Reactions to 2015 IML's new location?

[+ Cock Eyed Optimist]

There were posts earlier this year expressing concern over the location of this year's IML - the Congress Hotel on Michigan Ave. Most of the expectations for this new location were pessimistic.

 

I drove down today to wander through the Leather Market and am sad to say that the predictions were pretty accurate. Over the years, the hotels in Chicago used for this event were the downtown Hyatt, the Palmer House, and most recently the Marriott Hotel in the Gold Coast. In my opinion, they are all grand hotels and the surroundings were nice. The Congress Hotel is an older hotel, that sat almost empty for many years during a prolonged strike. It is a bit shabby to say the least. The Leather Market, when held in one large ballroom, is a sight to see. This year, the market is broken up into at least 10 small rooms and is hard to navigate. I feel that most patrons won't find all the rooms, and the vendors in those rooms will be short-changed.

 

I have no idea why the changes occurred.

 

This is just my opinion, and would like to hear other viewpoints of those who attended.

[rvwnsd]

I did not attend, but I will guess the hotel offered a screamin' deal to the organizers of the event, hence the move.

 

My uncle worked there as a painter/decorator back in the day when it was a great hotel. He would be the first to tell you that even when he retired in the 1980's, its halcyon days were behind it.

[buckguy]

Palmer House was well past its prime when it was the host hotel. I'd been going there for years for annual professional meeting and the rooms seemed tired, even a couple decades ago, although some of the public spaces were very nice. The Congress along with the now renovated Blackstone was a long running tired hotel of last resort for meetings and it never seemed like it would be an easy hotel to upgrade. I seem to recall them having labor problems a couple years ago when I was staying nearby at the Hilton. My guess is that IML fills rooms on a slow weekend, but is a big hassle for hotels because of the parties and the large number of shared rooms. Under those circumstances, it's no wonder they parted ways with Palmer House around the time that hotel began their big renovation. I haven't been in the Marriott in ages but recall it as a pretty mediocre hotel with an odd layout (no real lobby, probably to keep out the homeless), so I'd imagine it was another tired property that needed to fill rooms for awhile. Chicago seems to be doing better as a tourism destination than it has in ages and if that continues, IML may be lucky to have the Congress. The good thing for out of towners is that there are several better hotels nearby.

[Guest ChrisW]

This hotel is very seedy and there are people doing all kinds of naughty things all over the hotel but that being said the venue itself is terrible because the staff aren't prepared. They told people to put their shirts on while hanging out in the lobby on the first night and they are even going around to peoples rooms to make sure they aren't having sex. I had forgot to close my door all the way (for what ever reason the doors don't latch well here) and security guard knocked and entered to see what was going on. I had been napping naked so he got an eye full.

 

A friend of mine promoted a sex party on twitter that was suppose to take place in the hotel and the hotel wouldn't let them hold it there for security purposes or so they said.

 

The vendor mart has 2 big rooms which are a lot of fun to cruise in but about half the merchandise sold is in break out rooms so you really have to look hard to find a particular store. I still haven't been able to find obscure belt buckles (look them up they are fantastic) and its day 2.

 

Its been fun to see a lot of fellow escorts and friends but this venue stinks. If they host it here next year I may not come

[+ Gar1eth]

Is the Palmer House Hotel the one that at least at one time had very dark, narrow corridors with poor lighting and dark carpet? If it is I got stuck in Chicago by a snowstorm once around the year 2000 and had to stay there. After an extremely long walk (the dark hallway seemed endless) I get to the room. The key card doesn't work. When they replaced it, I get to the room. I open the door. Inside the room it was still 1975. If it wasn't the Palmer House, it was another big hotel around there. The hallways were just made for a horror movie in whatever hotel I stayed at.

 

Gman

[whipped guy]

This hotel is very seedy and there are people doing all kinds of naughty things all over the hotel but that being said the venue itself is terrible because the staff aren't prepared. They told people to put their shirts on while hanging out in the lobby on the first night and they are even going around to peoples rooms to make sure they aren't having sex. I had forgot to close my door all the way (for what ever reason the doors don't latch well here) and security guard knocked and entered to see what was going on. I had been napping naked so he got an eye full.

 

A friend of mine promoted a sex party on twitter that was suppose to take place in the hotel and the hotel wouldn't let them hold it there for security purposes or so they said.

 

The vendor mart has 2 big rooms which are a lot of fun to cruise in but about half the merchandise sold is in break out rooms so you really have to look hard to find a particular store. I still haven't been able to find obscure belt buckles (look them up they are fantastic) and its day 2.

