City of the Week - Chicago

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 7/24/2006

Highlights

• McCormick Place has partnered with Baggage Airline Guest Services to provide skycap service allowing visitors to check in for their flights (departing from O'Hare Intl. Airport) and receive boarding passes before leaving the convention center. The service will soon be extended to flights leaving from Midway Intl. Airport as well.

Number of separate exhibit facilities

• 7

Total exhibit space

• 2.6 million sq. ft.

Largest venue

• McCormick Place

Last venue expansion

• McCormick Place West, currently under construction and scheduled to open in August 2007, will add 470,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 61 meeting rooms.

Space rate at McCormick Place

• $1.70 per net sq. ft.

Occupancy rate at McCormick Place

• 80%

Average hotel room rate

• $167.50 (year-to-date 2006)

Current hotel occupancy

• 68.9% (YTD 2006)

Longest-running show

• Natl. Restaurant Assn. Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (since 1950)

Newest show

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting March 22–26, McCormick Place

Largest 2005 tradeshow

• Intl. Home & Housewares Show at 785,000 net sq. ft. (McCormick Place)

Sources: Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau; 2006 TSW 200; 2005 TSW Major Exhibit Hall Directory