Catalyst Ranch

17th Anniversary Party - Supporting Women Entrepreneurs!
2019-11-04 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Catalyst Ranch, 656 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60661, United States
For a recap of this event, check out our blog post here!

You’re invited to our 17TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY, where we’re sharing the spotlight with other women entrepreneurs—and kickstarting a fun round of fundraising for them!
Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space is celebrating 17 wonderful years in business, and we couldn’t have done it without support. That is, support not just from our closest friends and family, but also from our women peers in the business world.
That’s why, for this 17th Anniversary Party, we’re sharing the spotlight with an inspiring set of Chicagoland women in business. On November 4, we’ll party while we meet and collect funds for five promising small business owners!
Come to our annual shindig, where on top of enjoying our usual food and drink and fun, you’ll get to know the pioneering business projects of a select group of women entrepreneurs.

You’ll meet them in person;
You’ll learn about their business progress and their next steps; and
Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to donate money to fuel their progress.

And of course, you’ll be following the lead of our own pioneering founder Eva Niewiadomski, who will be donating her own money to these women with your guidance:

In a fun twist on fundraising, each of the first fifty people to arrive will get a token worth $5 dollars (courtesy of Eva), which they’ll donate to the entrepreneur of their choice!

It is our hope that those first tokens of donated money from Eva will encourage our guests to make donations of their own, to one—or every one—of these inspired women!
So mark your calendars, because you have a date with us on Monday, November 4 to celebrate the accomplishment, vision and future successes of Catalyst Ranch and a few other incredible women.

WHEN IS THE PARTY?

Monday, November 4.
Open House style, 6pm-8:30pm.

WHERE IS THE PARTY?

Our house, naturally! 656 W Randolph St., Chicago, 60661

HOW CAN I ATTEND?

Simply RSVP with an email to erica@catalystranch.com! Click here to auto-generate an email!
There’s no ticket to buy for admission.
The evening is family friendly.
Bring cash to donate to the women entrepreneur(s) of your choice!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

Incredible food from our longtime catering partner, Big Delicious Planet—which also happens to be an inspiring, woman-owned business!
Beer, wine and soft-drinks!
Getting to know and support some women movers-and-shakers!

AND THE CATCH?

Your attendance means you’ll play a large part in donating a portion of money directly from Catalyst Ranch and Eva Niewiadomski, to awesome women entrepreneurs.
What’s more, you yourself get to make a modest** but meaningful monetary contribution to promising, women-owned small businesses.
**There is no limit to how much you can donate! Don’t feel limited to “modest” donations, should you feel inclined!

Our 17th Anniversary Party is going to be just as fun as you’ve come to expect after all these years. We can’t wait to share the spotlight with this community. We’ll see you on November 4!

RSVP with an email to: erica@catalystranch.com
Click here to auto-generate your RSVP e-mail!

Lunch & Learn: Improve Your Public Speaking Skills
2019-11-01 11:30 - 13:00
We are the authority on everything Meetings-related. Our lunch-hour workshops focus on the ins and outs of this industry to grow and share knowledge with our peers. We invite Facilitators, Meeting Planners, Retreat Programming Coordinators, Administrative Assistants and everyone in between to get insider insight with a delectable meal!
Join us as Brendan Sullivan shows us proven techniques to tackle Public Speaking in Meetings and beyond!

Lunch & Learn: Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

What’s at stake when you speak to an audience? Your project? Your credibility? Your company’s reputation? A promotion? Your job?
Unfortunately, whether you are speaking to two people or two thousand, your audience judges you on how you present your ideas, as well as the ideas themselves. There are simple physical adjustments you can make to appear more confident, knowledgeable, relaxed, engaging, approachable and professional.
In this interactive session, Brendan will share some of these techniques which you will then be able to apply immediately in order to become a more effective speaker and presenter, no matter what communication situation you face.

Admission price of $10 includes a mouth-watering meal from our catering partner Big Delicious Planet.

Purchase your admission by Thursday, October 24.
Please email bryan@catalystranch.com with any dietary restrictions.

About Our Presenter for Lunch & Learn: Improve Your Public Speaking Skills:
Brendan Sullivan is an experienced presentation skills, public speaking and communication skills coach. He has coached and trained thousands of professionals to be more effective speakers and presenters over the last 15 years. Find more at www.bpscommunicationskills.com.
Brendan has coached and trained presentation skills directly on his own, as well as through a number of presentation skills providers, including Communispond, Vautier Communications, IMPAX, Hit Your Stride, Corporate Learning Institute and other training companies.
Brendan has taught and coached presentation and public speaking skills as a corporate class, as an open enrollment course, to project teams before “the big one”, and as private coaching for senior leaders. He has also spoken on the topic of presentation skills in keynote addresses and as breakout sessions at business conferences.
Brendan has taught these skills to employees of many large and small organizations, including GE, Lockheed Martin, Kimberly-Clark, AT&T, Aetna, Whirlpool, Walmart, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sherwin Williams, US Steel, Verizon, Charles Schwab, Abbott Labs and many others. Brendan has also taught presentation skills as an adjunct professor at DePaul University.
Brendan’s training style is influenced by his early career as an advertising sales manager for the New York Times Magazine Group. There he delivered many sales presentations to Fortune 500 consumer products companies and their advertising agencies.
Brendan’s style is also impacted by his lifetime of experience as a professional improvisational actor, teacher and coach, trained at the world famous Second City Conservatory. Brendan still performs in Chicago on Monday evenings when he’s not traveling.
Brendan is also a creativity coach, helping individuals and teams to create a culture of collaborative creativity and innovation (see www.creativitycoach.net), as well as a published novelist, and commercial/film actor. Brendan and his wife Susan are the parents of four children.

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in October
2019-10-29 18:00 - 20:00
Ignite Chicago has something to say! Come to Catalyst Ranch October 29 for a night of great ideas.

Ignite Chicago is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have a burning idea—and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd.

Attending this evening’s Ignite Chicago does good for the city and for your neighbors. All proceeds from Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch go toward funding the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization We All Code (formerly CoderDojoChi), which teaches web, game and app development to youth ages 7 to 17. So when you buy your ticket to expand your mind at Ignite Chicago, you effectively contribute to expanding the minds of young people in our beloved city!

Speaking at Ignite is an unforgettable experience. You step up to the mic. Your palms sweat. You can hear the thump of your blood rushing. Your voice cracks for an instant and then you launch into a rant for 300 straight seconds, wearing your passion on your sleeve, barely pausing to breathe. The crowd goes wild.
Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch is open to everyone. All talks are 5 minutes (20 slides x 15 seconds/slide).

There is no theme for Ignite. You can talk about virtually anything as long as you can show us your passion for it. What’s the thing you most geek out about? What’s the topic of conversation that quickens your pulse and sets your toe a-tappin’? That is what we want to hear you speak about.
All speakers get equal time and equal billing. All talks are 5 minutes. You create 20 slides, and we set them up to auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Complimentary craft beer and satisfying pizza are generously provided by sponsors Lagunitas Brewing Company and Jet’s Pizza!

Want to speak?
The audience at Ignite is generous and patient. They know the Ignite format is difficult, and they realize you might be an absolute beginner at public speaking. Don’t worry – they’ve got your back. You’re giving them your passion and your vulnerability, and they love you for that. You won’t find a more appreciative audience at any other event.
Some people think Ignite is about self-help talks. It isn’t. Nobody wants to hear a preachy pep talk. We’re already “good enough and smart enough,” so let’s keep this about you and your passionate ideas.
Finally, we’re serious about the no pitching thing. We know that sometimes a speaker must mention their profession in order to give their talk context, which is totally fine. But Ignite is not the place to tout your organization or to troll for clients.
Click the logo for tickets.

