FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Meghan Risch, 312/567-8540
(CHICAGO) July 24, 2006- Chicago’s meetings and convention business continues to grow with new business booked recently. In the past few months, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau’s (CCTB) sales team booked nine new large pieces of business, which will bring an estimated $191 million in direct expenditures to the city of Chicago. This is a result of the hard work put forth by the CCTB, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and our industry partners.
“The CCTB continues to aggressively book new business as a result of Chicago’s prime location, pro-business environment, and industry-leading destination marketing and attendance-building programs,” said Tim Roby, CCTB President. “These bookings are a reflection of Chicago’s reputation as a premier convention destination. “
The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry’s PITTCON, will return to Chicago in March 2007. This relocated show from New Orleans is expected to attract 23,000 attendees, bringing in an estimated $65 million in direct expenditures to the city of Chicago. PITTCON was last in Chicago in 2004.
In the last two years, Chicago has seen a 39% increase in the number of medical meetings hosted here. Chicago’s central location, pro-business environment and a large base of medical professionals within a 300-mile radius all attributed to this growth.
One example is the Chicago-based Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Its annual meeting will take place in Chicago in April 2009 for the first time. The four-day tradeshow will bring 25,000 attendees and an estimated $34 million to the city of Chicago.
“The decision to add Chicago to our rotation is part of a long-term growth strategy,” said Karen Malone, HIMSS Vice President, Meeting Services. “The demographic base in the region is an excellent drawing card for our meeting. Among other things, we are looking forward to working with the CCTB and capitalizing on its cutting-edge destination marketing services.”
Other bookings include, International Sanitary & Heating Show (ISH), which will be held at McCormick Place in September 2006, attracting 17,000 delegates, bringing an estimated $16 million to the city of Chicago; the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, which will be held at McCormick Place in October 2010, attracting 10,000 attendees, delivering an estimated $14 million to the city of Chicago, and the Drug Information Association, which will be held June 2011, attracting 9,400 attendees, bringing an estimated $14 million to the city of Chicago.
The McCormick Place West Building, opening in August 2007, continues to attract significant bookings. Newly booked business includes Cisco Systems Networks, which will hold its meeting June 2008, attracting 10,000 attendees bringing an estimated $13 million to the city of Chicago, and American Water Works 2010 annual conference, attracting 18,000 delegates and bringing an estimated $25 million to the city of Chicago. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is scheduled to hold consecutive meetings in May 2008 and 2009, attracting 3,000 delegates and delivering an estimated $3 million each year to the city of Chicago, and the National Truck Equipment Association will host its meeting in March 2009, attracting 5,000 attendees bringing an estimated $5 million to the city of Chicago.
To date, the West Building has 55 booked events, which will bring more than 760,000 delegates; 1.3 million room nights and $826 million to the city of Chicago.
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