This is a GREAT article in the Chicago Crains Business on the follow-up issues we have at McCormick Place that are preventing our trade show exhibitors from exhibiting because it costs TO DARN MUCH! Everyone needs to contact their associations and push them to make some changes!
Exhibitors say the reforms save them money by allowing them to do more work in their booths without union labor. But industry surveys consistently show they are far less concerned about costs of labor than they are about costs imposed by contractors and trade associations.
Average drayage rates at Orlando and Las Vegas convention centers are 42% and 51% lower than McCormick Place, respectively, according to a 2009 Tradeshow Week survey. Exhibitors draw the short straw in this financial arrangement, hoping they will generate enough sales leads to justify the enormous costs. See chart below.
We need to fix these issues or we will not have ANY shows to deal with - not sure why this is so hard. Why can't other companies provide these services and bring in free trade? Just make it a competitive!
Read this entire article: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110611/ISSUE01/306119980/contractors-trade-associations-squeeze-convention-exhibitors-at-mccormick-place#ixzz1PAOKHC6i
