Hi, Marilynyo -- I've participated in both of the previous Chicago competitions, and IMO they did a good job at providing social events to augment the competitive proceedings. I agree with MarkC that it is most important to provide a well organized welcoming reception, preferably the evening before the Prelims begin, so that everybody has a chance to meet new entrants and re-establish bonds if they are "veterans" of the Amateur Competitions. An event for pianists who don't make the SemiFinal and Final rounds has also been very popular, and IMO it is vital to make this a significant event in itself. In that regard, Colorado Springs has done the best job at this, by providing an entire day at the Penford Library there -- not only for the competitors, but also for people from the community at large to perform. Like MarkC, I too like a closing event -- just in the interests of closure -- but, frankly, the dinners have been pricey, and I almost would prefer a simple buffet and bar setting rather than a sit-down dinner.
As far as additional "unique" events are concerned, I really don't recall any in previous competitions. Many of the competitors like to use the free time to see things in the surrounding area, and personally I think it would be sufficient to provide a specific guide for other major events happening concurrently in the Chicago area. As it is, I'm pretty sure the Chicago Competition provided a special tour of the Art Museum for interested competitors -- just as an example. A built-in uniqueness of the Chicago Competition is the presence of a Concerto as well as a Solo Competition, and so perhaps there are opportunities to build an event in conjunction with the orchestra members who are commissioned for the Concerto proceedings.
Well, those are my contributions -- Hopefully, you get a few other responses!
