Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago’s 2023 MEETING & EVENT PLANNING GUIDE

Welcome to the latest edition of Crain’s Content Studio’s Meeting and Event Planning Guide, showcasing a cross-section of the city’s myriad venue offerings and event service providers.

Our feature story highlights why Chicago is one of the best places to host your meetings. As you are making plans for your company’s events for the upcoming year – we hope you’ll pursue these unique listings which include both boutique and large-scale venues in the Chicago area and suburbs, and event service providers from catering to event planning, video production and more.

BY JANE ADLER

On an early November evening, the solarium at the Adler Planetarium became the perfect venue for a private dinner hosted by the Healthcare Institute. About 35 of its members enjoyed a catered meal with views of the Chicago skyline as a spectacular backdrop.

“It was an amazing evening,” says Debbie Guy, senior administrative director at the Pensacola, Florida-based organization. She brings a meeting to Chicago every fall. Last year, her group took a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. Her go-to hotel is the Waldorf Astoria Chicago on the Gold Coast. “Great events and places like the Waldorf keep us coming back,” she says.

Meeting planners like Chicago. The area features unique venues, big and small meeting spaces, and world-class hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions. The Chicago area offers what meeting planners describe as a great combination of

business-friendly venues and downtime activities. Attendees can blend business and leisure, a travel trend known as “bleisure.”

“Meetings are back,” says Dustin Arnheim at Choose Chicago, the sales and marketing arm for the City of Chicago. Year-to-date in 2022 the city has hosted about 1,200 events, accounting for 1.4 million hotel room nights and supporting 16,000 jobs for a total economic impact of $2.1 billion.

The meeting business really picked up in June and July, according to Arnheim. While meeting planners focused on smaller events during pandemic, big events are common now.

For example, Pack Expo 2022, held at McCormick Place in October drew 44,000 attendees, surpassing the event’s 2018 turnout. The packaging trade show featured 2,200 exhibitors taking more than 1.2 million net square feet of convention floor space.

“Chicago has a lot of advantages,” says Jim Pittas, CEO of PMMI, sponsor of Pack Expo. With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, McCormick Place is the largest convention center in North America. Pack Expo needs a lot of space for the big machinery featured at the show. Pittas also likes the fact that McCormick Place has skilled union workers who know how to carefully handle big, expensive machines.

Meeting planners really like Chicago’s central location. It’s easy to book direct flights from most parts of the country.

Another advantage: Good local suppliers. Aloha Print Group offers all kinds of display signage and marketing materials. “Every meeting or event has a different feel, focus, and desired result and we are able to make that vision tangible and physical,” says Ginger Peak, president at Aloha. “Our competitive advantage is our customer service team and our experience and flexibility in working with clients.”

The area’s hotels are a big draw. The Waldorf Astoria Chicago was recently renovated. The property has 215 hotel rooms, meeting venues and a destination spa. The hotel recently relaunched Bernard’s, a cocktail lounge on the second floor that features curated cocktails.

The hotel is located near popular cultural attractions, first-class shopping spots and Lake Michigan. “Chicago brings business and pleasure together,” says Catie Walsh, director of sales and marketing at the Waldorf Astoria.

Chicago’s unique venues help drive attendee engagement—a priority of meeting planners. Engaged participants are more likely to interact with each other and feel good about the event.

The Chicago History Museum, for example, can host as many as 1,000 people for strolling events or as few as 25 for small occasions such as a company awards program. The museum has a theater that seats 299 people.

Rotating exhibits provide interest. Meeting planners can tie Chicago history to the event along with a menu to match. “Events can connect with the space,” says Lorelei Kroulaidis, director of special events at the Chicago History Museum. “Attendees have an authentic experience.”

Looking for a meeting spot in the suburbs? The North Shore has 12 full-service hotels. The DoubleTree Hotel in Skokie was recently renovated. The hotel’s rooftop Monaco Room features windows with 360-degree views to O’Hare and downtown. The hotel is adjacent to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.

