Mind the Product is coming to Chicago for the very first time on October 7th, and it's too good an excuse not to make a proper trip of it.
Whether you're flying solo or convincing your whole team to join you (we've got a letter for that by the way, more on that below), Chicago in October is always a good plan. Crisp fall air, a city that does everything from Blues to deep dish, and a product community gathering in one of America's greatest cities.
Here's how to make the most of it:
October 6th: Start with the workshops
The day before the main conference, we're running three full-day hands-on workshops at the Swissôtel Chicago.Choose from:
- How to 10x Your Product Workflows with AI with Dan Olsen
- Metrics for Product Managers with Steven Benario
- The Decision Stack with Martin Eriksson
Each one goes deep on a specific challenge, so if you're bringing a team, splitting across workshops and sharing notes afterwards is a great use of everyone's time.
October 7th: The main event
The conference itself takes place at Harris Theater in Millennium Park, with a lineup that includes April Dunford, Kathy Pham, Eric Simons, Martin Eriksson, and Brianne Kimmel. The after party follows at Untitled Supper Club in River North, a great space to decompress, compare notes, and meet the wider product community. Learn more about our speakers here.
Make a week of it: what to do and where to eat
October is one of Chicago's finest months, and the city has more than enough to keep a product team busy before and after the conference.
The Riverwalk and Millennium Park are right on your doorstep. Cloud Gate (also known as The Bean) is three minutes from the Harris Theater and worth every photo. The best view of the river is via an architecture boat tour from the Riverwalk for a 90-minute masterclass in both the city's iconic skyline and history.
For team dinner, River North is a close option after the conference. Il Porcellino, just three minutes from the after party venue, is one of the most celebrated Italian spots in the neighborhood. Quartino Ristorante on N State Street runs until 12:30 AM seven nights a week and is ideal for groups, with a small plates format perfect for a table of colleagues. For the foodies, Girl and the Goat (Chef Izard is an Iron Chef and Top Chef winner) is an amazing choice if you can snag a reservation.
If you want to add a proper team activity, Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower is ten minutes from the conference venue. Step into the glass ledge boxes at 1,353 feet for views across four states, top tip: when booking, aim to book a slot that’s roughly an hour before sunset. That way when it’s time for photos, the sky will be at its prettiest. The Color Factory is in the same building if you want something more playful and interactive.
Flying in early? The Chicago Bears host the New York Jets at Soldier Field on Sunday October 4th, a perfect fall NFL experience with lakefront views and 60,000 passionate fans. The Blackhawks also open their NHL season in early October if hockey is more your speed.
All five recommended hotels are within 0.5 miles of the Harris Theater, so you'll never be far from the action:
- Hotel Arlo Chicago — stylish and perfectly located, steps from Millennium Park
- Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park — classic luxury with sweeping lake views
- Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel — one of Chicago's most architecturally striking buildings
- Pendry Chicago — housed in the iconic Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building
- theWit Chicago — bold, design-forward, with one of the city's best rooftop bars
Need to convince your boss?
We've made that part easy. Use our convince your boss letter template to make the case for attending, including all the details on team discounts: 10% off for 6 or more tickets, and 10% off plus a complimentary workshop ticket for 10 or more.
We can't wait to see you in Chicago 🌭
