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The Forum can facilitate physically distanced meetings and events on campus.
Learn more about our state-of-the-art facility and meeting packages by clicking the link below.

Convening and COVID-19

A PROGRESSIVE RETREAT

The Forum’s iconic design includes a two-story base and ten-story tower divided into “neighborhoods,” each with a distinctive identity. Diverse environments facilitate planned and spontaneous conversation, providing spaces that encourage groups to socialize and secluded spots for more intimate discussions.

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CONVENING THE POWER OF IDEAS

Housed in a striking new building on The University of Chicago campus, The David Rubenstein Forum is designed to host scholars, researchers, and dignitaries from the University and around the world for intelligent conversation, intellectual engagement, and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

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R E S E R V A T I O N S

This is the David Rubenstein Forum.

For more than 125 years, the people and ideas of the University of Chicago have helped shape the world and how we understand it. Today the world comes to UChicago—to learn, collaborate, and take part in the vital conversations that happen here. Such a university demands a convening space suited to its stature as a global intellectual destination.

THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED TO HOST A WIDE RANGE OF AUDIENCES

FACULTY MEMBERS

The Forum was designed specifically for UChicago faculty, taking into consideration their needs and preferred ways of interacting, to offer something never before available both in quality and quantity.

Staff member happily conversing around University topics.

STAFF & ADMINISTRATION

As a physical expression of UChicago’s academic character, the Forum is the perfect place to receive high-profile guests, hold board meetings, host peer school conferences, and expose more visitors to the Hyde Park campus.

Two team members discussing and observing project plans.

CORPORATIONS & NON-PROFITS

For clients outside the university, The Forum offers an inspiring alternative for elevated gatherings while still operating within conference center and industry standards.

INSPIRING MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES

Awarded LEED Gold status for sustainable design, the David Rubenstein Forum offers a close connection to the outdoors via biophilic design that brings natural lights and views of the surrounding landscape into almost every space.

EXPLORE THE FORUM

The Forum combines a variety of spaces, both formal and informal, large and small, calm and animated, focused and diffuse, scheduled and spontaneous. On the ground floor, guests are welcomed by two main dining options: a Dining Room that seats over 80 conference attendees and university patrons for breakfast, lunch and dinner and BARDAVID, an elevated wine bar and café positioned to be the ideal location to congregate, connect and relax over engaging food and beverage.

Departing from the ground floor, guests can walk up the Bernard J. DelGiorno Grand Staircase to make their way to a keynote event in the University Room, the largest room in the facility that seats more that 600 guests theater-style.

The Forum’s ten-story tower features vibrant and distinct “neighborhoods”. For example, the third and fourth floors are home to Friedman Hall, a 285-seat auditorium optimized for spoken word, including keynote speeches, invited-speaker addresses, and select performances; these floors and other neighborhoods are connected by a two-story lounge. Meeting rooms on the eighth and ninth floors feature premium furnishings, finishes and equipment, such as the Peter May Boardroom, a tiered meeting space that seats over 70.

The Forum’s unique position on the Midway allows for expansive views toward the campus and surrounding communities as well as downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan. The City View Room on the 10th floor offers a strong visual connection between the university and the city, and it is an exquisite setting for hosting spectacular special events.