheād want to do after leaving Quaker and the idea of Catalyst Ranch crystallized that very same evening.
And what was that idea exactly? Catalyst Ranch would forge a new category for the city of Chicago ā a Creative Meeting & Event Space. It would be an independent boutique conference center with a creative environment that would incorporate breakout space within the main meeting room. And the customer service would be comprehensive so that the meeting planner or facilitator could focus on the content of the meeting vs. all the behind the scenes details.
The core precepts of the idea came from a variety of sources. Eva had created two Innovation Hallways and a Creativity Room for Quaker, which had been enthusiastically received by her co-workers. As a trained facilitator, sheād had lots of experience putting together creative environments in non-traditional locations and knew the additional heavy burden that creating those environments engendered. Her home was decorated in a style all her own - a mix of vintage and ethnic furnishings and artwork ā which friends enjoyed continually exploring and discovering something new.
Once the idea was spoken aloud, the work began apace. In a matter of 5 months (3 of which she was still working full time at Pepsi), Eva conducted qualitative research, developed a business plan and financial forecast, searched for a site, hit garage and estate sales, refinished furniture, started building a client base, developed a marketing plan and tackled all the other millions of tasks that a good entrepreneur must fit into her day.
Thank goodness dad at age 78 was a willing and available first employee. Before he knew it, he was stripping furniture, fixing and refinishing it and doing re-upholstery work full time. The lease was signed in mid- September and work began the following week. The space was completely raw ā only the HVAC systems and bathrooms were in place, along with a few walls here and there.
Hereās where all the project management skills developed while launching new products really came into play. Eva ended up being the on-site construction manager, coordinating carpenters, drywallers, electricians, painters and hordes of volunteers (she never fully realized how many wonderful, generous friends she had until then). Construction was completed in a matter of 5 weeks. Time was of the essence as there were already three bookings in the month of November. Sight unseen!
In preparation for our first meeting in early November, the small crew of volunteers stayed up all night putting on the finishing touches and the last pane of glass for the French doors slid into place at 5:30am. The first client arrived at 7:00am.
The business grew by leaps and bounds from that day forward. We outgrew the 9,000 sq. ft. of the 3rd floor and started having to turn business away. So 3 years later the build-out of 4E began, adding an additional 6,000 sq. ft. and two new rooms. Since then weāve split one of the rooms to add a focus group capability, adding two-way mirrors and lots of specialized A/V equipment and an observation room.
Since first opening our doors, Catalyst Ranch has been featured in articles in various noted publications in the United States including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, American Way Magazine, Crainās Chicago Business and Inc. Magazine. Weāre also featured in four books, āCustomer Satisfaction Guaranteedā by Chip Bell and James Patterson, āFrom Workplace to Playspaceā by Pamela Meyer,āDisciplined Dreamingā by Josh Linkner and āMarketing Research: Methodological Foundationsā by Gilvert A. Churchill, Jr.
The meetings continue as do the special events. Throughout the years weāve hosted hundreds of celebrations ā weddings, bar & bat mitzvahs, anniversary parties, birthday parties, fundraisers and anything else that warrants a gathering of friends and family.
![You might liken us to a mullet, because we're business in the [daytime], party in the [evening]. (But honestly, we can h...](https://img3.evepla.com/074/533/747331740745339.jpg)
