MCCORMICK PLACE REFORMS

Labor Agreement Restores Exhibitor Rights at Chicago's McCormick Place

Choose Chicago is pleased to share the positive outcome regarding the labor agreement at McCormick Place to ensure cost-savings to our customers. Now, with all essential parties in agreement, the permanency of these reforms is certain.

Chicago is now the most customer-friendly convention and trade show destination in the country.

The restoration of exhibitor rights at McCormick Place, without any future threat, ensures that our customers will not only realize significant savings, but also prosper as a result of exhibitors returning to customers' shows in full force.

Under the terms of the settlement, the following four key reforms were solidified:

• The Exhibitors' Bill of Rights
  Show managers and exhibitors can perform their own work in any size booth, using their own ladders or hand tools, cordless tools, power tools and other tools designated by the MPEA.
• Expanded Straight-time
  Straight-time hours are expanded on Monday - Friday from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Carpenters' straight-time hours are from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Monday - Friday and extend until 8:30 p.m. on break of show. On Saturdays a more flexible schedule reduces double-time. Additionally, provisions to roll-back double-time pay applies to the following four weekday holidays: Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents Day.
• Personal Vehicles
  Auto Small Utility Vehicles (ASUV) or Personally Operated Vehicle Provisions.
  Exhibitors can operate, load and unload their own vehicles at McCormick Place docks and designated loading areas.
• Crew Size Reductions
  Work at McCormick Place is conducted by 2-person rather than 3-person crews required prior to the reforms. 

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, together with Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Trustee Jim Reilly, provided critical leadership in helping bring the settlement to a successful conclusion. The settlement among the MPEA, the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and the International Association of Teamsters, Local 727 eliminates any questions about organized labor's support to help Chicago be more competitive in the convention and tourism industry.

Previous Cost-Saving Reforms Remain in Effect

• Electrical Services
  Show organizers may select an electrical provider of their choice from an approved vendor list.
• Food Service Pricing
  SAVOR...Chicago, the new food service company, offers both concessions and catering at cost for show organizers, exhibitors and attendees.
• Hotel Expansion & Renovation
  The Hyatt Regency Hotel & McCormick Place will add a new 461-room guest tower plus renovation of its existing 800 room hotel and adjacent conference center. Completion is expected in 2013.
• Free Wi-Fi
  McCormick Place is the largest convention center in the U.S. to provide free Wi-Fi throughout the facility, including all common hallways, exhibit halls and meeting rooms.
• Lower Parking Rates
  The parking rate in the surface lot (Lot B) of McCormick Place has been reduced from $19 to $14.
• Private Management
  McCormick Place is now operated by SMG, the nation's leading provider of private management services.
   

For more information, download our McCormick Place Reforms brochure.

DOWNLOAD PDF