By: Mia Rampersad, Vice President, Trade Show
In early June, the International Housewares Association announced it will remain in Chicago through 2016. The decision was made after the Illinois General Assembly passed McCormick Place reform legislation meant to reform labor rules and establish exhibitor rights that will ultimately provide cost-cutting opportunities.
Show exhibitors will benefit in many ways including friendly work environments allowing exhibitors more options in setting up their booth displays and also make McCormick Place a more cost-competitive environment.
Some of the key changes that will take effect and will be implemented over the next 18 months include the following:
Expanded Exhibitor Rights
An exhibitor and an exhibitor’s employees are permitted to do the following work in a booth of ANY SIZE.
- Use a ladder and power hand tools to set up and dismantle a booth.
- Assemble and disassemble materials, machinery, or equipment.
- Install signs, props, ballots and other decorative items.
- Deliver, plug-in, connect, and operate electrical equipment, computers and audio visual devices.
- Re-position or re-skid items in their booth.
- Unload and load materials from a privately owned car with the use of a dolly or non-motorized hand cart.
Reduced Overtime
A contractor may only charge an exhibitor for labor services as follows:
- Monday – Friday: An exhibitor will pay straight time labor rates for a consecutive 8-hour period between 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Saturday – An exhibitor will pay straight time-and-a-half labor rates for a consecutive 8-hour period.
Electrical Service
Electrical service is no longer an exclusive service at McCormick Place.
- Show Organizers may retain an electrical contractor of their choice based on a pre-defined list provided by McCormick Place to ensure competitive rates and services are charged and customer service is a top priority.
- If a Show Organizer uses the current McCormick Place electrical service provider (Focus One), McCormick Place must offer the services at a rate not to exceed the cost of providing the service.
Food Service
McCormick Place is currently in the process of bidding out the food service contract for the building. This will ensure the best rates and quality of food and service.
- Exhibitors will be able to bring in their own food or beverage into their booth for personal consumption.
- McCormick Place must offer the food service options at a rate not to exceed the cost of providing the service.
These and other changes will make exhibiting in Chicago more affordable and easier than ever before. IHA will provide updates directly to exhibitors when available. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me directly at mrampersad@housewares.org.
