Mayor Richard M. Daley joined more than 500 guests including local and state elected officials, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) staff, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB) staff, business and civic leaders to officially open the doors to McCormick Place West, the newest addition to North America’s largest convention center. The West Building opened August 2 – eight months ahead of schedule and on budget.
The $882 million publicly-financed West Building adds an additional 470,000 square feet of exhibit space to the existing 2.2 million square feet. It also adds 250,000 square feet of meeting space, including 61 meeting rooms and a ballroom the size of a football field at 103,000 square feet, making it one of the largest ballrooms in the world.
“This building is already hitting a sweet spot in the marketplace,” said Tim Roby, President and CEO of the CCTB. “The new West Building affords us the opportunity to remain a premier meeting destination with the ability to help increase economic impact for the city of Chicago.”
HOW SWEET IT IS
The National Confectioners Association All Candy Expo was the first citywide event to occupy the new Building. Previously located in the Lakeside Center, the largest confectionery show in the America’s has evolved with an additional 100,000 square feet of exhibit space to accommodate its growing show which now includes snacks and cookie products and a record number of international attendees from more than 70 countries.
“The new state-of-the-art facility is an important addition to what is already the world’s most advanced convention, trade show and meetings facility – and will serve to enhance Chicago’s competitive edge,” said Juan Ochoa, CEO of the MPEA. “It sends a clear message to our industry that the biggest and the best just got bigger and better.”
CUSTOMERS INTEGRAL IN DESIGN
McCormick Place West was designed with the goal of meeting the changing needs of customers well into the future. Specifically, six points raised by customers were successfully implemented throughout the building, including operational and functional efficiency; improving transportation arrival with buses cars and taxis; improving food service capacity and ability to prepare fresh food; providing flexible registration space; providing the perfect meeting room, and providing the best exhibit hall with increased crate storage.
The West Building was built to accommodate small-to-mid range association, corporate and medical meetings. With more than 75 events booked, the benefits to Chicago and throughout the state are already apparent. One-third of those shows are new business and another one-third is recovered business – shows that haven’t been to Chicago in five years or more. The new building is expected to generate approximately 25,000 new jobs regionally and an additional $1.3 billion in local spending to the city and state, including 250,000 to 300,000 additional hotel room nights – a 25 percent increase over what McCormick Place generates today. Overall, the MPEA’s total estimated direct expenditures to the city and the state each year total more than $4 billion.
“Chicago has always been the greatest convention city in the world and it’s becoming even greater,” said Mayor Daley. “There’s a lot of competition for visitors and their dollars. But Chicago has never been afraid of competition – and McCormick Place West shows the world that we’re willing to meet our competitors and offer even more.”
The building houses an impressive collection of 50 commissioned works of art, designed by 30 Chicago and Illinois artists. The collection, curated by a committee led by local artist Paul Klein, showcases the breadth of Chicago artists and educates guests on the region’s history. Some of the building’s other unique features include: advanced Internet network; expansive wireless capabilities; transportation center with nine LCD screens updating passengers on bus departure and arrival times; gourmet food court and fine dining restaurant, and a 600-seat Overlook Café on the exhibition floor.