Find out more about the maestro behind both Ignite Chicago and CoderDojoChi, Ali Karbassi, by clicking here!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Building Better Leaders - Professional Development
2019-10-21 13:30 - 16:30
Learn how to cultivate the best leadership in your organization from J.K. Egerton, author of Business on the Board.
Building Better Leaders, from Business on the Board®
Do you need a new and creative way to develop the talent in your organization? Do your leaders need a place to practice and improve their strategic thinking and decision-making? Give your team the opportunity to learn strategy skills in an innovative learning series drawn from a surprising source: the chessboard.
Business on the Board® takes the centuries-old and still timelessly relevant tactics of chess and wields them to impart vital thinking skills in a unique game-driven format sure to engage. This creative afternoon workshop will help you begin to build the leaders who will run your company using the mindset and skills of a chess master.

What You Will Learn:

How to think like a CEO
Three powerful leadership styles and when to use them
Using the power of visualization
Generate the strategies and tactics a winning team needs
How problem solving drives better bottom line results
How to delegate, evaluate, eliminate, manage risk, & generate a profit

It’s not another case study. It’s not the same old role-playing routine. It’s a dynamic learning experience designed to give you the strategic edge your competitors can’t duplicate and won’t see coming.
What you get:

3 hours of hands-on, interactive business related training
The #1 Best Selling Book
All training materials
Chessboard & set
Snacks provided

About the Presenter:
Jim Egerton is the CEO and founder of Business on the Board®. He is a corporate talent developer, speaker, Best-Selling author, teacher, coach, manager, leader, and entrepreneur.
For more information, visit www.businessontheboard.com.

Brainstorming: Time Management - real people, real conversations
2019-10-16 18:30 - 20:30
Dr. Benjamin Ritter brings the Brainstorming series to Catalyst Ranch to foster real conversations among real people. The evening’s theme: Time Management—from procrastination to prioritization and everything in between.

Do you have issues with time management?
Is procrastination your middle name?
Are you ready to learn how to prioritize?
Come Brainstorm as we dive into the topic of time management and come up with REAL solutions to YOUR concerns.
—
This isn’t an event where you are given a drink ticket and thrown to the wolves.
We have real conversations and meet real people.
None of that “what do you do?” or “wow that weather outside was something”…
This is a brainstorm, where people come together to think deeply and speak openly.
Brainstorming is an event that is focused on bringing people together to talk about a specific theme, cultivate community, and hopefully inspire personal and professional growth. This month we are focusing on the topic of time and schedules.
The event (doors open at 6:15 PM, to provide time for refreshments and icebreakers) consists of breakout and group brainstorming sessions and to discuss specific questions related to the theme of the event: Time Management.
Brainstorming events are limited in size to promote authentic relationships and building community. Get your ticket ASAP if you are planning to attend.
Ticket prices increase on the Monday before the event.

—
Hosted and facilitated by:
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is a Chicago based social entrepreneur, coach, consultant, mentor, and expert in the fields of personal and professional internal leadership development.
Throughout his career he has worked in the areas of hospitality, the entertainment industry, public health, education, childcare, healthcare, and personal and professional development, constantly seeking new experiences to learn more about the world, and himself.
The culmination of his previous personal, professional, and educational experiences led him to create Live for Yourself (LFY) Consulting, a coaching/consulting company that is focused on helping successful professionals find more meaning at life and in work.
LFY Consulting bases its coaching practices on the unique LIVE system, which integrates doctoral level applied learning theory, and curriculum and leadership development research.
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is also the host of the Live for yourself podcast and Live for Yourself events, author of The Live for Yourself Workbook, and The Essentials, creator of The Breakup Supplement, and a freelance expert and writer.

Chicago Ideas Week 2019 - Designing the Impossible with Illusionist Jeanette Andrews
2019-10-12 14:30 - 16:00
Chicago Ideas returns to Catalyst Ranch this October with TWO thought-provoking events on October 12. At 2:30pm, attend their Lab for Chicago Ideas Week 2019 – Designing the Impossible with Illusionist Jeanette Andrews.
Chicago Ideas Week 2019 – Designing the Impossible with Illusionist Jeanette Andrews

This interactive and educational workshop delves into the intricate designs behind the process of illusionist Jeanette Andrews. In an exploration of the mysteries of the human senses, Andrews will perform a few of her pieces, then extrapolate with the audience on her unique creative process, outlining what goes into designing the seemingly impossible. Participants will learn how psychology, object making, writing, and the choreography of viewer experience are fused into “impossible” designs in Andrews’ work.
Must be 12 or older. Anyone 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a ticketed parent or guardian who is 18 or older with a valid ID.
Make it a day at Catalyst Ranch by attending this event AND the earlier 11am Lab for Chicago Ideas Week 2019 – Inclusion: the Key to a Successful Business.

Chicago Ideas is a movement built on one core belief: When a broad spectrum of thinkers and instigators share ideas, we have the power to transform our world.
Chicago Ideas Week, October 12-17, 2019, is a seven-day festival featuring over 200 global thought leaders and innovators speaking on a variety of topics ranging from leadership and life’s lessons, to science and technology, to the most pressing issues of the day and the most creative insights in entertainment. We offer more than 150 engaging programs each Chicago Ideas Week to stimulate, inspire and enlighten participants while providing the opportunity for attendees to think, dream and connect. The best part? Most tickets are only $15, ensuring that anyone who wants access to great ideas can have it.
Chicago Ideas Week Labs offer opportunities for participants to experience and explore the best of Chicago like never before.
Exclusive, behind-the-scenes experiences give participants a unique glimpse into the inner workings of businesses and institutions that are otherwise unavailable to the public.
Small groups will explore what it’s like for business leaders in the boardroom, go behind the curtain at leading theaters and venues, and discover “how-it-works” in hands-on workshops.
Labs sell out quickly, so become a member to enjoy early access to Labs tickets.

Chicago Ideas Week 2019 - Inclusion: the Key to a Successful Business
2019-10-12 11:00 - 13:00
Chicago Ideas returns to Catalyst Ranch this October with TWO thought-provoking events on October 12. At 11am, attend their Lab for Chicago Ideas Week 2019 – Inclusion: the Key to a Successful Business.
Chicago Ideas Week 2019 – Inclusion: the Key to a Successful Business
More than 81 percent of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) do not have paid jobs in their communities. Best Buddies (one of the world’s largest organizations dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation people living with IDD) is changing that right here in Chicago (their employees have a 93 percent retention rate). This engaging Lab will first give you a foundation for working with adults with IDD. Then, you and a group of young adults with IDD will work through a round of networking, an elevator pitch workshop, and a mock interview. You’ll learn the unique skills that individuals with an IDD bring to the table, and set them up with the tools they need to achieve their dreams.
Must be 21 or older, and provide valid ID.
Stay at Catalyst Ranch for a second Chicago Ideas Week Lab starting at 2:30pm this same day: Designing the Impossible with Illusionist Jeanette Andrews.

