Evanston
In Evanston, it all begins with Northwestern University, the Big Ten School with the Ivy League student body. The community has all the arts, culture, dining, and exuberant recreation attending a college town. Although planners must seek Evanston event venues elsewhere (venue rental isn't possible at Northwestern), the school provides fringe benefits in the form of guest speakers and experts, including performers from one of the country's best conservatories of music.
While Midway International Airport seems closer to Evanston as the crow flies, O'Hare International Airport is actually the best for reaching the North Shore. Travel time can be as little as 25 to 30 minutes. Evanston is also connected to downtown Chicago by the "L" on the Purple, Red, and Yellow lines and by Metra, the regional rail system. Travel time is 30 to 35 minutes. It is actually closer to stay in Evanston and go to Wrigley Field to see the Chicago Cubs than to stay in downtown Chicago.
Conference venues in Evanston are hotel-based. The largest such venue is the 269-room Hilton Orrington/Evanston, which has a ballroom that can seat up to 550 people and …