Downtown Chicago is easily accessible from the North Shore. The CTA and Metra provide service to the suburbs. Wrigley Field is a short ‘L’ ride away. Attendees coming from O’Hare can avoid the Kennedy Expressway traffic jams.

Evanston features a nice mix of an urban-suburban experience, according to Gina Speckman, executive director of Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau. The organization represents 10 communities on the North Shore.

Several weeks ago, a travel group hosted a three-day meeting for about 120 attendees at the DoubleTree Hotel in Skokie. The group spent an evening in Evanston, surprised to find 50 restaurants within a three-block radius. “People had an amazing time,” Speckman says.

The Chicago History Museum offers rotating exhibits to provide interest and allows guests to connect with the space.

150 NORTH RIVERSIDE

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: West Loop 150 North Riverside, Chicago, IL 60606 312-635-6263

Capacity: Standing: 300, Seated: 200 150northriverside.com

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, 150 North Riverside rises 54 stories on a twoacre site with breathtaking views. The national & international award-winning tower boasts 1-1/2 acres of outdoor space including a park, amphitheater and Riverwalk. The event spaces include a 200-seat river-view ballroom and two boardrooms. The venue also features an iconic lobby with the largest digital art installation in Chicago, the award-winning ‘150 Media Stream’ and is ideal for galas, fundraisers and will be the perfect location for you next event!

CABARET ZAZOU

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Theatre District/Loop 32 W. Randolph Street, 14th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601 312-488-0900

Capacity: 330 www.cabaretzazou.com

VENUES

KOI FINE ASIAN CUISINE & LOUNGE

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Downtown Evanston 624 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201 847-866-6969

Capacity (Banquet and Standing): 12-80 www.koievanston.com

LE SUD

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Roscoe Village 2301 W. Roscoe Street, Chicago, IL 60618 773-857-1985

Capacity (Banquet and Standing): 12-60 www.lesudchicago.com

LM STUDIO

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: South Loop 808 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605 312- 995-0134

Capacity (Banquet and Seated): LM Studio (6th Floor): 200 seated rounds, 350 cocktail reception Atrium (5th Floor): 80 seated rounds, 40 seated rectangle, 150 cocktail reception lmstudiochicago.com

MARRIOTT LINCOLNSHIRE RESORT

Category: Venue 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60069 847-634-0100

Capacity: 1,300 marriott.com/meetings-events

MESA URBANA

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park 1935 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614 773-312-7040 mesaurbana.com

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

1601 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614

312-799-2254

Capacity: Standing: 1,000, Seated: 340 chicagohistory.org/corporate-events

Sip cocktails next to one of Chicago’s first “L” cars. Dance the night away against a backdrop of Lincoln Park’s lush gardens and the glittering lights of the city skyline. Tucked along the grounds of Lincoln Park, steps from the lake and a short cab ride from downtown, the Chicago History Museum offers a variety of spaces that can be used for corporate events, daytime meetings, cocktail receptions, reunions, or just about any type of event.

MORDECAI

Category: Venue Neighborhood: Lakeview 3632 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60613 773-269-5410

Capacity: Standing: 80, Seated: 40 mordecaichicago.com/private-events

THE DALCY

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Fulton Market

302 N. Green Street, Third Floor, Chicago, IL 60607 773-645-1430

Capacity: Standing: 500, Seated: 300 thedalcy.com

Rustic meets elegance at The Dalcy – Lettuce Entertain You’s private event hall located in the historic Fulton Market District. Sharing the third floor with Aba, a Mediterranean & Californiainspired restaurant, the 6,000-square foot venue and 4,000-square foot rooftop patio is the ideal setting for cocktail receptions, meetings, weddings, social and business gatherings and corporate events.

