“They take ownership in your meetings.”

Sandy Sowada, Education Meeting Manager for the American Society of Appraisers, comes to Hickory Ridge Marriott Conference Hotel in Lisle four times a year. This very busy meeting manager, returned my voice mail from her home to give her enthusiastic testimonial regarding this Lisle property. She began talking before the first question was ever asked. Sandy was referring to the association's use of the Complete Meeting Package (CMP) when she said, “It’s like going on a cruise. You never have to put your hand into your pocketbook.” Classes break at all different times and with the restaurant on site and the lavish breakouts, the students never have to wait for a check or debate the tip.

Sandy comes to Hickory Ridge 4 times a year and is responsible for the planning and execution of 7 classes that includes 250 students coming in from all over the country. They take advantage of the corporate rate offered through American Limousine and there has never been a problem getting students to and from the airport. Sandy said, “Use of O'Hare airport is very convenient because of the infinite amount of available flights.”

When asked about the conference center's services, Sandy responded by saying, “You can be the best meeting planner. The more you plan, the more something is bound to happen. At Hickory Ridge if your meeting needs change, they just fix it! The goal of the meeting is never sidetracked.” That exemplifies their motto, Whatever It Takes.

Sandy was extremely complimentary to the 24 hour technical support staff. She said, “If there’s a problem, you just pick up the phone and within minutes a staff member is there to take care of it. Nobody ever asks how it happened. They actually take ownership in your meetings.”

I asked if the students take advantage of the 26 acres of natural arboretum that surrounds the conference center. Sandy said that with the intensity of these 4 day courses, being able to have the ability to walk out of the front door and enjoy the walking jogging trails or eat outdoors is an added pleasure. Sandy went on to say, “ With such a diverse group of people, from IRS employees to real estate agents, Hickory Ridge is the only place that keeps everyone happy.”

She wanted to leave me with the ultimate quote. As a student was dragging his exhausted body into a limousine after taking an 8 hour exam he said, “If I have to retake that test, can I come here again?” Need we say more?