Prices of conference venues average around $225 hire fee per hour. The exact costs depend on the room size, audiovisual equipment (such as projectors or microphones), or high-speed Wi-Fi. Additional services, such as catering or on-site coordinators, may cost extra. Flexible configurations for presentations, workshops, or networking, along with amenities such as parking or dedicated breakout rooms, will also affect the price. See usual price ranges in Chicago, based on Tagvenue data:
| From $135 | to $500 | hire fee per hour |
| From $1200 | to $5000 | minimum spend per event |
| From $225 | to $3700 | hire fee per event |
Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated October 2026), the best options include:
The Izard at One East Wacker
in Chicago Loop - rated 5/5
Venue said: Located at the center of everything Chicago, One East Wacker Drive is a trophy asset with a prestigious Wacker Drive address. Designed by Shaw, Metz & Associates in 1962, One East Wacker remains among the city’s tallest skyscrapers.
Ohio River at Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown
in Streeterville - rated 4.9/5
Venue said: The space is arranged with modular tables and chairs in a U-shaped layout, leaving an open area at the front. Room features: The room provides a projector, conference call facilities and air conditioning to support meetings...
Aspire A at Eurostars Magnificent Mile
in River North - rated 4.8/5
Venue said: Aspire A is half the size of Aspire, offering a more intimate space, ideal for business events or private dinners and receptions. The maximum capacity is up to 60 people.
You'll find conference venues in various sizes, from smaller spots to larger venues; keep in mind that the type of space and your chosen layout will affect the capacity! Below you can see the typical venue sizes in Chicago, together with the standard prices in each size range, based on Tagvenue data (October 2026):
| Small | up to 45 guests | prices average $120 hire fee per hour |
| Medium | between 60 and 95 guests | prices average $200 hire fee per hour |
| Large | over 110 guests | prices average $650 hire fee per hour |
These are the venues within 0.4 mi from central Chicago, available to book on Tagvenue:
Based on Tagvenue data (as of October 2026), users looking for conference venues most commonly go for these venue types:
| Meeting Room | prices average $145 hire fee per hour | typically between 25 and 90 guests |
| Hotel | prices average $5000 minimum spend per event | typically between 50 and 90 guests |
| Event Venue | prices average $300 hire fee per hour | typically between 70 and 410 guests |
| Auditorium / Conference Room | prices average $450 hire fee per hour | typically between 60 and 250 guests |
| Ballroom | prices average $10000 minimum spend per event | typically between 410 and 500 guests |
Smaller conference venues usually fit up to 50 guests seated. Here are some great options in Chicago, based on Tagvenue data as of October 2026:
Conference Room at 33 The Perch - auditorium / conference room for 48 guests
Venue said: Best for: Corporate meetings, networking receptions and client entertaining. Location: Downtown Chicago near the Chicago River provides a dense mix of offices, restaurants and bars that support post-event dining and evening...
Chicago Boardroom at IDEA Studio Event Space, rated 5/5 - boardroom for 20 guests
Venue said: Best for: Focused board-level discussions and decision-making meetings make best use of the space. What sets it apart: A floor-to-ceiling glass partition separates the room from an adjacent lounge, preserving a clear visual...
Turnkey/Training Space at Association Forum, rated 4.9/5 - training room for 30 guests
Venue said: A whiteboard and conference call facilities support collaborative discussion and remote participation. Best for: Instructor-led training, presentation-led sessions and structured workshops.
Cheap conference venues in Chicago start from $30 per person or $200 hire fee per event. Check out these budget-friendly spaces you can book through Tagvenue, as of October 2026:
Entire Venue at Lago Banquets, from $30 per person
(up to 180 guests seated)
Venue said: What guests say: The venue's parking is easy to use and the main hall feels comfortable for business meetings and social gatherings.
Buckingham A at Club Quarters Hotel, Chicago, Central Loop, from $200 hire fee per event
(up to 75 guests seated)
Venue said: Club Quarters Hotel, Chicago, Central Loop is a business-focused hotel housed in a historic commercial building, anchored by an on-site English-style pub and practical guest amenities.
Executive Board Room at Hyatt Place Chicago South, from $500 hire fee per day
(up to 12 guests seated)
Venue said: Hyatt Place Chicago South is a mid-scale urban hotel centered on a ground-floor café-bar and straightforward guest amenities. Venue highlights: A ground-floor café-bar provides counter service and seated tables suitable for...
It's generally a good idea to book your venue as far in advance as you can. If you begin your venue search as soon as possible and book your venue at least 9 to 12 months in advance, you will be able to ensure that everything goes as planned and that you have enough time to make any adjustments.
When planning a large event, you must ensure that everyone is satisfied and content. Make sure the venue you chose has all of the facilities you require, such as restrooms and parking spaces. Check to see if the location is wheelchair accessible and if an elevator is available, and if there is enough space for all participants to be comfortable. If the event lasts longer, make sure to provide food and refreshments. Include entertainment options that will keep the conference interesting. Make sure to present guests with a clear and realistic event schedule, including break periods.
Chicago is an excellent business location and is well-known as a center of international business. Chi-town is a hub for world-class art and culture, exclusive dining, technology and architecture, among other things. The city offers an ideal venue for conferences, seminars, meetings, congresses, product launches and other types of business events. Whether you are searching for a tiny conference room for a board meeting or a large convention centre for an international conference, Chicago has it all. We've compiled a few tips to help you choose the best conference venue.
At the end of the day, nothing is more important than ensuring that your event communicates its vision and serves its purpose. Conferences are held to address a specific topic through communication and the exchange of ideas. To get the conversation going, you'll need to construct an event that piques people's curiosity and entices them to show up on the day of the conference. You want them to not only show up but to actively participate. To understand what attendees are looking for, put yourself in their position and ask yourself some leading questions that can help you tailor your conference. Here are some helpful questions from the point of view of a potential attendee that you can consider:
Conference delegates want value for their time and money, and they anticipate that the event will keep them busy and interested. It is always necessary to consider their wants and needs. You may be stuck with your own vision for the occasion as an organiser, but with events like conferences that rely significantly on attendees and their positive feedback, it's always best to design the event with different points of view in mind.
Page last updated in October 2026
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