Every industry, from sports and film to culinary and association, is turning to Chicago for the best in hospitality, one-of-a-kind venues, and amenities when hosting their meetings and events.
Chicago is proud to have long-standing relationships with acclaimed trade shows and conventions like the National Restaurant Association Show, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the National Confectioners Association’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, the International Home + Housewares Show, and the International Manufacturing Technology Show.
We’re also the permanent home of the once-traveling Lollapalooza music festival. This three-day event brings together over 140 rock, indie, and hip-hop artists, hosting hundreds of thousands of fans right along the Lake Michigan waterfront.
A true epicurean destination, Chicago has a rich history with the James Beard Foundation, delivering winners in 23 out of 24 years. After hosting its elite awards ceremony in New York for 25 years, the James Beard Foundation announced Chicago as its new host city in 2015. Chicago is slated to host the Awards until at least 2027.
On the big screen, the city’s unmistakable skyline, lakefront and downtown buildings have made countless cameos in blockbuster movies, including The Dark Knight, Transformers and Divergent. What’s more, an unprecedented number of TV dramas are being filmed in Chicago, including Shameless and Empire. Moreover, producer Dick Wolf has created a franchise of Chicago-based hits for NBC that include Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD.
Take a look at a few of the other big names who have made Chicago their number one meetings and events choice.
2010 — 2025: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (ASCO also met in Chicago in 2003, and 2007-2008)
1985 — 2025 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) (RSNA held its first meeting in Chicago in 1915)
1986 — 2024 (even years): International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) (IMTS held its first meeting in Chicago in 1947)
1939 — 2025: International Home & Housewares Show*
2021: Risk Management Society (RIMS) Annual Meeting
2018: Laver Cup (the first U.S. city to host the event)
2018: American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting & Exposition
2016: Copa América Centenario futbol (the most attended Copa América in the tournament’s 100-year history)
2016: Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (the first America’s Cup freshwater race in the event’s 165-year history)
2015and 2016: NFL Draft (the first time the event was held outside of New York since 1964)
Plan your next meeting in Chicago
* 2020 event cancelled
