December 15, 2025 · Theresa
Fun Evening at the Marcus Holiday Party 2025
Written by Lois Bray, Reservation Specialist, Team Member, Great Lakes Shore Excursions
What an unexpectedly fun evening to be had at the Marcus Holiday Party, with a fundraiser to support COA Youth & Family Centers.
So much fun . . .
. . . there were over 10,000 cookies prepared by the pastry chefs at The Pfister that we could fill our boxes with and take home (as well as eat as many as possible while we were there). I felt as though the spirit of hospitality was alive and well among the Marcus Hotel staff, who gave us all top-notch service and made everyone feel special, welcome, and cared for. There was an open bar including two featured holiday cocktails and one featured holiday mocktail, a mixology station in which we were able to get a lesson in mixing our own espresso martinis, and four different serving stations for non-cookie food: a cheese station with a tower of four different cheeses and accompanying charcuterie pairings, a Hilton Hotel lamb chop station with and orzo side and lobster salad, a Saint Kate sushi station, a Pfister prime rib and arancini station, so all of the restaurant chefs were there, representing each hotel.
There was also a wonderful “giving back” part to the evening in which we could pay $10 per spin on a prize wheel, and all proceeds went to COA Youth and Family Centers. Each spin was a guaranteed prize, from bottles of wine or spirits, tea for two at the Pfister, gift certificates to any Marcus restaurant, or an overnight stay at any Marcus hotel.
There was also an announcement about the new Marc hotel, which will open in January of 2026 and will primarily be used for conventions at the attached Baird Convention Center. The Hilton and Marc will be two separate but adjoined hotels still functioning as one property in the Marcus portfolio.
And… It was held at the Hilton Milwaukee this year to showcase the just-finished renovations. This was their most extensive renovation to date across their properties, and it cost more than $40 million to update guest rooms, event spaces, and the lobby. The same event was held last year at The Pfister Hotel to showcase the renovations.
We all were able to network a bit with people we recognized from our previous and current jobs, but it was mainly an evening for Marcus to shower us with gifts and appreciation for our partnerships.
It really was a top-notch event- I had no idea what I was in for, but if I’m invited again, I’ll definitely be there!!!
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