ELARA Convention Center

Elara Convention Center sits at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake, about 40 miles northwest of Chicago and overlooking Lake Acorn. The newly renovated center covers 20,000 square feet with 21 meeting rooms and an 11,200 square foot ballroom with 14 foot ceilings that divides into breakout rooms. It takes meetings, conferences and trade shows for up to 1,200 guests. The hotel is attached, so attendees can stay on site, and a wraparound outdoor deck over a private pond suits a meet and greet reception. On-site catering is offered for meetings and social events, and a meeting planning checklist and timeline are posted for organizers, running from three to five months out down to one week out. Rated 4.5 from 75 Google reviews, 46 of them five stars.