The holiday season is a time to celebrate with family and friends, but it can also be a time of frustration and anxiety when it comes to traveling. Whether you are flying, driving, or taking public transportation, you may encounter long lines, crowded spaces, delays, and unexpected costs. Here are some tips to help you travel smoothly and enjoy your holiday trip.

• Plan ahead. The earlier you book your flights, hotels, and car rentals, the more likely you are to get the best deals and avoid last-minute price hikes. You can also use apps like ParqEx to find and reserve parking spaces in advance, saving you time and money. ParqEx is a peer-to-peer parking platform that connects drivers with owners of private parking spots. You can search for available spots near your destination, compare prices and features, and book securely with your credit card. You can also rent out your own parking spot when you are away and earn extra income.

• Pack smart. Avoid overpacking and check the baggage policies of your airline before you leave. You may be able to save money by carrying on your luggage or by shipping some items ahead of time. Make sure you have all the essentials, such as your passport, ID, tickets, medications, chargers, and toiletries. You can also use packing cubes or compression bags to organize your clothes and save space.

• Be flexible. Traveling during the holidays can be unpredictable, so be prepared for changes and delays. Check the weather forecast and traffic conditions before you depart and adjust your itinerary accordingly. You can also use apps like Google Flights or Hopper to track flight prices and get alerts for the best time to buy or change your tickets. If you have some wiggle room in your schedule, you may be able to take advantage of cheaper fares or less crowded flights.

• Stay healthy. Traveling can take a toll on your physical and mental health, so make sure you take care of yourself. Drink plenty of water, eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. You can also bring some snacks, vitamins, hand sanitizer, and masks to keep yourself energized and protected from germs. If you are traveling to a different time zone, try to adjust your sleep schedule before you leave and avoid caffeine and alcohol during your flight.

• Have fun. The most important thing is to enjoy your holiday trip and make the most of your time with your loved ones. Don’t let the stress of traveling ruin your mood or your memories. You can use apps like TripAdvisor or Yelp to find the best attractions, restaurants, and activities in your destination. You can also use ParqEx to share your parking spot with other travelers and make some new friends along the way.

Traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to be a headache if you follow these tips. With some planning, packing, flexibility, health, and fun, you can have a stress-free and memorable holiday trip.

The post Travel these Holidays Without the Headache appeared first on ParqEx.

Infographics

Follow this infographic from msn autos for practical information on what it means to be prepared for a cold Chicago winter. These tips are not only preparation for on the road but inside your vehicle as well this season. Be prepared and most of all be safe.

Parking technology has exploded and made one of the most difficult things (parking) a little less hassle-free. Private Parking Technology Platforms like ParqEx provide the opportunity to pre-book available parking prior to arrival. In addition, reserving your spot before you walk out the door. It reduces one avenue of parking woes when making the trek into the heart of winter to battle the beast of Chicago parking.

Finally, please read more for additional tips on driving and parking in Chicago during the winter, and for more information on how our ParqEx app can help you find winter parking in Chicago.

The post Winter Parking In Chicago and Safer Driving Habits appeared first on ParqEx.

Unfortunately, public transportation is not always exactly timely, making it necessary to leave home much earlier than would be required if personal transportation was available. This can be quite frustrating for those who are often pressed for time, and can even lead to problems at work if a person comes in late on a regular basis.

For this reason, many busy people—even those living in places with excellent public transportation systems—opt to own and drive their own vehicles rather than use the buses and trains available to them.

However, the sharing economy is making the lives of these busy people easier in a number of ways. From car sharing to ride sharing to the ability to rent affordable parking, peer-to-peer transportation options are popping up every day, and people are loving it.

Here are five nifty ways the sharing economy is helping people get around in the most affordable and efficient ways possible.

Ride Sharing

Of course, we all know about Uber and Lyft, the platforms that allow passengers to pay for someone to tote them around in much the same way a cab would. While these services are pretty cool, and are perfect for many occasions, there are also a great number of other ride-sharing programs available that many people aren’t even aware of.

Zimride, for instance, is a fabulous ride-sharing program that offers companies and universities the chance to set up carpooling opportunities for their employees and students. The system is simple to navigate and straightforward to use, and the prices make transportation affordable for everyone.

