Chicago, on Lake Michigan, Illinois, is the third largest city in the USA and is known as the Windy City. However with its towering skyscrapers and vibrant culture, it’s hard not to fall in love with even the wind here.
This burgeoning hotspot for tech businesses is also an aspiring place to be for entrepreneurs.
Why exhibit there?
Not only does Chicago have a booming population, it is also home to a thriving manufacturing industry and what better location that in the heart of the country.
Getting there
There are two main airports in Chicago: O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. Chicago Transit Authority trains run 24/7. The Blue Line ‘L’ train takes you from O’Hare to the Chicago city centre in about 45 minutes. You can also grab a taxi, hire a limo or rent a car.
Restrictions on what you can bring into the country?
Follow the FAA’s Pack Safe guidelines and you won’t go far wrong.
Top hotels
Main exhibition venues
- McCormick Place - the self-styled premier convention facility in North America. Located just minutes from downtown Chicago, McCormick Place attracts close to 3 million visitors each year.
- Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
- Summit Chicago
- Navy Pier
Exhibitions we have supported
Services we provide
- Booth Host/Hostess
- Lead Generator
- Crowd Gatherer
- Product Demonstrator
- EMCEE
- Hospitality Staff
- Brand Ambassador
- Engager
- Interpreter/Translator
- Team Leaders
- Event Managers
Key tourist hotspots
- Buckingham Fountain - located in Grant Park, the Beaux Arts-style Buckingham Fountain was designed by architect Edward Bennett after the Latona Fountain at Versailles.
- Chicago Water Tower - One of the few surviving structures of the infamous Great Chicago Fire, the Chicago Water Tower is a symbol of the city’s resilience.
Restaurants
- Monteverde in the West Loop serves some of the best Italian food in the city.
- Au Cheval in the West Loop has the best burger in Chicago.
Bonus round
- Local currency - US dollar.
- Language - English.
- Visa requirements. You will require a visa to enter the USA. What kind that is depends on where you have come from and what you are planning on doing there. The first step you have to take in order to start your US visa application, is to figure out under what kind of visa you are permitted to enter the United States. After you have selected the visa type you need to apply for, you should check the requirements and start gathering the documents that are required for that visa.
- Plug sockets in the USA are the standard two pin plugs.
- Cultural sensitivities. The USA is a real patchwork of cultures, identities and customs, however there aren’t any real cultural sensitivities to be aware of, but points worth noting:
- Most Americans move to a first name basis pretty quickly.
- Americans have no etiquette when it comes to giving and receiving business cards.
- Arrive on time for meetings as time and punctuality are very important to Americans.
- Use statistics to back up your claims - most Americans are impressed by hard data and evidence.