(Attendees enter the Chicago Build Expo at McCormick Place. The October event draws thousands of construction professionals and is among several major tradeshows hosted in the city this fall. Photo courtesy: Chicago Build Expo.)
City welcomes thousands for major events at McCormick Place as new developments reshape the skyline and cultural calendar.
Chicago’s fall convention season is in full swing, with McCormick Place playing host to major tradeshows across sectors including convenience retail, healthcare, construction, and food and beverage processing. Tens of thousands of attendees are expected across events like the NACS Show, ACR Convergence, EATS, and Chicago Build Expo. Meanwhile, the city’s broader development landscape continues to evolve—from multibillion-dollar resort and stadium projects to high-profile cultural festivals and public infrastructure upgrades.
Chicago October Tradeshows to Spotlight Packaging, Healthcare, and Construction
Chicago’s October tradeshow calendar kicks off with the NACS Show (Oct. 15–17 at McCormick Place), which is expected to draw 26,124 convenience retail professionals and 1,190 exhibitors. The American College of Rheumatology’s ACR Convergence (Oct. 24–29 at McCormick Place) will welcome 16,800 medical attendees and 156 exhibitors across rheumatology research and clinical care.
Later in the month, Chicago Build Expo (Oct. 29–30 at McCormick Place) is set to attract 25,000 attendees and 250 exhibitors focused on Midwest construction trends, while the EATS Show (Oct. 28–30 at McCormick Place) will bring together 7,295 food and beverage industry professionals and 400 exhibitors showcasing automation and processing technologies.
Additional October events include CHEST 2025, the NFDA convention, and the debut of Vinitaly USA at Navy Pier.
NECA Convention Brings Electrical Pros to Chicago
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) held its annual convention and trade show in Chicago in September, bringing together thousands of industry professionals. The event included training sessions, tech demos, and networking across the electrical contracting sector. This year’s convention also featured the Project Excellence Awards and new inductees to the Academy of Electrical Contracting.
Bally’s Breaks Ground on $1.19B Chicago Casino Resort
Construction is underway on Bally’s $1.19 billion casino resort in Chicago’s River West neighborhood. The project, located on the former Chicago Tribune site, will include a 178,000-square-foot casino, 3,300 slot machines, 170 table games, a 500-room hotel, event space, restaurants, nightlife, and a public riverwalk. Bally’s expects to open in late 2026. Construction milestones completed include demolition, foundation work, and the start of vertical steel construction. Curtainwall fabrication is now underway.
City Council Greenlights $650M Chicago Fire FC Stadium
Chicago City Council has approved the construction of a new $650 million soccer stadium for Chicago Fire FC. The privately funded venue will anchor The 78, a 62-acre riverfront development just south of Roosevelt Road. Backed by team owner Joe Mansueto and designed by Gensler, the 22,000-seat stadium is expected to break ground in early 2026 and open in 2028. In addition to MLS matches, the stadium will host concerts and major events as part of a broader push to revitalize the South Loop.
Bears Double Down on Arlington Heights as Future Home
In a letter to fans in September, Chicago Bears president Kevin Warren confirmed the team’s “future home” will be in Arlington Heights, all but ending hopes for a new stadium in the city. The team is pushing for a state bill to break ground this year, which would freeze property taxes on large-scale projects. Warren emphasized the stadium would be privately financed, but public legislation is still needed to unlock construction. If plans proceed, the Bears aim to host a Super Bowl as early as 2031.
World Music Festival Brings Global Sounds to Venues Across Chicago
The 2025 World Music Festival Chicago wrapped on October 5 after a 10-day celebration of international soundscapes across the city. Highlights included a 14-hour Indian classical music marathon at the Chicago Cultural Center, IndigiFest in Jackson Park, and a genre-spanning lineup at Martyrs’ and Sleeping Village. The festival concluded with the Global Peace Party at Navy Pier, featuring performances from Korea, Brazil, the Congo, and more. All events were free and open to the public.
Cortland Street Bridge Rehab Project Begins, Aims to Preserve Historic Landmark
In September, the Chicago Department of Transportation launched a multi-year rehabilitation of the Cortland Street Bridge, the city’s oldest bascule bridge, originally built in the early 1900s. The project includes replacing the bridge deck, steel floor system, and counterweights, along with upgrades to lighting, sidewalks, and bridge houses. Cortland Street is now closed to vehicle traffic between Mendell and Kingsbury for 18–24 months, though pedestrian access will remain on one sidewalk through winter 2025. Officials say the project balances modern engineering with historic preservation while aiming to minimize disruption to commuters and nearby businesses.
Chicago Breaks Ground on New Community Plaza in Belmont Cragin
The City of Chicago began construction on La Placita at Belmont Cragin, a new public plaza at Grand and Fullerton Avenues. Spearheaded by CDOT and the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, the plaza will feature a performance space, public art, shaded seating, a walking path, and landscaping. Funded by Community Development Block Grants, the project is the first of three new plazas planned for 2025. Completion is expected in spring 2026.
Hawksmoor Debuts London-Inspired Cocktail Bar in Chicago
Hawksmoor Chicago launched Beef & Liberty Bar on September 19, transforming part of its LaSalle Street location into a ’90s London-themed cocktail destination. The new space features sub-zero martinis, Scotch eggs, and British-style bar fare, all served in a restored historic powerhouse setting. The bar pays homage to Soho’s cocktail scene with playful drinks and a moody, late-night vibe.
Chicago Street Race on Hiatus as Illinois Revs Up NASCAR Support Elsewhere
In September, the state of Illinois confirmed that NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race will not return in 2026, ending a three-year run that generated a $128 million economic impact in 2024. Despite the pause, the state’s FY2026 budget allocates $12 million for future NASCAR-related grants, including continued sponsorship of the Enjoy Illinois 300 near St. Louis. Meanwhile, Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet is slated to host its first NASCAR event since 2019 next July, although state officials say no direct funding has been committed.
