Tradeshows & Conventions
Chicago May Calendar Tradeshows
Chicago lists three major May tradeshows at McCormick Place. The largest by exhibitor count is the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, running May 16 through 19, with 2,310 exhibitors and 52,798 attendees. Other top shows include Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power & Energy Society (IEEE/PES) Transmission & Distribution Conference, May 4 through 7, with 772 exhibitors and 12,371 attendees; and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), May 29 through June 2, with 469 exhibitors and 39,800 attendees.
See all the May tradeshows on the ECN Tradeshow Calendar.
EXPO CHICAGO Draws Nearly 35,000 Visitors to Navy Pier
EXPO CHICAGO returned to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall from April 9 through 12 for its 13th edition, featuring more than 130 galleries from around the world. The 2026 fair welcomed nearly 35,000 visitors over four days and closed with strong sales. The fair also emphasized a more focused format under Director Kate Sierzputowski and Curator Essence Harden.
Nutanix .NEXT Brings More Than 5,000 Attendees to McCormick Place
Nutanix held .NEXT 2026 from April 7 through 9 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event drew more than 5,000 attendees and featured more than 100 exhibitors. Programming focused on agentic artificial intelligence (AI), distributed data, modern information technology (IT), and cloud-native innovation.
Heart Rhythm 2026 Brings More Than 10,000 Professionals to Chicago
Heart Rhythm 2026 took place April 23 through 26 at McCormick Place in Chicago and online. The Heart Rhythm Society said the 47th annual meeting attracted more than 10,000 professionals worldwide. Programming focused on scientific exchange, education, technology, and collaboration in electrophysiology.
The Summit Chicago Marks 25th Anniversary With More Than 1,200 Attendees
The Summit Chicago was held April 28 in Chicago’s West Loop, with programming across City Hall, Recess, and Morgan Manufacturing. The hospitality, tourism, and events industry conference reported more than 1,200 attendees and more than 110 exhibitors. Programming included educational sessions, roundtables, networking, and awards.
Infrastructure & Development
CTA Breaks Ground on $5.7 Billion Red Line Extension
Officials broke ground on the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) $5.7 billion Red Line Extension on the Far South Side. The 5.5-mile project will extend Red Line service from 95th Street to 130th Street and add four accessible stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue near 116th Street, and 130th Street. Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners is delivering the design-build contract. Major construction is expected to ramp up in spring 2026, with station work beginning in 2027 and service scheduled to start in 2030.
Chicago Fire Stadium Receives Shallow Foundations Permit
A shallow foundations permit has been issued for Chicago Fire FC’s planned $750 million stadium at The 78 in Chicago’s South Loop. The privately funded, open-air venue is designed by Gensler and will seat more than 22,000 fans. The stadium will include a natural grass playing surface, 360-degree viewing, a dedicated supporters’ section, and premium hospitality areas. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in March, and construction is expected to continue toward a planned opening for the 2028 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
Illinois House Advances Bears Stadium Mega Projects Bill
The Illinois House approved HB910, a mega projects bill tied to the Chicago Bears’ proposed stadium in Arlington Heights. The bill would allow large developers to negotiate property tax liabilities through an assessment freeze and payments in lieu of taxes with local taxing bodies. The measure cleared the full House 78-32 and now heads to the Senate. The Bears are weighing Arlington Heights against a proposed stadium site in Hammond, Indiana, and said additional amendments are needed to make the Illinois site feasible.
Hotels
Bally’s Chicago Casino Project Advances Near River West
Construction continues on Bally’s Chicago, the planned $1.7 billion casino development at the former Chicago Tribune Publishing Center site near River West. The project is expected to include a 35-story hotel tower with 500 rooms, a gaming floor with 3,400 slot machines and 173 table games, a 3,000-seat theater, a 2-acre public park, and a 2,000-foot Riverwalk extension. The development is targeting a Sept. 9, 2026, opening, though the report noted concerns about whether the project will meet that date.
Entertainment
North Coast Music Festival Adds Phase Two Lineup
North Coast Music Festival announced its Phase Two lineup for its 16th anniversary edition, scheduled for Sept. 4 through 6, 2026, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. Newly added artists include Level Up, Sippy, Interplanetary Criminal, Jigitz, Alignment, JSTJR, Angerfist, Jazzy, Nikolina, and others. The festival also added more than 55 local DJs across the Firepit, Silent Disco, and Chill Dome stages. North Coast will feature six stages, art installations, roaming performers, food and beverage offerings, and additional programming.
Chicago Blues Festival Returns in June
The Chicago Blues Festival returns June 4 through 7, 2026, with opening night at Ramova Theatre and three days of performances at Millennium Park. The free festival will include tributes to Alligator Records, Billy Branch, Mama Yancey, Big Mama Thornton, B.B. King, and Denise LaSalle. The lineup includes Mavis Staples, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Taj Mahal, and Ruthie Foster. Programming also will expand to neighborhood venues across Chicago.
Restaurants & Hospitality
Labriola Italian Specialties Opens in Fulton Market
Labriola Italian Specialties is scheduled to open April 24, 2026, at 852 W. Fulton Market in Chicago. The restaurant from baker and restaurateur Rich Labriola and Doughboy Restaurant Group will feature pizza, house-made pasta, fresh bread, desserts, craft cocktails, wine, and late-night offerings. The space will seat more than 100 guests and include a bar, outdoor seating, an open kitchen, and a walk-up window for cannoli and spumoni. The restaurant will be open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on weekends.
All Well Opens in Chicago’s West Loop
All Well is scheduled to open April 22 at 111 N. Carpenter Street in Chicago’s West Loop. The restaurant comes from Oriole chef Noah Sandoval and chef de cuisine Larry Feldmeier, with Feldmeier serving as executive chef. The 46-seat dining room will offer a five-course prix fixe menu, while a 30-seat bar area will serve an à la carte menu until midnight. The menu will focus on modern American cooking with Japanese and French influences.
Photo caption: Chicago Fire FC officials and civic leaders break ground on the club’s planned $750 million privately funded stadium at The 78 in Chicago’s South Loop. The Gensler-designed venue is expected to seat more than 22,000 fans and open ahead of the 2028 Major League Soccer season. Photo courtesy of Chicago Fire FC.
