ROSEMONT, Illi. — Located just three miles from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport lies the 840,000-square-foot Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. For the last 50 years, the convention center has been expanding and evolving — and the impact extends outside of its walls to the surrounding town of Rosemont.
“Our core values remain focused on world-class service, maintaining and refreshing our facility and leveraging everything Rosemont has to offer — from endless dining options to diverse entertainment attractions. It’s truly all here,” said Chris Stephens, Executive Director of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. “These pillars help us deliver unparalleled experiences for every guest and event, and they will continue to guide us as we look to the next 50 years.”
Five Decades of Evolution and Growth
The convention center originally opened its doors in October 1975 as the O’Hare Exposition Center, a 150,000-square-foot facility that opened with a women’s apparel manufacturing expo as its first event. That year, the facility hosted 16 events.
Just two years later, due to high demand, a 25,000-square-foot addition was built, and the enhancements kept coming. In 1985, a $2.7-billion grant led to the construction of a five-level parking garage and an enclosed skybridge connecting it to the convention center.
Now, celebrating its 50th anniversary, the convention center features a continuous 250,000-square-foot hall that can hold 1,225 booths, the ability to reconfigure multiple halls to accommodate more than 3,500 booths, 50 meeting rooms, on-site catering and high flexibility for event organizers. It hosts more than 100 events every year and welcomes more than one million guests annually.
“The Convention Center has had the privilege of hosting a diverse array of events across virtually every market sector, from trade shows and corporate meetings to public expos,” said Stephens. “Many of these events have been held here for more than 20 years, which is a testament to the strong relationships we’ve built with organizers and the flexibility of our facility to meet the evolving needs of the market.”
Providing a Cohesive Visitor Experience
The Village of Rosemont has a lot to offer, too. With more than 6,000 hotel rooms, its entertainment district called Parkway Bank Park, theatres and other attractions, the community is ready to welcome events and visitors.
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“The breadth of lodging, dining, nightlife, shopping and entertainment options surrounding the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center significantly enhances the visitor experience. Our guests aren’t just attending an event — they’re able to enjoy a full, memorable stay,” Stephens said. “This variety of amenities located steps away from the Center makes Rosemont an especially attractive destination for groups of all sizes, whether for meetings, conventions, trade shows or public events.”
Looking Ahead to the Future
When looking to the years ahead, Rosemont is continuing to evolve as an entertainment destination.
“With the leadership of the Village supporting the addition of new attractions like the Midwest’s largest virtual reality destination, EXP, along with an expanding variety of dining options, there’s always something new for visitors to explore,” Stephens said. “Looking ahead, the Village will also open a free Rosemont History Museum in 2026, giving guests another unique cultural experience to enjoy alongside the Convention Center and other local amenities. These additions not only enhance the Convention Center experience but also help solidify Rosemont’s reputation as a vibrant hub for both business and leisure.”
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Featured Photo Credit: Village of Rosemont
