PACK EXPO International: Hotels & Where to Stay
18 Oct – 21 Oct 2026 McCormick Place 48,000 attendees
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PACK EXPO International is one of the world's largest packaging and processing trade shows, held at McCormick Place in Chicago. It fills the sprawling convention centre with packaging machinery, processing equipment, materials, automation, robotics and containers, drawing manufacturers, engineers, brand owners and suppliers from food, beverage, pharmaceutical, consumer goods and industrial sectors. For a hotel-booking traveller, McCormick Place is North America's largest convention centre, on Chicago's near south side beside Lake Michigan, served by its own CTA station and a network of official show hotels with shuttle buses. That means you can stay downtown in the Loop or River North for dining and nightlife and ride the shuttle or the Green Line to the halls, or choose a hotel closer to McCormick Place for a shorter commute. Chicago has huge hotel supply, but a show this size pushes citywide demand and rates up, so booking early secures the best location and value.
Popular areas for attendees: South Loop / McCormick Place · The Loop · Magnificent Mile / River North.
- McCormick Place has its own CTA station and a network of official show hotels with free shuttle buses, so downtown stays connect easily to the halls.
- A show this large pushes citywide hotel demand and rates up, so early booking protects both location and value.
- Staying in the Loop or River North gives you Chicago's dining, nightlife and sightseeing with a quick ride to the venue.
- Hotels nearer McCormick Place or on the shuttle route suit those who want the shortest daily commute.
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 18 Oct – 21 Oct 2026
- Venue
- McCormick Place
- City
- Chicago, United States
- Airport
- ORD
- Attendance
- 48,000
Recommended Hotels for Business Travellers
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Hotels ranked by walking distance.
Flexible bookings
Pay Weekly available on free cancellation rooms.
Rates shown for the event window, Sat, Oct 17 → Thu, Oct 22 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat — all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
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- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Where to eat during PACK EXPO International
McCormick Place sits in the South Loop, an easy ride to both the South Loop's own tables and the West Loop restaurant scene. Chicago is a genuine food city (Smyth holds three Michelin stars and Alinea two), so book the marquee names well ahead when a big show is in town.
Girl & the Goat
New American / Small plates
West Loop (Randolph St), ~15 min drive from McCormick Place
Stephanie Izard's flagship on West Loop's restaurant row, serving inventive, shareable plates in a buzzy room. One of the toughest and most rewarding reservations in the city.
Tip: Book weeks out; walk-in bar seats are the backup plan.
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Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Steakhouse
Gold Coast (Rush St), ~15 min drive from McCormick Place
The quintessential Chicago steakhouse: big steaks, martinis and a see-and-be-seen energy that suits entertaining clients. A local institution on Rush Street.
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Mercat a la Planxa
Spanish / Catalan tapas
South Loop (Michigan Ave), ~7 min drive from McCormick Place
A lively Catalan tapas room overlooking Grant Park, one of the closer upscale options to McCormick Place. Good for a shared, unhurried group dinner.
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Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Deep-dish pizza
South Loop (State St), ~8 min drive from McCormick Place
The classic Chicago deep-dish, from one of the city's most storied pizzeria families. The South Loop location is an easy, casual team meal near the convention center.
Tip: Deep-dish takes ~40 min to bake, order as soon as you sit down.
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Intelligentsia Coffee (Millennium Park)
Coffee / Cafe
The Loop (Millennium Park), ~12 min drive from McCormick Place
The Chicago-born roaster widely credited with helping start the third-wave coffee movement in 1995. The Millennium Park coffeebar is an ideal caffeine stop when you're up in the Loop.
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Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen
Jewish deli
South Loop, ~6 min drive from McCormick Place
A cash-quick, cafeteria-style Chicago deli institution famous for its corned beef and matzo ball soup. About as fast and local a lunch as you'll find near the convention center.
Tip: Lunch-focused; it winds down by mid-afternoon.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Chicago
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after PACK EXPO International — bookable experiences in Chicago, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Chicago
Chicago is a great sports and festival town, and several of its venues are an easy trip from McCormick Place.
Chicago Cubs (MLB)
Day baseball at historic Wrigley Field is a bucket-list experience even if you're not a fan.
Find ticketsChicago White Sox (MLB)
South Side baseball at Rate Field, one of the closer ballparks to McCormick Place.
