Category Archives: Corporate Event

25Feb / 2021

Preparing for the Return to Live Events!

Many of us have the same burning questions: How do we get back to hosting live events in 2021? How do we ensure that events are safe? How will the event and meeting attendees feel safe enough to participate?

Events and Parties Post Pandemic

It’s time to resume your events and parties in a post-pandemic climate. Where do you start? How do you even begin to plan? What format should you use? Most of our games and inflatables are good for single players to participate in, which encourages social distancing. Once the weather turns warmer we can help you with outdoor events which lend itself to more spacing.

Successful Events During COVID-19

AMJSE is experienced in executing COVID-19 procedures while ensuring your event is safe and fun.

How do we keep attendees safe at a live event?

1. Plan. Our event planners will work with you on selecting the right attractions, concessions and games for your event. We will go over the COVID-19 protocols, procedures, and event trends in the new world of COVID-19 events.

2.Cleanliness. You know the saying cleanliness is next to godliness. When you work with us you can rest assured that each game, inflatable, concession, and ride is cleaned and sanitized before and after each rental. We also offer sanitizing stations throughout the event. We are up to date and maintain COVID-19 safety protocols.

3. Set your own rules. You can decide how you want to keep your attendees safe. At minimum you must adhere to local and federal requirements but if you want to add enhanced measures, that’s your decision. You may want attendees to have their temperature checked, ask for daily symptom checks, require masks, request that hand sanitizer be used prior to entering a room, and more. You can set your protocols for your attendees.

4. Communicate. Make sure that our staff and attendees are aware of the protocols. By setting these expectations in advance it will show your guests that you are doing everything possible to keep them safe. They will understand their role in the commitment to safety before attending.

The return of live events will give some of us a sense of normalcy and connection that we’ve been missing. While live events will look different, we will be able to meet in person if we all make the commitment to take the necessary steps for safety. Please reach out if we can help you plan your next safe event!

Posted by in Corporate Event, Party Equipment Rental, Party Rentals

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18Dec / 2019

1st Annual “Grinchmas” for Off the Street Club!

“What if Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more…” 💚

Last night was a magical night for about 50 kids from the Off The Street Club in Chicago, as they were able to celebrate Christmas thanks to the amazing team at AMJSE!

Since 1983 the kids of the Off The Street Club have been able to celebrate a Christmas thanks to Chicago based The Meeting House.  However last year The Meeting House closed its doors and sold off their inventory to AMJ Spectacular Events which meant no Christmas event for the more than 50 kids who participate in the event each year.  

When Lindsey Rhea and her siblings realized that there would not be a Christmas event, they all rallied together and decided to put on the event themselves. “We just couldn’t let those kids not have a Christmas for most of them it is the only Christmas they will have,” said Lindsey Rhea,  of AMJSE. 

Founded in 1900, Off The Street Club is Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club. Currently serving more than 3,000 kids in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country, West Garfield Park. They are truly grateful to all the supporters, including the Chicago advertising, marketing and media community. Providing a place where kids can truly find hope. Every child seeking a safe place to go is welcome to join for games, play and mentorship. 

AMJSE would like to give a shout out and  HUGE THANK YOU to every single person who donated gifts & their time to the kids of Off The Street Club! “We could not have done our “first season” of Grinchmas without you!”

From the kids shocked faces walking in the door, to their exit each snuggled in a blanket and with bags full of goodies, it was a whirlwind of fun 🎁 Our hearts are so full! Thank you all again. December 15, 2020- let’s do it again!

Posted by in Corporate Event, Holiday Party Rentals

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02Oct / 2018

Throw the Best Fall Parties!

AMJ Fall Event Planning

Use the fall colors, scents and nature as inspiration for your big fall party. Planning and preparation are the key to any good party, and throwing an outdoor fall party is no different. There are certain things that you need to take into consideration, especially the weather (unpredictable as it may be). AMJ Spectacular Events has been helping to plan parities & events for over 15 years, here are some fall planning tips from our experts to ensure your fall outdoor party will be fun, successful and guests will be left wondering when the next  celebration is!