Chicago Ideas is a movement built on one core belief: When a broad spectrum of thinkers and instigators share ideas, we have the power to transform our world.
Chicago Ideas Week, October 12-17, 2019, is a seven-day festival featuring over 200 global thought leaders and innovators speaking on a variety of topics ranging from leadership and life’s lessons, to science and technology, to the most pressing issues of the day and the most creative insights in entertainment. We offer more than 150 engaging programs each Chicago Ideas Week to stimulate, inspire and enlighten participants while providing the opportunity for attendees to think, dream and connect. The best part? Most tickets are only $15, ensuring that anyone who wants access to great ideas can have it.
Chicago Ideas Week Labs offer opportunities for participants to experience and explore the best of Chicago like never before.
Exclusive, behind-the-scenes experiences give participants a unique glimpse into the inner workings of businesses and institutions that are otherwise unavailable to the public.
Small groups will explore what it’s like for business leaders in the boardroom, go behind the curtain at leading theaters and venues, and discover “how-it-works” in hands-on workshops.
Labs sell out quickly, so become a member to enjoy early access to Labs tickets.

Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in September
2019-09-24 18:00 - 20:00
Ignite Chicago packs the house. Come to Catalyst Ranch September 24 for a night of great ideas!

Ignite Chicago is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have a burning idea—and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd.

Attending this evening’s Ignite Chicago does good for the city and for your neighbors. All proceeds from Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch go toward funding the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization We All Code (formerly CoderDojoChi), which teaches web, game and app development to youth ages 7 to 17. So when you buy your ticket to expand your mind at Ignite Chicago, you effectively contribute to expanding the minds of young people in our beloved city!

Speaking at Ignite is an unforgettable experience. You step up to the mic. Your palms sweat. You can hear the thump of your blood rushing. Your voice cracks for an instant and then you launch into a rant for 300 straight seconds, wearing your passion on your sleeve, barely pausing to breathe. The crowd goes wild.
Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch is open to everyone. All talks are 5 minutes (20 slides x 15 seconds/slide).

There is no theme for Ignite. You can talk about virtually anything as long as you can show us your passion for it. What’s the thing you most geek out about? What’s the topic of conversation that quickens your pulse and sets your toe a-tappin’? That is what we want to hear you speak about.
All speakers get equal time and equal billing. All talks are 5 minutes. You create 20 slides, and we set them up to auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Complimentary craft beer is generously provided by longtime sponsor Lagunitas Brewing Company.
Want to speak?
The audience at Ignite is generous and patient. They know the Ignite format is difficult, and they realize you might be an absolute beginner at public speaking. Don’t worry – they’ve got your back. You’re giving them your passion and your vulnerability, and they love you for that. You won’t find a more appreciative audience at any other event.
Some people think Ignite is about self-help talks. It isn’t. Nobody wants to hear a preachy pep talk. We’re already “good enough and smart enough,” so let’s keep this about you and your passionate ideas.
Finally, we’re serious about the no pitching thing. We know that sometimes a speaker must mention their profession in order to give their talk context, which is totally fine. But Ignite is not the place to tout your organization or to troll for clients.
Click the logo for tickets.

Find out more about the maestro behind both Ignite Chicago and CoderDojoChi, Ali Karbassi, by clicking here!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Beyond the Pride Parade: Celebrating True LGBTQ+ Engagement
2019-09-19 18:00 - 20:30
Join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois for a panel discussion, Beyond the Pride Parade: Celebrating True LGBTQ+ Engagement. Registration is FREE.

With the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, we saw a increase in corporate companies celebrating Pride in 2019. While this support was greatly welcomed, true LGBTQ+ engagement and celebration must be 365 days out of the year. Our panelists will share insights on ways your company can be a better ally to the LGBTQ+ community beyond Pride month and Pride month activities.
This exciting conversation will be moderated by Channyn Lynn Parker (Manger of External Relations, Howard Brown Health) and will feature four dynamic panelist: Michael Nordman (Community Affairs Manager, MillerCoors), Elizabeth Okey (Community Impact Manager, Wintrust Bank), Bernadette Smith (CEO, Equality Institute, and Mike Ziri (Director of Public Policy, Equality Illinois).

Catalyst Ranch has been proud to host previous networking and panel events for the LGBTCC of Illinois. The photos from past engagements below are courtesy of Starbelly Studios Photography.

Game Night: A Camp Boundless Pop-Up!
2019-09-12 18:30 - 21:00
Camp Boundless returns to wet your board-game whistle! Their Game Night comes back once again this September. Join in the fray and have a fun-filled night of tabletop games of all kinds!
It’s Game Night, Chicago.
Step outside of the box, away from the screen; come play with us.
We’ve got a selection of world-class games for our next Camp Boundless Pop-Up Event: Game Night, with seasoned pros on hand to teach rules and give out hot tips. Here’s your chance to ditch the sheets of instructions that take all the fun out of playing a board game and let the Game Leader teach you the basics and keep you on the path of adventure and creative play.
We’ll have tables set up with different games – you pick a seat at the table with the game that intrigues you the most and the Game Leader will lead the way to enlightenment.
Pizza and table snacks are most definitely included. BYOB if you’d like.
LET THE GAME BEGIN!

CHOOSE THE GAMES YOU’RE CURIOUS ABOUT
We’re bringing some of the most playable, interesting, and engaging games around; click the offerings below to read a description of each! Buy a ticket, and let us know which ones you’re interested in!

​**Don’t worry if you don’t know the rules; we’ll teach ’em to you right then and there.
This Camp Boundless Game Night pop-up event will awaken the player in you and may start a new healthy addiction. Better dust your coffee-, card-, and dining room tables at home: After attending this event, they can expect to get a whole lot more attention!
Special thanks to our partner for this event, Imaginary Services.

Camp Boundless offers a variety of engaging, hands-on experiences for adults who want to explore, learn and grow. All of our events are a chance to disconnect from your phone and reconnect with discovery. Try new activities, meet new people, play games and laugh. Rediscover your childlike imagination and curiosity.
Don’t stop growing just because you’re grown-up!
Visit www.campboundless.com to join our mailing list for all future Pop-Up news, and learn about our Annual All-Day Play Camp!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

AMA Chicago's Connex: Marketing Networking in September
2019-09-11 17:30 - 20:00
AMA Chicago’s Connex marketing networking events are the place to be! You’ll meet up with colleagues, friends, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals from the best companies in the Midwest. Mix, mingle, make connections, reconnect with friends, and build your network at the premiere marketing networking event in Chicago.

AMA Chicago brings together colleagues, friends, entrepreneurs and creative professionals from the best companies in the Midwest. Meet your Chicago Chapter Board and learn about what we’ve got planned for you. Mingle with current and prospective AMA members or chat up the leadership team over drinks in a casual setting. Simply bring yourself, your charm and your business cards.
Light supper will be served.

New: Round Robin Discussion Tables

AMA Chicago makes networking easier and focused on sharing your marketing skills. This event features four round robin discussion tables, each dedicated to a popular marketing topic and hosted by a thought leader. Join this small group discussion to share your knowledge and gain new insights from your peers. Rotate tables every 20 minutes, stick with one, or opt out – traditional networking is always an option. More details to come on table hosts at this event.

