Get the latest meeting and event planning industry news: Chicago is one of the top three U.S. cities chosen by meeting planners, the biggest Starbucks in the world debuts in Chicago, the new Epiphany Center for the Arts offers stunning event spaces, Cooper’s Hawk Esquire Chicago opens, The Langham, Chicago makes Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport is North America’s most connected airport.
- Chicago is one of the top three U.S. destinations for meeting planners
- The biggest Starbucks in the world debuts in Chicago
- New Epiphany Center for the Arts offers stunning event spaces
- Cooper’s Hawk Esquire Chicago opens in the Gold Coast
- The Langham, Chicago makes Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport remains North America’s most connected airport
Chicago is one of the top three U.S. destinations for meeting planners
Chicago is one of the top three U.S. destinations that meeting planners intend to use most in the next two years, according to STR’s 2019 DestinationMAP (Meeting Assessment Program). The report surveyed 1,000 meeting planners’ preferences and perceptions of 42 North American cities. Safety, cleanliness, value, and accessibility were the most important considerations for the majority of planners when selecting a site.
Learn more about Chicago’s DestinationMAP ranking.
The biggest Starbucks in the world debuts in Chicago
The four-level Starbucks Reserve Roastery, the world’s largest Starbucks, recently opened on The Magnificent Mile. The experiential store offers private tours of its small-batch Reserve roasting process that include an in-depth look at the facility’s unique architecture, coffee and cocktail tastings, and semi-private event spaces.
Learn more about Chicago’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery.
New Epiphany Center for the Arts offers stunning event spaces
A landmark West Loop church has been transformed into the Epiphany Center for the Arts, one of the city’s largest cultural venues. It offers three magnificent event spaces that have maintained much of the historic church’s original elements, including Venetian glass mosaics designed by Tiffany, decorative terra cotta tiles, and sweeping arched trusses. Epiphany also offers an art gallery, cafe, and courtyard.
Learn more about Epiphany Center for the Arts.
Cooper’s Hawk Esquire Chicago opens in the Gold Coast
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants opened its first Chicago location on upscale Oak Street. The chic flagship includes a grand tasting room, a dramatic three-story wine tower housing 1,600 bottles, and six private dining and event spaces that can accommodate up to 120 guests. Its artisan market sells a variety of wine-inspired gifts, including Cooper’s Hawk wines.
Learn more about Cooper’s Hawk Esquire Chicago.
The Langham, Chicago makes Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List
The Langham, Chicago was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Gold List of the best hotels and resorts in the world. The hotel was lauded for its note-perfect, mid-century lobby, elegant reception area, and handsomely brassy New American restaurant, Travelle.
Learn more about Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport remains North America’s most connected airport
The OAG Megahubs Index 2019 again ranked O’Hare #1 in its study of the 25 most domestically connected airports in North America. It also ranked #3 among the top 50 international airports. O’Hare is unique among U.S. airports, serving as a major hub for two of the nation’s largest airlines — United and American.
