By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012
     Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, in conjunction with the leadership of Choose Chicago, McCormick Place, and Governor Quinn, announced Oct. 1 that two key shows will be extending their commitments to McCormick Place and the city of Chicago, meaning thousands of union jobs will stay in Chicago.
     The two shows are the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) Restaurant, Hotel, and Motel Show, and the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS).
     “The labor union agreements at McCormick Place have created a new landscape that demonstrates that Chicago is open for business and the best destination in the world for any convention or trade show,” said Emanuel. “I am thrilled that these two shows have extended their commitment to the city and will bring tremendous economic impact and jobs to the city. I’ll continue to work to attract more and more shows to Chicago.”
Governor Pat Quinn applauded the efforts of the state and the city to work together.
     “Today’s announcement by two of the world’s most prestigious exhibitions is proof that the strong partnership between the state, the city of Chicago, the MPEA and its unions will create a renewed era of prosperity and jobs for Illinois,” said Quinn. “Working together, we will make      McCormick Place and Illinois’ tourism industry even stronger for years to come.”
The NRA announced a five-year extension, from 2017-21, that will bring estimated direct expenditures of more than $600 million through 2020, and support approximately 1,650 union jobs per year. IMTS has extended for two years, 2018 and 2020, which will add $346 million in estimated direct expenditures to Chicago’s economy and support more than 2,000 union jobs in each of the two years.
     “AMT and the IMTS Show are proud to be extending our relationship with Chicago which dates back to 1947, said Peter Eelman, vice president, exhibitions and communications of the Association for Manufacturing Technology. “The dramatic and productive changes at McCormick Place have improved the exhibitor experience and the visitor experience and we are pleased to be a part of the trade show future in Chicago.”
     The recently concluded 2012 IMTS show covered 1.248 million net square feet of exhibit space with 1,909 exhibiting companies. Total registration for the six-day event was 100,200, which is a 21.6 percent increase over 2010, marking the largest show-to-show increase ever for IMTS.
     “We’re delighted to continue to call Chicago home — adding to the 63 consecutive years that our landmark National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show has been held here. The labor reforms enacted have made this agreement possible,” said Dawn Sweeney, National Restaurant Association President and CEO. “Chicago is a world-class city. We enjoy working with our partners at McCormick Place and Choose Chicago and are excited that our exhibitors and attendees will have the opportunity to experience this city’s great ambiance and hospitality for an additional five years — through the year 2021.”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.