Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide

Welcome

Kristen Reynolds — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 05:43:38 +0000

DEAR VALUED EVENT PROFESSIONAL,

Welcome to Chicago — the city that is Never Done and Never Outdone.

As you begin planning your next meeting or convention, we’re excited to introduce you to a destination where big ideas thrive, and no detail is overlooked.

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10 reasons Chicago is never outdone for meetings

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:02:56 +0000

Plan to hold your next meeting or event in Chicago and discover the unique experiences and amenities your attendees won’t find anywhere else.

1 CONNECTIVITY

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Choose Chicago is here to help

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:04:36 +0000

Choose Chicago’s experienced and award-winning Sales and Client Services teams are available to assist planners with meetings, events, conventions, and conferences of any size. We look forward to having you meet in Chicago!

SALES

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What’s new

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:06:02 +0000

Chicago is never done — these hot hotels, lauded restaurants, and creative event venues are bringing fresh energy to the city’s meetings and events scene.

HOTELS

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Festivals & events

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:21:14 +0000

Explore our up-to-date events calendar for even more throughout the year.

Events subject to change.

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INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:22:03 +0000

A GUIDE TO CHICAGO O’HARE AND MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

Conveniently situated in the center of the country, it’s easy to meet at Chicago’s two first-class airports, whether arriving from the east, west, north, or south. Chicago likes things in twos: two Major League Baseball teams, two major daily newspapers, and two international airports! There is nowhere else on earth like Chicago. From the moment you arrive at Chicago O’Hare or Midway International Airports, you will be connected to the Second City, which is second to none.

# 1 REASON TO MEET IN CHICAGO? CONNECTIVITY

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Accessible Chicago

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:44:11 +0000

Learn about the many accessible ways for attendees to get around the city.

Chicago is on a mission to become one of the most accessible big cities in the country. The city offers a variety of resources to increase accessibility for travelers within airports, public transportation, and beyond. Check out the many accessible ways for attendees to navigate Chicago.

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Tap into Chicago’s diverse businesses

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:17:28 +0000

One-of-a-kind venues, globally inspired caterers, event planning partners, and gifts your attendees will love — work with some of the city’s best-in-class LGBTQ+, minority-, women-, veteran-, and disability-owned vendors.

VENUES

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Active team building ideas

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:23:25 +0000

Build a stronger team — literally. Chicago’s group fitness and relaxation experiences help colleagues connect and reenergize.

Let fitness club High Society treat your team to a wellness week, complete with stress management coaching and curated high-energy workout classes. Or organize a single sweat session for your group with local barre and HIIT studios, with post-class refreshments.

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Unmatched private dining in Chicago

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:24:48 +0000

From Michelin-star restaurants to neighborhood favorites, you’ll find an amazing private dining experience for any size group in Chicago.

BIG GROUPS

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Iconic Chicago event venues

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:36:41 +0000

Notable architecture, stunning skyline and water views, and beautiful outdoor spaces are just some of the reasons Chicago events are never outdone.

OUTDOOR VENUES

Discover scenic event venues like outdoor restaurants and bars along the downtown Chicago Riverwalk, a lively 1.25-mile riverfront promenade.

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Guide to the McCormick Place area

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:38:24 +0000

There’s plenty to do around McCormick Place after the workday is done — explore world-renowned attractions, dine at dynamic restaurants, and discover lively nightspots — all close by.

ATTRACTIONS

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Meet sustainably

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:38:49 +0000

Make a big impact on your attendees — and a small impact on the environment. These Chicago venues, hotels, and transit providers will help put some green in your gathering.

VENUES/PLANNING

Loft on Lake’s peachy brick walls and oak bow trusses set the stage for a more intimate affair. Overhead, a 65-foot arched skylight reduces daytime electricity needs, while a robust recycling program and eco-friendly cleaning products minimize environmental impact.

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Chicago hotel collections

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:17:20 +0000

The city offers four distinctive hotel collections for planners to choose from, each with properties clustered close to restaurants, attractions, and other meeting and special event venues.

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See Chicago in 24 hours

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:34:56 +0000

Experience what a city that’s never outdone feels, tastes, sounds, and looks like — check out our exciting one-day itinerary for a whirlwind tour of Chicago’s must-see attractions.

MORNING

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McCormick Place

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:39:33 +0000

As the premier convention center in North America, McCormick Place features over 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, more than 170 flexible breakout spaces, six exhibit halls, and ballrooms ranging from 9,000 to 103,000 square feet. The building offsets 100% of its electricity usage with clean, affordable wind energy. The entire campus is connected by dramatic pedestrian promenades and sky bridges, and offers visitor amenities that include dining and shopping.

With top-of-class Wi-Fi technology designed for expansive deployment that can deliver up to 31 Gbps to 64,000 concurrent users, McCormick Place is one of the mostconnected buildings in the world. From casual email checking with our complimentary 768 Kbps Wi-Fi in meeting rooms and public spaces, to premium Wi-Fi and LAN-delivered connections, stay in constant communication with the office and home during your visit.

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Wintrust Arena

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:40:48 +0000

DISCOVER CHICAGO’S MOST VERSATILE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE, LOCATED AT McCORMICK PLACE.

Wintrust Arena is an exciting 10,000-seat sports and entertainment venue located at McCormick Square on Chicago’s convention center campus. Designed by renowned architects Pelli Clark Pelli and Moody Nolan, the awardwinning arena features a striking contemporary design and is directly connected via sky bridges to the Marriott Marquis Chicago — named one of Cvent’s Top Meeting Hotels — and the AAA Four Diamond Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. The arena’s transparent facade gives the passerby a peek at the building’s energy, with the main entrance located at the corner of Cermak Road and Indiana Avenue.

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Navy Pier

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:36:33 +0000

CHICAGO’S LAKEFRONT TREASURE

Navy Pier continues its legacy as the People’s Pier, welcoming guests from near and far year-round. With breathtaking views of the city skyline and magnificent Lake Michigan, Navy Pier offers a unique meeting location with amenities and entertainment galore. Getting to Navy Pier is easy. The Pier is accessible by public transportation and ridesharing vehicles. An on-site garage offers convenient parking.

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Getting around Chicago

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:40:17 +0000

All fares are subject to change.

BY CAR

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