Chicago is known as the city to accommodate most large meetings and events for associations and corporations. In fact, the meetings industry brings thousands of guests to Chicago for annual events and product launches every year. With McCormick Place listed as the nation's top facility for meetings and conventions, Chicago has built the resources to accommodate these groups with some of the best brands of hotels in the world.
These large hotels are now not only housing guests who attend these meetings, but also hosting them in their own top-notch Chicago meeting facilities. Check out some of the premier hotels in Chicago that have meeting space to welcome thousands of convention guests:
In addition to being the on-site hotel brand stationed at Chicago's convention center, Hyatt Regency is no stranger to large meetings of its own. With 228,000 square feet of contemporary and flexible function space, Hyatt is equipped much like any other large convention center. The Hyatt is home to four ballrooms, 63 meeting rooms and 70,000 square feet of exhibition space.
This Chicago hotel's impeccable service is monitored by a Meeting Concierge. This friendly aide is by your side from start to finish, ensuring that everything runs flawlessly.
The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers has over 120,000 square feet of meeting space. This property can host up to 4,600 people for an event or conference. With four above-ground levels of meeting space, 34 breakout meeting rooms, and a 40,000-square-foot ballroom—standing as the largest hotel ballroom in the Midwest—the Sheraton Chicago has all of the amenities to host large groups.
Situated the heart of downtown Chicago, the Sheraton is near the city's most popular attractions, making it easy for guests to venture out and explore the city. From their 35,000 square feet of exhibition space to their convention registration area, the Sheraton Chicago is sure to cater to your every need!
To find out more about Chicago convention hotels, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.
This River West event venue in Chicago was named after its founder Joe Marchetti, the former name behind the renowned Como Inn. For the past 15 years, Galleria Marchetti has been known as the leading venue for hosting private events in Chicago. A unique and bright setting, it has welcomed every type of event, from corporate outings to lavish weddings. Whether you're holding your event in one of its beautiful courtyards or in its spacious pavilion, its hidden escapes make it easy for attendees to forget they are in one of the largest cities in the nation.
Galleria Marchetti has five multi-functional rooms and gardens, available to host groups of almost any size. Its tented pavilion is known as one of the featured attractions of the venue. The style and grace of this Chicago meeting space gives it a dynamic edge that you cannot find anywhere else in the city. Although most pavilions are seasonal, Galleria Marchetti allows guests to request an open-air style, for which the staff removes the sides of the tent to join it with the Marchetti gardens. This creates a unique decor that lends character and elegance to any event.
The East and West courtyards are some of the most beautiful gardens in the city. When guests enter through their iron gates and pass the brick walls lush of colorful ivy, they are greeted by a spacious area filled with flowering trees, seasonal blooms and ample vegetation that create the feel of a Tuscan garden. The courtyards' tasteful outdoor furniture is centered on their large food displays that are sure to ignite your guests' taste buds.
The special event packages at Galleria Marchetti make it easy for Chicago event planners to coordinate a top-notch event. Each package is complete and paired together nicely to create an underlying theme that correlates with the ambiance of the venue. A creative and unusual venue, natural decor, wide arrangement of choices for event space, traditional menus with a twist of Italian flair, an experienced bar and wait staff—Galleria Marchetti is well on its way to earning the timeless reputation of its sister facility Como Inn.
For information on more unique venues in Chicago, please visit the Cvent Supplier Network.
Starwood Hotels is announcing yet another hotel opening in downtown Chicago: Aloft Chicago Millennium Park is set to open on September 6, 2012. The new Chicago development will include 13 floors of hotel space, five floors of offices, and 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Located on the corner of Balbo and Wabash in Chicago's south loop, Aloft Millennium Park is just three blocks from Chicago's central business district and one block from Chicago attractions Grant Park, Millennium Park and Museum Campus.
The bold-loft inspired design is one of the few newly stylized Chicago hotels. The Aloft rooms feature the brand's signature style bed, an over-sized spa shower, amenities by Bliss Spa and some electronic enhancements to mix work and play on the 42-inch LCD televisions. This brand of hotel is modeled after sister brand W Hotels. Aloft combines the ambiance of the W, at a more affordable price point for business or short weekend travelers.
Aloft Chicago's meeting space is outfitted with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment including 50-inch flat-screen televisions. This 165-guest room facility will house one Chicago meeting space of 700 square feet.
