Dizzy heights: why Chicago means business on a grand scale

A blend of big city culture, Midwestern hospitality and urban adventure, makes everything easier in Chicago, according to Choose Chicago's senior VP of sales & services, Dustin Arnheim​​​​.

"When it comes to hosting your international conference or event, there is no better city than Chicago. It starts with our airports – at Midway and O’Hare, the most connected airport in the world, travellers from all over the globe can reach Chicago easily," he says.

"We boast the largest and most flexible convention centre in North America - McCormick Place - as well as authentic and unique meeting spaces and venues throughout the city that can meet any need. We have spectacular accommodations, a world-renowned dining and nightlife scene, and attractions and amenities to satisfy all types of travellers."

Chicago is home to more than 60 museums, showcasing world-class art, culture, history, and more, along with a surprising amount of green space and a beautiful waterfront on the shores of Lake Michigan.

But don’t be fooled by the fun façade: this is a city that means business. Chicago’s key strengths lie in engineering, business and tech (it's home to the HQs of 36 Fortune 500 companies, and particularly excels in fintech) and this ability to tap into intellectual capital is a major selling point for the city’s convention bureau, plus its location at the heart of American makes it a strategic hub of transportation and logistics.

Where to meet

Organisers are in safe hands for large-scale congresses: Chicago is home to McCormick Place, a behemoth of a convention centre which welcomes some three million delegates a year. It offers more than 2.6msqft of exhibition space, as well as an arena that seats 10,000 people and the Arie Crown Theater, which seats 4,000. You can enjoy the rooftop garden when the weather is fine.

In April, it hosted more than 35,000 healthcare professionals from 90 countries for the 2023 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Global Health Conference & Exhibition, with 1,200 exhibitors and more than 200 general education sessions. Next August it will welcome the Democratic National Convention, while last month [November] the 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of Radiological Society of North America, attracted some 25,000 delegates.

If you're looking for something a little different, the historic lobby at The Old Post Office has undergone an $800m facelift and can accommodate 1,400 people for a reception; it also features Chicago’s largest urban rooftop. Or check out the waterfront Navy Pier’s Festival Hall with its two exhibit halls, plus 36 meeting rooms. The Aon Grand Ballroom has soaring domed ceilings and an impressive terrace.

Where to stay

McCormick Place is home to almost 3,000 attached hotel rooms – though with more than 119,000 hotel rooms in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, there are a wealth of options wherever you go. Chicago itself boasts 18 three-star properties plus 38 four-star hotels and 90 five-star options: those alone offer more than 32,600 rooms.

The 192-room St. Regis Chicago, now the third tallest building in Chicago, opened in May: the hotel takes up the first 11 floors of the skyscraper, with 192 luxurious guest rooms, an epic spa, indoor pool and outdoor sunken terrace with scenic views. Its Astor Ballroom can host receptions for up to 500 guests and the third floor houses four executive meeting rooms plus pre-function space measuring more than 3,000sqft.

The newly opened Neighborhood Hotel is a chic addition to Little Italy with 35 suites ranging from studios to two bedrooms set up to work for business and leisure; another outpost will open in Fulton Market in 2025.

The InterContinental Chicago is embarking on a major refurb, including its Grand Tower guest rooms, while the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place - the only hotel directly connected to the McCormick Place show floor - is just kicking off a renovation of its ballrooms, meeting rooms, conference and pre-function space which will be completed in Spring 2024.

Case study: ASCO event welcomes almost 40,000 attendees

June saw 38,000 oncology professionals from around the world convene at McCormick Place for the annual meeting for the American Society of Clinical Oncology; they were joined online by a further 6,400 delegates for the congress themed around ‘Partnering with Patients: The Cornerstone of Cancer Care and Research’.

"Chicago is a great city with lots of things to do and restaurants for attendees to visit. It’s easy to access via direct flights both domestically and internationally and has a variety of hotel options," said a spokesperson.

A timing clash with a Taylor Swift concert meant organisers had to think creatively about how to get around the city, but the CVB and convention centre helped them come up with solutions. "The McCormick Place team are great partners, and it is an ideal destination for a meeting of ASCO’s size," she added.

Contact

Dustin Arnheim
Senior Vice President, Sales & Services
Choose Chicago
E: [email protected]
www.choosechicago.com