About Chicago

For meetings they’ll never forget, there’s only Chicago.

Welcome to Chicago, a city built on resilience, shaped by innovation, and powered by progress. From legendary architecture to a culinary scene that never stops reinventing itself, Chicago doesn’t just host meetings — it transforms them.

Named the Best Big City in the U.S. nine years running, Chicago is the destination for planners who want more than the expected. Here, world-class venues, cultural treasures, and trailblazing industries come together to create events that inspire, connect, and redefine what’s possible.

Plan your next event in a city that’s never done and never outdone.

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 1,055 daily direct flights from 186 U.S. cities and approximately 137 daily direct flights from 68 international destinations, as of August 2025. Midway has approximately 198 daily direct flights from 75 U.S. cities and approximately 8 daily direct flights from 9 international destinations, as of May 2025.
  • How many daily flights out of airport? O’Hare has approximately 1,055 daily direct flights to 186 U.S. cities and approximately 137 daily direct flights to 68 international destinations, as of August 2025. Midway has approximately 198 daily direct flights to 75 U.S. cities and approximately 8 daily direct flights to 9 international destinations, as of May 2025.
  • 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 have? Seven (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, OVG Hospitality – 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

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