Event in Chicago need input!

I agree with Kathy on the Tinley Park location. I just went to a convention there this past weekend and it is big enough for a big event but small enough to be considered friendly. Very nice Holiday Inn next door with lots of less expensive hotels across the street from the convention center. Nancy

Thanks for the input I am checking on Rosemont and Tinley Park at this time.

Would I be able to take the El or Metra to get to Tinley? I've never been there and for something like this, I would usually take public transit and leave Zippy (my car) at home.. Stef

From the City of Chicago itself you can take the Rock Island train to either of two Tinley Park train stations. The conference center and hotels (it is on the corner of 183rd and Harlem) are a little bit closer to the 80th Avenue stop so I would suggest getting off there. I would be more than willing, if they pick the Tinley location, to help out anyone who would be taking the train, not a big deal for me at all to help out whomever needs help. If anyone wants to drive there it is right off of I-80 at the Harlem exit. You would exit off of 80 and go North. The first light you hit is the conference center. I am not going to worry about it until they actually announce a location but if it is Tinley I am more than willing to help anyone who needs it. Stef - if it is in Rosemont can you take the El there? If not, I can probably help you out there too Nancy

Yes. The Rosemont El stop is a short walk to the convention center. The Cumberland El stop is across the parking lot from the Marriott O'Hare (with their mini convention center attached). I know my way around Rosemont pretty well so I'm not worried about it if it's there.. I am just not familiar with Tinley at all... so driving (in a pinch) would end up being out of the question for me if it's there. Stef

Several hotels near Midway airport. "Midway Inns" Near an airport, easy access, good neighborhood, lite traffic. 15-20 mn from downtown. airporthotelsearch.com/chicago_midway_airport_hotels.html

Rosemont is a good idea...like they said, it's right on a major highway, lots of hotels, right at the airport, etc. But traffic on the Kennedy is really really bad, no matter the time of day. Depending on how far out you want to go, the Hyatt in Oak Brook has great conference rooms, pretty big. Not sure what you're looking for exactly, but it's another thought Of course, since I live in the City, I vote for the closer of the two - Rosemont!!

Thanks for the input I am checking on Rosemont and Tinley Park at this time.

. I wouldn't let the traffic on the Kennedy become a major issue. From what I read, the event is held on Saturday, October 1st. The event starts at 9am, so there is not a heck of a lot of traffic on the Kennedy, (or Tri-State for that matter) at 8ish am on a Saturday morning. The event ends at 6, but the traffic going home shouldn't be a major deal, for those driving. I expect most people would probably want to hang out after, and talk to other participants. If leaving after 8 or 9pm, traffic again wouldn't be a major issue, returning home. Dayna

. I vote for Rosemont. It's close to O'Hare, and accessible from several major Expressways. There is easy access to it from downtown via train, and from other areas via train. I have no idea how accessible Tinley Park is by train or public transport, so I cannot comment on that. I just know TP is in the very far south suburbs, and I feel Rosemont would be a much better choice. There are many, many hotels in the Rosemont area that have great meeting facilities. If you can give us an idea of how much SQ FT of meeting space you require, maybe we can help further. Dayna