TradeshowGuy Blog

Tag: McCormick Place

  • McCormick Place to Benefit From New Legislation

    It’s a done deal. The law that was expected to be passed is now, in fact, reality:

    Officials of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB) today applauded the passage of a new law meant to reform labor rules, establish exhibitor rights and realign McCormick Place operations with its major competitors in the convention and trade show industry.

    Downtown ChicagoThe new law calls for (according to today’s press release):

    • New labor work rules that reduce crew sizes, require less overtime pay and eliminate hassles for customers.
    • Expanding exhibitor rights, allowing customers to do their own work, regardless of booth size.
    • The appointment of a Trustee, former MPEA CEO Jim Reilly, to oversee operations during an 18 month transition period and select a private manager for McCormick Place.
    • Restructuring capital debt to allow the MPEA to further lower costs to customers and put the MPEA on sound financial footing.
    • Allowing shows to select outside electrical and food service contractors.
    • Auditing contracts to ensure savings are passed on to customers.
    • Make recommendations to whether Navy Pier should remain in control by the Authority or become an independent entity.

    I’ve only been to McCormick Place once and was pretty impressed – a very nice hall for all the big shows that come through. Let’s hope this law does what its intended to do.

    For more information, click here…

  • Changes at Chicago’s McCormick Place

    I don’t usually do hard news on this blog, but I was contacted this week by The Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (CCTB), who asked if I might be interested in taking a look at the following story. Having been to Chicago a couple of times for events at McCormick it’s good to see this consumer-focused legislation moving into place.

    (Dateline: Chicago)

    Downtown ChicagoChanges were announced this week that “truly changes the landscape here in Chicago,” according to David Causton, McCormick Place General Manager.

    What are the changes?

    New legislation that wound its way through the Illinois General Assembly that basically gives the customer (the exhibitors) a new bill of rights.

    For instance, “The legislation grants exhibitors the ability to do their own electrical work or contract it out, and bring in their own food for personal consumption.” That from the press release issued last Friday, May 7th by the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (CCTB).

    According to the e-mail I received this week from Maura Cheeks on behalf of the CCTB, the legislation is waiting for Governer Quinn’s signature to become law. He’s expected to do that soon.

    As Maura put it: “The new legislation will create a new business model for McCormick Place. This important first step was the collaborative outcome of state, city, business and industry leaders to bring a host of positive changes for our meeting and convention customers, exhibitors and attendees.”

    Check out links here for more on the story:

    The CCTB’s official statement in support of the bill.

    The CCTB’s President, Tim Roby, has presented a webcast with Dave Causton, General Manager of McCormick Place, to discuss how these proposed changes will benefit Chicago’s convention customers and exhibitors. View the webcast and video comments here – or click to view now:

    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R9IAkOCxHY&feature=player_embedded

    Along with the CCTB website, check Chicago Meeting Matters for background, fact sheets, videos and other information.

    Wow. Hard news from Tradeshowguy Blog. Whodathunkit?