Chicago was built on business. Jean Baptiste Point DuSable set up a trading post here in 1779, and this vibrant, racy town has never looked back.

Because the city is so accessible by plane, train, bus or car, and because the mayor courts business, Chicago is one of the gems of the Midwest for local, national and international business travelers. Mayor Richard Daley has progressively sought grants to expand and improve the city, making it not only a business hub, but a recreational destination as well. One good indication of a thriving business climate is the abundance of new companies. Soargeniz, a solar thermal technology manufacturer, chose to build its first plant in Chicago. The owners cited the good development climate and Daley’s support for renewable energy as their reasons for the move. Daley has set an impressive goal of garnering 20 percent of the city’s power from renewable energy sources.

Preferred Freezer, a New Jersey-based company, opened its Chicago office in April, bringing along 61 jobs. Its site in the Pilsen Industrial Corridor is ideal for ground shipment deliveries. The thriving Pilsen Industrial Corridor houses 203 companies that employ more than 10,000 workers. In 2000, there were only 177 companies employing 8,000.

Further evidence that Chicago is a growing business force was revealed in a recently completed study by the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. The study projects a growth of more than 3,000 jobs spread across 21 industries and 31 occupations by 2010. The study indicates that the six fastest-growing industries are: business services, health services, management services, education services and social services. Job growth is also anticipated in the fields of accounting, security, computers and hospitality.

One of the most exciting developments in Chicago is the McCormick Place West Expansion Project, which will break ground soon. Joining its siblings, the North Building, the South Building and the Lakeside Center, when finished the West Building will offer 470,000 square feet of exhibit space and 250,000 square feet of meeting space, including the city’s largest ballroom at 100,000 square feet. The entire campus will increase in size to a whopping 2.6 million square feet, keeping its reputation as an international leader in the convention-center industry. When it’s completed, McCormick Place will have the flexibility to accommodate large-scale concurrently running events. Parking accommodations for 16 buses and a ground-level centralized transportation center for all attendees will make drop-offs and pickups a breeze. When the addition is completed in late 2007, the facility will include flexible registration space; designated roadways for freight; covered terrace for year-round use; fine dining (250 seats); and two food courts, one with 400 seats and one with 600 seats elevated above the show floor.

The project is a study in proactive planning. The results of a survey revealed an estimated 2,000 Cook County jobs would have been eliminated if the project had been nixed. Instead, an increase of 6,000 jobs, due to new trade-show and convention activities, is expected. Developers are betting history will repeat itself. Following a previous expansion at McCormick Place, there was a substantial increase in the number of scheduled events. The new expansion will create space suitable for hosting meetings of all types, including medical conferences and education meetings, large trade shows and smaller conventions.

The expansion is adjacent to McCormick Place’s existing structures on Chicago’s Southwest Side (the Bronzeville area). It is bordered by Cermak Road on the north, Martin Luther King Drive on the east, Indiana Avenue on the west and the Stevenson Expressway to the south. For more information, visit www.mccormick2008.com.

Where to Stay

The selection of places to stay in Chicago is as diverse and delightful as the city’s gorgeous attractions and eclectic cuisine. Chicago boasts more than 29,000 hotel rooms in a highly concentrated downtown area and in excess of 90,000 rooms in the metro area — clearly making room for everyone. From European flair to down-home charm, Chicago offers accommodations to meet the needs of the business traveler.

Amalfi Hotel Chicago
The Italian-inspired Amalfi Hotel Chicago swung open its doors in February. Located in River North, the chic 215-room hotel prides itself on catering to the desires of the business traveler and providing a unique stay bolstered by personal touches. The concierge has been renamed “experience designer” and one doesn’t call for housekeeping staff, but for “comfort stylists.”

Centrally located, the hotel is the perfect launching pad for a stroll down the Magnificent Mile. Check out a show in the Theater District or surround yourself with beauty at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Executive breakfast is served each morning on each floor of the hotel and a cocktail reception greets visitors each evening. Rooms offer complimentary high-speed Internet access. Pets are welcome. The hotel contains two meeting rooms: 1,081 and 572 square feet respectively. The hotel is owned by Hostmark Hospitality Group.

Amalfi Hotel Chicago, 20 W.Kinzie
Chicago, IL 60610, tel 312 395-9000
fax 312 395 9001, www.amalfihotelchicago

Le Meridien Chicago

Atop The Shops at North Bridge and Nordstrom’s on Michigan Avenue, this four-diamond hotel sits in the middle of The Loop, Chicago’s financial district and Navy Pier. The Merchandise Mart is within walking distance and McCormick Place is a quick cab ride away. The hotel’s newly expanded 19,000 square feet of meeting space offers high-speed Internet access and gourmet catering. Guestrooms also offer computer data ports, high-speed Internet access, international direct dial, dual-line cordless phones and voicemail. Le Meridien also offers a multilingual staff and a full-service business center. Cerise, a casual French restaurant, is located in the hotel.