Pick an Outdoor Fall Party Theme

Fall has a lot happening, which opens the floodgates of theme ideas. You can throw a harvest party utilizing pumpkins, apples and leaves as inspiration. Fall is known for football so that can be your theme. Back to school and Oktoberfest are great themes too. So the first thing you need to do is decide on your fall party theme. Once that is in place, you can work on the rest of the outdoor party ideas. halloween_1510982c

Plan a Fall Food Frenzy

There are so many great fall foods and if you are planning on feeding guests you may want to consider grilling it’s always a great option for outdoor events, but it can be time-consuming. If you want fall snacks AMJSE rents Hot Pretzel Warmers and Popcorn Machines for easy on the go fall snacks.  Other popular fall foods are our Mini Donuts with different toppings as well as our Churro Warmer.  

If you something more festive with the season your guests will love our Carmel Apple Bar with different toppings and sauces it is sure to be a huge hit.  The weather can be quite chilly so be sure to warm up guests with Hot Apple Cider or Hot Chocolate, which features customizable options for the table.  amj-hot-apple-cider-hot-chocolate-bar-table-28-111

Keep Guests Entertained

Plan some fall-themed activities or rent some fun games.  Put out some backyard games for your guests to play. Corn hole is always a good option. Additionally, horseshoes and bocce ball can also be played in the fall too. Let kids bob for apples or have potato sack races. Make a pumpkin painting patch for the kids as well.

footballtoss2_295Guest will love playing our oversized version of Jenga, Connect Four or even Battleship they fit perfectly into fall themed events. If your looking for more sports related rentals try our Inflatable Football Toss or Framed Football Toss.

If you’re hosting an event were you have a bit more space your guests will love our inflatable Haunted Mansion  and our all new Happy Halloween Fun Village.  If your event has more of a fall theme check out our Corn Maze, its so fun to see how fast guests can get through the maze.

 

Lindsey Rhea, an event planner at AMJ, loves putting together fall movie nights with AMJ’s inflatable screens,  “Create an outdoor movie party to take advantage of the earlier nightfall and decorate the area with pumpkins and other fall or Halloween items. There are so many great Halloween themed movies you can choose from.” says Lindsey. Please visit us at amjse.com for more information.

Posted by in Company Party, Company Picnic, Corporate Event, Fun Fair, Oktoberfest, Party Equipment Rental, Party Equipment Rental Chicago

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12Mar / 2018

Planning a Springtime Event….Start with a Call to AMJ!

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Spring is about more than just flowers. As events move outdoors, the season brings an abundance of ideas for colorful, cheerful decorations, appetizers, centerpieces, and more. From whimsical tea parties and Easter-egg hunts to jaw-dropping floral design and fresh cocktail recipes, spring-theme events will always be popular. Springtime events can be so fun including communion & graduation parties as well as end of the year and Memorial Day celebrations.  Whether you’re planning a company outing, teambuilding activity, fund-raiser, or school event, there are plenty of ideas for spring events and corporate entertaining this spring.  Let’s look at some helpful tips:

