Why Conferences and Incentive Travel are now Headed to Chicago?

Chicago is working at a fast pace, preparing itself to host prestigious G8 and NATO meetings in May this year. With a wide spectrum of meeting collaterals, quality- to-premium hotels and predominant business environment, Chicago has acquired a niche status as a Conferences and Incentive Travel destination. For those belonging to the travel industry it is of no surprise that international and national level conferences and incentive travel are now heading towards Chicago this year.

Don’t be surprised at Chicago’s new-age status, as 29 Fortune companies are based there, thanks in part to its pro-business infrastructure and ecosystem. Keeping pace with its active business community, the government too has contributed to the grooming of Chicago as a powerful business travel destination by offering incentives, competitive rates and introducing changes in labor union agreements in autumn 2011. This allows conference planners to negotiate competitive food, beverage and exhibition rates, as well as electricity. Some of the other reasons, why Chicago continues to attract high net-worth business events are-

Easy Connect

Located strategically and serviced by the world’s third largest, Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The city also has great connectivity via train and air with most US destinations.

Wide Array of Stay-in: Premium to competitive quality

Probably, where Chicago gains the upper hand among competing cities is the quality and the wide array of hotel accommodation choices it is able to offer business community. At last count 33, 000 hotel rooms were available in the popular downtown area.

New additions include – the $125 million Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel that has 334-rooms and 26000sqm meeting space. The refurbished Ambassador East Hotel reopened as a new Public Chicago by Ian Schrager’s in October last. Besides, there is the Park Hyatt Chicago with its impressive 198 room and an amazing 650sqm spa and wellness center.

Professional Meeting Spaces

The advantage Chicago holds as a business meeting center is the variety it offers in terms of meeting spaces and the communication-business infrastructure available for all sizes of business organizations. There is place, in Chicago, for small business to hold exclusive meets, events or incentive travel packages to elaborate Multinational events with international web conferencing and probably real-time streaming of the event over the internet.

There are the Convention Centre McCormick’s 173 meeting rooms; Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers and the eclectic Sinclair Ballroom with a capacity to host 220 business participants.

Detailed above are some of the advantages Chicago has in terms of excellent connectivity, great hotels, and a conducive travel industry atmosphere, which encourages conferences and incentive travel.

Why Chicago is the destination for Meetings, Conferences or Incentive Travel

Chicago’s excellent connectivity, infrastructure, great hotels, and conducive travel industry atmosphere, encourages conferences and incentive travel especially for overseas businesses. Chicago has the best business places at the best prices!

TravelMole Staff Writter