Just got back in the office from ASI Chicago, and after spending three hours going through my e-mail, I’m finally ready to think about the week’s activiteis. Three days is hardly enough time to take in the city, especially when you’re running from meet-up to trade show to party every day. There were some things I didn’t get a chance to do (specifically, to check out everyone’s suggestion last week, Lou Malnati’s), but I still had a great time in the city.
A lot happened over those three short days. I’m sure I’m forgetting several things, but while it’s still fresh on my mind I wanted to list what i thought were the five best moments and coolest things I saw at ASI Chicago.
5. Banner Pen’s Stone Paper. I’m not sure how long this product has been around, but it’s very cool. Stone paper is, as you can imagine, produced using stone rather than tree pulp, and its production is more environmentally friendly than traditional paper manufacturing. Banner Pen offers a variety of notebooks, gift bags and other traditionally paper-based products using this new material.
4. Mike Ditka’s keynote speech on Wednesday. Ditka gave a great, entertaining speech about his personal history and his influences. His optimism and positivity were inspiring, but he was also humble and modest. Keynote highlight: when an attendee nominated him for president.
3. My flight out of O’Hare was only delayed by 20 minutes. Anyone who has dealt with that airport will recognize why this makes the top 5.
2. Meat. Chicago’s known for its steakhouses, but some of the best meat was on the the trade show floor. As I wrote in yesterday’s newsletter, both SteakHouse Premium and Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, two new entries into our industry, were grilling up food and were slammed from open to close. Between SteakHouse Premium’s skirt steak and beef jerky, and Nueske’s bacon and honey ham, I spent most of the show on the Atkins diet.
1. Watching the Phillies beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.
There were a million other things happening during and after the trade show, and I know I didn’t see it all. What were your favorite parts of Chicago? Let me know in the comments (although if you say anything other than the Phillies, you’re wrong).
