By Janelle Benuska
On September 8-9, 2018, a mighty team of Event 360 staff members came together to support the 15th Annual Ride for AIDS Chicago for our client, Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN). The back-to-back century cycling event took riders 200 miles on a brand-new route from Evanston, IL to Sawyer, MI and back again. Some riders also completed an additional 15 miles each day to celebrate the milestone anniversary! Our event staff worked hard and had fun marking the miles, setting up sites for the opening and closing ceremonies, pitching in at camp, and executing the pit stops and water stops. It was a fantastic weekend and a great success for TPAN!
This year’s Ride for AIDS Chicago had more than 200 riders and crew members and has raised over $400,000 so far to support TPAN’s mission: Saving lives and empowering those affected by HIV/AIDS and related illnesses. Many of the participants have returned year after year to support this important event, and we were pleased to hear their positive feedback throughout the weekend on the new route, new camp, and support they received from the Event 360 team.
As with any event, weather can always be a critical factor. The forecast called for rain and intense winds, so a re-route away from Lake Michigan was wisely declared early Saturday morning. However, the rain was less significant than anticipated and the riders enjoyed a safe and (mainly) dry event. The clouds broke up on Sunday in time for a gorgeous closing ceremony in Leahy Park.
We are honored to work alongside TPAN on this incredible event and are already looking forward to the 16th Ride in 2019!
Janelle brings passion for client satisfaction to the Account Management team with a keen attention to project timelines and dedication to ensuring successful events. She currently works on the Florida AIDS Walk & Music Festival for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Ride for AIDS Chicago for TPAN, as well as the Disabled American Veteran’s 5K Race series.
