Lounge New Business Express OPENs American

Teresa Anthony, senior director of EXPO for the National Confectioners Association (NCA), which has been holding its annual show in Chicago every May for the past 16 years. “Exhibitors get pretty anxious about that — there’s a million things going on and you’re under time constraints. … Te whole experience [now] feels better, and I think that’s what our exhibitors have noticed.”

Repeat Business Previous reforms will remain in effect, including concession and catering ser- vices at cost for show organizers, free Wi-Fi throughout the facility — in common hallways, exhibit halls, and meeting rooms — lower parking rates, and a planned $87-million expansion of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place that will add a 461-room guest tower and renovate the property’s existing 800 guest rooms and adjacent conference center in 2013. Te enactment of these changes is espe-

cially satisfying for returning customers holding events at McCormick Place, some of whom voiced concerns about the labor situ- ation even before reforms were put on the table. Chris Price, vice president of Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), even started a group called Friends of McCormick Place to help represent companies doing business in Chicago, because he was so passionate about keeping his trade shows and exhibi- tions in the city. “Chicago labor is some of the absolute best in the United States,” Price

CHICAGO

said. “Especially at trade shows. Period.” Price would know: GASC has been

holding its annual show in Chicago for the past 25 years, in addition to participating in trade shows and exhibitions in several other cities. He loves the venue — not just because McCormick Place is a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility, but because of the city itself. “Chicago is a great place to do business,” Price said. “Tere are wonderful amenities to support it, wonderful hotels, some of the best restaurants, nightclubs, museums, and so on.”

Cost Effective Because McCormick Place tops the list in terms of available exhibit and meeting- room space, the facility serves a number of legacy accounts that have been choosing Chicago for many years. Te labor reforms have allowed these customers to keep their events at McCormick Place — where they’re already realizing cost savings. In fact, Price audited three shows with independent firm Crowe Horwath and found that 84 percent of exhibitors saw an average 37-percent decrease in on-site expenses. Ultimately, McCormick Place labor

reforms have customers “walking away very pleased about not having to worry about that part of their show,” said Mark Tun- ney, vice president of sales and services at Choose Chicago. “Te clients who are com- ing in are happier and have a better feeling about Chicago.”

American Express will unveil its newest OPEN Business Lounge this summer on level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse in McCormick Place’s South Building. Te state- of-the-art lounge will provide American Express OPEN card members and new applicants a place to take a break from busy days at McCormick Place — with free Wi-Fi, refreshments, computer and printer access, and relaxing seats. Te popularity of temporary American Express OPEN lounges for exhibitors and attendees at McCormick Place and a pilot program of temporary lounges in the public area prompted the move to install a permanent space for event-goers.

ON THE WEB To learn more about meeting in Chicago — and McCormick Place — visit choosechicago.com.