NPE, the National Plastics Expo, has been held at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center since 1971. After 13 consecutive shows in Chicago, including 2009’s show – which boasted 44,000 attendees, and generated over $95 MILLION in local spending – NPE is filing for divorce from Chicago. 2012 and 2015 NPE tradeshows will be held at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. “They were very upset with a lot of the rules and regulations that McCormick Place has. When I met with [SPI President and CEO Bill Carteaux] and others, they were very concerned about the cost factor compared to Orlando, Atlanta and Vegas,” said a rueful Mayor Richard M. Daley. There is no indication as of press time whether or not NPE plans to seek custody.
More info on the move from the Chicago Tribune. Also, NPE’s announcement.
Last week, HIMSS (the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) made headlines after announcing their 2012 annual tradeshow is being held in Las Vegas. HIMSS’s 2009 expo was held at McCormick Place, and HIMSS is headquartered in Chicago. 2009’s trade show is now being described as an “indiscretion.”
So I’m trying to sort this out – anyone know if these two stories are related?
Questions?