MORGAN’S ON FULTON

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Fulton Market District 950 W. Fulton Market, Chicago IL 60607 312-374-3686

morgansonfulton.com

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Gold Coast 58 E. Oak Street, Chicago, IL 60611 312-736-9999

Capacity (Banquet and Seated): 8 to 200 esquirebych.com/event-planning

Esquire by Cooper’s Hawk offers some of the most unique private dining spaces in the iconic Gold Coast of downtown Chicago. The stunning space features eight private dining rooms for events ranging from intimate groups of eight to receptions of over 200. Enhanced by exceptional custom menus, curated wine pairings, and an unrivaled wine list with over 1600+ bottle selections, guests of any private event are in for a truly extraordinary experience.

FLYING HORSE RESORT & CLUB

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Flying Horse

1880 Weiskopf Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 719-487-2662

Capacity (Banquet and Seated): 300 lodgeatflyinghorse.com

Flying Horse Resort & Club represents unparalleled comfort for your next conference or corporate event in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado. With signature options for overnight guests and day attendees, our hospitality team will help take your event to extraordinary new heights. Flying Horse offers 96 luxurious guest rooms and 4 independent two-bedroom suites, nine function rooms totaling nearly 10,900 sq. ft. of indoor event space and more than 10,000 sq. ft. of outdoor function space.

THE SALT SHED

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: North Branch/Goose Island 1357 N. Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642 708-967-2168

Capacity (Banquet and Standing): Full Venue: 7,000 The Salt Shed: 650-3,000 Fairgrounds: 4,000 3rd Floor Lounge: 60-120 www.saltshedchicago.com

THE LASALLE CHICAGO, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Loop 208 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604 312-634-0000

Capacity: Standing: 150, Seated: 110 thelasallechicago.com

Sophisticated and tailored, The LaSalle Chicago is the preeminent destination within the heart of downtown Chicago. Enjoy city views and natural light from elegant meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology and featuring high-end stone and marble finishes, to our high-rise Ballroom showcasing skyline views. The LaSalle Chicago offers an elevated experience designed for productivity, privacy, and exclusivity including our private dining room, cozy library, and semi-private Solarium in our restaurant, Grill on 21.

THEATRE ON THE LAKE

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60614 312-414-1313

Capacity: Standing: 1,000, Seated: 500 theateronthelake.com

TWENTY SIX

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: River North 2 W. Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60654 312-995-0134

Capacity: (Banquet and Seated): 150 Cocktail Style Reception (Indoor Only) 180 Cocktail Style Reception (Indoors and Outdoors) twentysixchicago.com

THE GERAGHTY

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Pilsen 2520 S. Hoyne Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

312-967-2520

Capacity: Standing: 1,200, Seated: 1,000 thegeraghty.com

A venue of possibilities — The Geraghty is a sophisticated, diverse space intent on redefining the standard in contemporary venues. Devised by industry visionaries, The Geraghty was built to be completely customizable to inspire innovation and create captivating experiences with flawless execution. The result is a thoughtful, expansive venue equipped with state-of-the-art technology to realize any vision. We invite you to discover how we can help curate your next experience of a lifetime.

MARCHESA

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: River North 535 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60654 312-527-9535

Capacity: Standing: 125, Seated 85 marchesachicago.com

MARCHESA, featuring four art-filled spaces in a historic building in River North, offers delicious French & Italian cuisine for business dinners, cocktail parties, board meetings and luncheons. Our imaginative team will create an exquisite menu for you -- from simple dishes to life’s delicacies -- and work within your budget to provide the biggest splash for your event dollar. Polished staff coordinates all the details that make the biggest impact on guests. We are at your service!

ESQUIRE BY COOPER’S HAWK

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY

ART CHICAGO

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Streeterville 220 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 312-397-3872

Capacity: Standing:1,000, Seated: 300 mcachicago.org/rentals

Add an artful twist to your next event! Featuring spacious and flexible event spaces, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago provides a sophisticated and distinct setting for your company’s event. Our unique indoor/ outdoor event spaces are centrally located in Streeterville and will impress your guests and inspire creativity among colleagues.

