Your Chicago destination management company

The best process for meeting planning in Chicago

Pure Local Services provides destination management company services support powered by decades of industry experience combined with local expertise to plan unforgettable Chicago events for groups of all sizes and industry. Our experts are seasoned corporate event planners who have developed a brand-new approach to destination management in Chicago and beyond.

Our one-of-a-kind process is centered around Request Builder, a simple interface that lets you explore our vetted list of destinations, activities, venues, and other local options on your own time and under no pressure. It's designed to be easy, intuitive and fun to use. Simply select Chicago as the destination you want to explore, and you'll be presented with a list of possible activities, venues, and other local options. Based on your dates, you can see what entertainment and seasonal activities will be available for your group. You can easily learn more about each option to see what would be a good fit for your program, budget and goals.

After browsing (for as long as you want!) add the ones you're interested in to your request, and then hand it off to us. From there, we'll do the work to build the proposal based on your choices. It couldn't be easier!

Request Builder also allows you to explore other destinations that might interest you. It's so low-pressure that we don't even ask for your email address until after you've taken as much time as you need to build your request. We mean it: this is Chicago meeting planning like never before. No unnecessary phone calls or cold emails. Just a curated proposal of vetted Chicago favorites based on your submitted preferences.

Local Chicago Meeting Planner Expertise

As an experienced corporate planner in Chicago, we have the insider insights you need to make an event your group will never forget. With our decades of experience, we've curated key relationships with local partners in each of our destinations. This means that when we help you plan a Chicago meeting, you know you're getting local knowledge of the city's best options, partner discounts, and access to activities and services only locals know about. We vet every single one of our local service providers to ensure they live up to our high standards to bring you authentic local experiences in Chicago.

Not only is utilizing our local connections a surefire way to ensure your event is successful, it's a proven way to support local economies. Our model of using local partners is a more sustainable practice and helps our favorite destinations — like Chicago — keep providing the offerings we have grown to love. At our core, we believe in making sustainability efforts that are more meaningful than just recycling a few bottles or turning off some lights.

Plus, we've found that our clients repot more satisfaction with their corporate meeting when they take an active role in these sustainability efforts. It seems that not only is protecting our locations the right thing to do; it's also the fun thing to do. Seems like an obvious choice, right?

We have a variety of ways your group can get involved in supporting the Chicago community you visit. Choose from options like donating a portion of proceeds from your program to a charity of your choice, joining a local sustainability effort like packing lunches or planting trees, or scheduling a speaker to educate your group on pressing issues in Chicago. We're here to help your group make a difference — and feel good about it.

Your Chicago Corporate Planner

Perched on the shore of Lake Michigan, the Windy City offers a truly unique selection of waterfront activities and large metropolitan offerings. With so much on offer, pinning down an itinerary can be overwhelming in a city this large. But don't worry; we have you covered. We know just where to send your group to discover Chicago's hidden gems and hot spots you never knew you needed to experience. We'll help you navigate the wide range of activities in Chicago and choose the best ones for your group. We'll also help you select the best venue for your corporate event and decide on some dining options that will make your attendees rave. No matter how large or small your group is or how long you're staying, Chicago is a winning choice — and Pure Local has to the tools to make your meeting a success.

Corporate Activities in Chicago

A great way to kick off your corporate meeting and welcome your attendees to Chicago is with a unique tour of the city. We love tours that are more memorable because they're a little offbeat — like a biking brewery tour, an architectural tour by boat, or a haunted Chicago Segway tour. You can explore the city in an exciting way and have a fun bonding experience as a group.

With diverse neighborhoods and a jazz-infused history, Chicago has culture on every corner. We can direct you to fun neighborhoods to explore and which live music to attend. Take a street art tour, visit an iconic jazz club, or schedule a boat ride to see the city's iconic waterfront fireworks in the summer. You can take in a comedy club show at a legendary venue, see a Broadway production or waterfront Shakespeare play, or experience house music and Chicago-style jazz in the city that started those sounds. If you're looking for nightlife offerings for your group after a long day of meetings, Chicago has you covered.

