Get Tickets: Chicago Ideas Week Is Back—October 12-17

Chicago’s premier ideas festival for everyone is back and better than ever. This year, we’re tackling today’s most potent issues head-on. Tickets are now available for Members now.

Explore the Schedule Explore Stage Programs Only

Ideas for Everyone

From the changing face of AI to life's biggest questions, we have you covered.

Explore the Full Lineup

Talk

October 15, 7:00pm
Idea: Do we have all the answers?

Pete Holmes Comedian & Actor

Talk

October 12, 7:00pm
OPENING NIGHT: A Celebration of Artists Reimagining Chicago

Hebru Brantley Artist

Conversation

October 16, 5:30pm
Idea: Who do your kids trust more—you or YouTube?

Jessica Grose Parenting Editor, New York Times
Salon

October 15, 12:00pm
Idea: High school doesn’t have to suck

Tegan Quin Grammy-nominated artists; Author, "High School"

Special Engagement

October 16, 3:30pm
Changing the Lens: Lessons from Spelman’s Award-Winning Artists

T Lang Choreographer & Founding Department Chair, Spelman Dance

Talk

October 17, 5:30pm
Idea: Influence is our strongest currency

DeRay Mckesson Civil Rights Activist & Digital Influencer

Salon

October 14, 3:30pm
Life Hack: How to Win an Argument

Trish Hall Former New York Times Editor & Author

Salon

October 15, 12:00pm
Life Hack: How to Be a Better Leader

Alyssa Rapp Founder & CEO, Bottlenotes; CEO, Surgical Solutions

Salon

October 16, 4:00pm
Life Hack: How to Break a Bad Habit

Wendy Wood Author & Professor, University of Southern California

World Class Speakers

The most influential speakers from around the globe will be there—you won't want to miss what they have to share.

Your Key to Chicago Ideas Week—And the Rest of the City

Being a Member of our Community of Curiosity means more: more connection, more ideas, more action.

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Early Access

Make sure you're in the audience for captivating Talks and candid Conversations with early access to tickets.

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Exclusive Member Perks

We've teamed up with our community partners to bring you special access and discounts to make your Membership even more valuable.

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Free Tickets

Broaden your horizons even further with free tickets to Talks, Conversations, and Labs, as well as 10% off all tickets.

Learn more, spend less.

Special Engagements

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Conversation

October 14, 8:00am
Making a Killing: Does America need a middle class?

Bethany McLean Journalist & Author

Special Engagement

October 15, 5:30pm
Up Close with Liz Phair

Liz Phair Singer-Songwriter; Author, Horror Stories

Special Engagement

October 14, 7:30pm
An Evening with Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange Award-Winning Actress

September 28, 7:00pm

Jonathan Van Ness: Beyond Permission

Join us for a night of radical self-love and unforgettable storytelling in celebration of Jonathan Van Ness's new book, Over the Top. Tickets on sale to Members now.

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Featured Labs

Get an exclusive, behind the scenes look with the most innovative companies, community leaders, and institutions around Chicago.

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Lab

$15.00, October 17, 4:00pm
Lab: Pinball and the Manufacturing of Fun with Summit Chicago

Lab

$15.00, October 14, 6:00pm
Member Lab: Create Art at the wndr museum

Lab

$15.00, October 15, 3:00pm
Lab: Build the Block with Architects

Lab

$15.00, October 17, 10:00am
Lab: Custom Map Making with HERE Technologies

Lab

$15.00, October 14, 9:30am
Lab: Up Close with AgTech Via the Illinois Soybean Association

Lab

$15.00, October 16, 11:00am
Lab: Rio Tinto Tech Playground with EX3 Labs

Lab

$15.00, October 14, 5:30pm
Lab: Design a Community Engagement Plan for Your Organization with Slalom

Lab

$15.00, October 14, 12:30pm
Lab: Urban Farming as Community Care

Lab

$15.00, October 15, 2:00pm
Lab: How to Tackle Food Deserts in Chicago

Lab

October 17, 10:00am
Lab: Design Solutions and the Architecture of Problem Solving

Lab

October 16, 4:00pm
Lab: A Financial Wellness Incubation with Fintech

Lab

October 15, 1:00pm
Lab: How AI Will Revolutionize the Fast Food Experience

Exploring the Future of Health with AbbVie

As the world of healthcare becomes increasingly digitized and automated, we're exploring the forces that are keeping empathy at the core of medical innovations. This summer and fall we're being guided by the question: is human touch at the heart of healthcare's future?

Join Us

Foundations of Entrepreneurship

You already have the big idea, but what now? In these crash courses with successful entrepreneurs and innovators, you will learn how to approach investors, go to market with a product or brand, give the perfect pitch, and tell when it’s time to walk away from an idea.

Explore the Lineup

More than a week

Explore upcoming events

Special Engagement

John Carreyrou on Theranos as Silicon Valley Cautionary Tale

Talk

Full Talk: What Does It Mean to Be a Black Man Today?

Special Engagement

Howard Schultz Sits Down with Mellody Hobson to Talk About What's Next

Platforms in the Park

To build on the momentum of The 77 Project, we teamed up with Xfinity for Platforms in the Park: a city-wide initiative to empower, connect, inspire, and activate all of Chicago through local, community-led experiences.

Learn More