Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide - 2025

From working collectively to solve a make-believe crime to health-focused outdoor group activities, Chicago offers unique team building and bonding ideas. 

WELLNESS

Working with some of Chicago’s top professional fitness trainers at the finest studios in the city, CHI-SOCIETY makes it easy for planners to encourage movement and healthy habits among their attendees, whether you’d like to host a wellness week or a day of fitness fun.

Experts at crafting full-service programming for conferences, trade shows, and corporate events, PTN Wellness activities run the gamut from low key (yoga, meditation, guided walks) to high energy (5K runs, bootcamp classes). Relaxing chair massages help ease sore muscles.

Fit Tours Chicago makes keeping motivated easy by combining exercise with sightseeing. Experience a 5K run while learning about Chicago’s iconic sights like Buckingham Fountain or The Bean. Or take an energizing group walk along the Chicago Riverwalk, with stops for yoga flows and meditation.

Created by a Chicago-born husband-and-wife team, T&C Fitness Club is about strengthening the Austin community it calls home via physical fitness. That empowering message also applies to private events that include access to a full basketball court, community room, turf rental, and weight room. Bring wellness and pampering experiences to your Chicago meeting or event with Spa In Your Space. Hand and foot massages paired with paraffin treatments are popular. Other fun choices include a nail art bar or a fragrance bar where attendees can create their own signature scents. Or opt for The Wellness Lounge, with a staff offering a full suite of services.

SPORTS

Inside a 30,000-square-foot former meatpacking factory, Punch Bowl Social Chicago is an interactive playground for grown-ups with bowling, bocce ball, shuffleboard, billiards, karaoke, ping-pong, and vintage arcade games. Reward your team’s hard work with craft cocktails and made-from-scratch comfort food.

From late October until the end of April, Corporate Curling shares its passion for this unique sport in which teams take turns sliding granite stones toward a target. Led by certified curling instructors, the team building classes include off- and on-ice instruction, followed by “broomstacking” — the tradition of sharing refreshments with your opponents.

A fusion of lacrosse, hockey, and basketball in which players ride in souped-up bumper cars, WhirlyBall is a competitive sport like no other. At WhirlyBall Chicago, participants get the chance to experience this fast-paced sport, as well as bowling, laser tag, ping-pong, corn hole, and more. There’s also craft beer and wine, plus tasty food options.

The original ping-pong social club, SPiN Chicago offers a chic setting in which to enjoy a game that offers one of the most unassuming ice breakers, with the option to bring in DJs, ping-pong pros, photo booths, and more. Chef-driven food and creative cocktails add to the fun bonding experience.

Putting a modern spin on an old classic, Five Iron Golf brings the outdoor sport inside, with plenty of space to play, practice, and party. High-tech simulators, table games, free club rentals, and customizable menus (think flatbread pizza, wings, and draft beer) ensure a crowd-pleasing event.

Toss & Spin will bring complete pickleball and tennis game setups to your indoor or outdoor event. Its one-of-a-kind, flexible footprint allows Toss & Spin to add courts to convention centers, parks, and even rooftops. Experienced coaches (and professional equipment) ensure that attendees of any skill level will enjoy the friendly competition.

CREATIVE COLLABS

The power of music is alive and well at Kidbilly Music, which uses the creative energy of music to bring people together. Grammy Award-winning songwriters lead thoughtfully curated programs in which groups create, record, and perform songs celebrating their organization’s unique culture.

Created by a professional speaker and comedian, Knuckleball Comedy harnesses the positive power of laughter to develop camaraderie and build teams that communicate more effectively and become better problem solvers. Since 2016, Knuckleball Comedy has worked with more than 37,000 people, including several Fortune 500 companies.

Whether it’s via a daring prison break, a mission to Mars to save the world, or recovering a priceless painting, The Escape Game Chicago provides participants the opportunity to work together, all while developing creative problem-solving skills with their colleagues.

Attendees can showcase their creative culinary skills during a mochi donut decorating experience at the quirky, Instagrammable 2d Restaurant in Lakeview. Choose from the classic mochi donut or adult boozy chocolate version. Then, get ready to decorate with house-made chocolate, strawberry icing, and a variety of colorful toppings. Your guests can show off and share their delicious works of art.

Helping Hands
Give back as a team.

DIGS WITH DIGNITY

Help organize furniture and accessories for a deserving family’s new home.

GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY

Sort and pack food donations at Chicago’s primary food bank.

100 CLUB OF CHICAGO

Assist in local events that raise funds for the families of fallen first responders.

FRIENDS OF THE CHICAGO RIVER

Join a Chicago River cleanup or habitat restoration program.

MY BLOCK, MY HOOD, MY CITY

Help with neighborhood beautification projects in local communities.

CHICAGO CARES

Provide mentorship, training, or neighborhood cleanups on the south and west sides.

GROWING HOME

Plant, weed, or harvest at this Englewood urban farm that supports healthy communities.

CASA CENTRAL

Provide tutoring or job readiness workshops for the Hispanic community.

FOOD HE.RO

Partner with this Latino-led culinary school and bilingual food incubator.