Today we’d like to introduce you to Randy Stancik.
Randy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in the Chicago area, in a blue collar suburb and I remember when Willis Tower – or as it was known then, Sears Tower – was built. We could all see it making its way into the skyline – even from 30 miles away – and it was a really big deal. People talked about it at school and around my neighborhood. There was a great deal of excitement about being home to the biggest tower in the world. For the city of Chicago, it was OUR tower.
Growing up there were five construction workers on my block. There was something very special and very cool about the one who was working on Sears Tower, however. He made a really big impression in our neighborhood! Once it was complete, those who didn’t work there could still experience Willis Tower by visiting Skydeck Chicago. I went as a child on school field trips, took dates there and brought new friends from school when I went to college downtown.
I also spent some time working at Hancock Tower. While I fell in love with Hancock and had a great professional experience there, it just did not have quite the same impact for me personally. At Willis Tower, there’s a passion every day that I see from those who work there. They strive to bring the iconic nature of the building to life and I think this enhances the experience of Chicago as a whole. There’s no bigger place in the city to work, but the world becomes a smaller place when you visit, because of the passion our team brings with them to work each day.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There are always challenges. For a small handful of people, Willis Tower is a real estate investment. As new people become a part of Willis Tower, we want to make sure that everyone is on board with the passion we have here. Especially for those who are not from Chicago. For these people, we share with them our sense of pride and sentiment about the iconic nature of Willis Tower and Skydeck Chicago and what they mean for the city. Not everyone has viewed it this way, but that just gives us a teaching opportunity and a chance to turn the negative into a positive.
There are currently so many exciting plans coming up for Willis Tower. We are in the process of transitioning to some really modern amenities. There will be some operating challenges certainly, but we are approaching this as a way to take a couple of steps back for a bit, to move ahead about twenty steps in the long term. All of this is driven by continuing to make Willis Tower a great place for people to work and visit.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Willis Tower is a true Chicago icon. Last year we hosted visitors from 180 countries, every state in the U.S. and every zip code in the Chicago area. All of that said, being one of Chicago’s most sought-after experiences is something we never take for granted. We work hard each and every day to give our guests a memorable experience that they will hold with them for the rest of their lives. Personally, this is a very special attribute for me. There aren’t many places you can work where you know you’re giving someone something they will never forget.
We love Chicago and truly believe that a visit to Willis Tower is a great way to showcase our city. It’s an opportunity for an introduction for visitors, and a source of pride for the locals who love to visit. Our goals are for the long-term as well. We strive each day to create an experience that will bring a smile to people’s faces every time they think of visiting Willis Tower and Skydeck Chicago, see the building on TV, or reminisce about Chicago. For the 1.7 million people who visit us, we’re offering a true Chicago experience, and not simply a check on the tourist list of activities.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in the Chicago area, in a blue collar suburb and I remember when Willis Tower – or as it was known then, Sears Tower – was built. We could all see it making its way into the skyline – even from 30 miles away – and it was a really big deal. People talked about it at school and around my neighborhood. There was a great deal of excitement about being home to the biggest tower in the world. For the city of Chicago, it was OUR tower.
Growing up there were five construction workers on my block. There was something very special and very cool about the one who was working on Sears Tower, however. He made a really big impression in our neighborhood! Once it was complete, those who didn’t work there could still experience Willis Tower by visiting Skydeck Chicago. I went as a child on school field trips, took dates there and brought new friends from school when I went to college downtown.
Pricing:
- Skydeck Chicago tickets from $15 for youth (ages 3-11); $23 for adults (12+); Fast Pass express tickets $49. Children under 3 are free.
- Dining in the Sky: Breakfast in the Sky – $125 per person; Lunch in the Sky – $80 per person; Pie in the Sky Dinners – $100 per person
Contact Info:
- Address: 233 S. Wacker Dr.
Enter Skydeck on Jackson Blvd. (south side of building)
Chicago, IL 60606 - Website: http://theskydeck.com/
- Email: http://theskydeck.com/contact/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skydeckchicago
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Skydeckchicago/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willis-Tower/104104159627544
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/skydeckchicago?lang=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/skydeck-chicago-chicago
Image Credit:
Skydeck Chicago/Willis Tower
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
