I spent last weekend at a convention in McCormick Place, directly connected to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Consisting of four buildings, McCormick Place is located near Lake Michigan, about two miles south of downtown Chicago.

Originally opened in 1960 and four expansions later, McCormick Place now houses 2.67 million square feet of exhibition space and is easily accessible via expressway or public transportation.

McCormick Place isn’t simply a large, cold exhibition space. While plenty of that exists, there are also rooms of various sizes for smaller events; the calm, quiet areas soften the convention hall setting.

Because of the beautiful weather, I opted for street parking about a mile away. This parking is really a well-kept secret, but most local residents know the tricks. The parking garage at McCormick Place is quite large and a better option, depending on the weather, timing and supplies.

Another great aspect of McCormick Place is the proximity to Lake Michigan. It is nice to take a relaxing break from the bustle inside the venue and walk around near Lake Michigan. Even if you can’t break away long enough for a walk, you can gaze out the window at the beauty of the lakeshore. Either way, it is a nice change of pace in a busy day.

If you’re going to be stuck in a convention for several days, McCormick Place is a good place to be. It always makes my convention experience a bit better.

— John Wroblewski, distribution specialist