When it comes to planning summer meetings, the question isn’t just where—it’s how the destination enhances the experience. In Oak Brook, meetings move beyond the ballroom. From May through September, this western suburb of Chicago offers planners the ability to blend business with fresh air, open space, and meaningful connections.
Oak Brook’s setting is its advantage. Surrounded by lush green spaces, scenic forest preserves, and championship golf, the destination makes it easy to take meetings outdoors. Morning sessions can transition into networking breaks, walking meetings along nearby trails, or team building on the links—creating more dynamic agendas and engaged attendees.
Many of Oak Brook’s hotels and venues are designed to take full advantage of the season. Expansive patios, landscaped grounds, and alfresco dining spaces extend meeting environments outdoors, while evening receptions feel more like experiences, with attendees gathering in relaxed, open-air settings.
Oak Brook’s natural beauty complements the growing emphasis on attendee well-being in meetings and events. Whether it’s a walk through verdant Fullersburg Woods, a quick reset between sessions, or simply stepping outside to recharge, Oak Brook’s restorative setting supports a more balanced meeting environment.
Attendees can unwind after a productive day with a range of wellness offerings across Oak Brook’s hotels. At Le Méridien Chicago-Oakbrook Center, meeting-goers can book a Spa Suite with facials and massages. The Drake Oak Brook Hotel partners with LifeSpa at Life Time Oak Brook and offers in-room massage services. At the Hyatt Lodge, a full-service spa provides body treatments, facials, and access to an indoor pool and a hot tub. The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-Oak Brook, Chicago Marriott Oak Brook, Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Oak Brook, and Hyatt House Chicago Oak Brook offer fitness centers, pools, and access to nearby spas. An extensive network of walking and running trails makes it easy for attendees to stay active either before meetings commence or after the work is done.
Located 20 minutes from O’Hare and Midway international airports and easily accessible from downtown Chicago, Oak Brook offers the proximity planners need—without the congestion.
For summer meetings, that combination is hard to beat: accessibility, versatility, and an environment that encourages both productivity and connection. In Oak Brook, planners don’t have to choose between efficiency and a great attendee experience—they can deliver both, no matter the season.