Find ticketsChicago Bears (NFL)
NFL games at lakefront Soldier Field, just north of the convention center.
Find ticketsChicago Bulls (NBA)
NBA basketball at the United Center on the Near West Side.
Find ticketsLollapalooza
A four-day, multi-stage music festival in Grant Park drawing top global headliners.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- From O'Hare, take the CTA Blue Line into the city, then transfer to a southbound Green Line train and ride to the Cermak-McCormick Place station, two blocks from the West Building.
- Taxis and ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft) run from O'Hare to downtown and McCormick Place in around 30–50 minutes depending on traffic.
- Airport shuttles and pre-booked transfers are also available.
- Chicago Midway (MDW) is the closer second airport, connected downtown by the CTA Orange Line.
By rail and shuttle
- Amtrak and Metra regional trains serve downtown Chicago stations, from which the Green Line or a taxi reaches McCormick Place.
- Official PACK EXPO hotels offer free shuttle buses to and from McCormick Place during the show.
- The Cermak-McCormick Place CTA station is a short walk from the West Building.
- Metra Electric District trains also stop near McCormick Place for some routes.
Getting around during PACK EXPO International
CTA trains and buses
- The CTA 'L' train network covers the city; the Green Line's Cermak-McCormick Place station is closest to the venue.
- Buy a Ventra card or use contactless tap to ride trains and buses.
- From downtown, the Green Line or a short taxi reaches the halls quickly.
- CTA buses also serve the McCormick Place area for additional routes.
Shuttles, taxis and ride-hailing
- Official show hotels run free shuttle buses to McCormick Place, the simplest option for many attendees.
- Taxis and Uber or Lyft are widely available but subject to traffic and surge pricing at peak show times.
- Walking is feasible from the nearest CTA station and some south-side hotels.
- Allow extra time at opening and closing, when demand for rides spikes.
Visa & entry
Visa Waiver Program / ESTA
- Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can visit the US for short business stays with an approved ESTA obtained online before travel.
- Apply for ESTA well ahead of departure and confirm your passport meets program requirements.
- Carry proof of onward travel and business purpose for entry.
Advance B-1 visa
- Travellers not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must obtain a US B-1 business visitor visa in advance from a US embassy or consulate.
- Apply early, as interview wait times can be long in some countries.
- A show invitation, hotel and flight bookings support the application.
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the United States embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at PACK EXPO International?
- Book through an official PACK EXPO hotel block to get discounted rates and free shuttle service to McCormick Place.
- McCormick Place is enormous with multiple buildings (North, South, West and Lakeside); check which halls host your sectors.
- Weather in Chicago can be cold and windy, so pack layers for the walk between shuttle stops and halls.
- Confirm the show dates and plan your must-see exhibitors before booking, as the floor is vast.
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Staying downtown puts you near dining and nightlife while the shuttle or Green Line handles the commute.
- Use the CTA rather than taxis at peak times to avoid traffic and surge pricing.
- Reserve popular Loop and River North restaurants ahead, as the show fills the city.
- Wear comfortable shoes; covering McCormick Place's halls involves substantial walking each day.
PACK EXPO International travel FAQs
Where should I stay for PACK EXPO International?
Stay downtown in the Loop or River North for dining and nightlife with a shuttle or Green Line ride to the halls, or choose an official show hotel or a near-south-side property for a shorter commute to McCormick Place.
How much do hotels cost during PACK EXPO International?
A show this size lifts citywide rates. Expect downtown mid-range hotels from roughly 200 to 400 USD a night during the show, with premium properties higher; official hotel blocks and early booking offer better value.
How early should I book hotels for PACK EXPO International?
Book as early as possible, ideally three or more months out. The show drives strong citywide demand and official hotel blocks and better rates go first.
Which airport do I fly into for PACK EXPO International?
Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is the main international gateway, connected to McCormick Place via the CTA Blue and Green lines. Chicago Midway (MDW) is a closer alternative on the Orange Line.
How do I get from O'Hare to McCormick Place?
Take the CTA Blue Line from O'Hare into the city, transfer to a southbound Green Line train and ride to the Cermak-McCormick Place station, two blocks from the West Building; or use a taxi or ride-hailing in 30–50 minutes.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with PACK EXPO International or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.