For more information and tickets, click here!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

LIVE: Finding your purpose - connect, learn, grow
2019-09-04 18:30 - 21:00
Dr. Benjamin Ritter of Live for Yourself Consulting brings his LIVE series to Catalyst Ranch with speakers sparking conversations around the theme of “Finding your purpose”.
LIVE: Finding your purpose – connect, learn, grow

Have you ever wanted to attend an event that was focused on YOU and your growth?
Have you ever been to a “networking” event and wished you could just have a real conversation and not small talk?
Have you ever been out at a bar and wished there were other ways to meet people?
LIVE events focus on YOU, facilitates open and honest conversations, and brings people together.
—
LIVE events feature men and women who make a difference in their community, providing an open forum to talk about life struggles, challenges, keys to success and lessons in relationships, health, business and more.
Each event is focused on a specific theme and involves incredible thought-provoking speakers, and networking activities in-between.
This upcoming event we are focused on the theme of FINDING YOUR PURPOSE and speakers will be sharing their personal stories as it relates to the theme and we will be diving into the topic of finding your purpose through group and breakout discussions.
Make sure to get to the event by 6:30 PM to grab some refreshments, meet your sponsors, and chat with other attendees. During the event we will have three speakers and in-between two of the speakers a chance for all of you to dive into the theme of the event with other attendees.
After attending a LIVE event you will have inspired your internal leader, and cultivated new relationships.
—
Note: This is NOT a networking business professional event. You will get real, open, authentic, and vulnerable, and warning, you may be inspired, transform, meet some new people, and grow personally.
Refreshments are provided.
Tickets will increase to $20 the Monday before the event.
Speakers:

Candice Crane
Christine Jon’el
Donald Hyun Kiolbassa

Click the ticket link to read bios for each of the evening’s guests.
—
LIVE event director and host:

Dr. Benjamin Ritter, is a Chicago based social entrepreneur, coach, consultant, mentor, and expert in the fields of personal and professional internal leadership development.
Throughout his career he has worked in the areas of hospitality, the entertainment industry, public health, education, childcare, healthcare, and personal and professional development, constantly seeking new experiences to learn more about the world, and himself.
The culmination of his previous personal, professional, and educational experiences led him to create Live for Yourself (LFY) Consulting, a coaching/consulting company that is focused on helping successful professionals find more meaning at life and in work.
LFY Consulting bases its coaching practices on the unique LIVE system, which integrates doctoral level applied learning theory, and curriculum and leadership development research.
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is also the host of the Live for yourself podcast and Live for Yourself events, author of The Live for Yourself Workbook, and The Essentials, creator of The Breakup Supplement, and the online instructor for the course “Craft a Job you Love from a Job you Have.”

Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in August
2019-08-27 18:00 - 20:00
Ignite Chicago packs the house. Come to Catalyst Ranch August 27 for a night of great ideas!

Ignite Chicago is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have a burning idea—and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd.

Attending this evening’s Ignite Chicago does good for the city and for your neighbors. All proceeds from Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch go toward funding the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization We All Code (formerly CoderDojoChi), which teaches web, game and app development to youth ages 7 to 17. So when you buy your ticket to expand your mind at Ignite Chicago, you effectively contribute to expanding the minds of young people in our beloved city!

Speaking at Ignite is an unforgettable experience. You step up to the mic. Your palms sweat. You can hear the thump of your blood rushing. Your voice cracks for an instant and then you launch into a rant for 300 straight seconds, wearing your passion on your sleeve, barely pausing to breathe. The crowd goes wild.
Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch is open to everyone. All talks are 5 minutes (20 slides x 15 seconds/slide).

There is no theme for Ignite. You can talk about virtually anything as long as you can show us your passion for it. What’s the thing you most geek out about? What’s the topic of conversation that quickens your pulse and sets your toe a-tappin’? That is what we want to hear you speak about.
All speakers get equal time and equal billing. All talks are 5 minutes. You create 20 slides, and we set them up to auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Refreshments are generously provided by sponsors Giordano’s Pizza and Lagunitas Brewing Company.
Want to speak?
The audience at Ignite is generous and patient. They know the Ignite format is difficult, and they realize you might be an absolute beginner at public speaking. Don’t worry – they’ve got your back. You’re giving them your passion and your vulnerability, and they love you for that. You won’t find a more appreciative audience at any other event.
Some people think Ignite is about self-help talks. It isn’t. Nobody wants to hear a preachy pep talk. We’re already “good enough and smart enough,” so let’s keep this about you and your passionate ideas.
Finally, we’re serious about the no pitching thing. We know that sometimes a speaker must mention their profession in order to give their talk context, which is totally fine. But Ignite is not the place to tout your organization or to troll for clients.
Click the logo for tickets.

Find out more about the maestro behind both Ignite Chicago and CoderDojoChi, Ali Karbassi, by clicking here!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Brainstorming: Happiness at Work - real people, real conversations
2019-08-21 18:30 - 20:30
Dr. Benjamin Ritter brings the Brainstorming series to Catalyst Ranch to foster real conversations among real people. The evening’s theme: Happiness at Work—from problem co-workers to finding greater meaning at work and everything in between.

Have you ever had an open and honest conversation with someone you didn’t know and felt completely energized?
Have you ever wondered how to find people to discuss meaningful topics that don’t relate to sports or the weather?
This isn’t an event where you are given a drink ticket and thrown to the wolves.
We have real conversations and meet real people.
None of that “what do you do?” or “wow that weather outside was something”…
This is a brainstorm, where people come together to think deeply and speak openly.
Brainstorming is an event that is focused on bringing people together to talk about a specific theme, cultivate community, and hopefully inspire personal and professional growth. This month we are focusing on the topic of friendships.
The event (doors open at 6:15 PM, to provide time for refreshments and icebreakers) consists of breakout and group brainstorming sessions and to discuss specific questions related to the theme of the event: Happiness at Work.
Brainstorming events are limited in size to promote authentic relationships and building community. Get your ticket ASAP if you are planning to attend.
Ticket prices increase on the Monday before the event.

—
Hosted and facilitated by:
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is a Chicago based social entrepreneur, coach, consultant, mentor, and expert in the fields of personal and professional internal leadership development.
Throughout his career he has worked in the areas of hospitality, the entertainment industry, public health, education, childcare, healthcare, and personal and professional development, constantly seeking new experiences to learn more about the world, and himself.
The culmination of his previous personal, professional, and educational experiences led him to create Live for Yourself (LFY) Consulting, a coaching/consulting company that is focused on helping successful professionals find more meaning at life and in work.
LFY Consulting bases its coaching practices on the unique LIVE system, which integrates doctoral level applied learning theory, and curriculum and leadership development research.
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is also the host of the Live for yourself podcast and Live for Yourself events, author of The Live for Yourself Workbook, and The Essentials, creator of The Breakup Supplement, and a freelance expert and writer.

Better Angels: Depolarizing the Politics Within
2019-08-03 10:00 - 13:00
Learn from the Better Angels organization how to identify the polarizer in yourself in order to start depolarizing heated conversations about politics with like-minded peers, fostering empathy and community.

Depolarizing the Politics Within:
Becoming a Better Angel in Your Own World
Much of today’s epidemic of toxic polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule our fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies. Although political polarization in some form has always been around, it was less problematic when people interacted more outside their own silos. Nowadays, people on the other side have become not just strangers but enemies. How we talk among ourselves about them fuels fires that threaten our democracy.
What if we learn the discipline of non-polarizing attitudes and words about the political “Other” with whom we do share a nation and united future? And learn to critique opposing policies without dehumanizing political opponents?
This workshop will:

Help you become more aware of your inner polarizer
Help you learn ways to depolarize yourself so that you can disagree without demonizing, dismissing, or stereotyping the millions of people who differ from you politically
Teach you skills for how to intervene in social conversations with like-minded people when those conversations veer into contempt and ridicule for people who hold other political views

Join us at Catalyst Ranch for this workshop led by family therapist Bill Doherty, co-founder of Better Angels and designer of its workshops.
Public Transportation and Parking near Catalyst Ranch: https://www.catalystranchmeetings.com/maps1.html
Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and light snacks.

