Chicago by the Numbers



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McCormick Place West Welcomes the World

McCormick Place West, the newest addition to North America's largest convention center, officially opened its doors on August 2nd, eight months ahead of schedule and on budget.

The festive Grand Opening celebration was joined by Mayor Richard M. Daley, local and state elected officials along with Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) staff, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB) staff, the Mc4West design and build team, architects, as well as tourism, labor, business, community and civic leaders. A unique ribbon-cutting ceremony included a special performance by Cirque Shanghai, the world-renowned Chinese acrobatic troupe.
 
"Chicago has always been the greatest convention city in the world and today, 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."

McCormick Place West was designed to meet the changing needs of customers well into the future. The building's features have greater flexibility and functionality, enabling McCormick Place to host more simultaneous and back-to-back shows. Much of the West Building's focus will concentrate on securing small-to-mid range association, corporate and medical meetings. Ultimately, McCormick Place officials intend to solidify the convention center's growing reputation as the nation's "medical meeting headquarters."

More than 75 events are already booked at the West Building. One-third of those shows are new business and another one-third 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 booking of 250,000 to 300,000 additional hotel room nights—a 25 percent increase over what McCormick Place generates today. Overall, the MPEA estimates direct expenditures to the city and the state total more than $4 billion annually.

The $882-million, publicly-financed West Building adds another 470,000 square feet of exhibit space to McCormick Place's existing 2.2 million square feet. It also adds 250,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes 61 meeting rooms and a ballroom the size of a football field at 100,000 square feet, making it one of the largest ballrooms in the world.

McCormick Place West also boasts a distinctive Rooftop Garden, offering stunning views of the city and ideal for evening receptions. In addition to the green roof, the building is already LEED certified and features include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, reduced water consumption and recycled building materials.

The building also houses an impressive collection of 50 commissioned works of art, designed by 30 Chicago and Illinois artists. Some of the building's other unique features include:

—Advanced Internet network
—Expansive wireless capabilities
—Transportation Center with LCD screens updating passengers on bus times
—Gourmet food court and fine dining restaurant
—600-seat Overlook Cafè on the exhibition floor

For more information visit www.mccormick2008.com or contact Megan Risch at 312.567.8540.

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What is the best thing about running a business in Chicago?
At The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, I am part of an organization that makes a difference in the lives of people every day through its mission to deliver the quality, comprehensive rehabilitation care.

The City has been extremely nurturing to RIC and its vision for many years, as exemplified by close personal relationships between RIC and City officials, and also in the City's policy and actions by making Chicago the most accessible city in the country for people living with disabilities. By implementing accessible transportation policies, parks and support services for people with disabilities, the City creates a great, welcoming, and inclusive quality of life. This dedication to accessibility makes Chicago the ideal host for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Chicago has the ability to host athletes and spectators from around the world—providing a positive experience for everyone—including Paralympians and any individual with a physical disability.  

Looking towards 2016 and beyond, it's estimated that one out of every five people in America have a disability and this number will grow in the coming years as U.S. service men and women return from combat with disabilities and as the population continues to age. As the world experiences greater prevalence of people with disabilities, Chicago is committed to leading by example of providing a high quality of accessibility for all of its residents and visitors.

Do you participate in any sports in Chicago?
I personally enjoy athletics and am pretty good at a few different sports.  I competed in basketball, volleyball, and swimming during various parts of my schooling. I still am very active athletically, including sailing—but for fitness and recreational enjoyment now (as opposed to competitive sports).

What about spectator sports?
Bears, Cubs, White Sox fan!

If you were to describe Chicago to someone that has not visited, what would you say?
Chicago is a clean, vibrant, successful, big American city that radiates with a small-town, warm, values-driven and inclusive personality!

What assets in Chicago does your family utilize the most?
My family enjoys Millennium Park, the Chicago Public Library, the lakefront, and the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue).

How would you explain to your shareholders that Chicago is the best location for your company?
Chicago is a world-class city with a strong commitment to accessibility and disability issues. It is only fitting that RIC, ranked America's #1 rehabilitation hospital, for its ability to deliver world-class rehabilitation care and services, continue to call Chicago home to its Flagship hospital. Chicago is host to healthcare of international leadership and expertise; RIC complements this leadership by providing the best rehabilitation care available on the planet and we welcome many patients of international origin who travel to Chicago to obtain the best in medical care each year.

The City is also home to another six sites of care for RIC—sites that provide specialty outpatient services such as chronic pain care and sports injury rehabilitation.

It is also an important part of RICs mission to extend this world-renowned care to other communities in need of rehabilitation services. Therefore, RIC has more than 20 additional sites of care throughout the Chicago suburbs, central and southern Illinois and north central Indiana.

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Day 1: Under the Tuscan Sun

Yep... it was hot. Really hot. But a little heat can't stop good music from being heard (read: Lollapalooza 2005 where the temp rose to 105 degrees). With friends in from both coasts and a band of many more waiting in the wings, it was time to get things in gear. 

The cab dropped us off at the corner of Monroe & Columbus around 2:15, just in time to catch former Lounge Ax favorite and Uncle Tupelo bandmate, Jay Farrar, take the stage with his band, Sun Volt. It was altogether appropriate and ironic that Jay's haunting voice was the first to welcome in the day. But we couldn't stick around for long as we had another 8 hours of music to consume... and, uh, a few beers.

In total, there were 8 stages along with one dedicated KIDZ stage... spread end to end from Butler to Hutchinson Fields. No need to hit the gym that weekend, as everyone out there was assured some good hike time.

Next, we caught a few tunes from Polyphonic Spree, but were geared up primarily for SparkleHorse followed by Los Angeles native band, Silversun Pickups. Neither disappointed. Although the smaller Citi Stage area was a bit packed to the gills, the crowd was friendly and most knew they were in front of greatness when Brian Aubert of Silversun Pickups caught his stride.

Some tough choices had to be made along the way for everyone... sacrificing one band for another. Life's tough all over, I know. The first such decision came when opting to check out the two-man band, The Black Keys, over Perry Farrell's latest project, Satellite Party. Rarely do you have the chance to hear such a huge sound come from a simple set of drums and a lead guitar, but The Black Keys knocked it out in full form. Solid rock n' roll performance by the duo from Akron, Ohio.

And then the moment of truth... the day one headliners: Daft Punk on one end vs. Ben Harper taking the stage on the opposite field. After Eddie Vedder took the stage with Ben Harper, things looked great. But then the text from my good friend Andy Blackburn came through... "You're missing a 120,000 person Daft Punk dance party in the middle of the greatest city on earth. What's your problem?" Robots, pyramids and laser beams were the scene... what's not to like. For those of you who handled and choreographed the colored foam noodles... words cannot describe your genius.

To read the full story, click here.

--Dan Lyne,
Director of Technology Business Development
World Business Chicago

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