Five Partnership Strategies for Lasting Success at McCormick Place
McCormick Place is my favorite venue to manage a large, complex trade show. As a 20-year MATSO (Major American Trade Show Organizer - 200,000+ NSF), I’ve managed citywides in a lot of big cities. McCormick Place, and the entire Chicago event industry ecosystem, do so many things right that ensure event success. The level of partnership I’ve experienced with them stands apart. Below, I have identified five keys to a successful show at McCormick Place.
The team at McCormick Place is the foundation of why it’s such an amazing convention center. They understand the pace, pressure, and precision required for managing multiple large, complex events simultaneously – and this depth of experience shows.
Over the years, Eugene Hardison and Colleen Skala, and many others, became trusted partners for my shows. More recently, Sho-Link served as the General Service Contractor for a mid-size conference working in partnership with Eric Ingvaldsen, Senior Event Manager at McCormick Place. With a demanding holiday schedule, this was a true testament to planning, partnership, and professionalism. Eric and his team took pride in making sure the building was ready to meet all of the deadlines (move-in Dec-15, opening Dec-26, and move-out by Dec-31), and navigate the cold, snowy conditions without any delays.
Here are my tips for event success at McCormick Place:
Develop a communication plan to ensure all the systems are working and any problems can be easily solved. Take the necessary time (typically months before the show) to plan all the operational requirements for each building through detailed floor plans and work orders.
Preplanning logistics with your GSC and McCormick Place leadership helps the move in flow like clockwork. McCormick Place has a fantastic campus that works well for large, complex trade shows; for example, the nearby marshalling yard facilitates targeted move-in operations with greater efficiency and ease.
Pre-show training for exhibitors. Take time to have a training sessions with your exhibitors and include the key strategies for best practices. Review building layout, critical timeline schedules, rules and safety guidelines, service ordering, and on-site support. Get your exhibitors ready to be successful at McCormick Place – the LARGEST convention center is the USA!!
Complete their shipping and booth orders before the deadlines to ensure a successful move in and show that stays within budget.
Take advantage of the entire Chicago event ecosystem. Involve the Choose Chicago team in your planning as they can help you grow your show each year. Chicago has numerous beautiful hotels with lovely meeting spaces that provide world class hospitality resources, all the while filled with innumerable attractions and amenities attendees will be excited to explore.
I’ve learned that a successful large trade show, or citywide, depends on partners and how they work together as a team. What stands out at McCormick Place most is their pride in the building and the success of the events they host. There is a shared commitment to making every convention not just successful, but memorable and exceptional for attendees and exhibitors alike. That mindset creates a true partnership atmosphere, where challenges are met with solutions and collaboration.
That level of partnership is what Sho-Link strives to provide to their event clients, not only in Chicago, but at events across the country.
Written by Dorothy Bedor CEM, Sales Director (GSC), Sho-Link