Marshall Yard:

This week was an interesting one for trade shows based in Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center in the near future. Apparently, legislation in Illinois proposes to convert tradeshow union laborers into public employees.

They plan to WHAT?

Yes, they plan to make the show more efficient, transparent, and effective, and less expensive to boot. All by a magical transition of changing the labor pools at McCormick into government employees (presumably municipal employees of the MPEA - we’ve mentioned them here before, me thinks…).

Actually, the FIVE labor unions will become THREE, laborers will no longer be able to strike, and contracts will be negotiable on an individual show basis.

One additional mandate was stipulated in the fine print of the legislation*:

All subsequent references to “Union” labor(ers) must hereafter include quotations hitherto delineated ["Union" labor]. (more…)

To those of you who think my recent posts about McCormick Place’s recent woes (losing NPE and HIMSS exhibitions) have been immature, glib, and even counterproductive, I have a refreshing piece of media for you to sample (and if you expect us to avoid such rhetorical tactics, please find a different blog about tradeshows).

Channel 11, being the ever-objective public news medium that it is (sarc.), has a brief expose featuring the challenges faced by McPier (MPEA) and Chicago’s convention industry.

Watch the Carol Marin interview… Is this Truth or Fiction?

I’m struggling to get my brain around NPE and HIMSS making decisions to leave McCormick Place.

Is it the weather? Chicago does get cold in the winter time.

Is it the business world expressing their disagreement with President Obama? I understand that some disagree with some of his policies. I suppose changing the host city for your tradeshow to a non-Obama city could be one way to flex your economic muscles.

Is it Chicago-style cuisine? Perhaps contemporary diets are incompatible with deep dish pizza and Chicago style ‘dogs - and that would upset expo attendees.

I’m at a loss here, people. Please help me pin down the cause for these two significant tradeshows departing from McCormick Place Convention Center. Thus far, it appears these are totally random occurrences, without any specific cause. Is there any way we can prevent this from happening to the other prominent trade shows held in Chicago?

With the IMTS - International Manufacturing Technology Show just around the corner, September 8th - 13th in Chicago. Is your trade show exhibit ready to hit the floor in cutting edge style for the Emerging Technology Center? With research and development at the forefront, exhibiting at IMTS gives you the opportunity to network and partner with leading industry organizations.

Suggestions from experts at IMTS  in controls, computers and technology will allow you to gather valuable resources, gaining knowledge that can offer ways to help eliviate several of the challenges in productivity.  IMTS 2006 brought in over 1200 exhibitors, don’t miss your chance to gain exposure and line up your booth space.  Registration is open, starting your exhibiting plans and trade show strategy early can help produce more satisfactory results.

With a highly anticipated growth in attendee’s, take advantage and get your trade show booth featuring your products and services lined up to be seen on the exhibit floor at McCormick place Lakeside Center, North, South & West Buildings. 

A stunning 3D exhibit display can set apart your companies products and services and attract the needed attention to launch your business into an ever growing marketplace.  With an array of over 15,000 products being viewed at IMTS, showcase your product and score big on the trade show floor.

Grab your bags, Kevin wanted to go shopping! If you are new to Marshall Yard - The Trade Show Blog - Kevin is our resident Mascot and is a Mississippi Map Turtle.   Often times he journeys with me from trade show to trade show.  

Global Shop is returning to Chicago, March 18th - 20th, 2008, in the new West Hall at McCormick Place.   With over 8,000 new products being showcased, and 900 exhibitors, this is the largest annual retail design event in the United States.   There will be several conferences from scent marketing to woman’s retail rituals.

I wonder how exhibits are perceived from the view points of men and woman?  Is one exhibit booth more aesthetically pleasing than another because of our gender?  Have you ever bought something for the opposite sex that you thought was stunning, and yet they looked at it as if you picked it out of the trash can?  A perfume or cologne you love on a spouse, that they can not stand?

I really think the perception of anything visual does have some sort of gender boundry. 

I belive it takes a diverse team of marketing specialist to create and integrate idea’s and plans for a full impact trade show display.  Constant communication during design and brainstorm sessions can bring alot more clarity and balance to any project.  

Voice your opinion.. 

International Home & Housewares trade show will hit McCormick Place in Chicago on March 16th-18th, 2008.  From cookware, food storage, cutlery, bath & shower and so much more this is just a paradise for home goods and housewares.  Kevin - The Mississippi Map Mascot was surprised to find that so many trade shows have such a variation of promotional items and contests going on, he just looked on in wonderment as some of the trade show attendee’s tried to hit the hole for a prize.

International Home & Housewares has had over 60,000 attendee’s with over 2,000 exhibitors in past years.  With the fact that over 15,500 buyers attend the this amazing array of housewares and the trade show floor is full of interesting and innovative new gadgets, it is a great place to network with decision makers and gather as much information from the industry experts.

Whether you are just starting out exhibiting at trade shows, or are a seasoned pro, you can re-cap some of the programs from the 2007 International Home & Housewares via a CD that is available to purchase at their website. 

For any one who has attended a trade show, the mad rush to the lunch line can be a bit of a challenge, feeling like a race horse stuck in the gate.  I have decided to share with you some of our favorite restaurants that are in and around McCormick Place  so if you decide to escape the confines of the convention center you may want to take a gander to one of these joints.  

Lets start out with Morton’s Steakhouse - starting out the shrimp that are the size of Muhammad Ali’s fist, your mouth begins to water before you even finish ordering.  You can cut the filets with a butter knife and they melt in your mouth. 

If you enjoy a bit of history, why not check out the Chicago Firehouse which dates back to 1905, and is constructed of yellow brick and limestone.  Standing in much of the same splendor, it has undergone several changes.   The stables have been turned into a courtyard, and a banquet space was added.   For those blustery winter days in the city of Chicago, try some of their delicious chicken noodle soup to warm your weary trade show bones.  Enjoy outside dining and awesome steaks, during the warm summer months in the city!

Move along down to Erie Cafe which has been rated “excellent” for several years running.  With a wide variety of entree’s to choose from, you can settle your cravings with Spaghetti & Ravioli or go for the juicy Steaks & Chops.   No matter what your choices are when you sit to dine at Erie, you can be assured the service will be over the top and your dining experience will be full service and full satisfaction.

 Gene & Georgetti’s Steak House has the reputation of a classic old-time Chicago place to dine.  Having customers that continue to dine speaks volumes and Gene & Georgetti’s has long time customers going back for 50 years.   Dive into one of their garbage salads, but rest assured that this isn’t a light meal, you will walk away full and satisfied.

More to come!