This event will be held at the Palmer House Hilton (17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603). To reserve a room at a special rate of $219/night, please click here​ before 2:00 PM Central Time on Wednesday, October 11.

Getting to the Palmer House from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (18 miles away)

The most inexpensive and reliable method to get from O'Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago involves taking the Chicago Transit Authority's Blue Line train​. The one-way fare is just $5.00 and normal travel time for this route is almost always 40-45 minutes. For comparison, a shuttle van would cost over $25 (per person) and take 25-90 minutes, a taxi would cost around $40 and take 25-90 minutes, and Uber or Lyft would cost around $35-50 (with surge pricing of $140 or more) and take 25-90 minutes. Travel times vary greatly as traffic and road conditions vary greatly.

To locate the Blue Line train station from any of O'Hare International Airport's three domestic terminals, please follow "Trains to City" on overhead wayfinding signs as you walk through the pedestrian tunnels in the Basement Level. You might find this video​ helpful.

To purchase your train fare, use a credit card or cash to purchase a "1-Day Ventra Ticket" or "CTA Single-trip Ventra Ticket at O'Hare" for $5.00 at a vending machine located outside the station.

The Monroe station is the stop attendees will use to arrive at our conference when taking the train from the airport. From the Monroe station, take the stairs up to Dearborn Street and walk north toward Monroe Street. Turn right and walk 1 1/2 blocks east on Monroe Street. Enter Palmer House via Monroe Street, and take the stairs up to the lobby.

If driving a rental vehicle, follow signs for I-190 out of the airport. Take I-190 to I-90/94 east (Kennedy Expressway). Take I-90/94 to Monroe Street exit, turn left on Monroe Street (East) , Approximately 8 blocks to The Palmer House Hilton. Hotel is on the right. Drive time will be 25-90 minutes.

Getting to the Palmer House from Chicago's Midway International Airport (12 miles away)

The most inexpensive and reliable method to get from Midway International Airport to downtown Chicago involves taking the Chicago Transit Authority's Orange Line train​. The one-way fare is just $5.00 and normal travel time for this route is approximately 50-70 minutes. Get off at the Adams/Wabash stop. The Palmer House is located on the west side of Wabash Avenue. 

For comparison, a shuttle van would cost over $25 (per person) and take 30-90 minutes, a taxi would cost around $40 and take 30-90 minutes, and Uber or Lyft would cost around $35-50 (with surge pricing of $140 or more) and take 30-90 minutes. Travel times vary greatly as traffic and road conditions vary greatly. 

If driving a rental vehicle, go north on Cicero Avenue. Take Stevenson Expressway (I-55) Northeast to Kennedy Expressway (I-90) West. Exit Monroe Street, turn right (East), 8 blocks to The Palmer House Hilton. Hotel is on the right. Drive time will be 30-90 minutes.

Parking options

Hotel guests can self-park at 55 East Monroe Street (across from hotel) for $52.00/night. Valet parking is available for $75.00/night.

Several parking garages can also be found in the vicinity, including InterPark's Adams & Wabash Self Park​ at 17 East Adams Street. When pre-purchasing, the cost can be as low as $40.00/night.

About the Palmer House

Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America®, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America.

The story of downtown Chicago's Palmer House Hilton is one of romance and undeniable charm.

Potter Palmer was a Chicago business magnate—well-known for a variety of endeavors, including his significant role in the development of downtown Chicago's iconic State Street.

Bertha Honoré Palmer, 23 years Potter's junior, was a wealthy socialite who also had a drive to learn and succeed.

An introduction by Potter's former business partner, Marshall Field, sparked a romance—and eventual engagement—between Potter and Bertha that led to perhaps one of the most extravagant wedding gifts of all time – Palmer House. It was a grand Chicago Hotel—one destined to take its place among the most luxurious hotels in Chicago and beyond.

However, only 13 days after its grand opening, the Palmer House fell victim to the Great Chicago Fire. But that didn't deter Potter. Determined to rebuild his hotel, Potter secured a $1.7 million loan–negotiated on his signature alone. On November 8, 1873, the new Palmer House welcomed its first guests, marking the opening of what would become the nation's longest continually operating hotel.

The Brushstrokes of Bertha

Shortly after befriending Claude Monet in France, Bertha Palmer began decorating the Palmer House with paintings and other pieces inspired by her French heritage. She eventually accumulated the largest collection of impressionist art outside of France. The Palmer House was bedecked with garnet-draped chandeliers, Louis Comfort Tiffany masterpieces, and a breath taking ceiling fresco by French painter Louis Pierre Rigal. The fresco was described by columnist George Will as "a wonderful protest of romance against the everydayness of life."

A House of Stars

By the turn of the century, the Palmer House had become Chicago's liveliest social center, hosting a long list of prominent figures—including those ranging from U.S. presidents to Charles Dickens to Oscar Wilde.

In 1933, the Empire Dining Room of Palmer House was converted into an entertainment epicenter and supper club. It hosted legendary entertainers, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong, and Liberace.

The Never-ending Legend

In recent years the historic Chicago hotel, Palmer House has undergone a $170 million renovation to ensure that it includes all of the conveniences and comforts our 21st century guests expect while also preserving our significant history.

Clearly "the Chicago hotel the world knows best" has positioned itself for the next era in downtown Chicago accommodations–and the next generation of Palmer House Hilton with a hip and historic outlook.