Chicago Venue-Specific Statistics & Trends

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Chicago has officially reclaimed its status as a top-three global destination for conventions and trade shows. With a projected $20 billion+ economic impact this year, the competition for "eyes on booths" has never been higher.

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1. McCormick Place (The Giant)

McCormick Place had a "banner year" in 2025. It remains the anchor of the city's convention industry, hosting approximately 3 million visitors annually.

• Attendance: Up significantly. In 2025, at least eight major conventions broke their all-time attendance records here, including C2E2 (Comic Expo) and the NACS Show.
• Capacity: It offers 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space.
• Economic Impact: The campus accounts for a massive portion of Chicago's $20.6 billion annual tourism and event impact.

2. Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont)

Rosemont continues to thrive due to its proximity to O'Hare. It is currently the primary hub for specialized B2B and consumer shows.

• Key Stat: The PLMA (Private Label Manufacturers Association) show recently drew over 14,000 attendees and 3,000 booths—nearing record capacity for the venue.
• Traffic: Consumer shows like the Chicago RV & Camping Show and the Travel & Adventure Show reported steady or increasing YoY (Year-over-Year) foot traffic through early 2026.

3. Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center

Schaumburg has carved out a niche for regional corporate meetings and mid-sized trade shows.

• Trend: This venue is benefiting from a shift toward "regionalization." Companies are participating in more regional shows (average of 42 per year) to save on travel costs compared to massive international summits.

4. The Merchandise Mart (THE MART)

While primarily a design and tech hub, THE MART's statistics focus on permanent showrooms and specialized boutique shows (like NeoCon).

• Trend: THE MART is seeing a "hybridization" of its space. While traditional showroom traffic is steady, it has successfully pivoted to hosting high-tech and "innovation" summits that draw a younger, tech-focused demographic.

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Summary of Regional Trends

• Overall Attendance Up 15% Compared to 2024; many sectors now exceed 2019 levels.
• Hotel Demand Record High 11.6 million room nights filled in Chicago last year (up 5.3%).
• Exhibitor Spending Increasing Average annual spending per company rose to ~$2M in 2025.
• International Visitors Recovering Surpassed 2 million for the first time since 2019.

Why is it up?

1. Face-to-Face Demand: There is a documented "Zoom fatigue," with 95% of exhibitors now preferring in-person events over virtual ones.
2. Purchasing Power: 82% of current attendees have direct buying authority, making the ROI for companies higher than it was five years ago.
3. Sustainability: Chicago venues (especially McCormick Place) have won awards for "Green Meetings," which is now a top requirement for major corporate bookings.

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