Key Facts About McCormick Place
McCormick Place combines massive scale with modern facilities, making it the largest convention center in North America and a top destination for global B2B events.
Address: 2301 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
At a Glance
- 2.6 million sq ft of exhibit space
- 173 meeting rooms / 600,000 sq ft of meeting space
- 4 ballrooms, up to 100,000 sq ft
- 18,000-seat assembly capacity
- Over 3 million annual visitors
Why McCormick Place Matters
McCormick Place in Chicago is the largest convention center in North America and a hub for major B2B conferences. It regularly attracts leaders from manufacturing, healthcare, foodservice, technology, and packaging. Companies that want access to high-value buyers and decision-makers across industries see McCormick Place as one of the most important event venues in the U.S.
Why should my company exhibit at McCormick Place?
Because McCormick Place hosts many of the most attended B2B events in the country. With Vendelux, you can search upcoming events here, upload or build your ICP, and identify where your target accounts will be. From there, you can use Vendelux Meetings to pre-book with them ahead of time.
Venue Infrastructure & Accessibility
Space & Facilities
- 2.6M sq ft of exhibit halls (1.2M on one level)
- 173 meeting rooms for breakout sessions, boardrooms, and trainings
- 4 ballrooms, including a 100,000 sq ft space for banquets or general sessions
- Assembly hall that seats 18,000 attendees
Connected Venues
- Wintrust Arena with 10,000 seats for larger sessions or entertainment
- Arie Crown Theater with 4,249 seats for lectures or performances
Location & Travel
- About 10 minutes from downtown Chicago
- 20–30 minutes from O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport
- 3,000+ hotel rooms within walking distance
- Connected campus with skybridges and indoor promenades
- Onsite parking in multiple garages and surface lots, daily rates typically $15–$25, with limited EV charging availability
How do I know if McCormick Place is right for both large expos and smaller meetings?
The venue is built to accommodate everything from mega-shows like IMTS to smaller professional gatherings. Vendelux lets you filter upcoming events by industry, size, and ICP overlap so you can select the opportunities that make sense.
Technology & Sustainability
- High-capacity Wi-Fi and fiber backbone throughout the convention center
- In-house AV and hybrid event services available
- West Building is LEED-certified
- Wind power offsets and rooftop gardens to reduce carbon impact
Do sustainability and technology investments at the venue matter for my strategy?
Yes. Strong Wi-Fi, hybrid event support, and visible sustainability programs all contribute to attendee experience and brand alignment. With Vendelux, you can then filter McCormick Place’s upcoming shows to focus only on the ones that align with your ICP and strategy.
Major Events at McCormick Place (via Vendelux)
2025 Events
• RSNA 2025 (Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting)
• Automation Fair 2025
• Chicago Build Expo 2025
• Grace Hopper Celebration 2025
• The Midwest Clinic 2025
• Holiday Showcase 2025
2026 Events
• IMTS 2026 (International Manufacturing Technology Show)
• PACK EXPO International 2026
• National Restaurant Association Show 2026
• ASCO Annual Meeting 2026
• IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo 2026
• The Inspired Home Show 2026
• Automate 2026
• ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition 2026
• GBTA Convention 2026
• Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting 2026
Which of these events should I prioritize?
Use Vendelux to filter these events against your ICP and see where the strongest overlaps exist. Once identified, you can pre-book meetings directly through Vendelux Meetings.
Who Attends McCormick Place Events
Attendees include executives, VPs, procurement officers, scientists, engineers, and senior marketers. Vendelux allows you to search by job title, industry, and company size to see which of your ICP accounts are attending.
Cost and Booking Information
Exhibit space is booked through each event’s organizer, not McCormick Place itself. Costs vary depending on booth size and placement. Vendelux helps ensure you only invest in the shows that contain your target audience.
Preparing for McCormick Place Events
The most effective approach is to secure meetings with your ICP before you arrive. Vendelux gives you the tools to see attendee overlap and pre-book your schedule.
Alternatives to McCormick Place
Comparable venues include the Javits Center (New York), Moscone Center (San Francisco), and Las Vegas Convention Center. Vendelux makes it easy to compare events across venues and see where your ICP is most present.
FAQs
How big is McCormick Place?
2.6M sq ft of exhibit space, 173 meeting rooms, 4 ballrooms, and an assembly hall for 18,000 people.
What are the biggest events held here?
IMTS, RSNA, PACK EXPO, National Restaurant Association Show, and ASCO are among the largest. See links above on Vendelux.
How do I know if an event here is worth attending?
By uploading or building your ICP in Vendelux and checking whether those accounts appear at the event.
Can I pre-book meetings at McCormick Place events?
Yes, through Vendelux Meetings once you’ve identified ICP overlap.
Is parking available at McCormick Place?
Yes. Multiple parking garages and surface lots serve the campus with daily rates usually between $15–$25. Accessibility parking and limited EV charging are available.
How accessible is the venue for international attendees?
O’Hare and Midway airports are 20–30 minutes away. Chicago Transit Authority trains and buses connect the venue with the rest of the city. Many hotels are within walking distance.
What hotels are near McCormick Place?
Nearby options include Marriott Marquis Chicago (connected to McCormick Place), Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, and Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place.
What restaurants are close to McCormick Place?
Business travelers often choose nearby spots like Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta, The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, or VU Rooftop for upscale dining close to the venue.
Why McCormick Place Delivers ROI
McCormick Place offers unmatched capacity and global recognition. Vendelux helps you:
- Search and filter upcoming events at McCormick Place
- Upload or build your ICP, or connect your CRM
- Pre-book meetings with ICP through Vendelux Meetings
