Legislation overhauling the management, work rules, and cost structures at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center promises a new deal for Graph Expo 2010 and other trade shows whose owners lobbied for changes there.
The Chicago news media reported the passage of the legislation in the Illinois House and Senate last week. The measure has been sent to Governor Pat Quinn, who is expected to sign it.
The changes should be in place when Graph Expo opens on October 3, said Ralph Nappi, president of the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), the producer of the Graph Expo and Print shows. He said that for exhibitors, the difference will be “like night and day” in terms of what they now will be able to do to control the costs of booth setup and material handling.
Included in the legislation is a “bill of rights” for exhibitors that lets them set up their own booths and reduces their dependence on unionized labor at McCormick Place. It also permits them choose their own electrical contractors and limit the size of the crews they do hire. (A summary of provisions favoring exhibitors is reported here.)
The legislation further places the public agency that runs McCormick Place under the supervision of a trustee charged with recommending ways to privatize its management. The chief executive of that agency resigned last week.
Nappi said that GASC was at “ground zero” of the effort to bring about changes at McCormick Place, long derided by exhibitors as a haven for overcharging and abusive labor practices. GASC was one of a number of trade show-producing organizations that testified last month before an Illinois legislative committee looking into the complaints. The associations said that they would look for other host cities if changes were not made.
Discussion
By Clint Bolte on May 12, 2010
Congratulations to Ralph on this mission of candid diplomacy.
Unions serve a very valuable purpose, but they also need to understand the reality of "free enterprise."
My consulting career has specialized on working with the in-plant printing market segment. Too many in-plant general managers feel their most vital strategic advantage is "right of first refusal."
My observation is that in-plants that truly excel realize their vitality and value to parent organization is via "earning their client's business with exceptional customer service. "Right of first refusal" is nothing but a political power play.
If McCormick Place management and labor unions had the attitude of earning exhibitors business with exceptional service, legislative hearings leading to the termination of the long standing CEO would not have been necessary.
By Aaron Hunter on May 12, 2010
After doing this show for 15 years, it is a welcome sound to finally hear some control and rationality is coming to McCormick Place.
As stated by Clint, Unions have their place but the handcuffed, exploited feeling from the time you walk in the door to set up was ridiculous.
Hopefully a complete review of the process for vendors from delivery to equipment placement and associated costs will be looked at. I hope the need for disposable cash in pocket to get things done finally truly goes away.
Good luck
By Bill Gibson on May 13, 2010
Ralph,
Thank you and GASC for your focused work on discussions with the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.
No doubt, that your efforts, brought to a head what has been needed for an extended period of time...cost containment.
I congratulate you and staff on a job well done to keep our industry informed and providing the avenue to attend a show that showcases new ideas and exceptional educational opportunities.
Bill Gibson
By Jim Chadwick on May 14, 2010
Thank you for the article on Graph Expo 2010. I attend this show every year. I too was disappointed with Print 09 and am very concerned about large companies pulling out of this show. With all the excitement around Ipex this year I am starting to think maybe this is the show I need to be attending. Reviewing hardware is essential. Kodak's booth made no sense to me last year. As a buyer we want to be able to see first hand the actual products we are considering for our business. My concern is the technologies I am watching closely like large cut-sheet inkjet presses from Fuji and Screen for example with not be in Chicago. Let's hope this show gets turned around, it would seem these recent changes will help.