CHICAGO
Major Trade Show Venues in Chicago
McCormick Place
Convention center
2301 S Martin Luther King Dr
- Description: The largest convention center in North America, featuring over 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space across four interconnected buildings. It hosts major international events like the Chicago Auto Show and the Bellavita Expo.
- Location: 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616.
- Website: mccormickplace.com.
Navy Pier Event Center
- Description: An iconic, flexible event space with a 170,000 square feet exhibit hall, 34 meeting rooms, and unique indoor/outdoor spaces offering lakefront and skyline views.
- Location: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (implied location near address in search results).
- Website: navypier.org/event-center/.
The Mart
Exhibition and trade center
222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
- Description:A significant international exhibition complex and a hub for design and business activities, known for hosting trade fairs like NeoCon.
- Location: 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654.
- Website: themart.com.
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Convention center
5555 N River Rd
- Description: Located in the nearby suburb of Rosemont, this center offers 840,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space.
- Location: 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018 (inferred location from snippet).
- Website: rosemont.com/desconvention/.
Major Trade Shows & Events in Chicago
- National Restaurant Association Show As the premier event for the foodservice industry, it showcases everything from food and beverage to equipment and technology every May at McCormick Place.
- NeoCon North America's largest design exposition and conference for commercial interiors, NeoCon typically takes place in June at the Merchandise Mart.
- International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) Held every other year in the fall, IMTS is one of the world's longest-running and largest manufacturing technology shows, drawing over 100,000 visitors to McCormick Place.
- PACK EXPO International This global packaging and processing exhibition is held at McCormick Place, featuring technology and solutions for various industries.
- Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting A major medical convention focusing on radiology, AI, and related equipment, held annually at McCormick Place.
- ProMAT: Material and Logistics supply chain show
- IEEE Power and Energy Society: every 2 years in Chicago
- ASCO: American Society of Clinical Oncology
- IFT: Institute of Food Technologist
SEE Exhibit Services in Chicago
SEE provides complete exhibit solutions for exhibitors …..
Services include:
- Custom exhibit design & fabrication
- Turnkey rentals (10x10 through large island booths)
- Shipping & logistics management
- Installation & dismantle supervision
- Rigging planning & AV integration
- Graphics production
- Storage between shows
- Promo products, apparel, and Essentials kits
Your entire exhibit program is managed by one team with national coverage and deep experience in the Chicago show ecosystem.
Hotels Near the main Chicago trade show venues
Restaurants & Things to do in Chicago
Kitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - Chicago
$$ · Restaurant
339 North Dearborn Street
Southern Comfort Food - Kevin Kelley is a Chicago based restaurant specializing in delicious
Fatpour McCormick: Ultimate Chicago Sports Bar
$20–30 · Restaurant
2206 S Indiana Ave
Brewpub known for its big 22oz pours
The Spoke & Bird (South Loop)
$10–20 · Restaurant
205 E 18th St
Chill joint for coffee & locavore bites
Reggies Chicago
$10–20 · Grill
2105 S State St
Bar with live music & pub fare
After Hours & Group Activities
Ace Bounce Bar & Games
Ping Pong , Beer Pong, Shuffleboard and Food
230 N Clark Street
Chicago
773-219-0900
Electric Shuffle
Eat. Drink. Shuffle
488 N LaSalle Drive
Chicago
312-736-7617
Top Golf
2050 Progress Parkway
Chicago
847-656-2122
SEE Exhibit Services in Atlanta
SEE provides complete exhibit solutions for exhibitors attending shows at GWCC, AmericasMart, Cobb Galleria Centre, and regional hotels.
Services include:
- Custom exhibit design & fabrication
- Turnkey rentals (10x10 through large island booths)
- Shipping & logistics management
- Installation & dismantle supervision
- Rigging planning & AV integration
- Graphics production
- Storage between shows
- Promo products, apparel, and Essentials kits
Your entire exhibit program is managed by one team with national coverage and deep experience in the Atlanta show ecosystem.
Chicago Fun Facts
- The River Flows Backwards: In 1900, Chicago reversed the Chicago River's flow to send sewage away from Lake Michigan (their drinking water source).
- Birthplace of Skyscrapers: The world's first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building, was built in Chicago in 1885.
- Route 66 Starts Here: Historic Route 66, "The Main Street of America," begins in Chicago's Grant Park.
- Invented Deep-Dish Pizza: This iconic food was created in Chicago.
- Origin of Spray Paint: Canned spray paint was invented in Chicago by Edward Seymour in 1949.
- Gotham City Inspiration: Batman's Gotham City is modeled after Chicago, with many films shot there.
- World's First Ferris Wheel: The original Ferris Wheel was built in Chicago for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
- "Windy City" Origins: The nickname refers more to politicians' hot air than just weather, though it's a windy place too.
- Home of the Twinkie: The beloved snack cake was invented in the Chicago area.
- First Nuclear Chain Reaction: The first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction happened at the University of Chicago in 1942.
Ready to Exhibit in Chicago?
Whether you need a 10x10 rental or a 50x50 custom exhibit, SEE delivers design, fabrication, logistics, and full on-site support for every major Chicago show.
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Serving exhibitors nationwide from our New Jersey production facility and warehouses near major convention centers.