  1. Start the planning process early. In fact, start earlier than you think you need to. This allows you to do your planning in a relaxed orderly fashion. It is never a problem to finish early and be able to sit back and relax. Starting early also allows you the ability to more easily address any problems that crop up during the process.
  2. Talk to a professional planner or coordinator.  If you need a lot of support and help, you should hire a real professional that has some solid experience and can provide the direction and guidance you need. AMJ Spectacular Events is a complete party rental company, designed to fit any sized party at any budget. They are family owned and operated while being supported by a professional & dependable staff. Their Event Specialists have many years of experience planning events for backyard parties, corporate events, picnics, country clubs, tradeshows, churches, colleges, and holiday parties.
  3. If you are going to hire a professional there are a lot of things to consider:
    1. First and foremost, make sure you are comfortable with them;
    2. What type of experience do they have;
    3. Can you see some photos of events they have done;
    4. How long have they been in business;
    5. Can they provide testimonials from people they have worked for and with;
    6. What are their fees;
    7. Will they handle booking all of the service providers for the day or will they simply coordinate all of the moving parts for you.Company_Picnic
  4. Consider an Outdoor Event Spring is a perfect time to consider holding an event outside. Before summer starts to heat things up, the spring is a perfect time to enjoy temperate weather and get some fresh air. Events can be held anywhere from company grounds to a nearby park or on rented space. Determine the location that’s best for you and the events that suit your party’s theme. Ask about our tents, tables and chairs too!
  5. Don’t Skip the Entertainment A good party should be about more than just getting tIMG_3162ogether and eating. Put some consideration into finding DJ service or entertainer. Other ways of livening up the mood include events like trivia/game show rental  or karaoke. Consider a range of entertainment options that can satisfy all your guests. Some popular choices include  Giant Game Rentals like Jenga and Battleship as well as  inflatables for all ages including a Wizards Castle or a Hungry Hippo for older kids.  AMJSE has 1literally 000,’s of inflatables, games, concessions, interactive products, trains, photo booths, and much more.  Their products are fun and add excitement to events, which in turn creates memories that last a lifetime for everyone in attendance!

Relationships with dependable and reliable vendors allow us to provide additional services to make your event truly spectacular. AMJSE would like to be your “one stop shop” to ease some of the stress of event planning. Give us a call or email today to begin your planning!

Posted by in Company Party, Company Picnic, Corporate Event, Corporate Team Building, Entertainment, Graduation Party Rentals

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20Feb / 2018

Celebrate the Spirit of Competition!

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Celebrate the upcoming Winter Olympic Games with these great Olympic themed party games! They’re fun for all ages, themed after the most popular Winter Olympic events. They’re perfect for any type of party anytime of the year!  Olympic style parties are more popular than ever and you can re create this “Go for the Gold” competitive themed event on a large or small scale. Here are our tips to create an Olympic themed party:

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 #1: Man vs. Clock

In this version, one player will be trying to beat the clock for each game. So for instance, they will have to try and finish the task in a minute. If they do, they win a prize. If not, let someone else have a shot. If you go with this style, I recommend choosing a different person for each game.

 #2: Head to Head

In this style, you’ll pick two players for each game who will going head to head against each other playing a game rather than trying to beat the clock. So for instance, you’d give two people a bucket full of ping pong balls (preferably different colors) and see who can get them over the ramp first.

#3: Team Competition

In this style, you’ll split your group into two (or 3 or 10 depending on the number of guests) teams. For each game, teams must choose one player to compete head to head in the game with the other teams. The entire team won’t be competing, just one person from each team at a time.

First team to finish gets five points, second gets three, and etc. This works best if you have quite a few people and is a good way to get everyone involved cheering for their team.

Screen Shot 2018-02-20 at 10.47.43 AMWant to kick it up a notch…rent these for your event!

Bring our Floor Curling to your next event and bring an winter olympic feel to your party.  Kids & adults will also love our Tug of War and Bouncing Boxing. We have so many games that can re create a fun competitive Olympic themed event! Perfect themed event for colleges and school field days!

 

FOOD & DECOR

Olympians need to keep up their strength, so make sure they visit your buffet table to sample some of these Olympics themed party foods:

  • Serve a smorgasbord of international foods and decorate with small flags from around the world.
  • Make an Screen Shot 2018-02-20 at 10.54.48 AMOlympics-themed cake that represents the rings and torch.
  • Snack-filled torches: fill ice cream cones with orange or red snack foods (to represent the flame), such as cheese balls or cheddar cheese popcorn.
  • Serve a variety of round, “ring-style” foods to honor the Olympic rings. Ideas include donuts, pizza bagels, and breadsticks that have been twisted into circles before baking.
  • Use the colors of the Olympic rings as your color scheme: blue, yellow, black, green, and red. Incorporate these colors in your table dressings, balloons, and paper streamers.
  • Use international flags as part of your decor.

