Savvy Suburbs

Consider a venue in one of Chicago’s suburbs, readied with amenities galore and noteworthy cost savings

Downtown Elgin, an Illinois suburb
Downtown Elgin || Photo by Jacob, courtesy of Adobe

It’s no secret: Downtown Chicago event venues are a favorite among meeting planners. Chic, swanky, and built to accommodate hundreds or even thousands of attendees, along with lavish catering and decorations to boot, these urban destinations make sure there is undoubtedly something to be said about their cache. But take a pause and consider an alternative that’s just as viable, elevated, and sophisticated, and will likely save you some money in the process: the suburbs of Chicago.

Spanning miles and miles in nearly every direction, Chicago is surrounded by more than 200 suburbs—all waiting and ready to host your corporate or nonprofit event. Each city has a distinct feel and flavor to match whatever vibe you’re aiming to achieve, filled with meeting-friendly hotels, event venues, caterers, restaurants, and team-building activities.

These cities stand out in their own way apart from downtown Chicago, and ahead, Illinois Meetings + Events makes a case for considering them as host cities. From lakefront locales like Evanston to cozy Midwestern havens like Elgin and Oak Park, the options are as diverse as they are plenty.

Outdoor gathering at Dawes House at the Evanston History Center in Evanston || Photo by Will Byington

There are several key benefits you will discover when planning an event in one of these smaller havens. In fact, these benefits might make you eschew the glittering venues and activities that are tempting to book downtown. For instance, Qiana Turner, owner and chief event planner at Madison Elyse Events in Chicago, has planned events in Naperville, Joliet, Glenwood, and Oak Brook, and has experienced all the notable benefits firsthand.

First, she points out there’s greater ease when traveling to the venue. In the suburbs, she notes “accessing venues from the expressway or from a main street is much easier than having to navigate down a busy, bustling street like Michigan Avenue or Wacker Drive.” When guests arrive at the suburban destination, they will find ample free parking. “Where in Chicago can you go and not have to pay for parking? Not too many places!” she says. “In the suburbs, any venue you go to has plenty of free parking, or if you have to valet, the cost is minimal in comparison to parking prices in the city.”

Turner also loves the many on-site catering options that can be found in the suburbs. She has found most suburban venues have catering on the premises, which “takes the stress off clients looking to book because they don’t have to go searching for a caterer.”

Outdoor gathering in the Rubenstein Memorial Garden at Oak Park Conservatory in the suburb of Oak Park
Outdoor gathering in the Rubenstein Memorial Garden at Oak Park Conservatory in Oak Park || Courtesy of Park District of Oak Park

Chicago Southland, or the “South Suburbs” as the area is also called, includes cities like Tinley Park and Oak Forest, all well-connected to the rest of Chicago via highway. The benefits of these southern hubs are plentiful and include an ambience you might not find downtown. Specifically, Mary Patchin, president and CEO of Visit Chicago Southland, says the charm of the communities and people is what makes the area special—and there’s the added bonus of convenience.

“Professional services under our purview cover banks, banquet facilities, caterers, colleges and universities, health care facilities, office centers, and supply stores, to name a few,” she lists.

Tropical Room at Oak Park Conservatory || Courtesy of Park District of Oak Park

Pamela Hailey, director of sales for Meet Chicago Northwest, says holding an event in a suburb like Schaumburg, 50 minutes northwest of downtown, offers many benefits. She specifies these as cost savings, ease of access, and a more relaxed environment for attendees. “The lower stress level of being outside the city creates a conducive atmosphere for networking and collaboration,” she adds. “Additionally, the proximity to local attractions without the heavy traffic of a downtown environment makes it easier for planners to create a seamless experience.”

While there is a host of suburbs to consider, a select few standout for their accessibility, cost savings, and local canvas of exceptional meeting amenities. Oak Park, located 20 minutes west from downtown Chicago, is easily accessible by train or car and is home to 25 Frank Lloyd Wright-designed properties. It also boasts an active arts community and is considered by many to have a warm and welcoming feel.

Right in the middle of this idyllic setting is the Oak Park Conservatory, built in 1929 and included on the National Register of Historic Places. It also happens to be a stunning venue choice for events. Here, attendees can marvel at the Edwardian-style glass conservatory that houses over 3,000 plants from around the world. Greenhouses, outdoor courtyard gardens, and an indoor space provide an intimate collection of venues for retreats and meetings, as Patti Staley, director of Oak Park Conservatory, says. Some of the spaces can host upward of 100 people, and the plants and flowers provide plenty of visual appeal.

In Chicago Southland, the grouping of so many small communities lends itself to diverse offerings in attractions and food for events. Patchin points out that many area accommodations provide shuttling to and from Chicago Midway International Airport and hotel rates are significantly lower than downtown Chicago options—despite being 15 to 45 minutes away, depending on the community.

Hailey says Schaumburg offers “a unique blend of urban amenities with suburban convenience.” She adds, “Meeting and event planners will find a variety of state-of-the-art venues, flexible meeting spaces, and top-notch accommodations. With its proximity to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and major highways, Schaumburg is easily accessible for both national and international attendees.” Venues to note include the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel and Topgolf Schaumburg.

Then there are other suburbs to ponder, like Evanston, located a half hour north of downtown Chicago along the shores of Lake Michigan and showcasing a variety of standout event venues. Consider the Evanston History Center and the Evanston Art Center, where guests will be served a side of culture along with their meeting experience. Planners might rent the history center’s Dawes House for more than 150 attendees, while the art center can accommodate up to 200.

Event setup at Evanston Art Center in Evanston || Photo by Ellie Hazlett
Art display at Evanston Art Center || Photo by Erica McKeehen

Quieter than downtown and a bit more off the beaten path, Naperville has a treasure trove of venues to consider for your event, like Chicago Marriott Naperville and Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk, An IHG Hotel—places your eventgoers can enjoy upscale accommodations and the venue for their meeting in the same place. The Marriott property features some 24,000 square feet of function space, and the Hotel Indigo provides the Elements Ballroom, its largest space, for up to 230 people.

Elgin, nestled about an hour northwest outside of downtown Chicago, has several collegiate venues at Judson University, including the historic Herrick Chapel, which can host up to 600 people; and the Edward & Alice Thompson Center, which can accommodate 135 in its Thulin Auditorium. Other distinctive options nearby include the Hemmens Cultural Center and Plank Road Tap Room.

Beyond the logistical and stress-relieving benefits of hosting in the suburbs, there are other advantages when it comes to saving money. Turner notes there are often lower or even no room rental fees. “Many suburban venues either do not charge a room rental fee or offer a nominal fee for room rental,” she explains. “In some cases, venues that do have a room rental fee might waive it if the required food and beverage minimum is met. Additionally, most venues will have a minimum requirement for either food and beverage spending or guest count.”

Exterior of Chicago Marriott Naperville || Photo by Lisa Littel Photography

And speaking of food and beverage minimums, Turner says these tend to be “considerably less in the suburbs than in Chicago.” She adds, “Taxes are also lower in the suburbs versus the city, so you will not pay as much for an event as you would there.”

When referring to Chicago Southland, Patchin says, “Not only is our region the most economical, but we also offer incentives based on actualized hotel room nights. In addition, we give grants to nonprofit organizations holding events in the Chicago Southland area.” All of which are things to keep in mind if you would like to pick up some perks while hosting a suburban event.

Hailey agrees that, in general, planners might save significantly by hosting events in the suburbs—and specifically in Schaumburg. “Costs for hotels, venue rentals, and dining are generally lower than those in downtown Chicago or by Chicago O’Hare International Airport,” she says. “Free parking is a substantial savings for attendees, and the overall
cost of doing business in the suburbs is typically more affordable, allowing planners to maximize their budget without sacrificing the quality of the experience.”

Meeting at Topgolf Schaumburg in the suburb of Schaumburg
Meeting at Topgolf Schaumburg || Courtesy of Meet Chicago Northwest

The Oak Park Conservatory is an example of a venue that includes many of these cost-saving benefits. Staley says the conservatory offers various packages depending on the size of the rental, and new for 2025, an outdoor high-peak tent will be included in the rental cost, season and weather permitting.

Additionally, Staley says, “We work with many customers for whom this is their first time hosting an event and understand how to work within a budget. Bringing in food from a favorite restaurant is one of the many cost-saving options appreciated by our customers.”

If you’re not yet wholly convinced already to host an event in Chicago’s outer ring, allow Turner’s concluding advice to soak in: “Don’t overlook having your event in the suburbs! You can achieve the same level of excellence—often at a more affordable cost.”

chicagonorthwest.com
cityofevanston.org
exploreelginarea.com
madisonelyseevents.com
visitchicagosouthland.com
visitnaperville.com
visitoakpark.com
visitschaumburgvillage.com