About the Organization:

Better Angels is a national nonprofit with a mission to depolarize America. Its leadership is half “red” and half “blue.” It has more than 7,000 members in all 50 states, and its trained moderators have conducted more than 400 workshops nationally.
About the Presenter:

Bill Doherty, Ph.D. is a professor and family therapist at the University of Minnesota, where he directs the Citizen Professional Center. After the 2016 presidential election, he co-founded Better Angels (named after an Abraham Lincoln phrase), which brings together “reds” and “blues” to try to depolarize America. Bill designed several kinds of Better Angels workshops which are now happening in 35 states. This new workshop aims at personal depolarization and being an agent of change in one’s own political community.

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Lunch & Learn: Improv Techniques for Better Communication and Listening Skills
2019-08-02 11:30 - 13:00
We are the authority on everything Meetings-related. Our lunch-hour workshops focus on the ins and outs of this industry. We invite Facilitators, Meeting Planners, Retreat Programming Coordinators, Administrative Assistants and everyone in between to get insider insight with a delectable meal!
Join us as Julie Ostrow shares the fundamental rules of improv and how to apply them to diverse business settings, leading to improved communication and connection.

Lunch & Learn: Improv Techniques for Better Communication and Listening Skills

Have you ever walked away (or hung up) from a conversation wondering, “What did we just agree to?” Or how about, “Hmmm…I really don’t think that vendor truly understands our organization’s needs.”?
And, later at your meeting you find out that your instinct was right…they didn’t use the specifications you thought you agreed to? These are just a few examples of what can happen if there is a gap in communication and listening.
In this interactive and fun presentation, you will learn skills that you can use in your business to make sure you say it right and get it right. Effective communication skills—especially listening—lay the groundwork for cohesive business relationships…and successful events!
Learn how to use improvisation skills to connect, collaborate, and truly listen to your association’s members, vendors, and clients. Improv skills allow us to be in the present moment to practice reflective listening, while encouraging others to do the same. When we’re listening to each other, we are tuned into each other’s needs and expectations. Listening as a skill means not having our own agendas to drive conversations that will lead to deeper connections. Join the fun and learn the skills and tools that can be applied to your professional, business, and personal interactions.

Learn the fundamental rules of improv and apply them to diverse business settings—internally and externally.
Apply reflective listening (also known as “Yes, and”) to practice empathy and eliminate—or at least reduce—assumptions.
Acquire the art of being in the moment through improv skills.
Learn to have fun while collaborating in a fun and interactive way.

Admission price of $10 includes:

Engaging content with Julie Ostrow.
A mouth-watering meal from our catering partner Big Delicious Planet.
All ticket surcharges.

Please purchase your admission by Wednesday, July 24!
*Please email bryan@catalystranch.com with any dietary restrictions
Click here for tickets!

About Our Presenter:
As the Humorous Speaker and Communication Coach, The Second City-trained and First-Ever American Laughing Champion Julie Ostrow teaches organizations and corporate teams to use improv skills to improve Creativity, Communication, Team Building, Problem Solving, and Productivity with their clients and within their organizations. She teaches the benefits of using humor, laughter, and improv in all aspects of our lives.
Having more than 20 years of corporate marketing communications experience including five years with SmithBucklin, the world’s largest association management firm, Julie is able to identify the trigger points of miscommunication and low morale in the corporate culture and among team members. By infusing her corporate experience with her humor, laughter, and improv tools, she is able to guide organizations to communication, connection, and creativity. Resulting in re-inspired teams and increased productivity.
Julie conducts her interactive and transformative workshops for corporations, conferences, and professional organizations. Julie’s enthusiasm and passionate spirit, combined with her comedic insight, help to make her a warm and engaging presenter and workshop facilitator. Her personal motto, “find the funny,” helps her to find humor in everyday moments and in life’s seemingly most difficult situations…and she’ll help your teams do the same!

Website: www.JulieOstrow.com
Email: Julie@GoFindTheFunny.com
Call or text: (815) 893-9255
Twitter: @JulieOstrow
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/julieostrow/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gofindthefunny/

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in July
2019-07-30 18:00 - 21:00
Ignite Chicago packs the house. Come to Catalyst Ranch July 30 for a night of great ideas!

Ignite Chicago is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have a burning idea—and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd.

Attending this evening’s Ignite Chicago does good for the city and for your neighbors. All proceeds from Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch go toward funding the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization We All Code (formerly CoderDojoChi), which teaches web, game and app development to youth ages 7 to 17. So when you buy your ticket to expand your mind at Ignite Chicago, you effectively contribute to expanding the minds of young people in our beloved city!

Speaking at Ignite is an unforgettable experience. You step up to the mic. Your palms sweat. You can hear the thump of your blood rushing. Your voice cracks for an instant and then you launch into a rant for 300 straight seconds, wearing your passion on your sleeve, barely pausing to breathe. The crowd goes wild.
Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch is open to everyone. All talks are 5 minutes (20 slides x 15 seconds/slide).

There is no theme for Ignite. You can talk about virtually anything as long as you can show us your passion for it. What’s the thing you most geek out about? What’s the topic of conversation that quickens your pulse and sets your toe a-tappin’? That is what we want to hear you speak about.
All speakers get equal time and equal billing. All talks are 5 minutes. You create 20 slides, and we set them up to auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Refreshments are generously provided by sponsors Giordano’s Pizza and Lagunitas Brewing Company.
Want to speak?
The audience at Ignite is generous and patient. They know the Ignite format is difficult, and they realize you might be an absolute beginner at public speaking. Don’t worry – they’ve got your back. You’re giving them your passion and your vulnerability, and they love you for that. You won’t find a more appreciative audience at any other event.
Some people think Ignite is about self-help talks. It isn’t. Nobody wants to hear a preachy pep talk. We’re already “good enough and smart enough,” so let’s keep this about you and your passionate ideas.
Finally, we’re serious about the no pitching thing. We know that sometimes a speaker must mention their profession in order to give their talk context, which is totally fine. But Ignite is not the place to tout your organization or to troll for clients.
Click the logo for tickets.

Find out more about the maestro behind both Ignite Chicago and CoderDojoChi, Ali Karbassi, by clicking here!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Brainstorming: Friendships - real people, real conversations
2019-07-17 18:30 - 20:30
Dr. Benjamin Ritter brings the Brainstorming series to Catalyst Ranch to foster real conversations among real people. The evening’s theme: Friendships—from making, sustaining, and breaking up.

