Finally Back in Person

The McCormick Place convention center in Chicago is huge. The convention center floor is the size of over forty football fields. The Chicago Auto show is the largest exhibition each year at McCormick Place, usually held in February. It seemed appropriate to me that my return to big, in-person parties was kicked off in 2023 by the First Look for Charity gala at the Chicago auto show. Nearly 9,000 people attended the black-tie event, and over $2.5 million was raised for 18 charities. And I felt the excitement from the moment I walked through the door! It felt great to be in a place with a crowd of happy, smiling people, engaged in conversation, renewing old friendships, and even unexpectedly seeing friends who have been invisible for three years.

It is a long way from where we were in March of 2020, when the doors to hotel ballrooms, banquet halls and event venues across the country slammed shut. My last gala event was in February 2020 and I was blissfully unaware of what was about to happen. The first inkling I had was when Seattle closed downtown offices after a Covid outbreak related to a church choir, and that really got my attention. It is hard to believe, but from that moment to practically a nationwide shutdown was only a few weeks. And for big, in-person events, there was no safe way to have one. There was no vaccine. We did not fully understand transmission. Hospital intensive care wards were filling rapidly.

Every event I had planned to attend that spring was canceled. As sad as that was for me and my friends, it was devastating for the community of charities that was dependent on galas for fundraising, often for a majority of their budget. Many tried to adapt by developing online events.

We traditionally hold a Kentucky Derby party. I am from Kentucky, and I have attended the Derby several times. It is a fun spring event, a good reason for everyone to get together, and also to dress to the nines, including the latest fascinator and spring dress. Of course, there was no way we could have an in-person Kentucky derby party in 2020. In fact, the Derby itself was postponed, for the first time since World War II. Churchill Downs put together a “virtual Derby” featuring the thirteen Triple Crown winners, so we put together a virtual, Kentucky Derby party, including wagering, games, fashion, and as much interaction as you can get on zoom. We made mint juleps in advance and delivered a pitcher to the door of each invited guest. It was actually more work than having a party on the lawn, and while we gamely worked at creating a fun event for everyone, the two-dimensional interaction was awkward and the technology just didn’t support talking in small groups. We did not have a Derby party in 2021 and had a small event with just a few couples last year.

Many people have told me of similar parties that spun out online over the past three years, that just did not click. And I realize this pales in comparison to people who lost loved ones, or weren’t able to visit their elders in the twilight of their lives. But as I spoke to friends and made new acquaintances at McCormick Place I couldn’t help but reflect on how sweet it is to see the contours of another face, a smile and the enjoyment that comes with an animated conversation, or even better, a whole evening of animated conversations.

And even as we begin to enjoy in-person events, I realize it isn’t over. There are still hundreds of people affected by COVID-19 every day across America. The amount of pain and suffering is far less visible now, but it’s still there. I am so grateful for the amazing vaccines that made it possible for us to be at galas again, together in close contact.

We are getting closer to being back to normal. When I look at the calendar of events this year, I am thrilled at the change from last year. There is a wide variety of events, ranging from simple cocktail parties to enormous black-tie events.

It is exciting to be able to write about galas and parties this year. When I started the website and blog, I didn’t realize what the shutdown really meant, or how long it would go. And for safety’s sake, it was the right decision. I believe it is appropriate to return to big events, but vaccination is still an issue. I am vaccinated and boosted, as it is virtually everyone I know. It gives me confidence when I walk into a room full of people that I will stay healthy. And I wish that for you too.

I was not really thinking about the pandemic at McCormick Place, and I don’t know if anyone else was. We were at a wonderful event. The food was great and plentiful, with good buffet stations set up throughout the exhibition of the latest in automotive styling and technology. There were several bands, and dancing. Many of the auto manufacturers offered rides. A new car was raffled off.

When I decided to go to First Look for Charity, I had the option of picking which of the eighteen charities the purchase went to. I chose Habitat for Humanity. All the charities were worthwhile, but I have a special place in my heart for Habitat, because they work to provide housing for people in need, particularly veterans. Habitat held a reception just before the start of the gala as a “thank you” to its supporters, and it was another point where I realized how important it is for charities, schools, churches, theater companies and other non-profits to not just hold a fundraising event, but to make sure that attendees can spread the word, particularly on social media which has become an even more primary form of communication over the past few years. Habitat offered a gift card in a drawing among those who posted using the #HabitatDrives hashtag, which was a super idea. Gloria Materre, chair of Chicagoland Habitat, was eloquent in her thanks for our support and encouraged everyone to continue to support Habitat.

If you’re familiar with my website, you know that I love Rent the Runway, and RTR came through for me. Like many people, I gained a little weight during the pandemic, but one of the things I like about RTR, is being able to get the dress I want in the size that fits. Because I use RTR for workwear, I am on a plan where I get several items each week, so I was able to pick out a few gowns, and try them on. I wore the one I liked best, and sent it back the next day, although I have to admit, I liked it so well that I thought about keeping it! (If you're interested, it'sThe Bromley Gown by Fame & Partners | Rent the Runway) RTR will sell just about any item rented from them, but I managed to resist. I have been to several galas already this year and RTR has provided me with some amazing gowns for which I am truly grateful.

I know how difficult it is to run a good event, even if there are only 100 guests. And the First Look for Charity has thousands of attendees. Of course the auto companies were in charge of laying out their exhibits, which became the backdrop for the whole evening. But setting up food and entertainment is challenging, and First Look for Charity handled it flawlessly. There were multiple food stations. Some were finger foods, some were sandwiches, some vegetarian or ethnic dishes, and one of my personal favorites was Andy’s frozen custard, which provided Sundaes with two toppings! It is amazing to me how quickly the line moved, which means they were properly staffed and trained.

McCormick Place is set up to handle many times the number of people who came to the gala, so there was plenty of room to move around and meet people or renew old acquaintances. In some ways, it’s easier to start a conversation with someone standing in a buffet line, or looking at an exhibit, than it is sitting across a table.

Have you ever been to a gala where you don’t know anyone, and have to figure out how to meet people, engage in conversation? I have. I’m writing an article on it soon. I have figured out human relationships are really important to me. I enjoyed the conversations I had at First Look for Charity but I also enjoyed watching other people having animated conversations, and I am thinking often about how to make that happen without fear or anxiety.

In the end, I was encouraged by the First Look for Charity event. I felt it demonstrated that people wanted to get back together, they were comfortable being in a large room with a lot of people, and the level of excitement was way beyond anything I expected! I will be writing blog posts about other galas I have attended, some of the themes that come up over and over. But I just want to say thank you to the Chicago Auto Show, McCormick Place, Habitat for Humanity, and everyone who was involved in putting together a fabulous winter party in Chicago in February 2023. I’ll be back next year!