Starwood seems to be taking a step in the right direction. They are slowing turning over their branded hotels and giving them their own identity and style. Aloft Millennium Park will be a great fit in the downtown Chicago accommodations scene!
To view more Starwood hotel properties in Chicago, make sure to visit Cvent's Chicago venue directory.
Ravenswood Billboard Factory houses three distinct Chicago meeting spaces with capacities ranging from as few as 50 guests up to over 600 guests. This industrial loft-like setting is a great backdrop for events of all styles.
With over 10,000 square feet of Chicago event space, Ravenswood Billboard Factory has the flexibility to be an intimate venue for a cocktail reception or a large gala. The tremendous amount of brilliant natural lighting gives the area an ambiance unlike most event spaces.
The main level of this space houses one of America's premier collections of vintage European and American sports cars and a collection of historical American prestige vehicles. This display can be used as decor to your event or even as the centerpiece. Other amenities include outside decks with beautiful neighborhood and city views, lots of modern lighting, as well as an ample amount of washroom facilities.
Ravenswood is a full service event facility. Its experienced catering and hospitality team has the unique ability to build a Chicago event both you and your attendees are sure to remember. The team's planning process beings with a complimentary idea and budget planning session. They will combine your ideas with theirs, and assist you in coordinating Chicago party rentals, staffing, food and beverage services, security, etc. There is no limit to the amount of creative events that can be held in this venue!
Make sure to check out more unique Chicago special event facilities on Cvent's Chicago venue directory.
Salvage One, located in the Chicago business district just west of the Loop, has opened its venue and ideals to the events industry. Collecting old materials that are donated or even found, Salvage One's in-house artists breathe new life into these materials by reforming them into unique pieces of furniture and art. Not only are they bringing creativity to their customers, but also to those who get to experience an event in this little-known gem.
The event space at Salvage One is formed and decorated by the artists make up this organization. For each event , they can re-structure and organize the space to create the kind of ambiance that fits the client's profile.
Additionally, this two-level, warehouse-like Chicago event space has facilities for caterers, smaller prep rooms for various event needs (such as decor or floral), an outdoor patio with various modern sculptures, and built-in bars. Its 60,000 square feet of meeting space can also accommodate seating and tables for a formal dinner or Chicago banquet.
This space is refreshing to see in Chicago, notably because its intricate pieces of furniture provide existing decor. Already moderately priced, this Chicago meeting space gives you more bang for your buck, as they are able to supply rental furniture in-house, which is included in the cost of the space. Salvage One has brought new meaning to venue and has taken it one step further to provide a true experience for all of their guests.
Even if you're not a fan of Bravo TV's Top Chef series, you may be familiar with Rick Bayless, who recently scored the show's winning title of Top Chef Master. This award-winning chef and cookbook author has made it his mission to introduce Americans to Mexican cuisine and change the image of Mexican food in America.
Lucky for Chicago event planners, it's easy to treat your event attendees to this masterful cuisine. Bayless has several Chicago restaurant establishments, including critically-acclaimed Frontera Grill.
At Frontera Grill, the private Morales Room can accommodate Chicago events of up to 45 guests, complete with salsa music, flowers and an array of Mexican dishes. For cocktail receptions, planners can opt for the casual four-course, tapas-style menu, which offers a journey through Mexico thanks to dishes such as taquitos stuffed with smoked chicken and poblanos and pork and lamb chili. For more formal affairs, the five-course Chef's Tasting Menu delights diners with seasonal selections and impeccable wine pairings.
Frontera Grill also offers it's Library Room, an unparalleled Chicago meeting space for wedding rehearsals, corporate dinners and more of up to 10 guests. This unique Chicago special event facility places guests in the heart of the action, as it is the location where Bayless and his culinary team develop recipes and film. In addition to margaritas shaken tableside, event attendees are treated to the five-course Chef's Tasting Menu.
Finally, full restaurant buy-outs of Frontera are available Sunday or Monday for up to 150 people. Plus, Frontera and sister restaurant Topolobampo provide full-service Chicago catering. In addition to great food, the catering team provides bartenders, flowers, decor, music and more.
