Midwest History Meets Modernity
The birthplace of the skyscraper takes meetings to new heights
By Morgan Saltz
As the metropolitan area that defined urban landscapes with the construction of the first modern skyscraper in 1885, the greater Chicago area offers a decidedly elevated cultural experience to groups with business opportunities, exciting events and venues brimming with personality. Unrivaled history, innovation, and an evolving definition of what it means to be in the middle of it all make it easy to source a venue that is both accessible and inspiring for large swaths of the country.
Pro Tip
“In a word…FUN.”
– Andy Ritter, public relations manager, Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau
How to Experience Greater Chicago
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Thornton Distilling Company Chicago Restaurant Week
Chicago Restaurant Week (Jan. 20 – Feb. 5 2023) will feature over 300 restaurants and a world of local and global cuisines. Grab some seafood at Chicago Oyster House a block away from McCormick Place or enjoy Italian fare with handmade pasta and house-cured meats at Coda di Volpe a few blocks from Wrigleyville. Tickets are $25 for lunch and $42 or $59 for prix fixes menus throughout the Greater Chicago Area.
- Chicago-style Pizza Tour
With so many cuisines, Chicago is still known for one in particular. “We’re known for our pizza and offer a Chicago-style pizza tour,” said Ritter. Corporate groups of 15 to 100 attendees can book a day tour with a local pizza guide to learn about Chicago through its most famous edible past time.
- Underground Railroad Shuttle Tour
As an important city in the history of the Underground Railroad, Chicago takes great pride in offering group shuttle tours of locations that played a monumental role in an extremely pivotal era of American history. Take a tour around the riverfront neighborhood of Alton and Godfrey and learn about how Chicago’s connection to the Mighty Mississippi is rooted in our nation’s story.
- Thornton Distilling Company
The infamous Al Capone called Chicago home in the prohibition era, making impressive profits through bootlegging operations. Take a tour with Thornton Distilling Company and view the legendary limestone space that has been brewing and distilling since 1857. After a group tour and tasting, visit the award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant, The Well for elevated pub fare and Dead Drop Spirits.
Read More: 4 Hotels with Unforgettable Drinking Experiences
- The Second City
One of the most revered improvisation theater groups in the country, The Second City has expanded from one theater to multiple theaters in the same location. Groups can attend comedy shows or participate in professional development programs through performance and storytelling exercises covering creativity, communication and leadership.
5 Places to Meet in Greater Chicago
In addition to team-building activities such as climbing wall, high ropes and skiing, activities leaders customize programs in the woods to be professionally productive and socially enjoyable.
Maximum capacity 80 seated; rental hours are 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.; 4- or 8-hour team-building programs
Holding the title of the largest convention center in the Western Hemisphere, the four-building convention center is a campus connected by pedestrian plazas and skywalks. The recently renovated ABC (American Book Company) building preserves the site’s storied history.
Meeting rooms; 10,000 seat Wintrust Arena; 3 theaters with 300-person capacity
Bonjour, Chicago! This French-inspired boutique hotel brings European sophistication to Homewood, Illinois. Originally build in 1925 as Homewood State Bank, it is now a luxury escape. Touches of the historic business can be seen in the hotel’s aesthetics–guests in the private dining room will be eating in the original main vault.
Guest rooms; high-tech meeting room with privacy shades; signature restaurant with bar and outdoor patio
After redesigning its lobby and Reviver bar in 2019, Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile equally embraces the metropolitan vibe of Chicago with the hardworking Midwest mentality. Advertising the renovated great room lobby and bar as “a cross-section of our city’s ‘grit and grace,’” visitors can expect an upscale experience with an authentic Midwest vibe.
Over 70,000 sq. ft. of event space; 45 rental rooms; 42 breakout rooms
Meeting attendees can enjoy sweeping views of Lake Michigan in the heart of downtown Chicago with sleek guest rooms and renaissance-inspired opulence in the attached convention center. High ceilings, ornate decor and golden chandeliers raise any event profile.
50,000 sq. ft. of event space in the convention center; up to 2,000-person capacity; 871 guest rooms