 

Its been fun to see a lot of fellow escorts and friends but this venue stinks. If they host it here next year I may not come

Chris! Thanks for your input!

 

Well, I have not gotten any feedback from a friend who is attending. I take that to mean that he is having a reasonably good time. Of course he could not get a room at the host hotel, and from what you say that might have not been a bad thing.

 

In any event, advance reports seemed to indicate at the Congress Hotel was not the most inviting place... Seedy can be good for a bit of atmosphere at times, but overly seedy can be a turnoff as well. I guess it's s matter of walking a fine line.

 

Now, when hotel management booked IML what the F^<K did they think the event was all about?!?!

 

This was not exactly going to be a meeting of the Abstinence and Temperance Society. O.o

 

Plus, the place was booked to the max with like-minded individuals!

 

Makes no sense to me! Plus, who ever heard of a hotel where you can't lock your door!

[bobchitown]

If you want to get away from the mess for awhile...Villains Bar, which had been closed for a couple years just reopened this week. Very close to the Congress Hotel, and anyone attending IML should fit right in with the crowd they attract - not a gay or leather bar by any means, just a bar with an edge, but a cool place to hang out for a drink. Huge selection of unusual beers.

 

From Congress/ Michigan - just head West on either Congress or Michigan (away from the lake) to Clark, hang a left (South) and look for it past Harrison beyond the Subway and the CrossFit Gym on the right hand side of the street. About 10 minutes, max.

 

https://www.facebook.com/VillainsChicago/info?tab=overview

 

I think they're open from 4-10 today, but their information has been a bit dodgy.

[Steven_Draker]

Is the Palmer House Hotel the one that at least at one time had very dark, narrow corridors with poor lighting and dark carpet?

 

That's the traditional old-fashioned Palmer House that was mentioned above.

 

 

You don't want to ruin the new carpeting with Crisco and Elbow Grease ...

[wisconsinguy]

I've been to the Palmer House a couple of times maybe five years ago. I thought it was beautiful.

[bobchitown]

The Palmer House he been redone top to bottom (pun intended) in the past few years and is looking very nice these days. The circa 1975 rooms are history.

[+ Axiom2001]

An escort amigo of mine {very known to the folks here} is attending this year's event, and earlier on my Facebook page he posted that this year's IML is, from his point of view, 'the BEST EVER!'

He didn't go into detail, but he did post a few hot pics of men accompanying his daily offering!!!!

[+ Cock Eyed Optimist]

That's the traditional old-fashioned Palmer House that was mentioned above.

 

 

You don't want to ruin the new carpeting with Crisco and Elbow Grease ...

 

 

When they had IML here at the Palmer House a few years ago, they removed all the furniture in the lobby, and put up a gigantic bar in the middle of the lobby. They laid down protective plastic to cover the ornate carpeting.

The staff was quite accommodating to the attendees. It was quite a site to see the leather-men walking around the lobby shirtless and some in jock straps.

[bobchitown]

This hotel is very seedy and there are people doing all kinds of naughty things all over the hotel but that being said the venue itself is terrible because the staff aren't prepared. They told people to put their shirts on while hanging out in the lobby on the first night and they are even going around to peoples rooms to make sure they aren't having sex. I had forgot to close my door all the way (for what ever reason the doors don't latch well here) and security guard knocked and entered to see what was going on. I had been napping naked so he got an eye full.

 

A friend of mine promoted a sex party on twitter that was suppose to take place in the hotel and the hotel wouldn't let them hold it there for security purposes or so they said.

 

The vendor mart has 2 big rooms which are a lot of fun to cruise in but about half the merchandise sold is in break out rooms so you really have to look hard to find a particular store. I still haven't been able to find obscure belt buckles (look them up they are fantastic) and its day 2.

 

Its been fun to see a lot of fellow escorts and friends but this venue stinks. If they host it here next year I may not come

 

Merging with the bad porn movie thread, isn't "oops I 'accidentally' left my door open" on the list?

[Guest Wetnwildbear]

There were posts earlier this year expressing concern over the location of this year's IML - the Congress

 

Look at the date of my post == Told You So!!!!

 

Hotel on Michigan Ave. Most of the expectations for this new location were pessimistic.

 

I was at the Congress Plaza a couple of years ago for a Conference --- WHAT A DUMP!!! The Hotel staff had been on strike for several years -- all scab labor.

