Business travel spotlight series: Chicago

Chicago is the third largest city in the US, behind New York and Los Angeles, nestled on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan. While the city is famous for its stunning architecture, deep-dish pizza and traditional jazz music, there is one unmistakably upbeat trend that has swept across the city in recent years: the rise in tech company formation. 

Today, Chicago is recognized as the center of commerce and one of the top five North American tech hubs. A city of opportunity for founders, innovators and investors, Chicago boasts a burgeoning technology industry - and just like New York, corporate travel is on the rise. 

With the tech scene only set to reach new heights, businesses are flocking to the Windy City to experience the impressive opportunities this innovative hub has to offer. 

Whether you’re sending employees to a conference at McCormick Place or considering relocating your team to the newly respected tech hub, here’s why Chicago makes for a rewarding business trip or an even better base. 

Business is booming

Described as an efficient economic powerhouse, America’s “Second City” is the ideal location to start a business, grow a business or expand from another city. It came in at number one on American Express Global Travel (GBT)’s list of top domestic business trip destinations and has been given the title of a Top Three Start-up City in 2021 by Forbes. 

It’s not difficult to understand why major businesses, including Allstate and McDonald’s, chose to base their headquarters in Chicago. The city has one of the world’s largest and most diversified economies and is home to some of the biggest businesses in the world, including several Fortune 500 companies. 

A dynamic and creative tech hub 

Chicago has seen a tech boom in recent years, and the city now plays in the top-tier tech league of New York, San Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles. With a record-breaking 12 unicorns minted in 2021 (the industry’s name for billion-dollar valued companies), it’s no surprise the city is considered a leading destination for tech talent and a world-class hub for entrepreneurs. 

There are plenty of reasons why businesses in the proptech industry should consider Chicago over other metropolitan areas attempting to compete. The city has a healthy business climate, but it also boasts a lower cost of living when compared to coastal cities and offers fantastic fundraising opportunities too. 

Chicago is one of the most connected cities in the world 

With two major world-class airports and an advanced public transport system, Chicago is considered top of the most central locations in America to meet. The city can be easily accessed from all over the US (and the world) and is recognized as a major transportation hub in the Midwest. 

The Windy City has the seventh-best urban transportation system in the world, making it easy to run a business that values global mobility. The Chicago Loop, one of the city’s 77 designated community areas, is the central business district of Chicago. Here is where employees will find themselves surrounded by talented professionals, signature skyscrapers and excellent networking opportunities.

O’Hare International Airport, located within city limits, is one of the busiest airports in the world, and six of the 7 Class 1 railroads in the US run through the city. 

Employees won’t be short of spaces to work

Chicago is equipped with an impressive selection of corporate spaces and event venues, making it the perfect spot for meetings, conferences and conventions. Whether employees are looking for a small coffee shop to work from between meetings or require a unique space to hold an event, the Windy City has much to offer. 

Employees can benefit from a huge network of professionals in the city - and with large business events taking place all over, it’s important to send them equipped with business cards, as you never know which industry expert they’ll bump into next. 

…they also won’t be short of things to do between meetings 

Business travel is a great opportunity to network and expand, but that doesn’t mean employees can’t enjoy themselves between meetings too. There are plenty of bleisure opportunities in Chicago; with one of the most iconic skylines in the world, a fantastic food scene, bustling theaters and an abundance of green spaces, there’s plenty to see and do. 

Thanks to the impressive transport links across the country, there’s nothing to stop employees from visiting a nearby city to explore further business opportunities and make use of high-quality employee accommodation too.

3Sixty 

3Sixty is a state-of-the-art marketplace that reduces the noise in extended-stay travel.

Our HomeMatch™ technology leverages machine learning and human expertise to curate quality, cost-effective housing where your employees feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.