Nato summit in Chicago and G8 at Camp David - live build-up Chicago has not hosted a major summit since the Democratic national convention in 1968. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images 11.35am: Nato delegations will begin arriving in Chicago today, according to CBS Chicago, who add that "the pulse of Chicago is quickening" due to the incoming officials. Downtown hotels will begin filling up from this morning CBS says, with 10 countries' delegations arriving on Thursday. The flags are flying on the Magnificent Mile, including several boasting the NATO emblem. Chicago is the first city in the US - other than Washington, DC - to host a NATO summit. It's a pretty big deal, and many tourists are glad it's here. One question I know most Chicago residents will be concerned about is how will international journalists cope in this big new city? Never fear. "With so many out-of-town working press looking for information about Chicago, organizers of a special website hope to provide them answers for their frequently asked questions," Medill Reports, er, reports. Chicagostories.org has put together briefing papers and source lists for journalists visiting Chicago for the NATO Summit, which is handy. Meanwhile the Chicago Tribune has a list of all the attractions which will be shut down this weekend due to Nato's presence. It's mostly the "big, downtown museums," apparently. 11.10am: I've just had a walk around McCormick Place, which will host the Nato summit from Sunday. It's huge. It's a half mile walk from the west side of the complex (it's made up of four buildings) to the east side. Anyone participating in late night inter-committee negotiations will need to be fit. There's no police presence at the front of the building as yet, just a couple of security guards. Outside McCormick there's a large semi-circle of grass, ringed by flowers, with a concrete path leading to the entrance. There are also a large number of city workers pruning the flowers and cleaning the concrete. Chicago's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, is hoping to project the best possible impression of the city, leading to a boom in tourism and further events being held here. Here's a Photosynth of the front of the building this morning. Inside the cavernous space is largely empty, save for small groups of workers putting finishing touches to signage and doing last minute cleaning. There are a plethora of signs directing media to different areas, but no real signage for how to get out. As I blundered about looking for an exit I came across the media room, with hundreds of desks lined up ready to house those nobles journalists from across the world. I took this picture, which got me escorted out. According to Andrew Rowe, on Twitter, McCormick is the "largest convention center in the United States." I can believe it. It also has some very pretty views of Lake Michigan. According to its own website, McCormick Place boasts 2.6 million sq ft of exhibit halls, a figure which means nothing to me but sounds large. The complex forms "what many consider to be the economic engine that powers the entire convention and tradeshow industry," the website says, adding: "McCormick Place is committed to creating a great experience for every person, every time!" 10.15am: Good morning and welcome to the Guardian's continuing coverage of the Nato and G8 summits, live from Chicago. On Sunday, 51 world leaders will gather in McCormick Place, Chicago, along with thousands of accompanying dignitaries and journalists. Among the items on the agenda at the 25th Nato summit will be the withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan and dealing with global security in the midst of the economic crisis. Chicago has not hosted a major summit since the Democratic national convention in 1968, when anti-war demonstrations, the atmosphere in the aftermath of the assassination of Martin Luther King and a strong police response resulted in bloody riots. Thousands of anti-war protesters will march to McCormick place on Sunday, to protest Nato's presence in the city, and in some cases Nato's very existence. Before that, protesters are expected to gather in Thurmont and Frederick, Maryland, to contend President Obama's decision to host the G8 conference at Camp David. We'll have live coverage from Chicago as dignitaries and protesters arrive in the city, with coverage from our reporters and links to the best resources online. Follow the build-up here, and tweet me @AdamGabbatt.