Set on the bank of the Chicago River, Sheraton Grand Chicago is an impressive sight. One of the larger meeting properties in the Windy City, the hotel’s 1,218 guest rooms and suites offer views of the river, Lake Michigan or the city skyline. 

While there are other properties in Chicago with larger exhibit halls, Sheraton Grand Chicago has the largest ballroom, at 40,000 square feet, which can hold general sessions of up to 4,600 or can be divided into up to 10 smaller spaces. The hotel also features 43 meeting rooms and a 35,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall with pre-function space that leads directly to the Riverwalk.

Sheraton Grand Chicago’s 125,000 sq. ft. of meeting space is spread over four floors, stacked in a way that allows multiple groups to hold meetings at the same time without feeling like they are on top of each other (which you’ll experience first-hand if you’re attending the CEMA and Corporate Event News Theory of Creativity workshop with Duncan Wardle on Oct. 9-10). The property can hold anywhere from 10-40,000 people for meetings.

One thing that is particularly nice for planners is the wide range of opportunities for branding, for hosts or for sponsors. There are central escalators, columns and wall space that all serve to catch the eye when decorated.

Shipping, receiving and printing are also convenient, although there is a service fee – a full-service FedEx business center is located on the lobby level, not too far from hotel registration.

Both rooms and common spaces at Sheraton Grand Chicago are currently undergoing a phased renovation that is refreshing the color palette and — for the common areas — will add more work-friendly spaces for guests and meeting attendees.    

Sheraton Grand Chicago is also often used as a host hotel for events held at Navy Pier, which is a 15-minute walk. The hotel is also a member of the River East Collection, a group of six hotels that have banded together to better accommodate mid-size groups that are too large for a single hotel but too small for McCormick Place, with a peak night block of 1,500–2,800 rooms.

Each of the properties in the consortium (Sheraton Grand Chicago, Loews Chicago Hotel, Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, Hotel InterContinental, W Chicago - Lakeshore and Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile) offers flexible meeting space and all are within walking distance of each other. 

Sheraton Grand Chicago is also a convenient choice for guests attending meetings at McCormick Place — on a shuttle route serving multiple hotels, the Sheraton is the last pickup location, which means the first drop-off on the return route.

Hotel representatives also tout the location for its access to shopping, dining and neighborhood activities. Being in a residential area, there is more going on within easy walking distance and the area is well-kept. Millennium Park is five minutes away.

For planners looking to host fun special events, the property holds the distinction of being the only hotel in Chicago that can dock a boat along the Riverwalk. A reception can be held either indoors or outdoors (the Chicago Burger Company located on property can be rented out for private events), then attendees can board a cruise boat, just steps away. While areas along the Riverwalk can be reserved, there is a public walkway with right-of-way access for locals and guests.

The property offers a complimentary fitness center with heating indoor swimming pool, sauna and sundeck. Guests who hold Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium or Ambassador status, or who book a Club-level room, enjoy access to the Sheraton Club Lounge that has fabulous views of river, lake and city.

Dining options include Shula’s Steak House, LB's Bistro & Pâtisserie and the Chicago Burger Company, which is open seasonally.

We hope you’ll join CEMA and Corporate Event News for our Theory of Creativity workshop at Sheraton Grand Chicago next month!

For more information on Sheraton Grand Chicago, go here.

For information on Chicago as a meeting destination, visit Choose Chicago.

All images courtesy of Sheraton Grand Chicago.

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