Before the exhibit floor opens, get an early look at some of the partners and technologies you’ll see throughout SC week, all from a rooftop overlooking Chicago.

FREE ADMISSION with your SC conference badge. Stop by and kick off SC with us.

If you joined us for Blues, BBQ & Beer (BBB) at last year’s SC conference in St. Louis, you’ll remember our afternoon at the National Blues Museum, where we welcomed more than 400 attendees to connect with our partners before the show floor opened. This year, we’re bringing BBB to Chicago with a new location and a new spin: Bites, Brews & Bird's-Eye Views.

Join us at VU Rooftop, located right next to McCormick Place West, for an afternoon of complimentary food and drinks, sweeping views of Chicago, and an opportunity to meet some of the companies and experts you’ll see throughout SC week.

What to expect:

- An early look at technologies and solutions you’ll see throughout SC week
- Direct conversations with participating partners and industry experts
- Complimentary food and drink throughout the afternoon
- A relaxed setting to connect before the conference rush begins

How to get there

VU Rooftop – Located across from the SC Convention Center on the rooftop of the connected Hilton.

From the Convention Center: Take the 3rd-floor skybridge to the Hilton. Once inside the Hilton, take the hotel elevator down to the ground-floor lobby. From the lobby, enter through the VU Elevator doorway and take the dedicated elevator to the 22nd-floor rooftop.

From the Street: Enter the Hilton from E. Cermak Road through the VU Main Entrance. Take the dedicated VU elevator directly to the 22nd-floor rooftop.

Check out other great events we are hosting during conference week!

PetaFLOP 2026 @ the Field Museum
Doing Real Work with LLMs (Dr. Christopher S. Simmons) @ HGI McCormick