Count me in.

I host events every so often, including M&Gs and workshops (though those are on hold for the moment).

I post them at www.meetup.com/ChicagoModelPhotographyInsiders (the name is not an accident ).  I'm actually hoping to have a M&G in October, probably the weekend before Halloween weekend.

ETA: I have hosted a couple of group shoots.  I have decided that this year, I will not be hosting any group shoot events.

Lol, I can't say that Aruna will shoot nudes with ya Bob but ya just never know what could happen . Jon had a thought that this would be a nice place to meet up whats everyone think?

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/interconti … cago-ohare

I would be interested if i am not filming!

You'd be better off doing early Nov I think.  Halloween means many folks won't come out, and because it falls on a Monday this year, people (and bars) are throwing parties the weekend of the 22-23 and the 29-30

I can help plan to some degree, if you want to PM me, and can promote it on my meetup group and FB.

Rachel i will pm you as soon as i get a few things nailed down. Would the interest still be there if we held this the 12th or 19th of Nov? I'm also open to other locations if anyone has Ideas?

I'm actually planning on being in Iowa the weekend of the 19-20, so I won't be able to make it if you're going to do that date.

Regarding a location, I would try to make it somewhere that has a private room available and has it so that people pay for their food in advance, instead of after eating.  The problem I've found is that many places charge for use of a party room, and a lot of the "pay when you order" places don't have party rooms. 

In the past, I've held events at Mr. Beef & Pizza in Mt. Prospect.  They give us their private party room for free for 2 hours (provided there's at least $50 worth of food/drinks ordered, but I've never had that be an issue).  The food is decent, they serve alcohol (pretty much beer, but that typically pleases the few that want a drink), and the prices are pretty reasonable.  There's also not a requirement to buy food/drink, and folks who do pay when they order instead of pulling a dine-and-dash and leaving me to foot the bill (and yes, it happened on a few occasions at past locations).  I'm a fan of the location, and I know many others are as well, but it's gotten some kickback from others for various reasons ranging from "really, a beef place?!  can't you find a place with classier food" to "why do we always meet in the suburbs".  :shrug:

The only big problem I have with Mr. Beef & Pizza is that it's a tricky spot for city people to get to, as there's no public transportation available to get there.  It's not TOO far from Metra, but people would need to be picked up and the weekend night train schedules blow.  I've picked people up at the Rosemont Blue Line station before, but that's pretty out of my way. 

I'm currently looking into other options, but I'm most familiar with the Schaumburg-Elk Grove area, so that's where I tend to gravitate to.  Plus, I can often check out places on lunch since I work in that area.

Right know i'm looking at the 11th and 12th of Nov. and i'm still working a location and waiting for several places to get back to me that won't cost any serious money to allow a group to meet up and maybe do some shooting. Sorry to keep ya waiting Rachel.

In my experience, M&Gs that are shoots as well are a lot more of a challenge.  It's nearly impossible to network while shooting.  Either make it a shooting event, or a M&G event, but a mix of both is hard to manage.

Joe, I just sent you a PM.  I'd like to get the ball rolling on this so that I can promote it on MeetUp and FaceBook.  The more time people have before, the more likely they are to come.  Hopefully.

I will plan on being there.

The 12th it is from 8pm to 10pm at Mr. Beefs. I have a feeling this will make for an interesting day.   So count me in.