McCormick Place

Fall feels, inside and out. 🍂 🎨

Whether you’re catching Chicago’s leaves putting on their annual color show on your way to McCormick Place or heading to American Public Transportation Association TRANSform Expo and soaking in some of the warm, curated artwork on your way to a reception, we’ve got your fall feels covered!

From the vibrant colors changing outside to the rich, inviting hues of the McCormick Place Art Collection inside, there’s inspiration around every corner of our campus. As you move from meeting to meeting, take a moment to enjoy the art, the colors, and a little bit of that unmistakable Chicago-in-the-fall magic. You never know where your next bit of inspiration might find you!

Four events. Same time. All in one Place.

ServiceNow World Forum Move-In · Hall D
American Public Transportation Association APTA TRANSform & EXPO · Hall A
Bank of America Chicago Marathon Move-In · Hall B
American College of Emergency Physicians - ACEP · Hall F

No matter how you choose to traverse our beautiful city, McCormick Place’s Transportation Centers have you covered.

With 17 gates across campus, our covered Transportation Centers provide convenient, weather-protected access for:

🚕 Taxi loading & unloading
🚙 Rideshare drop-off & pick-up
🚌 Private & charter buses, including accessible drop-off
🚍 Shuttle buses supporting hotel operations

These dedicated areas are just one of the many transportation accommodations built into the fabric of McCormick Place, helping visitors easily access our buildings and amenities from arrival to departure.

With American Public Transportation Association APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026 coming to McCormick Place October 4–7, we are taking a closer look at the many ways our campus helps people connect, gather, and experience Chicago.

Happy National Coffee Day from McCormick Place!

Today, we are raising a cup to our valued campus partner, Chicago French Press! From fueling busy event days to giving our guests a welcoming place to recharge, Chicago French Press brings great coffee and even better energy to the McCormick Place campus.

Here’s to freshly-brewed coffee, strong partnerships, and all the great connections sparked over a cup of joe! ❤️☕️

October is shaping up to be an exciting and busy month at McCormick Place!

From major industry gatherings to events that bring together professionals, innovators, and communities from around the world, we are proud to welcome an incredible lineup of events to our campus, including:

· American Public Transportation Association TRANSform & EXPO
· American College of Emergency Physicians - ACEP Scientific Assembly
· Bank of America Chicago Marathon
· Scientific Session of American College of AI and Medicine
· PACK EXPO International
· Chicago Build 2026
· ANCC Magnet and Pathway Conference
..and more!

We look forward to welcoming attendees, exhibitors, organizers, and partners throughout the month and supporting the experiences that bring these events to life.

Note: This post lists events that have elected to be publicly listed on the McCormick Place Convention Center online events calendar; it does not include every convention center event.

🌱 Growing more than fresh produce—we’re growing opportunities for Chicagoans.

We’re proud to partner with the Chicago Botanic Garden and Windy City Harvest at the McCormick Place Rooftop Farm and Terrace Gardens.

Recently, WBBM Newsradio joined us to spotlight our Rooftop Farm and Terrace Garden, featuring McCormick Place Chef Michael Kingsley, Chicago Botanic Garden’s Iris Michael, and Riley Finnegan-Carrion, a graduate of the Windy City Harvest Urban Agriculture Apprenticeship Program.

At nearly three-quarters of an acre, our Rooftop Farm is the largest rooftop farm in the Midwest, growing more than 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers.

But the impact goes beyond what we grow. Through our partnership with Windy City Harvest, the farm provides hands-on experience and pathways into skilled careers.

Riley’s journey from apprentice to horticulturalist at the Chicago Botanic Garden is a powerful example of what these opportunities can make possible.

Thank you to WBBM for shining a light on our Rooftop Farm and the partnerships helping Chicago grow. 🌱

♻️ Grind2Energy is making an impact!

Our Grind2Energy machine is helping us turn food waste into a resource, and the numbers are adding up.

🌱 4.7 tons of food waste processed in August
🌱 1.8 tons processed during IMTS and counting!
🌱 41.6 tons processed year to date

That’s more than double the amount processed at this time last year. We’re proud to keep building more sustainable practices into the events we host.

🍿❤️ A Chicago classic, right here on campus!

If you know Chicago, you know Garrett Popcorn Shops. 🌆🍿 From the iconic Garrett Mix to its specialty flavors, this Chicago staple has been satisfying popcorn cravings for generations.

As one of our valued F&B partners, you can find Garrett’s specialty flavors at Popcorn Alley inside Wintrust Arena or pick up select favorites right from the shelves at some of our markets throughout McCormick Place. 👀

Heading to a game? Attending an event? Just need a little something to snack on? There’s always a reason to grab a bag. 😋🍿

Chicago loves popcorn. And what's more Chicago than Garrett's? ❤️🌆

“Illinois is the heart of where manufacturing is.”

International Manufacturing Technology Show 2026 brought that spirit to life at McCormick Place, showcasing the innovation, technology, and skilled talent driving manufacturing forward.

We were proud to welcome Governor JB Pritzker to McCormick Place alongside MPEA President & CEO Larita Clark and MPEA Board Member Sherman Wright. Together, they experienced the energy of IMTS firsthand and heard more about the people, ideas, and technologies shaping the future of manufacturing in Illinois and around the world.

For 54 years, IMTS has called McCormick Place home, bringing the global manufacturing community together in Chicago and putting Illinois’ talent, innovation, and industry on the world stage.

Thank you to IMTS and AMT for continuing to bring the manufacturing community together and for giving Chicago and Illinois’ skilled workforce a global platform.

Welcome to Opening Day at IMTS 2026!

Today marks the start of an incredible week of innovation, collaboration, and discovery as the global manufacturing community comes together at International Manufacturing Technology Show—IMTS.

As we cut the ribbon and officially open the doors, we celebrate the people, technologies, and ideas shaping the future of manufacturing. From advanced automation and robotics to cutting-edge machining and digital technologies, IMTS brings the industry together to turn possibilities into reality.

MPEA | McCormick Place is proud to once again welcome exhibitors, attendees, industry leaders, innovators, and manufacturing professionals from across the globe.

Here’s to an incredible week at McCormick Place and an unforgettable IMTS 2026!