About Chicago

Voted the Best Big City in the U.S. for the sixth year in a row by Conde Nast Traveler readers, Chicago is ready to welcome you!

We have one-of-a-kind hotels, venues, and services that can adapt perfectly to today’s needs. The city boasts one of the best food scenes in the world with a multitude of Michelin-rated and James Beard Award-winning restaurants, unbeatable arts and attractions, exciting nightlife, and miles of public green spaces as well as a sparkling lakefront and lively Riverwalk for your attendees to enjoy.

Chicago was also named “Top Metro for Corporate Investment” for the 9th year in a row by Site Selection Magazine. According to the magazine, the Chicago metro area saw an all-time record number of new and expanding corporate locations, more than any other region in the country. These surging capital investments continue to make Chicago the perfect place to plan your meeting.

Whether you’re planning a large or small meeting, Chicago has the space, culture, and people to make it eventful.

Taxes

  • How much is the total cumulative hotel tax? 17.4%
  • How much is the F&B tax? 11.75%
  • How much is the average F&B gratuity? 25% 

Airport

  • How many miles from the airport to downtown? 17 miles from O’Hare (ORD) and 10 miles from Midway (MDW)
  • Is there public transportation, such as a bus or subway available? Yes, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) “L” train and bus
  • How much does the public transportation cost? O’Hare: $5.00 “L” train/$2.50 bus; Midway: $2.50 “L” train/$2.25 bus
  • What is the taxi fare from airport to downtown? $35-$50 ORD, $25-$40 MDW
  • How many daily flights into the airport? O’Hare has approximately 802 daily direct flights to 150 U.S. cities and approximately 93 daily direct flights to 57 international destinations, as of February 2023. Midway has approximately 224 daily direct flights to 72 U.S. cities and approximately 11 daily direct flights to 12 international destinations, as of February 2023.
  • How many daily flights out of airport? O’Hare has approximately 802 daily direct flights to 150 U.S. cities and approximately 93 daily direct flights to 57 international destinations, as of February 2023. Midway has approximately 224 daily direct flights to 72 U.S. cities and approximately 11 daily direct flights to 12 international destinations, as of February 2023.
  • Is the airport a hub for any carrier? ORD: United Airlines and American Airlines; MDW: Southwest Airlines
  • What are the major carriers serving airport? ORD: CLICK HERE, MDW: CLICK HERE

Hotels

  • How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak night? 30,000
  • How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak within walking distance to convention center? 2,400
  • How many headquarter hotel properties? Two (2)
  • How many rooms available on peak night at the largest headquarter property? 1,000-1,100
  • Can you list hotels by rating? 5 star, 4 star, 3 star?
  • Marriott Marquis: 4 Star; Hyatt Regency McCormick Place: 4 Star; Hiltons of McCormick Place (Tri-branded hotel complex: Home2Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn): 3 Star

Convention Center

  • How many total gross square feet of exhibit space at Convention Center? 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space at McCormick Place Chicago: CLICK HERE
  • How much of this exhibit space is contiguous? 1.2 million square feet
  • How many total gross square feet of meeting space is available at the Convention center? 600K gross square feet of meeting space
  • How many meeting rooms does the convention center have? 173
  • How big is the largest meeting room? 14,550 sq. ft.
  • How many ballrooms does the convention center haveSeven (7) ballrooms ranging from 9,378 sq. ft. to 103,760 sq. ft.
  • How big is the largest ballroom? Skyline Ballroom at 103,760 sq. ft.
  • When was the last renovation or expansion? Addition of West Building in 2007
  • When is a future renovation/expansion scheduled? N/A
  • Is there free Wi-Fi at the convention center? No
  • Is there an exclusive in-house Electrical provider? No
  • Is there an exclusive in-house AV provider? No
  • Is there an exclusive in-house decorator? No
  • Is there an exclusive in house caterer? Yes, SAVOR…Chicago: CLICK HERE
  • Is the convention center a union property? Yes, McCormick Place is a proud union facility. Our union tradesmen have the skills, experience, and commitment to ensure your event is produced to the highest of standards.
  • If union property, can you provide estimated pricing list? Yes, CLICK HERE
  • Here are a list of labor unions with whom planners will be required to work at the convention center: CLICK HERE, and review the section entitled “Exhibiting at McCormick Place”

Off Site Venues

  • How many off site venues within walking distance can host up to 2,000 people? 4
  • How many off site venues within a ten-minute bus transfer can host up to 2,000 people? 5
  • How many restaurants are within walking distance of the convention center? 26
  • Can you list 3-5 local attractions and there whereabouts? Museum Campus: Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Soldier Field; Willis Tower (The Loop); The Art Institute of Chicago (Michigan Avenue); Navy Pier