Whether you want to throw an all-out Olympics party or just want to invite some friends over to watch the big events on TV, you can have fun celebrating in gold-medal style.

Posted by in Company Party, Corporate Event, Party Rentals

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02Oct / 2017

You Sunk My Battleship!

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A classic 70’s game that you try to sink your opponents battle ships before yours are sunk. We just blew it up to be giant sized.

Command your fleet and rule the seas! Seek and sink your enemy’s ships before they find and sink yours! Unlock hidden super weapons like torpedoes and heat-seeking missiles to launch a firestorm of destruction. There are more ways to play, so fire away!

We’ve all played it, that wonderful game that pits player against player with warring strategy and tempts us all to throw the board. The game, is Battleship. The goal of Battleship is to hit the opponent’s ships with pegs or ‘missiles’ until you win. Each player is given the opportunity to configure their battle plan however they choose placing their ships around the board.

Our all new Battleship is perfect for college events, team building activities, corporate events and picnics!  Entertain your gusts for hours will keeping them on their toes. This game is the perfect addition to our Giant Games family pair it was Giant Jenga, Giant Hungry Hippo and Giant Twister for a retro theme!

Dating back to World War I, the concept of Battleship originated when war games were popular. Beginning as a ‘pencil and pad’ game, it was published in this form by several companies and in the 1960’s was released as a plastic board game by the toy and gaming giant, Milton Bradley. The game was thought to have originated in France and has changed and evolved ever since.

Battleship is played with two players who each have their own fleet of ships. Each player places their fleet on a grid (squares) that are identified by a number and a letter for coordinates. There are five ships that are placed on the grid and include: the carrier, which is five grid spaces; the battleship that is four; the cruiser that is three; the submarine that is 3; and the destroyer that is two.

Once the players place their ships on the grid each takes turns shooting missiles to sink each other’s fleets. If a ship is hit, you put a peg in it to show that it has been hit. The game goes on until one player sinks all the ships of the other player.

A super fun game – one that we have all played and that is great if you’re looking for a bit of strategy mixed with a bit of luck. This classic is now larger than life, and is perfect for an indoor or outdoor event where you’re looking to add giant synergy, hours of excitement and lasting memories. Rent this today for your next college, fun fair or corporate event!

Posted by in College Event Rentals, College Events, Company Picnic, Corporate Event, Corporate Team Building, Fun Fair

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13Sep / 2017

Festive Fall Treats to Warm You Up and Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth!

Fall is finally here and AMJ is celebrating the season with our fall treats. Our Fall Treat Rentals are perfect for Fall Festivals, Parents Weekend, School and Church events that need a delicious seasonal treat!

Check out our all new S’mores Bar! Our smores bar is a great dessert presentation that is popular with people of all ages. Interactive, beautifully presented and so much fun! Guests will return again and again and talk about your Smores Bar long after your reception ends. Try one and you’ll want Smore!Smores-Bar-Concession-Rentals

Just in time for cooler nights, warm up with our hot choclate and apple cider bar. Sweeten up this years holiday office party or break room by treating your employees to a hot apple cider and hot chocolate bar, brScreen Shot 2015-12-07 at 11.02.27 AMought right to your office by AMJ Spectacular Events! We know it is a busy time of year, so we make this sweet-treat no hassle by doing the work for you. From set up, to serving, to clean up, AMJ Spectacular Events will take care of every detail!

