Chicago making it easier to set-up your trade show exhibit

It is great news - a new agreement aimed at making McCormick Place more competitive and better aligned with other facilities has been announced. Specifically there are new changes being made to the electrical work rules applied to what an exhibitor can do in their trade show booth which makes it easier and less expensive to manage the trade show services costs at a trade show event.

chicago trade show events At a press conference at City Hall, Mayor Rahm Emanuel along with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn were joined with leaders from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 134, the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 2, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority to announce a major agreement that will continue the ongoing efforts to make McCormick Place more aggressively competitive for a wider range of shows.

The agreement calls for Stagehands from IATSE, Local 2, to complete work previously claimed by IBEW, Local 134 Electricians, with the goal of attracting more business to McCormick Place and creating additional events for both unions. Under the agreement, most lighting, sound, and audio/visual work previously completed for show management by Electricians for performances, presentations, and meetings will now be completed by Stagehands. Electricians will continue to install temporary electrical services throughout the facility and to install lighting and sound for exhibitors in areas not used for performances, presentations, and meetings.

While the majority of recent changes at the facility have been aimed at creating a better experience for exhibitors, this agreement is targeted at show management. It is expected to further lower prices and allow a greater level of competition, while better aligning services at McCormick Place with those provided at other facilities throughout the nation.

Implementation of these changes will occur over the coming summer months. We look forward to providing you with more information as we proceed to implement these changes. A webinar to discuss these changes will be scheduled soon. Please keep an eye out for an invitation from our partners at Choose Chicago.