PEPPER FAMILY WILDLIFE CENTER

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park 2021 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 773-571-0404

Capacity: Standing: 600, Seated: 400 lpzoo.org/private-events

Lincoln Park Zoo’s newly renovated Pepper Family Wildlife Center is home to some wild event space! The historic Great Hall, built in 1912, is just over 7,000 sq. ft. and can accommodate up to 400 seated/600 reception. The 1,100 sq. ft. conference room (80 seated/100 reception), located just off the Great Hall, is perfect for everything from birthdays to board meetings. It features floor to ceiling windows facing the lions’ habitat and state-of-the-art AV capabilities.

BLUE PLATE

Category: Catering 1362 W. Fulton Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60607 312-421-6666 blueplatechicago.com

Blue Plate is Chicago’s caterer. From corporate celebrations to fundraising galas or in-office business dining - Blue Plate can flex to provide customized catering solutions for your event or meeting. Driven by culinary creativity and with preferred status at more than 85 iconic Chicago venues, Blue Plate has earned a national reputation for its standard of service and innovation.

PIZZA CITY TOURS

Category: Food Tours 1156 W. Ohio 1W, Chicago, Il 60642 773-230-7157 pizzacityusa.com

His tory, inspired

.

Steps from the lake, nestled in the Gold Coast, the Chicago History Museum is the perfect location for large staff meetings, presentations in a cinema quality theater, intimate collaborations, and lively cocktail receptions.

Clark & North | chicagohistory.org 312.799.2254 | events@chicagohistory.org

T ay Kaune Photography

Chicago features unique venues, big and small meeting spaces, and world-class hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

THE PLATFORM CONFERENCE CENTER

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Loop 320 S. Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606 312-475-3201

Capacity: Standing: 300, Seated: 144 320southcanal.com

The Platform Conference Center is 320 S. Canal’s world-class, tech-forward conference center. Boasting four impressive spaces, The Platform can host groups of 10-300. An on-site catering kitchen ensures the highest level service from your preferred caterer. Audio/ video conferencing capabilities, wireless and lapel mics, and multiple screens will make certain your meeting goes seamlessly. The Green at 320, a 1.5 acre park space at the same address, is also available for private and semi-private outdoor events.

VENUES

TINLEY PARK CONVENTION CENTER

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Southwest Suburbs 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, 60477 708-342-5485

Capacity: Standing: 7,000, Seated: 2,000 tinleyparkconventioncenter.net

The Tinley Park Convention Center features state-of-the-art, on-site guest accommodations at EVEN Hotel, as well as the latest technology, free parking and an experienced staff, making it ideal for a meeting of 10, banquet for 1,500 or expo of 5,000. With 11 first-class hotels and premier dining options nearby, there’s space to accommodate your event guests. Come and see the 10,000 square feet of possibilities – trade shows, banquets, fundraiser galas, weddings and more!

THE EVENT CENTER AT RIVERS CASINO

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Des Plaines 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018 888-307-0777

Capacity: Standing: 1,000, Seated: 550 RiversCasino.com/DesPlaines

Rivers Casino is Chicagoland’s newest and most exciting event destination with exceptional dining, a premier casino experience, live entertainment and more. This 450,000-square foot entertainment complex is perfect for your event: trade shows, conventions, galas, meetings and more accommodating up to1,000 guests. Our seasoned team will ensure every detail is customized to your group. Rivers Casino’s perfect location, variety of event spaces and unique experiences will make your next event a hit!

RIVER ROAST

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: River North/The Loop 315 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, IL 60654 312-822-0100

Capacity: Standing: 450, Seated: 330 riverroastchicago.com

Situated in the heart of the city, with striking views of the Chicago River and city skyline. River Roast Private Events offers an impressive setting for your next party or meeting as a lively social house and gathering place. With six event spaces to choose from – each featuring sophisticated decor that pays tribute to the historical landmark building the restaurant is housed in – the options for corporate and social events are endless.

