Chicago’s reputation as one of the best cities to hold an event or exhibition has been on the slide in recent years and has cost the city and the local exhibition industry tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Chief among the problems has been the ongoing spat between McCormick Place and unionized workers about reforms that would have made it easier and cheaper for exhibitors to hold an event at top Chicago locations. Now, there is some hope. Last year, sweeping legislative changes were made to make McCormick Place and Navy Pier far more competitive and attractive to exhibitors. Read ‘New Chicago Labor Laws Good For Exhibitors‘.

A key change – among many – was that exhibitors could now do much of the set-up work on their own booths, reducing their dependence on unionized labor at McCormick Place. This particular decision resulted in strikes and other stand-offs through 2010 and 2011. Read Strikes Hit McCormick Place Trade Show.

Now, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority [MPEA] has reached a deal with the…..

….Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and the International Association of Teamsters, Local 727. There are reforms, but some trade-offs too. Under the new Exhibitors’ Bill of Rights, event organizers and exhibitors can do their own work on a booth of any size including the use of tools and ladders. They can also, operate, load and unload their own vehicles at McCormick Place docks and designated loading areas.

And about time too. Chicago earns around $8 billion a year from the exhibition industry – a figure that’s falling – and it can’t afford to lose anymore.

Now all it has to do is stop fleecing all the show visitors with overpriced hotels.

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It was bound to happen. A few weeks ago, a picket line of striking construction workers greeted visitors to the last day of the International Manufacturing Technology Show at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

The event is seen by many as one of the first in a hopeful resurgence of exhibition events that could help bring back the billions of dollars Chicago has been losing to other cities for shows and events in recent years.

Dozens of striking carpenters picketed the show to complain against the new labor laws at McCormick Place, which were brought in this summer in an effort to boost the hemorrhaging exhibition sector by making it more attractive for exhibitors. [See 'New Chicago Labor Laws Good For Exhibitors']

In essence, the laws allow exhibitors to set up a lot of their own booths without having to use expensive, unionized labor. While popular with exhibitors, unsurprisingly the unions are a little put out.

This strike could be the first of many. But, it still doesn’t address the other problems Chicago has as a top exhibition location, and that’s the cost. Many feel Chicago is still far too expensive a city – from accommodation to parking.

So here’s your chance. Been to an event in Chicago? Paid for an event there? Is Chicago pricing itself out of the exhibition game?

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Chicago is seen as an expensive place to hold conferences and exhibitions but hugely important changes in labor legislation were made law last week, which could stop the loss of major events to other cities.

Sweeping legislative changes have been made that will make McCormick Place and Navy Pier far more competitive and attractive to exhibitors.

One vital change…….

…….is that exhibitors can now do much of the set-up work on their own booths, reducing their dependence on unionized labor at McCormick Place – this has been a fiery topic for years.

The convention industry is worth a staggering $8 billion to Chicago and the State and many believe – especially exhibitors – that the new laws coming into play will help rejuvenate Chicago’s ailing convention sector.

What’s your take?

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Are you planning to utilize Pipe & Drape for your 2010 Exhibit?

Many trade show coordinators are finding the belt tightening in 2010 is getting a little rediculous. So…

At the risk of breaking corporate confidentiality agreements, I’ve inserted a rendering that many exhibitors plan to emulate at IMTS 2010.

No, your eyes do not deceive you. It features a sleak pipe frame, curtains provided by show management, and objects TBD situated in the foreground (manufacturing equipment, a podium, the possibilities are finite!). It SCREAMS “we’re at IMTS, and we’re not going anywhere!”

Really, these exhibitors aren’t going anywhere. Not dressed like that, at least.

What will other exhibitors be doing?

Some companies will skip the trade show entirely, licking their wounds and figuring out whether they will survive to see 2011. Yikes.

An exclusive few will roll out new products, hammer at the competition, and establish themselves as leaders within the marketplace. They’ve planned 2010 with an exhibit budget that may actually be less than their 2009 tradeshow budget, while still large enough to make a positive statement at the biennial manufacturer’s show. They know this is their opportunity, and they’re not taking Pipe & Drape for an answer!

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