Chicago Meetings Industry Update
First, we want to give a special thank you to the shows hosted in Chicago in February, including the Chicago Auto Show 2025, Salesforce Annual Company Kickoff 2025, CDS Annual Midwinter Annual Meeting 2025, MagicCon: Chicago 2025, and more. Thank you for choosing Chicago to host your meetings and events!
Chicago’s Wrigleyville was just named the Trendiest ‘Nano Neighborhood’ in the U.S. Wrigleyville is a must-visit neighborhood for meeting planners looking to offer attendees an unforgettable Chicago experience. Home to the historic Wrigley Field, this vibrant area boasts lively sports bars, top-notch dining, and year-round entertainment at Gallagher Way. Whether you’re catching a Cubs game, exploring nightlife, or staying at the neighborhood’s very own Hotel Zachary, Wrigleyville delivers an authentic Chicago experience.
Speaking of accolades, Chicago is in the running for Best Beer City in USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2025 – and with over 160 breweries, it’s easy to see why. From lively beer gardens to intimate taprooms, the city offers an unmatched craft beer scene. Locals and visitors flock to spots like Hopleaf, known for its 62 taps and extensive bottle collection. Chicago also hosts renowned beer festivals, including multiple Oktoberfest celebrations and the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers, featuring over 350 unique barrel-aged brews. Cast your vote and help Chicago take the top spot!
The Talbott Hotel, a Gold Coast landmark, is undergoing a transformative renovation and will join Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection in April 2025. The reimagined hotel will seamlessly blend timeless elegance with modern sophistication, offering an elevated guest experience with redesigned guestrooms, public spaces, and event areas. Highlights include a refreshed lobby and front desk, an expanded fitness center, and LAUREL, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. From locally sourced mini-bar offerings to curated artwork inspired by the Art Institute of Chicago, this renovation marks a new chapter for The Talbott, preserving its historic charm while embracing a new vision.
Last month McCormick Place welcomed the first black-tie event of 2025, with the Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity gala held before opening weekend. The annual event allows attendees a sneak peek into the show floor before opening day with luxury bites, picture-perfect company, and exciting giveaway opportunities. This year’s First Look for Charity event raised over $2.4M for 18 Chicagoland charity organizations – congratulations, everyone!
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
- Through March 9: Ice Skating at Maggie Daley Park Ribbon
- March 1: Navy Pier International Carnivale
- March 3-9: Chicago Irish Film Festival (26th year)
- March 4: Chicago’s 188th birthday
- March 15: Chicago River Dyeing for St. Patrick’s Day
- March 22: Navy Pier Holi
