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 Chicago O’Hare (ORD), 10 miles from Chicago Midway (MDW) - Is there public transportation, such as a bus or subway available?
YES, CTA (bus & L train) - 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 shuttle bus fare from the airport to downtown?
N/A - What is the taxi fare from airport to downtown?
$45 ORD, $25 MDW - How many daily flights into the airport?
ORD: 1,055 daily direct flights from 186 U.S. cities and 137 daily direct flights from 68 international destinations (as of August 2025).
MDW: 198 daily direct flights from 75 U.S. cities and 8 daily direct flights from 9 international destination (as of May 2025). - How many daily flights out of the airport?
ORD: 1,055 daily direct flights to 186 U.S. cities and 137 daily direct flights to 68 international destinations (as of August 2025).
MDW: 198 daily direct flights to 75 U.S. cities and 8 daily direct flights to 9 international destination (as of May 2025). - Is the airport a hub for any carrier?
ORD: United, American, MDW: Southwest - What are the major carriers serving airport?
United, American, Southwest
HOTELS
- How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak night? 30k peak
- How many committable hotel rooms downtown on peak within walking distance to convention center? 2,400
- How many headquarter hotel properties? 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: Home2Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn) – 3 Star
CONVENTION CENTER
- How many total gross square feet of exhibit space at Convention Center?
2.8 million square feet of exhibit space - How much of this exhibit space is contiguous?
1.2 million square feet all on one level - How many total gross square feet of meeting space is available at the Convention center? 600k sf of meeting space
- How many meeting rooms does the convention center have?
173 meeting rooms offering 600k sf of space - How big is the largest meeting room? 14,550 sf
- How big is the largest meeting room?
7 ballrooms ranging from 9k sf to 103k sf - How big is the largest ballroom?
Skyline Ballroom, 103,760 sf - When was the last renovation or expansion?
2007, West Building - 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?
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? https://www.mccormickplace.com/labor-costs/
- 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 their whereabouts?
Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium – Museum Campus, Willis Tower – The Loop, Art Institute Chicago – Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier