Shedd Aquarium, located in downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan and next to the Field Museum, offers a slew of aquatic experiences and notable meeting spaces for groups gathering in the Windy City. Designed by one of the city’s most prominent architecture firms—Graham, Anderson, Probst & White—the building is constructed in a beaux arts-style design with a neoclassical temple of white marble and terra cotta as an homage to the aquatic life it houses, from the marine fossils in its limestone to Neptune’s trident atop the glass dome.
“Shedd Aquarium partners with people on the Great Lakes and around the globe to help build a world thriving with aquatic life, sustained by people who love, understand, and protect it,” explains Stefanie Rowe, director of venue marketing for Sodexo Live, a Shedd Aquarium partner. “From caring for animals in need to reducing single-use plastics, Shedd shares knowledge to empower conservation, sets a sustainable example, and commits to protecting the blue planet.”
The aquarium welcomes nearly 2 million visitors annually to explore its exhibits and interact with wildlife, from its Abbott Oceanarium and the Wild Reef to its ocean, river, and garden exhibits—plus more. “As it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2030, Shedd Aquarium is embarking on an audacious, energizing, and urgent undertaking—a transformational Centennial Commitment,” adds Rowe. “This reimagining accelerates access and connection to nature for all and amplifies ways to care, conserve, and act to ensure an equitable, sustainable, and thriving future for people and aquatic life.”
On-site, Shedd features a diverse array of meeting spaces for groups. Its Aquarium Galleries display classical Greek architecture with space for up to 450 reception-style or 360 seated. The Abbott Oceanarium and Rice Foundation Amphitheater offer attendees access to view white-sided dolphins, beluga whales, sea otters, California sea lions, and more—with room for 680 seated. Seasonal outdoor spaces include the Skyline Experience and the City View Experience. The former provides scenery of the skyline and lakefront, suitable for a cocktail reception of up to 200. The latter provides views of the skyline and Shedd’s native gardens with space for up to 250. Catering is handled on-site by Shedd’s team of culinary professionals, with menus focused on sustainable cuisine and environmentally responsible cooking practices.
Planners can take events a step further with activities and interactions with sea life—like animal encounters with a red-footed tortoise or blue-tongued skink; narrated presentations about penguins, beluga whales, sharks, and more; and conservation conversations with a Shedd expert. Some of Shedd’s exhibits are also available for event add-ons depending on availability, such as Stingray Touch, where guests can touch the back of swimming sting rays as they glide around the habitat. “These activities not only entertain but also promote teamwork, communication, and a deeper connection among team members,” says Rowe.
