|
Question of the day
Friday, Aug 12, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller * Sorry for the very late posting of this. I was out of the office much of today. Anyway, I was checking Google News last night and came across this news story from St. John’s Antigua during a search for “George Ryan”…
The George Ryan Conference Center is apparently at the CityView Hotel…
I sent the hotel an e-mail message last night asking if the conference room was named after “our” George Ryan, but didn’t receive a response. I also couldn’t find any photos. * The Question: Use your imagination to describe the George Ryan Conference Center. Best commenter gets a beverage at the State Fair beer tent of his or her choice.
|
- Capital View - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:15 pm:
no lobby or formal meeting rooms in the usual sense. All activities take place in the back room.
All truckers park and stay free, but are expected to make a donation to the State Republican Party Re-Election Committee in lieu of paying for their room and board.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:16 pm:
We may already have a winner. lol
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:17 pm:
Instead of safes in the hotel rooms, there are shoeboxes — oh wait, that’s the Paul Powell Hotel and Conference Center.
Nevermind.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:19 pm:
A 6′ by 8′ room with a bunk, toilet and faucet. Lights out at 9pm. All guests wear orange jump suits. Extra TV time costs a pack of smokes.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:22 pm:
Tickets are required for access. The air is thick with cigar smoke, the bellhops are dressed as state troopers, and much like its namesake the center is booked through 2013.
FYI, apparently there’s a George Ryan in Antigua who owns a luxury car dealersip and is a founding member of a local bank.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:25 pm:
Ah, Burgundy, you ruined it for me.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:38 pm:
The George Ryan Conference Center, after getting condemned due to numerous building violations due to cutting corners during construction, got millions and millions of dollars in free renovations from Winston & Strawn.
It still collapsed.
- OneMan - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:39 pm:
Once you are inside it for a little while you kind of wish you had booked the Glenn Poshard conference center instead.
- OneMan - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:40 pm:
Ironically all of the design mistakes in the George Ryan conference center were repeated to a much greater extent in the hotel’s Rod Blagovich Hair Salon for Men
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:50 pm:
The George Ryan Conference Center was designed by architct Jim Thompson. Unlike Thompson’s most noted building, the “Big Whale” on Randolph in Chicago, the Center contains small town design features, including a small pharmacy.
To assist conference attendees, the Ryan Conference Center has a travel agency, where trips to the Bahamas can be arranged. It also has the latest, up-to-date IBM mainframe computer technology.
- GMatts - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:52 pm:
The Conference Center isn’t unusual, but the access fee is….stuffed envelopes with large wads of cash discreetly placed in the “doorman’s” coat pocket.
- The End Is Near - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:53 pm:
No ATMs on the premises. People just hand you envelopes containing whatever extra cash you may need for your stay, which is, of course, comped.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:07 pm:
lol. Faux Anonymous is trying real hard, Rich. Obviously very thirsty.
- zatoichi - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:09 pm:
The Fabulous Ryan Center has three halls honoring the Ryan Boys:
Jack Ryan - adventurous cuisine with international intrigue.
Nolan Ryan - pitching the best foods from ballparks around America
George Ryan - a handshake gets you a nice chicken dinner, an extra $25 gets you a sincere thank you.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:09 pm:
Rich,
It’s easy … you get “charged” a fee for the room, and the conference center writes a check, made out to cash, for that amount to give back to you …
- aufjunk - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:09 pm:
One meeting room in the middle, surrounded on all sides by bars.
- lake county democrat - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:11 pm:
Plastered with pictures of El Presidente (Castro, not Obama) and only serves traditional Cuban sandwiches.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:15 pm:
The George Ryan Room - home to deals of all kinds. Cash and carry only!
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:17 pm:
Forgot to describe it … just a small office with a card table, two chairs … and guaranteed bug free!
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:45 pm:
You are greeted at the door by Lee Daniels, who helps carry your baggage and assists in whatever resources you may need, all we ask in return is a polite gratuity.
Once your scheduled event is over, Mr. Paul Lis will help you find your way out.
- JBilla - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:46 pm:
Located in Terre Haute, Indiana with beautiful views of the Wabash River, the George Ryan Conference Center sets the Standard for Illinois Executive Treatment. 3 of the last 4 Illinois Governors agree.
The main conference table is built with bulletproof plexiglass down the middle, and 5 sets of phones on either side. Perfect for high pressure arbitration meetings.
Rooms are ‘cozy’ and include in-unit toiletries. Morning maid service will ensure a clean and contraband free environment. Three quarters soundproof with a communal design, the Terre Haute Camp was built in 1960 as a ‘back to nature’ experience. This gated community presents limited access and 24 hour guard service. Morning Greenhouse tours are led by Governor Ryan.
The Terre Haute Camp is now hiring! Earn an average of $6.50 to $7.50 a day and up to $12 a day per piece as opposed to by the hour.
So come on down to Terre Haute, the High Dirt!
- How Ironic - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:50 pm:
Very spartan. Can house…excuse me ‘host’ up to 4 participants at any one time, because recent rulings have outlawed the previous 6 participant maximum.
The room is also furnished with a comode, and at exactly 3:27 pm direct sunlight fills the space for about 15 minutes.
For special occasions one can even arrange for tattoos using pens supplied by the concierge desk.
- just sayin' - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 4:14 pm:
Any problems just call Big Jim Thompson and he’ll try to fix it for you.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 5:04 pm:
OneMan wins for his 2:40 pm comment.