The Problem With Doing Trade Shows In Chicago

It has been with keen interest over last week when that two trade shows

, the plastics industry trade show and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems, have announced that they are ditching McCormick Place and moving their shows to Orlando and Las Vegas. That got the attention of everybody from the mayor to the management company that runs McCormick. Now the word is out that an even bigger and much more prestigious show, the National Restaurant Association Show may leave as well. An amazing amount of money is brought into the city of Chicago by these shows. Estimates are that as much as $86 million was generated as a result of the restaurant show alone.

Our company, P.O.P. Exhibits Inc., has been providing exhibit rentals in Chicago for years and on the basis of a variety of experiences I thought I'd briefly share my perspective on these events. First of all, I'm always a little reluctant to take on a job in Chicago. Why? Because we've had more complaints about the cost of doing business and overall exhibiting experience at McCormick than in any other venue. I've lost customers solely based upon the fact that their only show(s) were at McCormick Place. Many have had extreme issues when it comes to dealing with the unions.

As for the restaurant show, no decisions have been made. However the spokesman for the show, Derrek Hull, was quoted by the Chicago Tribune as saying "all of our exhibitors continue to be very vocal...they continue to be concerned about the costs of doing business in Chicago and at McCormick Place".

I tend to think these pull outs may end up benefitting Chicago if they are willing to take a look at the trade show landscape around the country and make an effort to create both a friendlier and more cost competitive environment. Years ago I was a member of the Retail Clerks Union in Los Angeles. I realized the benefits of union membership as I went through college with higher pay, medical and job protection. However, the fact that retail clerks are unionized doesn't get in the way of the shopper's experience. What happens on the convention floor (not just in Chicago), sometimes borders on the ridiculous. An electrical union member refuses to perform a simple task because it falls under the domain of the carpentry union. And vice versa. Some exhibitor's are allowed to do something as simple as to plug in or install their own lights. It's not a system designed to enhance the exhibitor's experience or to protect his/her pocketbook.

by: Wes Carlson

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