After a 2008 renovation, the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile is now an even more ideal choice for hosting conferences and conventions. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, this Chicago hotel is perfect for corporate meetings and events. The $36 million renovation last year transformed the 46-level Marriott into a lavish, contemporary hotel. Its meeting rooms are now equipped with state-of-the-art, 21st century technology. New features at the property include an updated lobby with permanent kiosks for easy check-in and check-out, as well as a full-service Starbucks off the lobby. Renovations also included the addition of a 4,000 square foot ballroom, as well as upgrades to the existing meeting rooms and ballrooms, bringing the total meeting space to over 65,000 square feet. The largest ballroom, the Grand Ballroom, can comfortably seat up to 1800 guests.
Not only does the Chicago Marriott have ample space for your next convention, it also has permanent registration booths in the larger meeting facilities to ease the registration process. Dedicated event managers and AV professionals are also offered at this Chicago meeting venue to take care of all the details of your event.
Located in the heart of Chicago, within walking distance from the Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park, and the Magnificent Mile, the Palmer House Hilton provides superior Chicago meeting space with pizzazz. The Palmer House Hilton, a luxury Chicago hotel, has over 80 meeting rooms, ranging from a grand ballroom that seats 1,500 people, to small, intimate meeting rooms that seat 20.
The famous Empire Room inside the Palmer House dates back to 1933 as a venue for cabaret acts. Now, this historic room provides visitors with a completely unique experience. The room features gold leaf molding and a grand chandelier, which creates an elegant atmosphere perfect for a variety of events.
The Palmer House Hilton also features Lockwood, a “Luxe-dining” restaurant, as well as Potter’s Lounge, which is a perfect location to grab a cocktail. Another fabulous amenity is Spa Chakra, an exclusive spa and fitness location that creates a stress-free, relaxing environment.
The long-awaited meeting space at Swissotel Chicago is now open! The 661-room hotel's Event Centre expansion brings adds 38,000 square feet of Chicago meeting space to its facilities, which now boast an impressive 65,000 square feet of flexible space.
Venue options include the new 14,000-square-foot ballroom, the 43rd floor Edelweiss penthouse and two elegant executive boardrooms. Designed with meeting and business professionals in mind, the entire Chicago venue is equipped with wireless Internet capabilities, 400 amp service and flexible lighting control.
Chicago event planners can enjoy the groundbreaking space at a great price when booked during the 2009 Hot Dates. This Chicago meeting promotion includes discounted room rates, complimentary access to the fitness center and pool, one upgrade per 25 rooms, one complimentary room per 40 rooms, complimentary room rental and more.
For business or pleasure, the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza is the place to be. Located adjacent to the Chicago Merchandise Mart, the hotel just completed a $20 million redesign, which updated guest rooms, meeting space, lobby areas and more.
"We feel that this redesign reflects our optimism for a better future," said Director of Sales and Marketing France Langan in a statement. "With our spectacular views of this great city and new and improved 'views' inside the hotel—we have a fresh outlook everywhere you turn."
Thanks to the hotel renovation, Chicago guests can enjoy a 32-inch LCD flat screen television, complimentary high-speed wireless Internet, and new Holiday Inn 200-thread count bedding linens in each of the 521 guest rooms. Bathrooms boast energy efficient shower heads and full bath amenities.
Planners can enjoy over 20,000 square feet of renovated Chicago meeting space at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, the 13th largest hotel in the city. Need a Chicago ballroom? The hotel has two, as well as 13 meeting rooms. Award-winning banquet service, a full array of audio-visual equipment, and a 24-hour business center make events large and small a breeze.
Outside the boardroom, guests can enjoy stunning views of Chicago at the Cityscape Bar, or sit down for a meal at Italiasia, which opened in May to rave reviews of its Italian and Asian fusion fare. A fitness center, also newly renovated, is on-site.
In a city that dyes its river emerald green in celebration, you can be sure that St. Patrick's Day is serious business. What better way to celebrate in the festive city of Chicago than by visiting one of its many Irish restaurant and pubs, which are great Chicago special event venues for March 17 parties and all year. Check out a few of the many options:
The Fifth Province
Located on the first floor of the Irish American Heritage Center, this authentic Irish pub welcomes guests Friday and Saturday night with fish and chips, corned beef sandwiches, Irish sausage and more. Wash it all down with Irish Stout, Irish Whiskey or another drink being served from the full bar while you enjoy live music nightly.
The Fifth Province is available for events in Chicago of up to 175 people, while the entire Irish American Center is also one of the best meeting venues in Chicago. From the 658-seat auditorium to the Shanachie Room, complete with portable bar, the center is prime spot for seminars, lectures, receptions and more.