If your company is not a part of Zimride, but you would like to find a ride to work in the mornings, Commutewise is an excellent option. This site uses its very own social network to connect drivers with riders and make life easier for everyone involved.

Looking for a ride out of state? Openride is the site for you. This peer-to-peer ride-sharing website lets users request and offer long-distance rides in a friendly and safe community. This is the perfect way to make a bit of money during your next road trip, or to take that trip to see grandma for very little money.

Car Sharing

If you prefer to drive yourself from point A to point B, a car-sharing system may be more up your alley. There are a number of peer-to-peer car-sharing sites, and almost all of them are worth checking out.

Turo is one of the most popular car-sharing sites out there. This site has an enormous collection of vehicles listed for rent. These include cars, trucks, and even RVs, among other types of transportation. Vehicles are available in almost every city in the country, and some are even available for delivery.

Getaround, on the other hand, also has a huge number of cars to choose from, but they offer hourly rentals as well. This is perfect for anyone who needs a car for just a few hours while they run a specific errand, and has proven to be quite a popular option among customers.

Parking Sharing

Of course, if you do choose to rent a car and drive yourself around, convenient and affordable parking is going to be on your list of needs.

Luckily, the ParqEx parking-sharing platform is the perfect way to find parking spots in crowded places without breaking the bank. It’s easy to use and allows drivers like you to connect with those who have extra parking spots available, so you can find the best parking at the best prices in no time at all.

Interested in learning more about how the sharing economy can help you get around in your day-to-day life? The ParqEx team would love to hear from you.

The post Get Around with the Sharing Economy appeared first on ParqEx.

Zoolights

ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo is fun for the whole family, adults as well as children. It’s a spectacle for the eyes, and the hot cocoa is a delight to the tongue. In addition to the lighted displays, you’ll find ice skating, ice carving demonstrations, snacks, and hot drinks. Lincoln Park Zoo is always free, but nearby parking is not. Let ParqEx help you with the parking situation, and go enjoy ZooLights. It’s open from now until January 1, 2017.

Winter WonderFest

Winter WonderFest is the annual indoor winter carnival at Navy Pier. Enjoy carnival rides, a toboggan tunnel, ice skating (Go Blackhawks!), miniature golf, and an artificial snow tubing hill. It’s great for the whole family, although children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. It’s open from now until January 8, 2017.

The Goodman Theatre hopes you have a Dickens of a good Christmas, and has two plays to make sure you enjoy the holiday season. A Christmas Carol is playing in the Albert Theatre, the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his redemption as he rediscovers the meaning of Christmas. A Christmas Carol runs from November 19 to December 31. Twist Your Dickens at the Owen Theatre is a warped comedy reworking of Dickens’ beloved tale, best suitable for audiences age 16 and up due to mature language and content. “This twisted take on Charles Dickens’ classic skewers Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and pop culture’s most beloved holiday specials.” Twist Your Dickens runs from December 2 to December 30.

Christkindlmarket

A Christkindlmarket is a German tradition, featuring unique shopping opportunities, traditional German food, beer and Glühwein (hot spiced wine) for the adults, and hot apple cider and hot cocoa for the youngsters. Chicago’s Christkindlmarket is at Daley Plaza until Saturday, December 24. Strudel, cookies, candy, cheese, sausage — you’ll find plenty to tempt your appetite. Enjoy the live music and sing along with the carols. If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, you’ll find a wide variety of gifts to buy.

Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry is worth visiting any time of year, with such exhibits as the U-505 submarine, the Colleen Moore Fairy Castle, and the model trains, but right now is an especially good time to visit. The Christmas Around the World exhibit at the museum of Science and Industry celebrates many different Christmas traditions, with 50 trees and exhibits to show off holiday traditions from around the world.  Dancers and musicians will demonstrate customs and cultural activities from Ecuador, Norway, Ireland, Bulgaria, Mexico, Scotland, Austria, Lithuania, Greece, and other countries. The exhibit continues until January 2, 2017.

