The number one priority of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition (MPEA) has always been, and continues to be, the health and safety of the employees and clients. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, they have worked closely with public health officials and followed all guidance regarding meetings and events. They are actively implementing and updating their practices in accordance with federal, state, and local government recommendations. Here is the McCormick Place COVID-19 health and safety resource page. Below you will find the ongoing measures we are taking to ensure the continued health and safety of all those who enter their facilities.
In preparation for reopening, McCormick Place has examined all the buildings on campus and has begun implementing changes to enhance public health. This includes:
There will be increased cleaning of common areas and restrooms. The plans call for high touch areas such as doors, escalator rails, elevator buttons and elevator interiors to be cleaned regularly and, depending upon the number of guests present in the facility, more frequently than under pre-COVID-19 conditions.
All cleaning and disinfecting will be performed according to CDC guidelines with materials approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency for use in public areas. This includes technology such as ozone or hydroxyl generators, electrostatic mist cleaning, and foggers.
As global brands, the two campus hotels are both operating according to standards established by Marriott International and the Hyatt Corporation. These operating standards have been examined by MPEA to ensure a consistently safe experience on campus. Each hotel has changed its operating procedures and policies to address the following items during your stay. Please visit the Marriott and Hyatt websites for up to date information on their ongoing efforts to ensure safety.
Check-in and check-out procedures
There is an updated check-in and check-out procedures at each hotel to minimize unnecessary contact, such as touchless payment and installation of clear panels at the front desks. New procedures may also impact late check out options to ensure appropriate time for cleaning between guests.
Hotel fitness centers
The hotel fitness centers have new cleaning and disinfecting procedures. The equipment has been moved to allow for spacing and there are changes in policy to control occupancy.
Other hotel safety efforts
Each hotel has invested in new equipment, such as air purifiers and UV lighting, as well as ensuring that all employees have undergone training.
To have a healthy campus, we must have healthy employees. To help ensure the health and safety of our guests, we have established new positions. The new positions include designated health/safety managers and food safety managers. Everyone will undergo additional training and be certified in these areas. The plan will also mandate minimum numbers of positions per shift.
As all employees return to work, they will receive training in:
McCormick Place and the campus hotels are distributing necessary equipment and providing necessary training to their respective employees regarding: