Chicago Southland

Welcome to Cvent's meeting and event planning guide to the Chicago Southland, written with meeting professionals in mind. Spanning 62 south and southwest suburbs within minutes of downtown Chicago, Chicago Southland is a convenient, affordable meeting destination bursting with major attractions, golf courses, outdoor recreation, fine dining, lodging, and a variety of meeting and event spaces. Proudly housing the metropolitan area's largest concentration of recreational forest preserves and miles of trails, Chicago Southland is perfect for active group outings, while the area's plentiful commuter rail and interstate connections put groups within easy reach of Chicago Loop landmarks. Chicago Southland is also known for its festivals and sporting events, which are held at such larges venues as SeatGeek Stadium, Ozinga Field and Fox Pointe outdoor theatre. (These also double as perfect places for group gatherings and rentals.)
Chicago Southland is easily accessible to both Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. Ranked as the busiest airport in the U.S., O'Hare International sits within an hour's drive of Chicago Southland. As the nation's only dual-hub airport, O'Hare International serves as a major North American travel way. Midway International Airport is Chicago's second-largest airport and offers several low-cost carrier options. Both airports provide direct access to several Chicago-area public transportation options, including Metra, a suburban commuter rail service that offers Chicago Southland service.
The Chicago Southland's full-service hotels offer up to 25,000 square feet of meeting space. The area is home to a number of unique venues that serve as both attractions and fantastic sites for group gatherings. Situated in Olympia Fields, the 38-acre Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center offers a number of nature-based community and environmental education programs, as well as team-building activities at its challenge course, high ropes course, climbing tower, and power pole. The popular Brookfield Zoo houses approximately 450 species of animals amid its 215 acres of meticulous gardens, as well as a number of indoor and outdoor spaces for private events. Groups can sip cocktails alongside animals in a variety of exhibits, as well as hold banquets and large-scale meetings in such spaces as The Pavilions, which consists of four exotic venues for up to 2,000 guests.
Last but not least, SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview serves as the home of the Chicago Red Stars soccer team and a host for world-class concerts and additional sporting events. Groups can take in the action from the park's event suites, as well as congregate at the Stadium Club, party deck, and rooftop deck.