Just outside of Chicago in Evanston, the Celtic Knot is a unique blend of traditional and modern that appeals to both fans of Irish brews like Guinness and Smithwick's as well as those who'd rather stick to American favorites such as Miller Lite and Budweiser. All patrons enjoy the delicious dinner and pub menus and weekly music.
This Chicago restaurant's stone-walled "Snug" room is a cozy banquet room for up to 50 seated guests.
Graely's Pub & Grill
Boasting "modern favorites with Irish flair," D4 Irish Pub & Cafe is a great downtown spot to enjoy traditional entrees such as Shepard's Pie and contemporary favorites such as the 16-ounce ribeye with whiskey veal reduction. Also popular is the weekend brunch, where Irish specialties such as breakfast potatoes, Irish sausage and corned beef hash are served by the plenty.
With space for up to 250 guests, D4 is a popular Chicago party venue year-round.
A few days ago, the number of people who knew about Chicago's Grant Park was likely confined to locals and the lucky tourists who have been able to visit its spacious grounds in person. Either way, the number of those familiar with it certainly paled in comparison to those who know—and won't likely forget—its name now. Last night, President-Elect Barack Obama presented his acceptance speech to an overjoyed crowd of roughly 125,000 people in Grant Park, bringing it to the forefront of Americans' minds.
Obama could not have picked a better location for a large event in his hometown city. A 319-acre green oasis in downtown Chicago, Grant Park is often referred to as Chicago's front yard and serves as home to a number of Chicago attractions such as the Art Institute of Chicago. And meeting planners are in luck, as this now famous location also offers Chicago event spaces for special use.
The park's iconic Buckingham Fountain, characterized by ornate bronze sculpture work and a dynamic light and water display, has north and south pavilions that overlook either the Chicago skyline or Lake Michigan. The 39,285-square-foot North Pavilion and the 37,788-square-foot South Pavilion can each hold 4,760 guests, making them ideal spots for an enchanting black-tie gala or moonlit reception.
The Grant Park Rose Gardens are also a prime choice for Chicago event planners. Amongst fountains, lush greenery and the aromatic fragrance of roses in bloom, guests can convene in the North Garden or South Garden. Each measures in at 17,800 square feet and can accommodate 1,780 people.
The Chicago Park District, which owns and operates Grant Park, provides planners with a list of approved caterers and rental suppliers. Electricity is not available, but planners can rent a generator for the evening—a worthwhile effort for the memorable Chicago event that Grant Park will surely bring to life.
From improv comedy to deep-dish pizza, some things are simply Chicago trademarks. This Midwest city is brimming with culture, so don't miss out! For your next Chicago event check out the array of cultural attractions in Chicago that can host meetings and events.
The Chicago History Museum is a great venue for both indoor and outdoor events. In addition to four meeting rooms totaling 4,850 square feet, the museum also overlooks the Lakefront as well as Lincoln Park—making it a beautiful backdrop for your cocktail reception or Chicago wedding.
For a Chicago venue with more space, look no further than the Museum of Contemporary Art on East Chicago Avenue. With 19,000 square feet of prime Chicago meeting space, it's perfect for hosting large-scale events like annual meetings and user conferences that you want to keep warm and welcoming—not a typical business-as-usual affair. Consider the museum's MCA Theater, Kanter Meeting Center and MCA Sculpture Garden, all of which lend a unique Chicago twist to your event.
To truly impress, the Museum of Science and Industry is one of the largest museums of its type in the world. Chicago event planning is easy thanks to the museum's eight meeting spaces, which can accommodate anywhere from 50 to 5,000 attendees. Whether you are hosting a small session with clients or a large corporate meeting, you'll have plenty of space—and amenities such as on-site catering—at your disposal.
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
A few days ago, the number of people who knew about Chicago's Grant Park was likely confined to locals and the lucky tourists who have been able to visit its spacious grounds in person. Either way, the number of those familiar with it certainly paled in comparison to those who know—and won't likely forget—its name now. Last night, President-Elect Barack Obama presented his acceptance speech to an overjoyed crowd of roughly 125,000 people in Grant Park, bringing it to the forefront of Americans' minds. 
Subscribe to this blog by RSS
Powered by Compendium Blogware