Nothing says fall quite like delicious caramel apples. Make your own Caramel Apples with our Caramel Apple Station, complete with toppings and an AMJ attendant. If you are looking for a splendid treat to offer your guests or hard working employees, then this Caramel Apple Bar is an amazing choice.  Screen Shot 2015-12-07 at 11.02.41 AM

 

 

Finally no Fall Event is complete without the ultimate treat, mini donuts!  Can you smell that temptiAMJ-Spectacular-Events-Mini-DONUT-Barng aroma of fresh baked treats? Wow your guests with these hot and delicious donuts right out of the oven, a definite crowd favourite! Try them in cinnamon sugar, or icing sugar! Make super fast delicious donuts with our Mini Donut Bar. Make the donuts to order in less than a minute! They come out piping hot and ready to eat!   Just sprinkle them with a bit of cinnamon and sugar, or any other sweet topping you would like, and enjoy! Give us a call at 630-833-4386 or visit our website! to rent these and other fall products!

Our professional reservation staff is ready to assist you with all your party planning rental needs

Posted by in Carnival Ideas, Company Party, Corporate Event, Fun Fair, School Carnival

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06Jul / 2017

Top Ways to Beat The Heat At Your Event!

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If you’re planning an outdoor summer event in Chicago, you know that some days can be brutally hot. Luckily, there are things you can do to to help guests beat the heat while not giving up details that make the day picture perfect.

Shield Your Guests From The Sun

By renting tents and canopies, you can shield your guests from the hot sun and provide protection from the frequent pop-up storms of summer. Place fans at each enCIMG2368d of a tent to create a flow-through breeze. Place the dance floor near a fan. The instant breeze will keep guests cool without the worry of them passing out while doing the “Cha Cha Slide”.

Have Cool Treats On Hand

Beat the heat with cool treats for your next summer event. Whether you want to serve up frostie’s, Good Humor Ice cream or snow cones these summertime favorites will keep everyone cool while enjoying a tasty treat!Screen Shot 2017-07-07 at 7.20.55 AM

Let Your Guests Splash Around

Kids love the chance to explore, climb, slide, jump, and have a healthy, happy, active playtime. They can do all this with inflatable slides, and when attending events that feature these blow up bouncy houses, they won’t want to leave. Adding water to a summer event can also prevent the kids from over-heating or getting fussy and uncomfortable. Water slides and inflatable pools are perfect for a foot soak or a splash.  Just make sure to have some towels handy to dry off.

Screen Shot 2017-07-06 at 12.21.33 PMSummer time in the midwest can be an excellent time for an outside event. You just need to know how to keep your guests cool for a great time. Let AMJ Spectacular Events help wtih planning your summertime event.

Posted by in Birthday Party Ideas, Company Party, Company Picnic, Corporate Event

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19Jun / 2017

Outdoor Games & Activities to Play at Your Backyard Bash or Picnic

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Summertime means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for those of us in the party business, it means party time. Graduation parties, weddings, showers and family reunions. No matter the theme, no matter the type, we know that if you’re planning a party, you want to save money and throw the biggest, most talked-about bash around. So we’d like to take the time to give you some ideas to help you pull off one spectacular summertime event!

It’s summer! Get outside and play. Throw a themed “backyard bash” party at your place or include them at your picnic for tons of laughs and a great time:

