About Elara
Just 40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, the Elara Convention Center at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake is situated in a community full of charm and personality. The Holiday Inn Crystal Lake is surrounded by lush acreage overlooking the quaint Lake Acorn.
We’re proud to be the county's only full-service hotel with a beautifully renovated, state of the art 11,200-square-foot ballroom and on-site catering perfect for weddings, meetings, tradeshows, and social events for up to 1,200 guests. Located near major companies like Snap On Tools, Stryker, Affinia Brake Parts and Northwester Medicine, our four breakout and two board rooms are convenient for getting business done.
Our Community of Crystal Lake is an outdoor lover’s paradise with plenty of swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and biking! Your guests will enjoy historical tours of the Dole Mansion, Colonel Palmer House, or Bettendorf Castle. From the stylish store windows to colorful flower baskets, shoppers will relish exploring the pedestrian walkways in Downtown Crystal Lake including the Crystal Lake Antique Mall.
Getting Here
Right on Illinois Route 31, just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, the convention center is easy to access by Metra train, by flying into Chicago O’Hare Airport, or even General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, WI (1 hour, 20 minutes northeast).
Once onsite, guests have access to a complimentary shuttle service serving the local area within a 5 mile radius of the convention center. Hertz rental car company is also right her on site for those who wish to get out and explore Chicagoland on their own terms.