Attending HIMSS27 is not limited to what happens inside the convention center.
Part of the value of gathering in Chicago comes from how naturally the conference experience extends into the city itself – through networking dinners, nearby neighborhoods, lakefront spaces and the ability to move between meetings, sessions and the city without overcomplicating the week.
For many attendees, that experience starts to take shape quickly after arrival.
A morning may begin with coffee in the South Loop before sessions at McCormick Place. By evening, conversations continue over dinner in Chinatown, along the Riverwalk or at restaurants and rooftops across the city.
Between scheduled programming, attendees can step outside the convention environment entirely without dedicating hours to navigating the city.
That accessibility changes the overall rhythm of the HIMSS27 experience.
Rather than feeling confined to a convention footprint, attendees have opportunities throughout the week to experience Chicago in ways that feel manageable, useful and naturally integrated into the conference itself.
HIMSS27 | April 5-8, 2027 | McCormick Place Convention Center | Chicago, IL
A Conference Week That Moves Beyond the Show Floor
One of Chicago’s biggest advantages as a HIMSS27 host city is variety..
Within relatively short distances from McCormick Place, attendees can move between completely different environments depending on the type of experience they want during the week, whether that means executive dinners, walkable restaurants near the venue, lakefront downtime between meetings or group networking environments after sessions conclude. And unlike cities where conference activity can feel isolated from the surrounding environment, Chicago allows attendees to move naturally between the convention center and the city around it. For a conference built around collaboration, networking and cross-industry conversations, that accessibility matters.
The Lakefront Creates a Different Atmosphere
McCormick Place’s location along Chicago’s lakefront creates a conference atmosphere that feels noticeably different from more traditional downtown convention environments. For attendees balancing packed schedules, education sessions and networking events, the surrounding lakefront creates opportunities to step outside the convention environment between meetings, continue conversations in more relaxed settings or experience another side of the city during the conference week.
Many of Chicago’s most recognizable lakefront destinations are also surprisingly accessible from the venue:
| Destination | Approximate Distance | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Museum Campus | ~1.5 miles | ~6–10 min Uber |
| Northerly Island | ~1.7 miles | ~8–12 min Uber |
| Adler Planetarium Skyline Viewpoint | ~2 miles | ~10–12 min Uber |
| Lakefront Trail Access | ~0.5–1 mile | ~10–20 min walk |
| Soldier Field | ~1.5 miles | ~8–10 min Uber or ~30 min walk |
| Chicago Riverwalk | ~3.5 miles | ~18–25 min Uber or transit |
Chicago Makes It Easier to Extend the Conference Experience
For many attendees, the most productive parts of conference weeks are often the hours surrounding the formal agenda rather than the agenda itself.
Chicago supports that dynamic particularly well. The city’s restaurants, neighborhoods, lakefront spaces and accessibility make it easier to continue conversations naturally after sessions end, without requiring attendees to dedicate significant time to logistics or travel across the city.
A conversation that begins after a HIMSS27 session can continue over dinner in West Loop less than 20 minutes later. A quick meeting between sessions can turn into a walk along the lakefront before the next event begins.
That flexibility helps the conference experience feel larger than the show floor itself while still remaining manageable for attendees navigating busy schedules.
For many first-time visitors, especially, Chicago often feels far more approachable once they arrive than they expected beforehand.
More Than a Host City
HIMSS27 will bring together healthcare professionals from across the global healthcare ecosystem to explore the technologies, partnerships and ideas shaping the future of healthcare.
Chicago adds another dimension to that experience—one built around accessibility, connection and exploration.
The city’s neighborhoods, public spaces and transportation access help create an environment where conversations can continue well beyond scheduled programming and where attendees can experience the city naturally throughout the week.
For many HIMSS27 attendees, that combination of healthcare innovation, global networking and city experience is part of what will make the conference memorable long after it concludes.
Start Planning Your HIMSS27 Experience
Whether you are attending HIMSS27 for education, networking, business development or innovation discovery, Chicago offers opportunities to build experiences around the conference itself rather than simply traveling in and out of sessions each day.
From lakefront views and neighborhood dining to conversations that continue beyond the show floor, the city becomes part of the HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition experience.
Pre-register for HIMSS27 or sign up for event updates to stay informed as new conference information, hotel details and attendee resources become available.