Chicago will host a full lineup of conferences across science, healthcare, retail, trade, and technology in 2026. Many international conferences and major conferences return each year because the city offers strong venues, broad industry representation, and convenient travel options through Illinois. The schedule appeals to organizations planning upcoming conferences, product launches, and large scale events for audiences from across the country.
Most programs take place at McCormick Place, the largest event complex in North America. The facility supports trade shows, product demonstrations, innovation pavilions, seminars, and multi-hall exhibitions. Other events meet in downtown hotels and university venues, creating a diverse array of programming that attracts professionals, students, and researchers.
Why Chicago Draws Global Attention
Chicago appeals to industry leaders, professionals, policymakers, and faculty from many sectors. Its mix of research institutions, commercial centers, and major brands helps draw attendees who want to learn, examine new practices, study new technology, and connect with peers working in similar fields.
The city regularly hosts international conferences focused on topics such as science, healthcare innovation, retail operations, and education. Participants join presentations, workshops, discussions, and networking sessions that encourage new partnerships. Chicago’s location also makes travel feasible for visitors from across the country and major global hubs.
What to Expect From Chicago’s 2026 Event Calendar
Chicago’s 2026 conference calendar includes events spanning engineering, retail, medicine, manufacturing, finance, and supply chain development. These programs help participants review updates in their field, share findings with researchers and scholars, and access practical tools for applied research, management, and customer engagement.
Throughout the year, various organizations host events at McCormick Place, downtown hotels, and university centers. Many of these events are built for large audiences while others focus on targeted programs with specific topics. Each event offers a structured collection of seminars, product exhibits, and real-time networking opportunities for visitors who want to expand their experience and stay aligned with industry developments.
Some of the best-known conferences highlight science, healthcare, design, retail, and innovation. Groups can explore updated methods, review new case studies, and find new solutions that support business success. A number of events will include detailed education tracks for students and early-career teams.
Featured Events in Chicago
These Chicago programs draw strong interest from many sectors. They have consistent attendance, broad coverage, and recognition across the region.
Midwest Energy Solutions Conference 2026
27–29 Jan 2026
Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | Chicago, United States
FutureCon CyberSecurity Conference Chicago 2026
29 Jan 2026
Chicago Marriott Oak Brook | Chicago, United States
Chicago Auto Show 2026
7–16 Feb 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
CU Growth & Innovation Summit 2026
9–11 Feb 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago | Chicago, United States
SOCAP Auto Summit 2026
10–11 Feb 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
ECRM Weight Management, Nutrition and Vitamin Session 2026
10–12 Feb 2026
Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago | Chicago, United States
Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting 2026
19–21 Feb 2026
McCormick Place West | Chicago, United States
LMT LAB DAY Chicago 2026
19–21 Feb 2026
Hyatt Regency Chicago | Chicago, United States
Scientific Session of AAFP 2026
20–21 Feb 2026
Chicago Marriott Downtown | Chicago, United States
NASP Annual Convention 2026
24–27 Feb 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
ADAM Annual Meeting 2026
26–28 Feb 2026
The Fairmont Chicago | Chicago, United States
NAMIC Commercial and Personal Lines Seminar 2026
4–6 Mar 2026
Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel | Chicago, United States
Chicago Booth Private Equity Conference 2026
6 Mar 2026
Marriott Magnificent Mile | Chicago, United States
ACM International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction 2026
8–11 Mar 2026
University of Chicago | Chicago, United States
The Inspired Home Show 2026
10–12 Mar 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
MBAA International Conference 2026
25–27 Mar 2026
Palmer House Hilton | Chicago, United States
ABA Techshow 2026
25–28 Mar 2026
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2026
27–29 Mar 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
ACI Concrete Convention Spring 2026
29 Mar–1 Apr 2026|
TBA | Chicago, United States
AONL Inspiring Leaders 2026
29 Mar–1 Apr 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
ONA 2026
30 Mar–1 Apr 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Smart Factories Summit 2026
31 Mar 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Retail Summits Ecom Edit: B2B 2026
1 Apr 2026
City Hall Events | Chicago, United States
Adidas Windy City National Qualifier 2026
3–5 Apr 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Digital Summit Chicago 2026
7–8 Apr 2026
Marriott Marquis | Chicago, United States
Analytics Unite 2026
7–9 Apr 2026
The Drake Hotel | Chicago, United States
EXPO CHICAGO 2026
9–12 Apr 2026
Navy Pier | Chicago, United States
Audio Expo North America 2026
10–12 Apr 2026
Schaumburg Convention Center | Chicago, United States
The National Franchise Show Chicago 2026
11–12 Apr 2026
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center | Chicago, United States
Urgent Care Convention 2026
11–14 Apr 2026