Chi-Town Rising

Chi-Town Rising, Chicago’s largest outdoor celebration, returns for its second year on Saturday, December 31, 2016. Greet the new year with fireworks at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on East Wacker Drive. The event is free, but please do register; tickets are required to gain access to the viewing areas. It’s an all-day event. At 9:00 that morning is the Chi-Town Rise and Shine 5K Race and Fun Run at Millennium Park. That afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00 is the Family Countdown Celebration at Wrigley Square in Millennium Park. The theme is Around the World for New Year’s Eve, making it both fun and educational, and admission is free. The star of the show, if you’ll forgive the pun, is the Chi-Town Rising New Year’s Eve Celebration, from 8:00 pm Saturday night to 12:30 am Sunday morning. Enjoy the fireworks, watch the star ascend the west tower of the hotel, and eat and drink with friends old and new.

“Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.” Chicago is a city that knows how to celebrate, and that’s especially true in the winter. For more information about where to go and what to do in Chicago, and where to park once you get there, contact us.

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The post Sharing Some of Chicago’s Best Winter Events appeared first on ParqEx.

However, with the recent advent of such peer-to-peer exchange companies as Airbnb, Turo, and of course, ParqEx, sharing and exchanging both services and products has been combined with the wonders of the internet and taken to a whole new level.

So how can you take advantage of the many new peer-to-peer rental companies out there? There are actually a number of ways these types of companies can help improve your day-to-day life. In this article we will review four ways you can use the sharing economy to make your life better.

#1: Make Money

Perhaps the most obvious way to take full advantage of the many new sharing-based businesses popping up is to rent out your things. From houses and cars to parking places and RVs, if you have something that others may only need to use once (or for a very short amount of time), you can rent it out.

This is a win-win situation, as it means you will have some extra money in your pocket while your customer will have the item they need for the amount of time they need it.

#2: Save Money

Perhaps your plumbing is giving you trouble and you need a heavy-duty tool to remove the clog, or maybe you are heading out of town and need a ride from the airport to your destination. These are just a couple of the many instances when peer-to-peer renting and services come in very handy.

For instance, by renting that plumbing tool from Fred who lives a couple miles away, you save yourself some cash by renting instead of buying that tool you will likely only use once, and renting it only for the amount of time you need it. Additionally, individual people who are lending out their personal items, or those offering simple services, are more likely to offer them for a lower price than a big corporation might—another factor that saves you some cash.

#3: Out with the Old…

When you need to get rid of something you no longer use, you might be tempted to simply toss it in the trash can. However, that’s not always the best option.

There are a number of peer-to-peer sales sites out there just waiting for you to list your old things, and many of them make it as simple as it could possibly be to get your items seen by eager buyers. Which means you can get rid of your items and make a bit of cash while you’re at it.

#4: …In with the New

Whether you need winter clothes for the toddler, a new lawn mower, or a pair of dance shoes to wear to your first ballet class, you can probably find it on a peer-to-peer sales website in excellent condition and for a fraction of the price you might have paid at the store. This is just one of the reasons it is always a good idea to shop for new items on used-item sales pages.

In addition to the money savings, used-item shopping helps out your fellow people, helps keep the world a greener place, and helps you find the thing you need quickly by allowing you to search the items of millions of people.

Interested in learning more about becoming a part of the sharing economy revolution? Please contact us today at ParqEx. We would be happy to chat with you!

The post 4 Ways the Sharing Economy Can Help You appeared first on ParqEx.

It’s not finding an apartment or buying a house or renting a motel room. For many people this is a daily struggle.

Finding a parking place.

Urban Parking is a Problem Begging for High Tech Disruption to Solve It

Chicago parking and parking in many other metropolitan neighborhoods is a constant battle. Every place is already taken by a car that will never leave. At least, you’re never there when the spot opens up. Instead, you drive around burning up gasoline and contributing to smog for no useful purpose. That’s especially true of West Loop parking and downtown parking.

However, cars do leave those parking spaces because the owners have to drive to work, to school, back home, to the mall or wherever.

Why shouldn’t someone else park in those spaces when the owner’s car is gone?

That’s where Chicago startup ParqEX comes in. They have a mobile app which allows parking space owners to rent their spaces out to parking space seekers. They can do so on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis.

The parking space owner makes extra money. The renter gets a convenient parking space with no hassle and at a low price. And the space renter is not driving around looking for an empty space, reducing the traffic snarl and air pollution. Because the owner and the renter use the space more efficiently, everybody wins.