The Chicago landscape is truly iconic and we know the best ways for your group to appreciate the local landmarks and architecture. From visiting “The Bean,” to taking a walk on a glass observation deck on a skyscraper, to exploring Navy Pier, there are certain parts of Chicago you just can't skip. That list definitely includes the city's world-class museums like the Art Institute of Chicago where you can see the greatest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of the Louvre, the Field Museum where you can visit Sue the T.Rex, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. We know the best times to visit and ways to experience Chicago's most popular establishments.

Chicago's athletic scene is legendary — and with incredible teams playing year-round, you can hit a game just about any time you visit. If you are hosting baseball fans of any kind, a trip to Wrigley Field is a must. From a behind-the-dugout experience to a private box, your group will never forget a Cubs game in their hometown. Or, check out the other baseball team in town with a White Sox game at Guaranteed Rate Field. If you're visiting in the winter, we can get you tickets to a Chicago Bulls or Blackhawks game for a memorable group experience. If you prefer to get in on the action, take in a round of golf (we can help you pick from 200 courses in the area), do some indoor skydiving or opt in to a bike ride about to Wrigley Field. No matter your speed, we can help you find the best activities for your group in Chicago.

Venue Selection in Chicago

Chicago has event venues of every size and style to fit your needs. From intimate gatherings to grand receptions, Pure Local knows the best places in town for your corporate events. We can get you an iconic location or a hidden gem with the help of our local partners and inside experience.

Make it a memorable night by hosting your event at a quintessential Chicago venue like the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, or the Adler Planetarium. It's a great way to impress your attendees and give them an authentic Chicago experience. Another option is to keep it modern at one of Chicago's many trendy lofts and studios for your corporate event. Whether you're looking for a rooftop dripping in ambience, an elegant convention center or a repurposed factory turned industrial chic event space, we know just where to take you.

When in Chicago, it's always a fun idea to take your meeting to the water. Hosting an event with waterfront views is an unforgettable experience for your group. Or you can take it to the next level and treat your attendees to a river cruise reception where you can get together on a beautiful watercraft and enjoy the skyline, fireworks, and the city's signature breeze.

Planning for corporate dining events in Chicago

The dining scene in Chicago may be most famous for deep-dish pizza, but there is so much more on the menu we can't wait to help you discover. Some of our very favorite places came from our local partners' recommendations and we love sharing them with other visitors.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Chicago trip if you didn't get a slab of deep dish pizza with sauce smothering the melted cheese. We can also point you in the direction of the best spot to grab a Chicago-style hot dog or a pizza puff. Chicago is also known for its unique take on barbeque, and we know just the places to send you where they do it right.

Chicago is home to top-rated breweries your group would love to experience and fine dining with star chefs you can't miss. From classic steakhouses to farm-to-table eateries to trend-setting dishes prepared by the biggest names in culinary arts, we know all the incredible dining options your group will love. And yes, we can get you on the list.

Chicago may be a midwestern town at heart, but it's also proud of its diverse population and the influence it's had on the city's cuisine. Get the best dim sum of your life in Chinatown, try a “Jibarito” sandwich that was born in Chicago but inspired by Puerto Rico, or get some flaming saganaki in Greektown. A great way to experience a city is to sample menus all across different neighborhoods.

Comprehensive Destination Management Services

While Request Builder's revolutionary process and our unparalleled local knowledge and expertise lies at the heart of Pure Local Services, creating proposals isn't all we can do. Sure, we can manage site selection and contract negotiation to make sure your dollars are going the furthest. But we are also experts in theme events and décor, entertainment, themed audio/visual, and beyond. And don't worry, we'll get you where you need to go without any headaches thanks to our trusted transportation and program logistics services.

We also handle creative design so your marketing and promotional materials are on-brand and engaging. Plus, we'll handle all the technology needs thanks to our highly-trained local A/V teams who are equipped to making your event run smoothly.

If you need sponsor and exhibitor management, look no further. We have a long track record of attracting and helping to retain sponsors. We are expert gift-givers and love to curate the perfect giveaways, usually with something special from a local vendor we know and trust. When it comes to meeting planning and corporate event planning, we know all the ins and outs and can help you from the very beginning of the process to well beyond your event.

Pure Local Services offers support in all the following areas:

• Curated activities
• Themed events and décor
• Transportation and program logistics
• Staffing
• Creative design
• Audio/Visual
• Gifting, Awards and Amenities
• Sponsor and Exhibitor Management
• Site Selection and Contract Negotiation