CHICAGO — The City of Chicago, which has been voted “Best Big City in the U.S.” for eight years running by Condé Nast Traveler, has a long history of hosting trade shows and conventions.
Home to McCormick Place, the largest convention facility in the U.S., Chicago also has another venue capable of holding trade shows and special events — Navy Pier.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier, located right on the shores of Lake Michigan, offers more than 242,000 gross square feet (GSF) of meeting and exhibit space, including the 170,000-GSF Festival Hall, 18,000-GSF Aon Grand Ballroom and the 15,000-GSF Lakeview Terrace. It also is comprised of 39,000 GSF of meeting rooms and 35,000 GSF of pre-meeting space, including 34 meeting rooms adjacent to Festival Hall ranging from 750 to 8,200 square feet.
With ample event spaces, proximity to restaurants like the lakeside Navy Pier Beer Garden, and various attractions, Navy Pier is able to mix business with leisure in an iconic location.
Navy Pier also has a hotel network featuring eight hotels offering a total of 4,738 rooms within walking distance.
Navy Pier Convention Collection Hotels’ Highlight
The Sable at Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton, was the first hotel to be built on Navy Pier, and features a one-sided design where every guest room and meeting space has views of the Lake Michigan waterfront and Chicago skyline.
Located on top of the Sable is the nation’s largest rooftop bar, Offshore. With panoramic views of the city and lake from the 20,000-square-foot terrace, Offshore offers an ideal setting for a memorable outdoor event.
Meeting highlights include:
- 223 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
- Five corporate meeting rooms with up to 3,450 square feet of space (capacity of 150 people)
- 4,352-square-foot banquet hall including 893 square feet of pre-function space (directly connected to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall)
Just steps away from the Gold Coast and Lake Michigan, The Wade offers unobstructed views of the water, robust amenities and a combination of industrial influences and natural tones. The Wade also features the Altitude event space that has 360-degree views.
Meeting highlights include:
- 520 rooms
- 19 meeting rooms with 20,386 square feet of flexible meeting space
- 4,800 square feet of lake-facing outdoor space
Just a 10-minute walk from Millennium Park and360 CHICAGO, the DoubleTree Magnificent Mile, offers various meeting spaces for groups of different sizes. The hotel also is home to the largest outdoor pool deck in the city, featuring green space, cabanas and the H2O market, as well as the HotHouse restaurant where visitors can enjoy craft beer, cocktails and local bites.
Meeting highlights include:
- 378 rooms (70% are Queen/Queen rooms)
- 12 total meeting rooms with 16,417 square feet of meeting space
- Largest meeting space is 6,700 square feet
- 2,000 square feet of outdoor space
The Embassy Suites by Chicago Magnificent Mile, the second largest Embassy Suites in the U.S., is one of only four Embassy Suites rated AAA – 4 Diamond and features the largest indoor green space in a commercial building in Chicago. With free made-to-order breakfast and a complimentary fitness center, attendees can be fueled for their event schedule.
Meeting highlights include:
- 455 rooms
- 19 meeting rooms and 20,000 total square feet of meeting space
- Largest meeting room is 6,237 square feet
- The Sky Garden, a garden venue atrium space is available for private events for up to 75 people
Related. Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Will Reassume Management of McCormick Place
The Loews Chicago Hotel boasts a newly finished $6 million renovation to the meeting space and lobby just in time for its 10th anniversary in 2025. Being located in the heart of Chicago’s downtown and just one mile from Navy Pier, the hotel provides easy access to The Loop, shopping on the Magnificent Mile and entertainment and event spaces at Navy Pier.
Meeting highlights include:
- 400 rooms and 25 suites
- 26 meeting rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space
- Two ballrooms (Wright Ballroom fits 830 people and the Sullivan Ballroom can accommodate up to 450 people)
- Nearly 9,000-square-foot terrace for outdoor events
In the heart of the iconic River North and Streeterville neighborhood is the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, which was designed by a panel of 100 meeting planners to ensure meetings and conferences could be held with ease. With five F&B outlets, a private boat dock and a lavish outdoor reception area right along the river, the Sheraton Grand Riverwalk is ready to host.
Meeting highlights include:
- 1,218 rooms with views of Lake Michigan or the Chicago River
- 125,000 square feet of stacked meeting space across four floors
- 40,000-square-foot flexible ballroom
- 35,000-square-foot exhibit hall
Built in 1929, the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is located on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, giving visitors easy access to shopping, restaurants and attractions. The hotel is home to an award-winning banquet team and various onsite dining options and a cocktail-forward Nikkei Lounge.
Meeting highlights include:
- 792 rooms (315 in the Executive Tower and 477 in the recently renovated Grand Tower)
- More than 45,000 total square feet of meeting space
- Five ballrooms
- Spaces range from contemporary to elegant design, with most offering natural light and spectacular views of the city
Also located on the Magnificent Mile is the Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago, where guests have easy access to Chicago’s lakefront trail, world class dining and shopping. Guests can also enjoy 909 North, a Chicago flavored restaurant that featured a scratch made kitchen and features locally sourced Midwest cuisine.
Meeting highlights include:
- 752 guest rooms and 32 suites
- 21 meeting rooms and 36,000 total square feet of meeting space
- Largest meeting room is 7,884 square feet
Attractions
If you’re hosting an event at or near Navy Pier, there are a plethora of attractions easily available to attendees.
The Odyssey Chicago River Cruise is a memorable experience with show-stopping views of Navy Pier, River City and the Willis Tower. The company also offers different packages for event organizers looking to book a section of tables, a private deck or a fully private yacht.
Located at Navy Pier, one of the city’s newest attractions, Flyover, is an immersive flying journey that takes visitors over, around and through iconic locations. With music, motion, visuals and scents, this attraction delivers an awe-inspiring experience.
For those unafraid of heights, 360 CHICAGO provides panoramic views of the city from 1,030 feet up at 875 N. Michigan Avenue (formerly John Hancock Center). For those seeking more of a thrill, 360 CHICAGO-goers can experience TILT, a tilting glass experience that leans visitors out over the city.
