Chicago Meetings Industry Update
First, we want to give a special thank you to the shows hosted in Chicago in April, including the HLC Annual Conference, Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Adidas Windy City National Qualifier, AACR 2025 Annual Meeting, and more. Thank you for choosing Chicago to host your meetings and events!
To kick off April, our sales team welcomed attendees to our first-ever Navy Pier Convention Hotel Collection (NPCC) Familiarization (FAM) trip! Thank you to our guests and participating partners for a successful FAM – we showcased the unmatched potential of Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most iconic lakefront venues, and nearby accommodations, attractions, dining, and more.
This year, Loews Chicago is celebrating a decade of welcoming guests and recently underwent a transformative $6 million dollar renovation to their 30,000 total square feet of meeting space and their lobby.
The annual James Beard Awards are just around the corner, recognizing the best and the brightest of the nation’s dining scene, honoring not only chefs and restaurants that demonstrate excellence in quality, but those who contribute positively to their communities. As the official home of the James Beard Awards, Chicago also has a fair share of award contenders this year — popular spots like Galit, HaiSous, Maxwells Trading, Oriole, and Kumiko are just some nominated for top awards this year. Stay tuned for the awards ceremony next month!
O’Hare International Airport continues to prove why Chicago is one of the most connected cities in the world. Ranked No. 2 globally for aircraft movements and No. 8 for passenger volume in ACI World’s 2024 rankings, O’Hare offers unmatched accessibility for travelers from across the globe. This recognition underscores Chicago’s status as a top-tier destination for meetings, conventions, and events. As air travel demand grows, Chicago is ready to welcome even more visitors with ease and efficiency.
Now, when it comes to getting around Chicago for meetings and conventions, aside from our convenient and eco-friendly public transportation options, we also encourage you to use the Curb app to make getting around a breeze. It is the official taxi app of the City of Chicago and can take you anywhere across Cook, DuPage, and southern Lake counties, connecting you to professional, licensed taxi drivers who know the city best, providing upfront pricing.
Aside from these industry updates, there are positive things happening in Chicago all the time! To hear about the great stuff happening in our city, subscribe to our Why Chicago Roundup newsletter that brings the best of Chicago’s local news to the top of your inbox.
Current/Upcoming Events
- May 1: Centennial Fountain and Arc turns back on
- May 2-4: Navy Pier Mexico Fest
- May 9-17: PSA Squash World Championships
- May 9-18: Chicago Cabaret Week
- May 16-18: Lincoln Park Mayfest
- May 22: Chicago Sky Home Opener
- May 23-25: Belmont Sheffield Music Festival
- May 24: Memorial Day Parade & Wreath-Laying Ceremony
- May 24-25: Sueños Music Festival
- May 30 – June 1: Windy City Hot Dog Fest
- May 30 – June 1: Lincoln Park Greek Fest
- May 31 – June 28: Chicago Dance Month