WALDORF ASTORIA CHICAGO

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Gold Coast 11 E. Walton Street, Chicago, IL 60611 312-646-1324

Capacity (Banquet and Standing): 160 waldorfastoriachicagohotel.com

Waldorf Astoria Chicago is the spectacular setting for unforgettable meetings and events in Downtown Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. Chicago’s striking views await you from every floor-to-ceiling window with the city’s finest entertainment, dining, and shopping right outside the hotel’s private courtyard. Our opulent interior furnishings and bold artwork with modern luxury business amenities create the premier venue for meetings and events.

WHIRLYBALL

Category: Venue

Neighborhood: Bucktown 1825 W. Webster Road, Chicago, IL 60614 773-486-7777

Capacity: Standing: 1200, Seated: 200 whirlyball.com

With two stories and 50,000 square feet of fun, WhirlyBall’s Bucktown location is the perfect spot for corporate meetings and teambuilding events. With 3 WhirlyBall courts, 12 bowling lanes, a 200-person multi-function event space, 4 break-out rooms, a VIP private bowling alley, and a multi-level laser tag arena, there is enough space to get your competitive team spirit going. Book your 2023 meetings at WhirlyBall! Eat. Drink. Game ON!

EVENT PLANNING

THE CHOPPING BLOCK

Category: Event Space

Neighborhood: Lincoln Square 4747 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 773-472-6700

Capacity: Standing: 50, Seated: 50 thechoppingblock.com

CHICAGO’S NORTH SHORE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Category: Event Planning Chicago North Shore Suburbs in Cook County 847-763-0011 visitchicagonorthshore.com/meetingspace

NAPERVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Category: Event Planning

22 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 205, Naperville, IL 60540 630-305-7701 visitnaperville.com

No matter your needs, no matter your goals, Naperville is your one-stop destination for your corporate meetings and events. Equipped with 18 hotels, and over 300 restaurants, you don’t have to worry about scouting the perfect location or finding the perfect place to eat. There’s everything from 4-star, full-service hotels, to extended stay locations, to cozy spots for small parties. Whatever you’re looking for, Naperville has what you need. Contact us at VisitNaperville.com for complementary services and more.

Bordering Chicago along Lake Michigan, Chicago’s North Shore enjoys proximity to Downtown Chicago and O’Hare Airport. Our properties offer superior amenities including free parking, rooftop ballrooms, conference centers and advanced AV. Chicago’s North Shore is a preferred destination for meeting planners who choose to offer their attendees a broad range of attractions, restaurants, evening entertainment and shopping options in an area known for its natural beauty. Ask us about our incentive programs and enjoy personalized planning assistance.

ABSOLUTE PRODUCTION SERVICES

Category: Audio/Visual/Photography/ Videography 2142 W. Walnut Street, Chicago, IL 60612 312-226-1200 absolutepros.com

When it comes to event production, we believe anything is possible. For nearly 3 decades, Absolute Production Services has been a leading corporate event production company. Proud to be from Chicago, we offer services locally and globally, helping clients around the world turn visions into reality and pull off the seemingly impossible. We are a full-service production company and a total solution for production services. Tell us what you need, we’ll make it happen.

northof ordinary

State-of-the-art meeting facilities in unique spaces raise the level of your event. Personalized service to fit your meeting needs in space close toafter-hours experiences can be sourced by contacting Kimberly Wright, CMP at kwright@cnscvb.com find your unique venue at visitchicagonorthshore.com/meetingspace

ALOHA PRINT GROUP

Category:

Full service b2b print company located in downtown Chicago. With over 20 years of experience, we print anything from business cards to banners and signage for your event. Name badges, pull-up banner stands, boards, posters, and floor and window graphics. Pick up at our office, or we deliver to local venues. Customer Service Team and Graphic Designer in-house every day to make sure we produce exactly what you need for your event to be a success.

BlackOak Technical Productions is a designfocused and human-first production company. Our team works relentlessly to be bold in design and kind in approach. As a proud member of the Kehoe Designs family of brands, we have years of experience bringing a fresh approach to events for corporate, social, and non-profit clients. Let’s get started on making your next project a success.