The Summit Chicago is where the business, tourism and events community comes together to shape the future of hospitality, tourism, and meetings in Illinois. Founded to help industry leaders connect, learn, and build, this annual conference has become a cornerstone for growth, innovation, and collaboration across Chicago’s most dynamic companies.
In 2025, the Summit expanded its footprint across three of the West Loop’s most dynamic venues—City Hall & Recess and Morgan Manufacturing. Together, these iconic spaces transform Chicago’s creative district into a powerful hub for education, networking, and celebration. We continue that expansion in 2026 with our 25th anniversary.
At City Hall & Recess, attendees engage in professional development sessions, leadership education, and the signature Roundtable Networking Luncheon—a setting designed to inspire connection and collaboration. Just a short, four-minute walk away, Morgan Manufacturing hosts the Trade Show and Summit Awards, creating a seamless experience that blends business networking with innovation, brand showcases, and community recognition.
What makes The Summit unique is its focus on local impact with global reach. Unlike large-scale expos that scatter attention worldwide, The Summit Chicago builds meaningful relationships right here at home—connecting venues, planners, service providers, tourism partners, and business enterprises that define the city’s economic success. Every handshake, meeting, and session contributes to new growth and stronger collaboration across the industry.
Through its carefully designed program, The Summit delivers practical insights and strategic tools that help attendees reach new levels of success. Whether you’re leading operations for a major hotel, managing sales for a venue, or guiding a women-owned business into its next phase of expansion, the Summit offers the education, exposure, and opportunities you need to drive results and build Chicago’s future in hospitality leadership.
The Summit Chicago is not just a networking event; it’s a community of leaders committed to advancing the city’s hospitality, tourism, and events sectors. Each year, professionals from across the region join together to share ideas, discuss the latest innovations, and explore strategies that make Chicago’s hospitality industry stronger, more sustainable, and more inclusive.
Our attendees include directors of sales, senior managers, event planners, hotel executives, destination marketing teams, concierges, hospitality salespeople, hotel teams, media, social media influencers and public-sector tourism leaders, all aligned around the same purpose: to connect, learn, and grow. Together, they make The Summit a living example of what collaboration can achieve in a world where relationships drive opportunity.
Through a full agenda of education sessions, workshops, and networking experiences, attendees gain access to top insights from industry leaders on topics such as sustainability, digital marketing, data strategy, and guest experience. The content is designed to bridge ideas and application, helping professionals use new knowledge to improve service, streamline operations, and achieve their business goals.
The Summit also celebrates diverse leadership, highlighting women business owners, emerging entrepreneurs, and executives shaping the future of the field. Our inclusive approach ensures every voice in Chicago’s hospitality network has a place to contribute, collaborate, and succeed.
Education lies at the heart of The Summit’s mission. Our Agenda offers sessions that teach planners, sales teams, and executives how to adapt to change, lead with confidence, and apply innovative strategies across their organizations. Each program is crafted to help professionals strengthen their teams, expand their skill sets, and deliver measurable results.
From AI-driven marketing and hybrid event technology to sustainability practices and leadership development, The Summit covers the topics that matter most today. These sessions are led by experts who bring global perspective and local relevance, ensuring every attendee leaves with actionable ideas they can apply immediately.
The Summit Chicago helps companies transform knowledge into growth by connecting education with real business outcomes. That’s why it has earned its place as the largest annual hospitality and tourism gathering in Illinois and a trusted resource for professional development and strategic success.
At The Summit Chicago, every connection counts. From open networking lounges to roundtable sessions and sponsor-hosted events, attendees build relationships that last long beyond the conference. Our Roundtable Networking Luncheon gives participants the chance to meet peers, discuss challenges, and find solutions through guided, topic-focused discussions that drive real business results.
For sponsors, exhibitors, and venue partners, the event offers unmatched visibility and access to decision-makers who are shaping Chicago’s future. Learn more on our Exhibit & Sponsor page about how your brand can align with top industry leaders and reach the people who influence purchasing, sales, and strategy across the Midwest.
Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a returning partner, the Summit is your opportunity to join a powerful network of professionals working together to make Chicago a leader in global hospitality. Attend The Summit to experience this year’s program firsthand or Contact Us for partnership information, sponsorship packages, or speaking opportunities.
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ABOUT
THE SUMMIT CHICAGO
Supporting Partners
Media & Press
CAROL FOX & ASSOCIATES
Acasia Gibson
acasiag@carolfoxassociates.com
Media and influencers looking to attend The Summit 2026 should send press credentials, contact information, past coverage samples, and future coverage plans to Acasia Gibson at acasiag@carolfoxassociates.com.
If you’re interested in covering the 2026 The Summit Chicago prior to April 28, please reach out to Acasia.
