I love going to Chicago in the summer-time, the temperatures are mild and the flowers are in full bloom.  I was in Chicago for the Leadership Summit debrief.  Staying at the Hyatt-Regency in Rosemont was an extra bonus (the picture on this blog post is the atrium of the hotel).

It’s a great time to interact with and reconnect with Senior Pastors who have hosted the Leadership Summit.  We looked at this past year’s Summit:  what worked well and what do we need to change? We took a look at next year’s Summit:  how can we make it even better?  We also had a presentation by Compassion International featuring their Compassion Experience traveling exhibit. 

I especially enjoyed a presentation by the director of H.R. for Willow Creek as we had an excellent discussion on people development.  They shared some of their specific strategies for developing their people and how to foster trust and communication in an organization.  Willow Creek was named as one of the top churches by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute.  They presented practical steps “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).  My trip was both professionally stimulating and personally relaxing as I was able to take an early morning run along the Des Plaines River in refreshing 58 degree weather. 

What are some of your favorite places to visit for professional and personal refreshment?