Not going to lie. It was a big disappoinment that my convention wasn't in downtown Chicago. But the suburb of Oak Brook did have some interesting amenities. A wooded creek next to the hotel. An upscale shopping center across the street.   

But the most fun to be found was the flagship McDonalds down the block. It sits directly across from the company's headquarters and it is huge. There are digital-media kiosks for burning CDs, downloading ring tones and printing digital photos. IKEA-type lighting and flowers in bright vases on the tables. Dozens of plasma-screen TVs. Wi-Fi access. A much more interesting menu, and an adjoining McCafe with gourmet coffees, fancy pastries and a fireplace.