ParqEX has both long term parking and on demand parking spots available.

ParqEX is One of Many Real Estate Tech Firms Transforming the Industry

According to Bob Gillespie, Executive Director of the Elmspring Accelerator, many real estate companies are now looking for innovation, and getting it.

FoggyTrail

Like ParqEX and Airbnb, FoggyTrail enables more efficient and organized use of real estate, but they concentrate on the great outdoors. Hunters, fishers and hikers find owners of land willing to give access for a fee that’s a lot smaller than what local guides charge.

HerbFront

For the last several years, states have been rolling back their laws against medical and recreational marijuana. This November, 9 states will vote on legalizing it. However, “legal” doesn’t mean lack of regulation. The states strictly scrutinize the cannabis industry, applying zoning and other laws. HerbFront uses data and mapping technologies to connect growers and retailers with cooperative landlords, ensuring 100% compliance with all regulations.

Enodo Score

Enodo Score is a startup collecting, organizing and analyzing data about rental unit characteristics to help landlords determine the true market value of their units. This will also help them determine how best to allocate their renovation budgets.

Property Carnivores

Another startup company from Elmspring Accelerator, Property Carnivores, streamlines online marketing for agents so they can spend more time engaging with clients. Home buyers and sellers both want contact with experts to help them go through the process. It’s emotional for both parties, so they need someone who will reassure them and, using their experience and a professional perspective, help them through it.

Using technology to handle the detailed, routine work while engaging with their customers and clients is probably the secret for everyone who wants to have a job in the next five years. As people spend more time online and in virtual reality, they will need the human touch all the more at certain critical points, such as selling or buying property.

Guaranteed Rate

This real estate high-tech company works for the home buyer, not the agent. It lets them eliminate paperwork and consolidate information by performing the necessary tasks on their site. That includes searching for and choosing which type of mortgage they want, ordering and reviewing credit reports from all three credit bureaus, getting approved by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, uploading and digitally signing their loan documents and order appraisals.

For more information on how this parking startup is part of the real estate tech boom, contact us.

The post Real Estate Tech is Booming appeared first on ParqEx.

Once you decide which of the events listed below you want to attend this weekend, download the ParqEx App on the App Store or Google Play for Android and simply plug in the address of or near the event you’ll be going to. From there, you’ll see all of our parking listings close to the event that you’ll be able to rent for the entire day. It’s easy, convenient, and affordable.

Now that you’re confident with your parking situation (“confident” and “parking” used to be an oxymoron, but not anymore) here’s a list of five events you should check out in Chicago this week:

1.) Rocktober Beer Fest 

Where? West Loop, Randolph and Ogden, 1101 W. Adams St.

When? October 7-9, Friday, 5-11 pm; Saturday, 12 Noon-11 pm; Sunday, 12 Noon-10 pm

I mean, the name alone should make you want to go. There will be beer. There will be rock. There will be brats. What else do you need to know? The Rocktober Beer Fest will play on the traditional theme of an authentic German Oktoberfest. Local bands will be heard, beers will be consumed, brats will be eaten, and I will most certainly be there.

West Loop parking used to be tough; not so much anymore. Reserve a parking spot for the Rocktober Beer Fest now using ParqEx. You shouldn’t spend your weekends worrying about parking, and you won’t anymore.

2.) Chicago Cubs Playoffs 

It’s that time of year again: playoff time. Watch your Chicago Cubs Friday and Saturday at historic Wrigley Field as they face off in games 1 and 2 of the NLDS against the winner of the Giants/Mets wild card game. Yes, ticket prices are steep, so if going to a game this weekend is not in your budget, head to Wrigleyville and experience the hype from the bars. The city is excited for good reason and being in Wrigleyville during Cubs playoff games is a blast. Make sure you wear your comfortable shoes; seating inside the bars will be almost certainly hard to come by!

As you probably already know, parking in Wrigleyville is difficult, but we’re here to make it easier for you. Our private parking platform gives you access to parking spots you never had access to before. Check out our parking inventory by searching “Wrigley Field” on the ParqEx platform and reserve your spot. Don’t let parking get in the way of your Cubs game day experience.

