Welcome to 1893…

 Live Mutual in Chicago!

The fact that MassMutual is heading to Chicago for their 2018 Leaders Conference may be a true act of fate.  It was here in Chicago, 125 years ago, that the great 1893 Chicago World’s Fair took place - one of the first events in United States history where people came together and ‘Lived Mutual-ly’.  Even though the World’s Fair only lasted 6 months, the ‘White City’ - called this for the white facades on the buildings throughout the fair - still saw over 27 million visitors, which was nearly a quarter of the country’s population in 1893!  If there was any time that coming together, rather than staying independent, was championed, it would be at this outstanding World’s Fair where innovators, politicians, artists, architects, international communities, Americans from every state, age, and background gathered en masse.

Though officially called the World’s Columbian Exposition in honor of the 400th Anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ sail to the Americas, the event really was a profound statement that Chicago was a top American city.  The Windy City beat out both Washington, DC and New York City to host the expo, which surely tickled the hearts of many proud Chicagoans!  Literally rising the city from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire that devastated the community, the World’s Fair made the city into an economic powerhouse.  Providing employment, investments, and increased community recognition, it's impressive to see such an alignment with the MassMutual values of protecting families, supporting communities, providing economic development, and ultimately the concept of Live Mutual.

With that, we welcome MassMutual to Chicago, and hope to take your guests on a week long journey that pays homage to the World’s Fair. Our story of the city, growing from humble origins to the pinnacle of the 20th century Art & Industrial innovative era, begins with your arrival...