Historic Hilton Chicago | Chicago, United States
Deep Dish Swift 2026
12–14 Apr 2026
Loews Hotel Chicago O’Hare | Chicago, United States
SPRING Payer Issues Roundtable 2026
13–14 Apr 2026
Hyatt Regency Chicago | Chicago, United States
CoSN 2026
13–15 Apr 2026
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk | Chicago, United States
Becker’s Healthcare Annual Meeting Chicago 2026
13–16 Apr 2026
Hyatt Regency Chicago | Chicago, United States
Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit Spring 2026
15–16 Apr 2026
Hyatt Regency Chicago | Chicago, United States
The Quirk’s Event Chicago 2026
15–16 Apr 2026
Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago | Chicago, United States
Atlas Forum 2026
16–17 Apr 2026
Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel | Chicago, United States
MediaGrowth Executive Summit 2026
16–17 Apr 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Rethink! HR Tech USA 2026
16–17 Apr 2026
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Intranet Reloaded USA 2026
16–17 Apr 2026
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting 2026
18–22 Apr 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Cyber Risk & Insurance Innovation USA 2026
21–22 Apr 2026
DoubleTree Hilton | Chicago, United States
Procurement & Supply Chain Live US 2026
22–23 Apr 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
BrandSmart 2026
23 Apr 2026
Chicago City Hall | Chicago, United States
Heart Rhythm 2026
23–26 Apr 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
NAHAM Annual Conference 2026
28 Apr–1 May 2026
Hilton Chicago | Chicago, United States
BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2026
28–30 Apr 2026
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Digestive Disease Week 2026
2–5 May 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
B2B Online Chicago 2026
4–6 May 2026
Chicago Marriott Downtown | Chicago, United States
Biofuels and Feedstocks Americas 2026
4–6 May 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
IEEE PES T&D Conference & Exposition 2026
4–7 May 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
CLOC Global Institute 2026
11–14 May 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Chicago CIO Community Executive Summit Spring 2026
12 May 2026
Convene Willis Tower | Chicago, United States
Chicago CISO Community Executive Summit Spring 2026
13 May 2026
Convene Willis Tower | Chicago, United States
Marketing Executives Group 2026
13–15 May 2026
Fairmont Chicago | Chicago, United States
BSides312 2026
15 May 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
National Restaurant Association Show 2026
16–19 May 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
TECHSPO Chicago 2026
19–20 May 2026
Soldier Field Stadium | Chicago, United States
DigiMarCon Midwest 2026
19–20 May 2026
Soldier Field Stadium | Chicago, United States
SecureWorld Chicago 2026
20 May 2026
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center | Chicago, United States
DocuWorld Partner Conference 2026
20–21 May 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Digital Manufacturing Summit North America 2026
29 May 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
ASCO Annual Meeting 2026
29 May–2 Jun 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Future Food-Tech Chicago 2026
1–2 Jun 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
WSJ Global Food Forum 2026
1–2 Jun 2026
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago | Chicago, United States
Legal Geek North America 2026
2 Jun 2026
Recess | Chicago, United States
ANA Masters of B2B Marketing Conference 2026
3–5 Jun 2026
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | Chicago, United States
AMA House of Delegates Annual Meeting 2026
5–10 Jun 2026
Hyatt Regency Chicago | Chicago, United States
Small Business Expo Chicago 2026
10 Jun 2026
Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum | Chicago, United States
Insurance Tech & Innovation Conference 2026
10–11 Jun 2026
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile | Chicago, United States
Becker’s Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference 2026
11–13 Jun 2026
Swissotel Chicago | Chicago, United States
Hemp Beverage Expo 2026
16–18 Jun 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Automate 2026
22–25 Jun 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Equilar Summit 2026
24–26 Jun 2026
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | Chicago, United States
The Future of Insurance USA 2026
25–26 Jun 2026
Marriott Marquis | Chicago, United States
ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition 2026
25–29 Jun 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
GFOA 2026
28 Jun–1 Jul 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
IFT First Annual Event and Expo 2026
12–15 Jul 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Private Equity Chicago Forum 2026
15–16 Jul 2026
University Club of Chicago | Chicago, United States
Construction Tech Conference 2026
15–16 Jul 2026
Convene – Willis Tower | Chicago, United States
MWAA Conference 2026
22–23 Jul 2026
Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | Chicago, United States
Mindshare Retreat 2026
22–24 Jul 2026
The Ritz-Carlton | Chicago, United States
AAJ Annual Convention 2026
24–28 Jul 2026
Hyatt Regency Chicago | Chicago, United States
NCSL Legislative Summit 2026
27–29 Jul 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
NRHC 2026
28–31 Jul 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Chicago Collective Men’s Summer 2026
1–4 Aug 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
GBTA Convention 2026
3–5 Aug 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
CDAO Chicago 2026
5–6 Aug 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