Have you ever had an open and honest conversation with someone you didn’t know and felt completely energized?
Have you ever wondered how to find people to discuss meaningful topics that don’t relate to sports or the weather?
This isn’t an event where you are given a drink ticket and thrown to the wolves.
We have real conversations and meet real people.
None of that “what do you do?” or “wow that weather outside was something”…
This is a brainstorm, where people come together to think deeply and speak openly.
Brainstorming is an event that is focused on bringing people together to talk about a specific theme, cultivate community, and hopefully inspire personal and professional growth. This month we are focusing on the topic of friendships.
The event (doors open at 6:15 PM, to provide time for refreshments and icebreakers) consists of breakout and group brainstorming sessions and to discuss specific questions related to the theme of the event.
Brainstorming events are limited in size to promote authentic relationships and building community. Get your ticket ASAP if you are planning to attend.
Ticket prices increase on the Monday before the event.

—
Hosted and facilitated by:
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is a Chicago based social entrepreneur, coach, consultant, mentor, and expert in the fields of personal and professional internal leadership development.
Throughout his career he has worked in the areas of hospitality, the entertainment industry, public health, education, childcare, healthcare, and personal and professional development, constantly seeking new experiences to learn more about the world, and himself.
The culmination of his previous personal, professional, and educational experiences led him to create Live for Yourself (LFY) Consulting, a coaching/consulting company that is focused on helping successful professionals find more meaning at life and in work.
LFY Consulting bases its coaching practices on the unique LIVE system, which integrates doctoral level applied learning theory, and curriculum and leadership development research.
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is also the host of the Live for yourself podcast and Live for Yourself events, author of The Live for Yourself Workbook, and The Essentials, creator of The Breakup Supplement, and a freelance expert and writer.

See all of Catalyst Ranch’s Public Events here!

Hacking HR Meetup: Collab Lab
2019-07-16 17:30 - 20:30
The Hacking HR Chicago chapter convenes at Catalyst Ranch for their Collab Lab meetup event!

In this VUCA environment, the old adage rings true: The only constant is change. Our ability to effectively navigate it, depends largely on asking meaningful questions.
But how can that be? As children, many of us learned that the answers are what’s important. So, not surprisingly as professionals, we often shy away from asking or being witness to uncomfortable questions. Regrettably, this nearly universally acquired discomfort with uncomfortable questions creates an answer-centric world rattled with blind spots for all of us.
This session explores how to escape the dangerous blind spot of “not knowing what we don’t know” by learning to unlock our innate curiosity and push past the discomfort that will help us craft better solutions for our most challenging problems. Join this workshop to learn and practice how to become a better questioner at both work and in life.
Facilitators
Chris Broderick Founder & President, B.near Global
Dafna Aaronson, Founder, Be Sports Minded
Heidi Glickman, Consultant and Executive Coach

AMA Chicago's Connex: Marketing Networking, Morning Session
2019-07-10 08:30 - 10:00
AMA Chicago’s Connex marketing networking events are the place to be! You’ll meet up with colleagues, friends, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals from the best companies in the Midwest. Mix, mingle, make connections, reconnect with friends, and build your network at the premiere marketing networking event in Chicago.

AMA Chicago brings together colleagues, friends, entrepreneurs and creative professionals from the best companies in the Midwest. Meet your Chicago Chapter Board and learn about what we’ve got planned for you. Mingle with current and prospective AMA members or chat up the leadership team over drinks in a casual setting. Simply bring yourself, your charm and your business cards. Continental breakfast will be served.

New: Round Robin Discussion Tables

AMA Chicago makes networking easier and focused on sharing your marketing skills. This event features four round robin discussion tables, each dedicated to a popular marketing topic and hosted by a thought leader. Join this small group discussion to share your knowledge and gain new insights from your peers. Rotate tables every 20 minutes, stick with one, or opt out – traditional networking is always an option.

Table Discussion Topics planned: Connection Through Social Data, The New Model for Brand Building, Disruption and Relevancy of Marketing Insights
More details to come on table hosts at this event.
For more information and tickets, click here!

INTRAPRENEURSHIP: Leveraging Team Creativity for Innovation & Growth
2019-07-02 18:00 - 20:00
General Assembly Chicago brings a FREE event to Catalyst Ranch – INTRAPRENEURSHIP: Leveraging Team Creativity for Innovation & Growth.
The landscape of economic, social and environmental issues in the world calls for new, creative and innovative approaches to business. Markets are shifting as people and technology are driving trends that leave behind the traditional model of profit-maximizing businesses. Creatives now possess an important competitive advantage that they can put to action at their organizations, not only for their own success, but also for profit and social impact.
We can leverage creativity by nurturing entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, or simply developing our own creative leadership skills to benefit career advancement or bring innovative approaches to our organizations.
This event seeks to inspire creative leaders through the success stories of real people and companies that are using creativity as a catalyst for innovation and growth.
Learn about:

Multidisciplinary collaboration that leads to innovation
The integration by design of sustainability in business
Social responsibility beyond checking a corporate box
Using culture as differentiation and competitive advantage
Adapting new technologies to local realities
Creative thinking to build talent, consumer base and new markets

General Assembly is a pioneer in education and career transformation, specializing in today’s most in-demand skills. The leading source for training, staffing, and career transitions, we foster a flourishing community of professionals pursuing careers they love.

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Brainstorming: Finding your purpose - real people, real conversations
2019-06-26 18:30 - 20:30
Dr. Benjamin Ritter brings the Brainstorming series to Catalyst Ranch to foster real conversations among real people. The evening’s theme: Finding your purpose .

Have you ever had an open and honest conversation with someone you didn’t know and felt completely energized?
Have you ever wondered how to find people to discuss meaningful topics that don’t relate to sports or the weather?
This isn’t an event where you are given a drink ticket and thrown to the wolves.
We have real conversations and meet real people.
None of that “what do you do?” or “wow that weather outside was something”…
This is a brainstorm, where people come together to think deeply and speak openly.

Brainstorming is an event that is focused on bringing people together to talk about a specific theme, cultivate community, and hopefully inspire personal and professional growth. This month we are focusing on the topic of finding your purpose.
The event (doors open at 6:15 PM, to provide time for refreshments and icebreakers) consists of breakout and group brainstorming sessions and to discuss specific questions related to the theme of the event.
Brainstorming events are limited in size to promote authentic relationships and building community. Get your ticket ASAP if you are planning to attend.
Ticket prices increase on the Monday before the event.

—
Hosted by:
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is a Chicago based social entrepreneur, coach, consultant, mentor, and expert in the fields of personal and professional internal leadership development.
Throughout his career he has worked in the areas of hospitality, the entertainment industry, public health, education, childcare, healthcare, and personal and professional development, constantly seeking new experiences to learn more about the world, and himself.
The culmination of his previous personal, professional, and educational experiences led him to create Live for Yourself (LFY) Consulting, a coaching/consulting company that is focused on helping successful professionals find more meaning at life and in work.
LFY Consulting bases its coaching practices on the unique LIVE system, which integrates doctoral level applied learning theory, and curriculum and leadership development research.
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is also the host of the Live for yourself podcast and Live for Yourself events, author of The Live for Yourself Workbook, and The Essentials, creator of The Breakup Supplement, and a freelance expert and writer.

See all of Catalyst Ranch’s Public Events here!

Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in June
2019-06-25 18:00 - 21:00
Ignite Chicago packs the house. Come to Catalyst Ranch June 25 for a night of great ideas!

Ignite Chicago is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have a burning idea—and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd.

Attending this evening’s Ignite Chicago does good for the city and for your neighbors. All proceeds from Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in June go toward funding the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization We All Code (formerly CoderDojoChi), which teaches web, game and app development to youth ages 7 to 17. So when you buy your ticket to expand your mind at Ignite Chicago, you effectively contribute to expanding the minds of young people in our beloved city!

