Hospitality
As always, we look forward to bringing you a massive feast throughout the weekend. In addition to salty, sweet, and savory snacks; soda/pop, wine, wine coolers, and beer; and return of our salad bar, all served throughout the weekend, you can expect the following meals at the listed times:
-
Thursday Dinner: 7 - 8:30 PM
Catered Catered by Pear Tree Hel's Kitchen – Pear Tree’s Fall Salad, Choice of Sonoma Chicken (GF) or Balsamic Grilled Salmon (GF); Parmesan Truffle Orzo (V), Asparagus Gremolata (GF,V), Roasted Butternut Squash (GF,V), dinner rolls -
Friday Breakfast: 8 - 9:30 AM
Continental Breakfast - Bagels & Schmear, Hot (microwavable) & Cold Cereals (some GF), Fruit, Yogurt, Milk, Coffee, Juices -
Friday Lunch: Noon - 1:15 PM
Pub Burgers, Chicken Patties or Veggie Burgers (V) along with Toppings, accompanied by Sides -
Friday Dinner: 6 - 7:30 PM
Mostaccioli w/Meat Sauce, Meatballs, Florentine Stuffed Shells, or Chicken Tenders (GF), along with Sides
Please let families with young kids get served first so they can get to the Kids Costume Contest by 6:30 PM -
Saturday Breakfast: 8 - 9:30 AM
Continental Breakfast plus Hot Breakfast … Scrambled Eggs, French Toast Sticks, Tater Rounds, Sausage & Bacon -
Saturday Lunch: Noon - 1:15 PM
Pulled Pork or Pulled Chicken Sandwiches; White Cheddar Mac & Cheese accompanied by additional Sides -
Saturday Dinner:
Per our WeeM tradition, no dinner will be served on Saturday night so you can enjoy one of our local restaurants (see below) -
Sunday Breakfast: 8 - 9:30 AM
Continental Breakfast plus Hot Breakfast Specials … Scrambled Eggs, French Toast Sticks, Tater Rounds, Sausage & Bacon
(V) = vegetarian (GF) = gluten free
To minimize food waste, meals may be served cafeteria-style again rather than buffet-style. WeeMsters will be required to exit Hospitality, queue up outside the serving area’s south doors (wrapping around the corner when lines are long — see the red arrows on the Westin floor plan), enter via the south doors, get served cafeteria-style, and exit the serving area to go back into Hospitality. To get seconds, one must exit Hospitality and re-enter the serving area via the south doors.
Please be considerate. WeeM attendees are expected to clean up after themselves. Remove all plates, cups, utensils, wrappers, personal items, etc. from your table before leaving Hospitality or the Games Room. The hotel staff does not bus Hospitality nor the Games Room.
Snacks:
We know that Mensa members love to eat…all the time, day and night. We will have snacks available 24 hours a day, including:
- Drinks - milk, juice, soda, hot chocolate, coffee, hot tea, iced tea
- Salty and sweet snacks - chips, pretzels, candy, cookies, ice cream, many & more
- The Salad Bar will be available this year with salad, fruit, cheese and other yummy noshy bits
We (Susan and Rhonda, the Hospitality Food Chairs) will be around for any questions, comments, and concerns.
Beer & Wine:
Our Beverage Chair Dave offers a selection of beers, some boxed wines, and perhaps a few other surprises for the enjoyment of WeeM attendees. Alcoholic beverages must remain within the confines of Ravinia (see the Westin floor plan) per our hotel contract. Generally alcohol will not be available between 2 AM and 10 AM. The Illinois minimum drinking age is 21 — absolutely no exceptions on hotel property.
No dinner on Saturday?
It’s a regional gathering tradition that Saturday is a separate meal from the RG hospitality meals and offerings. In the past, we offered a banquet on Saturday night, but by popular demand, we have shifted to this being a time when you can plan a meal or outing with friends to enjoy on-site and nearby restaurant offerings. Below is a list of links to some terrific restaurants, sorted by their proximity to the hotel. Visit the links for full menus, prices, and to find out if reservations are recommended (or required). The hotel website also includes a list of restaurants nearby.
On-Site Dining:
- Saranello's - Italian, casual, part of the Lettuce Entertain You group
Walking Distance:
- Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Northwest US fusion, upscale, in the parking lot of the Westin
- Spears - Bourbon, Burgers, & Beer, casual, in the parking lot (NNW) of the Westin
- Benihana - Japanese, casual, across the street and 0.7 miles south from the Westin (a prior Chair's recommendation - Yes, it’s a well-known chain, but it's so much fun! How can you get tired of onion volcanoes?)
A Quick Drive:
- Bob Chinn's Crab House - Steak & seafood, famous in the Chicago area for the Mai Tais and fun atmosphere, casual, 1.2 miles south from the Westin
- Superdawg Drive-In - Classic American, casual, 1.2 miles south from the Westin
Many more nearby and farther:
Deadlines
- Registration - Join the fun at WeeM. Register at the door if you haven’t preregistered. The deadline for online registration was October 18th.
- Vendor space - Please complete and submit a Vendor Application by TODAY. If you have any questions after reviewing the Vendor Flyer containing all the details, contact the WeeM Vendor Liaison .
- Lodging - The deadline set by the hotel for the WeeM rate was October 17th.
- Volunteer Now! Get involved and become a star. We have a great WeeM every year due to the many of you who sign up to help out for a few hours or more. Sign up as a volunteer and qualify for raffle tickets to win one of the gift cards. Earn the coveted WeeM pin when you volunteer for least 4 hours.
- Room and/or Ride Sharing - Let us help match you up with another attendee who is also interested in sharing a room or ride by submitting your information by Wednesday, October 30th.
- Speaker/Tournament Submissions - The deadline to submit your proposal for a program or tournament for WeeM was Monday, September 30th.
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