ClueCon 2026
10–14 Aug 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Prospect Development 2026
11–14 Aug 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
iVT Off-Highway Vehicle Technology Expo 2026
19–20 Aug 2026
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center | Chicago, United States
ACS Fall 2026
23–27 Aug 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
NAR Leadership Summit 2026
24–25 Aug 2026
Sheraton Grand Chicago | Chicago, United States
MoneyLIVE North America 2026
14–15 Sept 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Smarter Services Executive Symposium 2026
14–16 Sept 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Becker’s Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Meeting 2026
14–18 Sept 2026
Hilton Chicago | Chicago, United States
IMTS 2026
14–19 Sept 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Labelexpo Americas 2026
15–17 Sept 2026
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center | Chicago, United States
Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit 2026
15–17 Sept 2026
The Westin Lombard | Chicago, United States
HIDA Streamlining Healthcare Expo & Business Exchange 2026
22–24 Sept 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Grocery NEXT 2026
24–26 Sept 2026
Westin Lombard | Chicago, United States
ANA Measurement & Analytics Conference 2026
28–30 Sept 2026
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel | Chicago, United States
Inland Distribution Conference 2026
28–30 Sept 2026
The Westin Chicago River North | Chicago, United States
NASBO Fall Meeting 2026
30 Sept–2 Oct 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
APTA TRANSform Conference 2026
4–7 Oct 2026
McCormick Place Convention Center Chicago | Chicago, United States
ACEP 2026
5–8 Oct 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Descartes Innovation Forum 2026
6–8 Oct 2026
Hyatt Regency Chicago | Chicago, United States
MBA Annual Convention and Expo 2026
11–14 Oct 2026
Hyatt Regency Chicago | Chicago, United States
The Connected Worker Manufacturing Summit 2026
13–15 Oct 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Pack Expo International 2026
18–21 Oct 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
Chicago CHRO Community Executive Summit 2026
20 Oct 2026
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile | Chicago, United States
NGA Executive Conference 2026
20–22 Oct 2026
Fairmont Chicago | Chicago, United States
World Finance Forum Chicago 2026
22 Oct 2026
VOCO Chicago Downtown | Chicago, United States
SIG Global Executive Summit Fall 2026
25–28 Oct 2026
Navy Pier | Chicago, United States
Fall Hospital Pharmacy Conference 2026
26–28 Oct 2026
Hyatt Regency O’Hare | Chicago, United States
Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference 2026
28–29 Oct 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
Product Marketing Summit Chicago 2026
18 Nov 2026
TBA | Chicago, United States
RSNA Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting 2026
29 Nov–3 Dec 2026
McCormick Place | Chicago, United States
How Vendelux Supports 2026 Event Planning
Vendelux is an event intelligence platform that supports teams planning for major conferences in Chicago and other cities. The available data helps users search for programs, confirm who will attend, and find out which companies or brands will sponsor each event. Teams can focus on upcoming opportunities and use detailed records to identify programs that align with their markets.
With Vendelux Meetings, your team can set meetings with accounts before arriving in Illinois. The platform lets users book time instantly, allowing them to walk into McCormick Place or downtown venues with a full schedule of conversations. Instead of waiting for booth traffic, teams connect with decision makers in advance, increasing return on investment for events throughout the year.
This is especially effective for 2026 planning because event organizers often adjust date details, formats, and event structure. Vendelux gives users a tool to find the right shows, review updates, answer questions about sponsorship roles, and prepare for growth in a competitive market.
Planning Your Trip
Many of Chicago’s largest gatherings take place from january through november, although smaller programs continue in december. The venues around McCormick Place and downtown give visitors quick access to hotels, taxis, rideshare options, and major attractions.
Groups planning upcoming conferences should watch for updates from organizers on final date adjustments, registration windows, and program structure. With many events held at large properties, visitors can extend their stay to explore museums, restaurants, and cultural institutions across the city.
Why Chicago Works for Business and Research
Chicago brings together experts, innovators, and researchers from many sectors. Teams attend to share results, compare methods, build new connections, and pursue continued education. The blend of academic influence, commercial strength, and global interest helps the city attract programs that reflect emerging research and operational standards across several industries.
For many groups, Chicago delivers access to industry, strong infrastructure, and a location that allows teams to step into collaborative environments. Visitors gain new viewpoints, improve their understanding of current topics, and leave with practical ideas that support long-term progress in their field.
Book A Demo
If your group plans to attend or exhibit at Chicago conferences in 2026, Vendelux can support every step of your strategy.
Book a demo today to see how Vendelux helps you identify top events, match opportunities with your ICP, and set meetings before you arrive.