Speaking at Ignite is an unforgettable experience. You step up to the mic. Your palms sweat. You can hear the thump of your blood rushing. Your voice cracks for an instant and then you launch into a rant for 300 straight seconds, wearing your passion on your sleeve, barely pausing to breathe. The crowd goes wild.
Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch is open to everyone. All talks are 5 minutes (20 slides x 15 seconds/slide).

There is no theme for Ignite. You can talk about virtually anything as long as you can show us your passion for it. What’s the thing you most geek out about? What’s the topic of conversation that quickens your pulse and sets your toe a-tappin’? That is what we want to hear you speak about.
All speakers get equal time and equal billing. All talks are 5 minutes. You create 20 slides, and we set them up to auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Want to speak?
The audience at Ignite is generous and patient. They know the Ignite format is difficult, and they realize you might be an absolute beginner at public speaking. Don’t worry – they’ve got your back. You’re giving them your passion and your vulnerability, and they love you for that. You won’t find a more appreciative audience at any other event.
Some people think Ignite is about self-help talks. It isn’t. Nobody wants to hear a preachy pep talk. We’re already “good enough and smart enough,” so let’s keep this about you and your passionate ideas.
Finally, we’re serious about the no pitching thing. We know that sometimes a speaker must mention their profession in order to give their talk context, which is totally fine. But Ignite is not the place to tout your organization or to troll for clients.
Click the logo for tickets.

Find out more about the maestro behind both Ignite Chicago and CoderDojoChi, Ali Karbassi, by clicking here!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Classic Cocktail Workshop: A Camp Boundless Pop-Up!
2019-06-20 18:30 - 20:30
Camp Boundless soaks in the summer and learns how to make some refreshing, classic cocktails!
WOW YOUR GUESTS WITH YOUR MIXOLOGY TECHNIQUES!
Want to learn how to properly make some of your favorite classic cocktails? In attending this workshop, you’ll gain an understanding for the entire foundation of cocktail culture. Through conversation and interactive elements, you’ll be able to create some of your own faves in the classic cocktail canon. Join David Mor, Beverage Manager of Cindy’s Rooftop restaurant and lounge at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, in an evening of bartending, conversation, and imbibing!
What’s Included?
All the mixers, alcohol & instructions to mix up classic cocktails! Finger foods and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided as well.

Camp Boundless offers a variety of engaging, hands-on experiences for adults who want to explore, learn and grow. All of our events are a chance to disconnect from your phone and reconnect with discovery. Try new activities, meet new people, play games and laugh. Rediscover your childlike imagination and curiosity.
Don’t stop growing just because you’re grown-up!
For more information about Camp Boundless and our Annual All-Day Play Camp, check out our website!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

improve it! June Business Improv Workshop
2019-06-18 18:00 - 20:30
Catalyst Ranch welcomes back this 2018 Chicago Innovation Award nominee with the improve it! June Business Improv Workshop!

Are you a business professional who would like to learn creative techniques to think more quickly on your feet during a meeting or at a presentation? Are you a leader or manager looking to enhance collaboration across your team? Are you the type of person who is always trying to be the best version of yourself?
Most importantly, are you the kind of person who likes…FUN?!?
Then, say no more! Come join improve it! in their June Business Improv Workshop, and you’ll learn the healing powers of improvisation for the workplace.
Our energetic and unique workshop will highlight the impact that improvisational techniques can have on your communication skills, and overall professional presentational presence! (Try saying that five times fast.)
Over the course of two hours, you will participate in an interactive lecture and series of improvisation-based exercises led by professional improvisers. By the end of the workshop we guarantee you will have learned and practiced how to:

Communicate with your team
Motivate your peers in the workplace
Create an inspiring atmosphere for yourself and your coworkers!

The workshop will be led by improve it!’s founder, Erin Diehl, and three of improve it!’s professional improvisers — all who have trained and performed at top theaters in Chicago and around the United States. The workshop will provide you with an intimate, and hands-on experience to show you exactly what we do.
What do we do? We’re glad you asked…
improve it! LLC is a Chicago-based company that provides high-energy, laughter-filled corporate events & team building workshops that incorporate improvisation teams & techniques, while donating a portion of proceeds to charity. To learn more about improve it! visit www.improveitchicago.com.
Sound good to you? Great! We’ll see you there.
Additional Details for improve it! June Business Improv Workshop:
Date and Time: June 18, 2019. Registration opens at 6:00 p.m. and the workshop will begin promptly at 6:15 p.m.

See more public offerings at Catalyst Ranch by clicking the logo below!

Ignite Chicago: Talks at Catalyst Ranch in May
2019-05-28 18:00 - 20:30
Ignite Chicago packs the house. Come to Catalyst Ranch May 28 for a night of great ideas!

Ignite Chicago is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have a burning idea—and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd.

Attending this evening’s Ignite Chicago does good for the city and for your neighbors. All proceeds from Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in April go toward funding the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization We All Code (formerly CoderDojoChi), which teaches web, game and app development to youth ages 7 to 17. So when you buy your ticket to expand your mind at Ignite Chicago, you effectively contribute to expanding the minds of young people in our beloved city!

Speaking at Ignite is an unforgettable experience. You step up to the mic. Your palms sweat. You can hear the thump of your blood rushing. Your voice cracks for an instant and then you launch into a rant for 300 straight seconds, wearing your passion on your sleeve, barely pausing to breathe. The crowd goes wild.
Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in May is open to everyone. All talks are 5 minutes (20 slides x 15 seconds/slide).

There is no theme for Ignite. You can talk about virtually anything as long as you can show us your passion for it. What’s the thing you most geek out about? What’s the topic of conversation that quickens your pulse and sets your toe a-tappin’? That is what we want to hear you speak about.
All speakers get equal time and equal billing. All talks are 5 minutes. You create 20 slides, and we set them up to auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Want to speak?
The audience at Ignite is generous and patient. They know the Ignite format is difficult, and they realize you might be an absolute beginner at public speaking. Don’t worry – they’ve got your back. You’re giving them your passion and your vulnerability, and they love you for that. You won’t find a more appreciative audience at any other event.
Some people think Ignite is about self-help talks. It isn’t. Nobody wants to hear a preachy pep talk. We’re already “good enough and smart enough,” so let’s keep this about you and your passionate ideas.
Finally, we’re serious about the no pitching thing. We know that sometimes a speaker must mention their profession in order to give their talk context, which is totally fine. But Ignite is not the place to tout your organization or to troll for clients.
Click the logo for tickets.

Find out more about the maestro behind both Ignite Chicago and CoderDojoChi, Ali Karbassi, by clicking here!

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Surge for Water: Break the Barriers Tea Party
2019-05-18 14:00 - 16:30
Surge for Water hosts an afternoon tea party to promote women’s health and sisterhood. This is a FREE event, and attendees have the opportunity to be fundraisers.
Break the Barriers: a Women’s Wellness Event
Surge for Water is a nonprofit organization which invests in communities around the globe: through safe water and sanitation solutions to help end the cycle of poverty, and by delivering women’s health and hygiene education to empower women and girls.
Join us for a day that changes the way you think about women’s health and sisterhood. Feel the empowerment!