Le Meridien Chicago, 521 N.Rush St.
Chicago, IL 60611, tel 312 645 1550
fax 312 645 1550, www.lemeridien.com

The Wheeler Mansion

For those of you craving the creature comforts of home while doing business far away, the Wheeler Mansion blends the best of both worlds. Nestled in the historic Prairie Avenue District (two blocks from McCormick Place), the hotel was built in 1870. Any of the 11 nonsmoking rooms/suites take you back in time with authentic furnishings, tapestries and silks. Rooms feature 11-foot ceilings and marble spa baths with granite and onyx accents. Complimentary full gourmet breakfast is served at this South Loop luxury hotel. Guestrooms have two-line speaker phones, Internet access and full concierge/business services.

The Wheeler Mansion, 2020 S.Calumet Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616, tel 312 945 2020, fax 312 945 2021
www.wheelermansion.com

The Hard Rock Hotel Chicago

The Hard Rock Cafe International’s first urban hotel, The Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, debuted in December. The upscale hotel features 9,500 square feet of meeting space (11 meeting rooms)equipped with wireless Internet access and videoconferencing capabilities. It also houses a 3,000-square-foot ballroom overlooking Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River. The hotel philosophy celebrates music, good food and contemporary design that reflect a rock-and-roll attitude. Known for innovative cuisine and live music, the hotel offers 381 guestrooms and 12 suites. A health club is on site. The hotel is located near the Chicago Art Institute, Grant Park and the newest downtown park, Millennium Park.

The Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, 230 N.Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60601, tel 312 345 1000, fax 312 345 1012
www.hardrock.com

Where to Dine

Tru

A favorite among corporate diners for its sleek contemporary design coupled with scrumptious American-infused French cuisine, Tru is definitely an experience not to be missed. The loftlike restaurant resembles an art gallery (and includes an original Andy Warhol), and the entrancing presentation of the food is a work of art in itself. The restaurant is smoke-free and jackets are required. For those who are overwhelmed by the impressive wine collection, more than 1,000 wines, Tru provides two sommeliers to assist. Private dining options are available.

Tru, 676 N.Saint Clair, Chicago, IL 60611
tel 312 202 0001, fax 312 202 0003
www.trurestaurant.com

The Court Café at the Art Institute of Chicago

Enjoy American contemporary fare in a beautiful courtyard behind one of the best art institutes in the world. Open for breakfast and lunch only. Portions are big, service is cafeteria-style and meals are inexpensive. The homemade desserts are divine.

The Court Café at the Art Institute of Chicago
111 S.Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601, tel 312 443 3530

The Weber Grill

This restaurant offers excellent back-yard-barbecue flavor in an upscale space that features comfortable leather booths and wood-and-stone-accented decor. A meat-lovers dream, the Weber Grill offers choice steaks, chicken and seafood infused with that smoky fresh-from-the-grill flavor. There are private dining areas available and business breakfasts. Smoking is allowed at the bar.There is no dress code.

The Weber Grill, 539 N.State St., Chicago, IL 60610
tel 312 467 9696, fax 312 467 0536
www.webergrillrestaurant.com

Want to Go?

Serviced by two major airports, Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)and Chicago Midway (MDW), Chicago is one of the most accessible cities in the United States. The city boasts more than 6,700 taxis, 2,000 buses operating 148 routes and 1,190 rapid transit “L” cars operating on 222 miles of track. All the major hotels, convention centers, restaurants, shopping and cultural institutions are within a concentrated walkable area.

Two of the city’s rapid transit lines are scheduled for overhauls this year. The Red Line will undergo an extensive renovation, boosting its power and revamping seven stations. Improved lighting and better access for people with disabilities are planned. About 45,000 customers use the Red Line daily. Plans are also in the works to extend the Brown Line, which serves the Northwest Side, to downtown. With groundbreaking slated for later this year, the extension is set to become the largest capital improvement project in the city’s rapid-transit history. The Brown Line transports more than 66,000 riders each weekday.

A bus-way provides nonstop service between downtown and McCormick Place. Free trolleys and shuttles whisk riders from attractions like Navy Pier to hotel doorsteps. And,if the Windy City weather cooperates, you can always stroll the city’s beautiful streets and lakefront. For information on the Chicago Transit Authority, call 312 664 7200 or visit www.transitchicago.com.