Choose Chicago

Chicago is the perfect place to make a big impact on your attendees — and a small impact on the environment. Discover eco-friendly Chicago venues, hotels, vendors, and more to start planning your next green meeting. Green Chicago at a glance 600+ parks owned by the Chicago Park District 500+ green roofs in Chicagoland 25 electric buses managed by the Chicago Transit Authority 470+ miles of bike lanes and trails 17,000+ bikes and e-bikes in the Divvy bike-share program No. 2 state for LEED-certified buildings in the U.S. Looking ahead: Chicago’s green goals 62% reduction in citywide carbon emissions by 2040 100% renewable energy for city buildings by 2035 100% renewable energy for Chicago Transit Authority buses by 2040 Sustainability at McCormick Place Recognized for sustainability efforts by Green Seal, LEED, and more. The largest farm-to-fork rooftop garden in the Midwest. Food rescue, campus composting, and waste sorting technology. 100% of electricity usage is offset with certified wind renewable energy certificates.

As the largest convention center in North America, McCormick Place is committed to sustainability. In June 2025, the Events Industry Council (EIC) announced that Chicago’s McCormick Place has achieved Gold Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. The certification recognizes McCormick Place’s continued leadership in environmental and social responsibility. The EIC Sustainable Event Standards were created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. The standards specify performance criteria in the areas of organizational management, marketing, communications and engagement, climate action, water management, materials and circularity, supply chain management, diversity, equity and inclusion, accessibility, and social impact. To date, more than 300 professionals have participated in the review of the standards. The integrated property standard is one of several comprehensive standards for environmentally sustainable events. McCormick Place takes pride in being at the forefront of green meetings and events with many firsts in innovative strategies for sustainable event management. Reducing environmental impact requires collaboration and cooperation with partners and the community, including ongoing efforts between the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (MPEA), Oak View Group (OVG) Hospitality, and campus sub-contractors to design and implement a robust sustainability program that supports the convention center and the events it hosts. Current McCormick Place sustainability focus areas include operating the largest farm-to-fork rooftop garden in the Midwest; an onsite non-profit partnership committed to food rescue; offsetting 100% of electricity usage with certified wind renewable energy certificates; protecting migratory birds; and creating custom programs to meet the specific needs of clients, including areas like e-waste and booth furnishings. OVG Hospitality demonstrates a commitment to sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly packaging, prioritizing local sourcing, and implementing sustainable practices within their food and beverage services.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are the foundation of our work at Choose Chicago. As the destination marketing organization for this great city, it’s our privilege to represent and share the diversity of our neighborhoods, our people, and our partners with the millions of visitors who enjoy this city each year. The talented workers who empower our city, seemingly endless attractions, and our employees at Choose Chicago all have a critical role to play in making this city an exciting cultural haven for diverse people from across the globe. Partner diversity Choose Chicago partners include many women- and minority-owned businesses who provide valuable services for meeting planners looking to support diverse vendors during their next Chicago event. Contact us for vendor referrals for private events, cultural heritage tours, dining, catering, custom gifts, printing, and more. Find services and suppliers Women-owned businesses Minority-owned businesses Find special event venues Women-owned venues Minority-owned venues Choose Compassion newsletter At Choose Chicago, we “Choose Compassion” and are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful work culture of a brilliant mix of people because we are equally different. We firmly believe in the strength and power of our diverse group of partners, employees and clients to drive business and innovation while building on a collaborative connection within our community and the neighborhoods we serve. This newsletter is produced by Choose Chicago’s employee resource group, Choose Compassion, and is released bi-monthly. Here you will find the current and past issues of the Choose Compassion newsletter covering topics of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Community engagement Cultivating new relationships in the community is a key initiative for Choose Chicago’s equity, diversity, and inclusion team. We want to learn from community leaders, promote cultural awareness in the city, and take part in key community events and celebrations. Link: https://www.choosechicago.com/about-us/inclusive-tourism-and-community-engagement/