Surge for Water’s afternoon tea party will include:

engaging conversations
insights into self-care and wellness
opportunities for guided movement and mindfulness
an expressive interactive art session

Commit to truly breaking barriers.
Saturday, May 18th 2 – 4:30 pm
Catalyst Ranch
656 W Randolph St., Ste 3W, Chicago, IL 60661
Thank you to Surge’s Sponsors:

SpaRitual
Catalyst Ranch
Honest Tea

Thank you to Surge’s Partners:

Jubilant
Photoserve
The Simple Good
Tiny Space to Breathe

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Brainstorming: Creativity - real people, real conversations
2019-05-08 18:30 - 20:30
Dr. Benjamin Ritter brings the Brainstorming series to Catalyst Ranch to discuss Creativity.

Have you ever had an open and honest conversation with someone you didn’t know and felt completely energized?
Have you ever wondered how to find people to discuss meaningful topics that don’t relate to sports or the weather?
Brainstorming is an event that is focused on bringing people together to talk about a specific theme, cultivate community, and hopefully inspire personal and professional growth. This month we are focusing on the topic of Creativity.
There is so much power to getting strangers in a room, with varying cultures, background, and experiences, to brainstorm around specific topics.
The event (doors open at 6:15 PM, to provide time for refreshments and icebreakers) consists of breakout and group brainstorming sessions and to discuss specific questions related to the theme of the event.
Brainstorming events are limited in size to promote authentic relationships and building community. Get your ticket ASAP if you are planning to attend.
Ticket prices increase on the Friday before the event.

—
Hosted by:
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is a Chicago based social entrepreneur, coach, consultant, mentor, and expert in the fields of personal and professional internal leadership development.
Throughout his career he has worked in the areas of hospitality, the entertainment industry, public health, education, childcare, healthcare, and personal and professional development, constantly seeking new experiences to learn more about the world, and himself.
The culmination of his previous personal, professional, and educational experiences led him to create Live for Yourself (LFY) Consulting, a coaching/consulting company that is focused on helping successful professionals find more meaning at life and in work.
LFY Consulting bases its coaching practices on the unique LIVE system, which integrates doctoral level applied learning theory, and curriculum and leadership development research.
Dr. Benjamin Ritter is also the host of the Live for yourself podcast and Live for Yourself events, author of The Live for Yourself Workbook, and The Essentials, creator of The Breakup Supplement, and a freelance expert and writer.

See all of Catalyst Ranch’s Public Events here!

Lunch & Learn: How to Activate Leadership
2019-05-03 11:30 - 13:00
Catalyst Ranch continues its series of lunch-hour workshops focused on the ins and outs of Meeting Planning with Lunch & Learn: How to Activate Leadership!
We are the authority on everything Meetings-related,
and we invite Facilitators, Meeting Planners, Retreat Programming Coordinators, Administrative Assistants and everyone in between to get insider insight over a delectable meal.

Lunch & Learn: How to Activate Leadership Through Planning and Facilitating Your Meeting
A meeting can be a powerful leadership tool driving change in your culture, bringing out the best in people, expanding what’s possible. Yet, often people don’t like them or know how to use them strategically. How you think about and approach them makes all the difference. When your meeting really, really needs to make a difference, what can you do to shift how people think and act?
Join us to explore:

Creating an environment in which others are engaged and own the meeting outcome you seek to produce
Activating ownership, leadership through how you plan and conduct meetings
A model for using a meeting as a focal point for a process to shift mindsets and have conversations you have not had before together
10 common meeting traps to avoid

This session is ideal for anyone involved in planning a meeting – meeting planners, administrative assistants, office managers, department or firm managers or leaders, facilitators.

Admission price of $10 includes:

a two-page handout summarizing key points;
a mouth-watering meal from our catering partner Big Delicious Planet!
all ticket surcharges.

Please purchase your admission by Wednesday, April 24!
*Please email bryan@catalystranch.com with any dietary restrictions
Click here to purchase admission!

About the Facilitator: Jackie Sloane, MCC
Jackie Sloane loves working with people to cultivate leadership around them and expand what’s possible through how they use meetings, and engage others. She is a seasoned executive coach and consultant, specializing in enhancing ability to achieve greater well-being and significant results through how clients communicate, cultivate relationships, and lead key initiatives. Jackie has over 25 years’ experience in executive coaching, leadership development, communication and organizational engagement consulting.
The Transformational Leadership Retreats she co-created, based on a 6-question coaching model, have provided leaders a powerful way to utilize the focal point of an event to lead a process to “change the conversation,” set a new tone, and co-create new behaviors and practices, launching culture change in their organizations. She has a background in marketing and has served clients at privately-held, nonprofit, public sector and Fortune 100 firms, in most industries. She has served clients at Abbott, Accenture, American Society of Anesthesiology, Bank of America, Comcast, Deloitte, Exelon, Grant Thornton, Hollister, Navistar/International Truck and Engine, PepsiCo, Plante & Moran and Purdue University Northwest among others.
She has two coach certifications, including Master Certified Coach. She completed the graduate-level Mastering the Art of Professional Coaching in 1994, and many leadership, communication and coach training programs, and is a member of the International Coach Federation. Jackie has a B.A. in political science and completed graduate work at Columbia College. She is a mentor for Chicago Innovation’s Women’s Co-op.

Learn more about Chicago’s Most Creative Meeting and Event Space Catalyst Ranch!

Ignite Chicago: Talks at Catalyst Ranch in April
2019-04-30 18:00 - 21:00
Ignite Chicago delivers TRUTH BOMBS and A-HA MOMENTS. Get a full dose at Catalyst Ranch in April!

Ignite Chicago is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have a burning idea—and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd.

Attending this evening’s Ignite Chicago does good for the city and for your neighbors. All proceeds from Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in April go toward funding the volunteer-run, nonprofit organization CoderDojoChi, which teaches web, game and app development to youth ages 7 to 17. So when you buy your ticket to expand your mind at Ignite Chicago, you effectively contribute to expanding the minds of young people in our beloved city!

Speaking at Ignite is an unforgettable experience. You step up to the mic. Your palms sweat. You can hear the thump of your blood rushing. Your voice cracks for an instant and then you launch into a rant for 300 straight seconds, wearing your passion on your sleeve, barely pausing to breathe. The crowd goes wild.
Ignite Chicago at Catalyst Ranch in April is open to everyone. All talks are 5 minutes (20 slides x 15 seconds/slide).

There is no theme for Ignite. You can talk about virtually anything as long as you can show us your passion for it. What’s the thing you most geek out about? What’s the topic of conversation that quickens your pulse and sets your toe a-tappin’? That is what we want to hear you speak about.
All speakers get equal time and equal billing. All talks are 5 minutes. You create 20 slides, and we set them up to auto-advance every 15 seconds.
Want to speak?
The audience at Ignite is generous and patient. They know the Ignite format is difficult, and they realize you might be an absolute beginner at public speaking. Don’t worry – they’ve got your back. You’re giving them your passion and your vulnerability, and they love you for that. You won’t find a more appreciative audience at any other event.
Some people think Ignite is about self-help talks. It isn’t. Nobody wants to hear a preachy pep talk. We’re already “good enough and smart enough,” so let’s keep this about you and your passionate ideas.
Finally, we’re serious about the no pitching thing. We know that sometimes a speaker must mention their profession in order to give their talk context, which is totally fine. But Ignite is not the place to tout your organization or to troll for clients.
Click the logo for tickets.

Find out more about the maestro behind both Ignite Chicago and CoderDojoChi, Ali Karbassi, by clicking here!