3.) Bank of America Chicago Marathon 

When? Sunday, Oct. 9, 8:00 am

Where? Grant Park

45,000 runners will take center stage this weekend at the annual Chicago Marathon. If you’re one of them, congrats and good luck! If you’re not running, you can still be a part of the fun (because running 26.2 miles is obviously fun…). Don’t hit the snooze button this Sunday morning; head to Grant Park early and watch some of the best runners in the world compete. Have a friend running? Grab a poster, some markers, and your best cheering voice and will them to the finish line.

 4.) Alessia Cara Concert 

When? Friday, October 7, 8:00 pm

Where? Chicago Theatre

There’s a new breed of pop star seizing hold of the world’s airwaves and online—more accurately, a conscious-pop star who’s set to subversively top charts and sway hearts and minds. This enigma embodied is 18-year-old  Alessia Cara, who’s riding the refrains of her ironic anthem, “Here.” Premiered by The Fader, “Here” garnered over 500,000 total streams in it’s first week, resounding praise for its freshness and insight. Check her out this Friday night at the Chicago Theatre. Information courtesy of alessiacara.com

Purchase your tickets by clicking here!

Find parking in advance by using the ParqEx App or by checking out the ParqEx website.

5.) Rosehill Cemetery Crypt 5K Run & Walk

Where? 5800 N. Ravenswood Ave.

When? Saturday, Oct. 8, 7:00 pm

Check out fall’s most ‘spirited’ event! It’s the 5th annual 5K on the grounds of the north side’s historic Rosehill Cemetery. Run or walk on the sprawling 350-acre Victorian-era cemetery that opened in 1864. It’s by far the largest cemetery in the City of Chicago (and second largest in Illinois).

Monuments! Mausoleums! Scenic paths! And then there’s the eternal spirits who reside in Rosehill. Among them: more than 10 Chicago mayors, Oscar Mayer, John G. Shedd, Cubs’ announcer Jack Brickhouse, legendary adman Leo Burnett, Sears founder Julius Rosenwald and scores of Civil War vets are just a few of the souls who call Rosehill home.

In addition, there will also be a post run/walk party. Information courtesy of Chicago Events.

About ParqEx:

ParqEx is a technology company that connects owners of private parking spots to people looking for parking. In urban areas where parking demand is high but available options are scarce or expensive, ParqEx makes additional supply available to the driving public by listing exclusive inventory owned by local residents and businesses.

Using ParqEx, parking owners are able to make some supplemental income from an underutilized asset while renters get access to exclusive inventory in more convenient and hard-to-park locations. The ParqEx support team ensures that the entire process of listing, reserving, parking, and paying is as smooth as possible for all involved.

ParqEx has also developed the revolutionary Access+ Technology. With Access+, residents and approved visitors can open the garage door from their smartphones. Property managers and condo boards can simplify management and improve control of the garage.

Don’t have our parking app yet? Get it now @ParqEx on the App Store and Google Play!

Watch our short video to see the beauty of the ParqEx app!

The post Top 5 Chicago Weekly Events: Week of Oct. 3 2016 appeared first on ParqEx.

Traffic congestion and parking availability are real problems for most large developed cities, yet bright tech companies are developing innovative services to integrate connected cars with the connected real estate – in an effort to: change the real estate tech landscape through the evolution of connected cars.

Evolving Connected Cars

What does this “connected” really mean? Basically, it means online connection and integration with the surrounding real estate tech: parking garages, driver-less cars, online cars, residential and commercial parking spaces, mass transit, delivery services, government oversight, etc.

According to Wikipedia:

“A connected car is a car that is equipped with Internet access, and usually also with a wireless local area network. This allows the car to share the internet access with other devices both inside as well as outside the vehicle.”

Along comes the rapidly advancing cloud and mobile computing technologies, transforming the connected car’s capabilities with mobile apps and remote access; the cloud and mobile devices are giving connected car owners enhanced: convenience, security, functionality, and comfort in their day-to-day use – not to mention the option to not even drive or own a car (driver-less cars).

For instance, here are some features of cloud based connected cars, explained by Wikipedia:

“Increasingly, Connected Cars (and especially electric cars) are taking advantage of the rise of smartphones, and apps are available to interact with the car from any distance. Users can unlock their cars, check the status of batteries on electric cars, find the location of the car, or remotely activate the climate control system.”

