Exhibitor guide · Michigan City, Indiana
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa: the exhibitor's guide
A property that started life as a gaming boat in 1997, a 2019 expansion that added an 11,000 sq ft ballroom, and a Lake Michigan shoreline setting near the Indiana Dunes. What exhibitors need to know at Michigan City's lakefront resort.
Why this page exists
Blue Chip launched on August 22, 1997 as a three-deck riverboat-style gaming vessel before the current land-based property was built in 2000 and renovated in 2005. An October 2019 expansion added the 11,000 sq ft Fremont Ballroom along with 3,800 sq ft of pre-function space, bringing total event space to 39,800 sq ft across four meeting rooms plus 10,318 sq ft of dedicated exhibit space. The setting matters here too: Michigan City sits on Lake Michigan near the Indiana Dunes, a genuinely different backdrop from a downtown convention hotel. This guide covers the meeting space, what changes when your booth goes on hotel carpet, Indiana's labor rules, drayage, and the lakefront location.
The building
The meeting space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont Ballroom | 11,000 sq ft, added in the October 2019 expansion. | General sessions, galas | Carpeted; confirm floor protection needs. |
| Orleans Ballroom | 5,400 sq ft, up to 320 guests, second floor of the pavilion. | Mid-size receptions | Second-floor freight access; confirm elevator dimensions. |
| Dedicated exhibit space | 10,318 sq ft. | Standalone exhibits, product showcases | Distinct from ballroom carpet; confirm current floor type. |
Figures from Boyd Gaming's published Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa event-space overview.
Free tool
What changes when your booth goes on hotel carpet?
Ballroom shows at Blue Chip run on carpet, not a concrete exhibit floor. That changes a few things about how your booth gets built.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Indiana has been a right-to-work state since 2012; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official decorator.
Right-to-work state; the show decorator sets the terms
Rules vary by show; Purple confirms current terms before your build.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Blue Chip shows.
Free tool
Blue Chip drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: South Bend International is about 45 minutes; Chicago O'Hare is about 75 minutes.
- On-site: 486 guest rooms are part of the property itself.
- Nearby: the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a short drive along Lake Michigan.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Midwest crews for Michigan City installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa guest rooms | On-site | 486 rooms, the simplest option for a lakefront show. |
Questions
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa FAQ
Is this a carpet or concrete floor?
Carpet. Every meeting space at Blue Chip runs on hotel carpet, which changes drayage, rigging and floor protection.
Did Blue Chip start as a boat?
Yes, it launched as a three-deck gaming boat on August 22, 1997, before the current land-based property was built in 2000.
How big is the event space?
39,800 square feet across four meeting rooms, plus 10,318 square feet of dedicated exhibit space.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $125 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How big is the Fremont Ballroom?
11,000 square feet, added in the October 2019 expansion.
How many hotel rooms are there?
486.
Exhibiting at Blue Chip?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a carpet-conversion checklist, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.