hicago , like other global event destinations , has seen its last 18 months plagued with lockdowns and uncertainty as a result of Covid-19 .

Following the rollout of the vaccination programme , Chicago has entered Phase 5 of its Covid-19 response , where mandatory Covid-19 regulations , such as capacity limits and social distancing requirements , have been lifted . Although , individuals are required to wear masks in public venues , effective 20 August . As a result , Chicago ’ s venues have been reopened to event organisers both nationally and internationally .

Healthy Meetings Chicago One strategy adopted by Choose Chicago , the official tourism organisation for the city , has been a virtual platform , Healthy Meetings Chicago . It offers an interactive guide through Chicago itself , specifically aiming to outline the timeline and venues available for an event . The virtual tour starts at the airport , moving on to McCormick Square , McCormick Place , and finishing at Navy Pier .

Each specific venue has its own 360-degree view with links containing videos outlining its different aspects , the kind of events held there , and what Chicago offers as a city on top of all that . This strategy has been aimed at keeping Chicago present in the minds of event organisers and visitors in a period where lockdowns and travel restrictions were ever-present .

Venues and Incentives McCormick Place , the largest convention centre in the Western Hemisphere , stands proud as Chicago ’ s premier event

venue . The venue is made up of four buildings : the West , South and North Buildings , and Lakeside Center , which collectively offer 241,548sqm of meeting and exhibition space . Together , these buildings offer 173 meeting rooms offering 55,742sqm of space , four ballrooms ranging from 1,951sqm to 9,290sqm , assembly seating for 18,000 people , a 10,000-seat arena ( Wintrust Arena ), 4,192 seat theatre ( Arie Crown ), and four theatres seating 300 each .

Navy Pier is another of Chicago ’ s attractions , welcoming more than 9.3m visitors a year . Stretching 1km into Lake Michigan , this year-round destination has views of the city skyline .

Its facilities include exposition and special event facilities , with more than 15,794sqm of exhibition space , over 4,459sqm of Festival Hall meeting space , divisible into 36 rooms , the 1,673sqm AON Grand Ballroom and Rooftop , over 50,000sqm of multi-use reception areas , loading docks with 10 bays and drive-in access , and enclosed parking for 1,800 vehicles .

Choose Chicago also offers its 2021 All in Chicago meetings incentive promotion . When companies contract , through Choose Chicago , between 250-750 rooms , they are offered a $ 200 VISA gift card , $ 200 Lettuce Entertain

Above and below : Pandemic times have meant more attention has been paid to painting and refurbishing at the city ’ s venues

You gift card , and $ 200 VIP Executive Transfer Voucher . For companies who contract 751 or greater rooms , these gift cards increase to $ 500 respectively . This promotion runs 15 August 2020-31 December 2021 .

Pandemic practices Choose Chicago says that while the city is now fully open , safety is its primary concern . Chicago ’ s venues , vendors and airports have all implemented Covid-19 safety technologies and practices to ensure the safety of organisers and attendees .

Indeed , much of the upgrades associated with the pandemic-period to Chicago ’ s venues were directly associated with Covid-19 safety . McCormick Place has now implemented sanitisation stations throughout the venue , contactless delivery systems for tickets .

All the venue ’ s employees undergo a health screening every day , and have undergone Covid-19 related training specific to their position . The success of the technological upgrades , and Covid-19 practices , is shown by the McCormick Place campus being awarded GBAC STAR accreditation .

Glenn Eden , chair of the Choose Chicago board of directors , says : “ Prior to Covid , McCormick Place operations generated more than $ 1.9bn in economic impact to the city and state . As we take this step forward and move toward reopening , not only is this a positive development for the health of our city , but also for the health of our economy .”