 

 

Two people from my conference had the ceiling in their rooms come crashing down in on them in the middle of the night -- No way to regulate the temp in

 

individual rooms - we were there just after Labor Day and the AC had been turned off in the rooms. The ventilation in the conference rooms spewed black

 

soot/dust out of the old paneled walls -- that looked like Nana's basement rec room.

 

The business center was non-existent as was the fitness center. The bartender offered to pickup a

 

bottle of my brand of liquor on the way in to work if I fronted the cash -- then paid by the drink.

 

 

I left after the first day ---

 

Nice Marble in the Lobby!

 

Wetnwildbear, Feb 27, 2015 Edit Delete Report

[Guest ChrisW]

So on the last day of IML these are my final observations

 

1. Sexy daddy's make everything better

 

2. Sexy boys make everything better

 

3. Sexy puppies are nothing but trouble

 

4. the staff could use some training but I think they gave up on trying to wrangle horny gay men

 

5. Porn stars are shorter in person and often times more sexy. Aleks Buldocek is super hot in person *swoon*

 

6. The hotel was a bit dilapidated but seedy in a very good way

 

7. Food poisoning is awful but you look great afterwards

 

8. Sexy daddy's make everything better

[wisconsinguy]

So on the last day of IML these are my final observations

 

1. Sexy daddy's make everything better

 

2. Sexy boys make everything better

 

3. Sexy puppies are nothing but trouble

 

4. the staff is could use some training but I think they gave up on trying to wrangle horny gay men

 

5. Porn stars are shorter in person and often times more sexy. Aleks Buldocek is super hot in person *swoon*

 

6. The hotel was a bit dilapidated but seedy in a very good way

 

7. Food poisoning is awful but you look great afterwards

 

8. Sexy daddy's make everything better

Any rumors about where next year? Thanks WG2

[Steven_Draker]

Didn't IML ban all vendors promoting unsafe sex back in 2010?

 

http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/7762900

[+ Cock Eyed Optimist]

Didn't IML ban all vendors promoting unsafe sex back in 2010?

 

http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/7762900

 

Yes, they did. I didn't see any bareback video studios at the Leather Market where in the past there were many.

[Guest ChrisW]

Yes, they did. I didn't see any bareback video studios at the Leather Market where in the past there were many.

Its funny they will ban bareback videos but k9 videos were being shown and sold in the mart this year.

[Guest ChrisW]

For those curious about what IML looks like

 

http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2015/05/26/photos-international-mr-leather-weekend?team=social#slide-1

[marylander1940]

Its funny they will ban bareback videos but k9 videos were being shown and sold in the mart this year.

 

as long as the K9 doesn't involved a real K9...

 

 

Actually is more like this kind...

 

[+ Axiom2001]

For those curious about what IML looks like

 

http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2015/05/26/photos-international-mr-leather-weekend?team=social#slide-1

 

Chris, I was very curious; thus I viewed almost all of your contributions. Thanks for sharing them with the "curious!"

[Guest ChrisW]

as long as the K9 doesn't involved a real K9..

Nope it was dog on human porn. There are some things I can't unsee

[marylander1940]

Nope it was dog on human porn. There are some things I can't unsee

 

Damn...

 

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrlgesj4g71r2hybuo1_500.gif

 

(one more thing... I'm calling K9 porno nasty) this wasn't directed a ChrisW an escort and frequent poster I respect even though sometimes we don't disappear.

[doitb4ugo]

So on the last day of IML these are my final observations

 

1. Sexy daddy's make everything better

 

2. Sexy boys make everything better

 

3. Sexy puppies are nothing but trouble

 

4. the staff could use some training but I think they gave up on trying to wrangle horny gay men

 

5. Porn stars are shorter in person and often times more sexy. Aleks Buldocek is super hot in person *swoon*

 

6. The hotel was a bit dilapidated but seedy in a very good way

 

7. Food poisoning is awful but you look great afterwards

 

8. Sexy daddy's make everything better

 

 

This was my first IML experience so I cannot make any observations on better or worse than in the past. It really isn't very important to me to put it into perspective. Chris's quote above says a lot about the experience. I would only add that the event is most amazing because the guys who attend it are amazing. Sexy, Friendly, sexy and plenty of sexy boys who really like daddies (thank you to a number of them). I could not book into the Hotel as it was full when I made my plans. This won't happen again. I was not at IML for an upscale hotel experience but for the extra fun that comes with being there in the thick and thin of things.

 

Also my first time in Chicago. The city is a great adventure even without IML and I will be back.