CONTENTS 10 REASONS TO MEET EXPLORE CHOOSE CHICAGO IS HERE TO HELP WHAT’S NEW CONVENTION FACILITIES FESTIVALS & EVENTS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS FEATURED PARTNERS ACCESSIBLE CHICAGO RESOURCES EXPLORE CHICAGO’S DIVERSE BUSINESSES TEAM BUILDING IDEAS DINING IN CHICAGO’S NEIGHBORHOODS ICONIC CHICAGO EVENT VENUES MEET SUSTAINABLY CHICAGO O’HARE AND MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS Conveniently situated in the center of the country, Chicago boasts two first-class airports that allow visitors to travel from almost anywhere. In 2022, Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports together handled more than 88 million passengers, and those numbers continue to grow as travel rebounds. # 1 REASON TO MEET IN CHICAGO? CONNECTIVITY In 2023, O’Hare took the titles of “#1 U.S. Domestic Megahub and #10 International Megahub,” as ranked by the Official Aviation Guide (OAG) Index. Chicago’s airports are hubs to three of the four largest carriers in the United States — American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Four airlines offer dual services out of both O’Hare and Midway: Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Volaris. More than 45 passenger airlines provide nonstop service from Chicago to over 250 destinations worldwide, offering attendees their choice of carrier. Delta Sky Club in Terminal 5 ambitious plan to modernize the airfield was completed in 2021 and O’Hare now has eight total runways — the most of any commercial airport in the United States. This historic project has improved the airport’s capacity, efficiency, and reliability in all weather conditions. O’Hare 21: A Vision Takes Flight Following the tremendous investments on the airfield, O’Hare 21 is the airport’s extensive capital investment in its terminals that will transform the hub into a 21st century global gateway. This long-term development plan is well underway, and a series of major capital projects are all aimed at one thing — elevating the customer experience while improving operational efficiencies. From the passenger terminal areas to the supporting infrastructure, this multi-billion dollar investment is setting a foundation for growth and international connectivity. 10 New Gates at Terminal 5 At approximately 350,000 square feet, the Terminal 5 expansion at O’Hare has added more lounge space, seating, restaurants, shops, and amenities. New Concourse M gates opened in 2022, increasing the number of gates from 21 to 31. Large bright windows offer stunning views, while open seating areas and plentiful NEW & COMING SOON AT O’HARE O’Hare International Airport (ORD) lies just 17 miles from downtown Chicago and is one of the most connected airport hubs in the country. An LEFT TO RIGHT: COURTESY OF DELTA AIR LINES; PATRICK PYSZKA/CITY OF CHICAGO
Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide 2024: Page 26
