Why Rosemont Is the Perfect Place for FLAIR as a Fashion Trade Show
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When we set out to build FLAIR, we knew it needed a home that reflected the show’s values: business-focused, accessible, and efficient. The Midwest was a given—this region is home to nearly one in four U.S. apparel retailers. But where in the Midwest mattered just as much.That’s why FLAIR is held in Rosemont, Illinois.It’s not just convenient. It’s strategic.Rosemont is perfectly positioned to serve the Midwest’s buyers—and the reps, showrooms, and brands who support them. It’s built to support the way real fashion business gets done.
Minutes from O’Hare. Connected to Everything.
Rosemont sits just five minutes from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of the busiest and most accessible airports in the country. Buyers and brands flying in can be off the plane and on the show floor in minutes—without long travel into the city or added transportation costs.It’s also at the intersection of three major highways—I-90, I-294, and I-190—making it incredibly easy to drive in from surrounding states. Stores from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota can all make the trip in a matter of hours.That’s why Rosemont is ideal: you can get in, work the floor, and get back home—all without losing days to travel.
Hotels and Dining for Every Budget
We chose Rosemont not just for accessibility—but because it makes business easier for everyone on the ground. The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center is surrounded by more than a dozen hotels, including FLAIR’s partner hotel offering a $149/night rate with breakfast included.No shuttles. No traffic. Most hotels are walkable or connected by skybridge.Beyond that, Rosemont offers a full range of restaurants, from fast casual to steakhouse. Whether you’re grabbing a bite with your team or hosting a dinner meeting with a brand, there are options for every taste and budget—all within a few blocks of the show.
The Rosemont Entertainment District
Business doesn’t stop at 5pm—and Rosemont’s Entertainment District makes it easy to unwind, connect, or keep the conversation going.With live music, bars, theaters, and year-round events, it offers something many national show cities don’t: easy access to entertainment without needing to travel far from the show.
A Convention Center Designed for Business at Scale
The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center is a state-of-the-art venue with nearly 1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space—making it one of the largest and most efficient event spaces in the country.The layout is seamless: one level, one curated floor, and a design that supports both large-scale shows and focused, high-value interaction. There are no split halls or hidden corners—just a space intentionally built to help buyers and brands connect with clarity and purpose.Every detail supports productivity:
- Starbucks just downstairs
- Lunch coupons provided to offset lunch expenses for attending retailers on Days 1 and 2
- Onsite parking at affordable rates
- Walkable access to hotels, food, and transportation
This isn’t just a convention center—it’s the ideal backdrop for serious business, real relationships, and a refreshed way to source in the Midwest.
Rosemont Reflects the Show
FLAIR is about real people doing real business.It’s built to connect the Midwest’s buyers and boutique owners with the reps, showrooms, and brands—many from outside the region—who support them.Rosemont reflects that mission.It’s cost-effective, central, and fully equipped for business. It offers everything needed to connect, buy, sell—and enjoy the experience along the way.That’s why FLAIR is here. Because the right show needs the right setting—and Rosemont delivers both the infrastructure and the energy to make it happen.Want to know what inspired the show? Read Why We Built FLAIR →
FLAIR takes place July 20–22, 2025, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.