  1. Let There Be Bubbles – Who doesn’t love bubbles right! Rent our bubble machine, for endless fun. A professional bubble machine will leave your little ones laughing for hours as they chase hundreds of bubbles. Adorable.
  2. “Giant”  Games – Looking to add some ginormous fun at your summer party check out our Gaint Jenga, Connect Four, and our all new Battleship Games. Perfect for the backyard!File_005
  3. Lawn Games– Set up  lawn games for your guests to play. These can be anything from croquet, to horseshoes, to volleyball or even badminton. If you have a large number of guests attending, then consider having teams and doing a tournament!
  4. Groovy Dance Contest – Put on some dance music like the “Macarena”, the “Cupid Shuffle” or the “Cha-Cha Slide” and let your guests shake their stuff! Need something more check out our audio equipment rentals.
  5. Dodge Ball & Kickball – Divide your guests up into two teams and play some exciting games of dodge ball or kickball. You can have a mini tournament if you have a large number of guests and give the winning team some small prizes. We even rent Bocce Ball!
  6. Water Fun – We rent a huge selection of inflatable water slides, and dunk tanks to help your guests cool off this summer.  Need something simple try to make a lot of water balloons and play some water balloon games, such as water balloon tag, or have a water balloon tag. Tell guests to bring swimsuits or a change of clothes and have some extra towels ready, as you and your guests are going to get soaked with these games.wild.rapids
  7. Frisbee Golf – Set up a golf course in your backyard or at a nearby park or field. Use various household items to make “hazards” at each “hole”. Also set up a flag or stick at the end of your “hole” numbered 1 through 9. All you have to do is take turns throwing a Frisbee until you hit the numbered flag. Keep track of how many throws you make, and the person with the lowest score at the end wins!
  8. Scavenger Hunt – Make a list of common household items or of outdoor things. Your list can include anything from a rock, to a spoon, a spool of thread or even a leaf from a certain tree. Divide guests into teams of three and send them out into the neighborhood to find the items on the list. The first team back with everything on the list wins! If you are including items where team members will need to ask neighbors, make sure that children have an adult on their team to help them out and keep them safe!

Summertime is wonderful for getting outdoors and having some fun in the sun. Your themed “backyard bash” party is sure to be a hit if you include some of these ideas. Need help planning soemthing more elaborate or for more ideas contact one of our event planners at:

amoonjump4u@gmail.com or 630-833-4386!

Posted by in Company Party, Company Picnic, Corporate Event, Corporate Team Building, Party Equipment Rental, Party Equipment Rental Chicago, Party Rentals

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06Jun / 2017

Spectacular 4th Of July Celebrations!

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Independence Day is quickly approaching and it’s time to start planning your celebration! You want to have a party that is as effortless as it is entertaining…and here’s how!

All that is needed for a fantastic 4th are three key ingredients:

1. Planning

2. Preparation

3. Activities

1. Planning

The best way to ensure that your Independence Day party is a success is to plan out the details ahead of time so stress is minimized and you can enjoy the festivities along with your guests. Assign jobs to other people and they will be happy to help out so that you can enjoy the day as much as the rest of your family will!

Write down your thoughts, ideas and items to purchase. Some people create a timeline and write down what needs to be done when. Others make a master list of all items to be purchased.

Screen Shot 2017-06-06 at 9.13.50 AM2. Preparation

It doesn’t take much to transform your backyard into a patriotic party zone, but the key is to do as much as you can in advance. Here are some steps to prepare the backyard for your party:

• Set up the yard with extra tables, chairs and even a tent to shade guests from the sun or rain.

• Plan the menu and make a shopping list of what you will need.

• Inspect the grill to make sure it works, check the propane tank! Need an extra grill for a larger party we have plenty for rent.

• Set up any 4th of July decorations you want, such as tiki torches, twinkle lights, American flags and patriotic streamers.

Screen Shot 2017-06-06 at 9.10.28 AMActivities

Whether you choose well-organized games and contests or simply let folks relax, having a few activities around can help keep the party flowing.

Here are a few ideas:

• Outside games such as horseshoes, badminton, volleyball and croquet. Or “Giant Games” like Jenga, Connect Four or Bulls Eye Game!

• Patriotic games such as American history trivia, famous Americans charades or state word scramble.

• Kids love water games such as water balloons, squirt guns or running through the lawn sprinkler. The keep the cool rent one of our inflatbale water slides or patriotic inflatables.

• With adult supervision, have some fireworks fun with sparklers, firecrackers and fountains.

It doesn’t have to be a lot of work to throw a 4th of July party. Staying organized can keep stress levels under control and result in a party that even Uncle Sam would be proud to attend.

Posted by in Company Party, Company Picnic, Corporate Event, Holiday Party Rentals

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