Also, mobile apps are being used by connected car real estate tech to:

– find parking spaces

– get rides

– rent private vehicles

– deliver commercial or residential packages

– integrate parking garages online

– integrate driverless cars online

– connect all other real estate tech services to the connected car’s functionality.

Connected cars are evolving in tandem with the real estate tech around them; for instance, diverless cars (the ultimate connected car) present tangible solutions, yet still won’t be adopted by the masses until a streamlined system is set-up to facilitate start to end transportation – including parking.

Parking and Connected Cars

Driverless cars are the future for connected cars, and the technological and physical infrastructure to facilitate its mass adoption are being developed now. This is the topic discussed in a recent article found in online publication ChicagoInno, called: “How Are Parking Startups Preparing for a World With Driverless Cars?”, written on June 8, 2016 by Jim Dallke.

Lauren Isaac, Manager of Sustainable Transportation, has some interesting driverless car predictions, as the article explains:

“Predictions vary on when driverless cars will become a reality. Isaac believes we’ll see autonomous vehicles publicly available around 2018-2020, and 30%- 40% adoption rate by 2030. And we may not see 100% adoption until 2080 or 2090, if we get there at all.”

These driverless cars still need various parking locations to facilitate quick service to an entire area. The ParqEx App, for instance, would provide a parking platform for owners of driverless cars to use for optimal logistics. Finding parking solutions with technologies, like ParqEx, and integrating parking facilities online with the surrounding real estate tech, are both vital components in the evolution of connected cars, especially driverless cars.

Summary

The sharing economy is being developed using: mobile app and cloud computing technologies. The availability of Internet access has dramatically increased since mobile and cloud computing technologies have become readily accessible for nearly everyone in America. This is changing the way businesses operate and society interacts.

The evolution of connected cars is integral to the sharing economy, including logistical solutions like: delivery, transportation, and parking – all involving connected cars. Driverless cars will be a viable option for the masses only when parking arrangements are facilitated with automated online solutions. Ultimately, the evolution of connected cars is: driverless cars integrated into the real estate tech surrounding their day-to-day functionality.

Please contact us to learn more about connected cars and our parking solutions for them.

The post How the Evolution of Connected Cars is Changing the Real Estate Tech Landscape appeared first on ParqEx.

Living in Chicago can be overwhelming. Actually, let’s rephrase that: living in Chicago IS overwhelming – a good kind of overwhelming. Why? Because there are so many things going on ALL THE TIME. This certainly isn’t a bad thing, but if you’re anything like me, your weekend is impacted by the phenomena known as FOMO (fear of missing out). If you’re new to the FOMO term, here’s a definition: a form of social anxiety – a compulsive concern that one might miss an opportunity or satisfying event, often aroused by posts seen on social media websites. You’ve probably felt this before, some more than others, but we can all agree that it’s a BAD feeling.

FOMO is never going to fully subside, but it can be treated and prevented. The folks here at ParqEx want to help you experience Chicago the way it should be experienced, without unnecessary amounts of FOMO. Plain and simple, we want to make your life better, easier, and more fun. That’s why we will be writing a post every week with fun things to do every weekend.

We’ll suggest events for you to attend and will make your life easier by helping you park nearby at affordable rates. Don’t miss another event just because you didn’t know it was happening.

Here are our suggestions for events you should seek out this weekend (9.9-9.11):

1.) Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group is pretty awesome. If you’ve never been, you must go. It combines technology, comedy, art, music, vaudeville and much more into one performance and it’s fun for the entire family.

Click here to see a little preview of the performance you’ll see, hear, feel, and if you’re close to the stage, possibly even touch!

Head to the Briar Street Theater this Friday, Saturday or Sunday to be a part of the action. For tickets, click here.

For parking, search “Briar Street Theater” on the ParqEx app or website!

2.) Amphibians at the Shedd Aquarium

Get the chance to see over 40 species of frogs, salamanders and caecilians at the Shedd Aquarium this weekend. Whether you’re trying to impress a date with your knowledge of the amphibious populations OR wanting to take the whole family to a fun exhibit, make sure you check out the giant 4 foot salamander; one of the largest in the world!

Find out more about the event and purchase tickets here!

