5 Major Reasons Why Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Is The Unsung Hero Of Chicago's Event Scene (Updated 2025)

The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (DES Convention Center) in Rosemont, Illinois, is currently celebrating a major milestone in October 2025: its 50th Anniversary. This landmark venue, which serves as a crucial economic engine for the Chicago metropolitan area, continues to cement its status as a premier destination for large-scale trade shows, consumer expos, and corporate events. With recent, significant infrastructure upgrades and the addition of major new events, the DES Convention Center is proving that decades of history only fuel its relevance in the competitive world of event hosting. The center’s strategic location, massive flexible space, and a constant commitment to modernization—including a major HVAC system overhaul completed in July 2025—ensure it remains a top choice for both national and international organizers. This article dives into the top five reasons why this facility, named after the visionary founder of Rosemont, is more than just a convention hall; it's a formidable powerhouse of commerce and community.

The Visionary: A Complete Biography of Donald E. Stephens

The convention center is named in honor of Donald E. Stephens, the founding Village President (Mayor) of Rosemont, Illinois, whose political career and vision are inseparable from the village's success.

Donald E. Stephens (March 13, 1928 – April 18, 2007) was a towering figure in Illinois politics and the driving force behind transforming a small, unincorporated area near O'Hare International Airport into the thriving economic hub known as Rosemont.

• Birth and Death: Born March 13, 1928, and passed away on April 18, 2007.
• Political Career: He was the first and longest-serving Village President of Rosemont, holding the office from the village’s incorporation in 1956 until his death in 2007.
• Founding Vision: Stephens' vision was to create a self-sustaining, pro-business community that leveraged its unparalleled location next to O'Hare International Airport (ORD). His strategy focused on building a critical mass of convention space, hotels, and entertainment venues.
• Legacy: He was instrumental in the construction of the convention center, the Rosemont Theatre, and the Allstate Arena, establishing Rosemont as a major destination for entertainment and trade. The convention center was officially renamed in his honor to recognize his foundational contributions.

1. Massive Scale and Unrivaled Facility Specifications

The DES Convention Center is an architectural marvel built for maximum flexibility, allowing it to host everything from intricate collectible shows to massive industrial trade fairs.

The facility boasts an impressive 840,000 square feet of flexible exhibition space.

This enormous footprint can be configured to accommodate 500-booth to 800-booth shows, making it ideal for organizers needing vast, column-free exhibition halls.

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In addition to the main exhibit halls, the center provides 162,000 square feet of total meeting space.

This includes dozens of versatile meeting rooms and ballrooms, perfect for breakout sessions, banquets, and smaller conference events that require a more intimate setting.

Accessibility is a key feature, with a Skybridge connecting the convention center directly to a multi-level parking garage, ensuring attendees have seamless, weather-protected access.

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2. Major Infrastructure Upgrades and Modernization (2025)

The DES Convention Center is not resting on its laurels; a continuous commitment to modernization ensures the facility remains state-of-the-art and energy-efficient.

In a significant update, the center completed a major HVAC system overhaul in July 2025.

This project involved replacing older units with 12 new, high-efficiency heating, ventilating, and cooling systems.

This upgrade is part of the Village of Rosemont's commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, providing a more comfortable and environmentally responsible experience for all attendees.

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Ongoing improvements also include continuous modernization and replacement of core infrastructure, demonstrating a dedication to maintaining a world-class venue.

Earlier renovations also focused on enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the entryway, incorporating new fountains, landscaping, and colored lighting effects to create a luxurious, "Las Vegas-like" impression.

3. The Unstoppable Economic Engine of Rosemont

The convention center's impact on the local economy is formidable, especially considering the Village of Rosemont's relatively small population.

The DES Convention Center is responsible for generating an estimated $800 million in annual economic impact.

This massive figure is channeled through various sectors, including hotel stays, restaurant receipts, retail spending, and local employment.

The facility’s strategic location—just five minutes from O'Hare International Airport and a short drive from downtown Chicago—makes it an ideal hub for national and international business travel.

This proximity to ORD, one of the world's busiest airports, provides unparalleled convenience for exhibitors and attendees, directly fueling the local hospitality industry.

The presence of nearby entertainment options, such as the Rosemont Theatre and the Allstate Arena, further contributes to the local economy by encouraging longer stays.

4. A New Era of High-Profile Events for 2025 and Beyond

The center continues to attract major, high-profile events, securing its calendar with both long-running favorites and significant new additions.

A major development for 2025 is the relocation of the long-running Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show to the DES Convention Center in January.

This move opens up new opportunities for the show, which is Chicago's largest and longest-running annual boating event.

Other key upcoming events demonstrating the center's versatility include:

• Chicago Sports Spectacular (March 14-16, 2025): A massive fan event featuring autograph sessions and memorabilia.
• The International Gem & Jewelry Show (December 12-14, 2025): Highlighting the center's ability to host major consumer trade shows.
• Illinois Bridal & Wedding Expo (January 2026): Catering to a wide range of public interests and life events.

The diverse calendar confirms the DES Convention Center's role as a multifaceted venue, serving the needs of both B2B trade show organizers and B2C public expo promoters.

5. Celebrating 50 Years of History and Growth (1975-2025)

The DES Convention Center's history is a story of continuous expansion and strategic evolution, culminating in its 50th Anniversary celebration in October 2025.

From O'Hare Exposition Center to DES

The facility first opened its doors in October 1975 under the name O'Hare Exposition Center.

It began as a 150,000-square-foot facility, a fraction of its current size, and quickly established itself as a vital alternative to downtown Chicago's venues.

Due to immediate high demand, a 25,000-square-foot addition was already necessary by 1977.

The center’s growth has been strategic, including a major expansion in 1985 funded in part by a $2.7 million grant from the "Build Illinois" program.

Its eventual renaming to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center solidified the legacy of the man who championed its existence and growth, forever linking the venue to the Village of Rosemont's identity.

As it celebrates its 50th year, the center stands as a testament to the long-term vision of its founder and the ongoing commitment of the Village of Rosemont to maintain a world-class convention destination.