And remember, you’re going to need to park. Find a spot on the ParqEx app or website!

3.) The Annoyance Theatre and Bar – Comedy Club

Share some laughs and drink some drinks (don’t share your drinks) this weekend at The Annoyance Theatre. For 25 years, this theatre has been producing some of Chicago’s best comedy shows. The Annoyance uses improvisation to create new and original plays, musicals, sketch-comedy and more in a vibrant, uncensored atmosphere.

Learn more about events at The Annoyance Theatre Here!

4.) Brick by Brick at the Museum of Science and Industry

This 7,000-square-foot exhibit, developed and created by MSI, will feature a spectacular collection of more than a dozen giant LEGO®-built structures of engineering marvels, including a 60-foot long Golden Gate Bridge, the International Space Station, St. Louis Gateway Arch, Hoover Dam, Roman Coliseum, and more, constructed by LEGO® Certified Professional and Chicago native, Adam Reed Tucker. These formations will be paired with hands-on building challenges that reinforce key principles of engineering, construction and architecture-and encourage creativity.

Throughout the exhibit, guests will learn how architects and engineers push the limits of design, materials and location to make the seemingly impossible, possible; witness how form follows function; learn how building beautifully uplifts us all; and explore Chicago’s impact as the birthplace of the skyscraper.

(Information courtesy of Choose Chicago)

Purchase your tickets for the exhibit here! 

5.) World Music Festival Chicago

Love music? Hear the tunes of artists from all over the world at the World Music Festival this weekend! Enjoy global grooves by award-winning artists from around the world at the free, city-wide, multi-venue World Music Festival Chicago. This year’s festival will feature over 60 artists from 25 countries at 20 venues over eleven days!  (Choose Chicago)

Learn more about the 18th Annual World Music Festival Chicago here! 

Thanks for reading! Your friends at ParqEx want you to have fun this weekend. Make sure you check out our available parking spots on the ParqEx App or on the website here. Rent a spot hourly, daily, weekly or monthly! AVOID FOMO.

The post Chicago Weekend Picks (Sept. 9-11 Edition) appeared first on ParqEx.

“With so many fantastic startups launching in our community, it was especially thrilling to announce ParqEx as Chicago’s Best Technology Startup,” said Tech in Motion organizer David Belsky, Regional Director of Jobspring Partners and Workbridge Associates Chicago. “The competition was intense, with more than 11,000 votes coming in. We plan to keep honoring top Chicago-area leaders like ParqEx as a part of our annual Timmy Awards.”

ParqEx is accessible via smartphone and the web and provides drivers with immediate access to an exclusive parking inventory. The ParqEx Access+ garage door opener services is the first of its kind and offers access to parking located behind doors and gates. With Access+, residents and approved visitors can open garage doors and gates from their smart phones, making more parking available to the community. ParqEx continues to grow

“The ParqEx team is honored to receive this award and is looking forward to helping more and more people not only find affordable parking, but help parking spot owners make some extra money,” ParqEx CEO, Vivek Mehra said, “Our company will solve the parking crisis that impacts many communities by making parking easier, affordable and more readily available.”

The Timmy Awards are presented throughout the year in cities across North America, including Boston, San Francisco and Toronto. Previous winners have included innovators such as Jet.com, LearnVest, Venmo, Trip Advisor, Gilt, Constant Contact, Casper and Instacart. The next Timmy Awards ceremonies are the Silicon Valley’s Inaugural Timmy Awards in September and Orange County & San Diego’s 2nd Annual Timmy Awards in October. Please visit techinmotionevents.com/awards for more information.

About ParqEx

Founded in 2014 by Vivek Mehra, ParqEx is a community-based platform that allows parking spot owners to rent their parking spots on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Download the app on the App Store or Google Play, or call (855) PARQEX-1 for more information.

About Tech in Motion Events

Tech in Motion is an international events series that brings local tech community professionals together to connect, learn, and innovate. What started as a collaborative project between IT recruiting firms Jobspring Partners and Workbridge Associates in 2011, grew into an organization of over 65,000 members across 11 chapters in North America including Boston, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, LA, Orange County and Toronto. Please visit www.techinmotionevents.com for more information about our notable speakers, sponsors and events.

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