Chicago Meeting Professionals Guide 2008 - (Page 11) ©Weaver/Denise Chambers An Easy Trip Attendees will have little trouble making their way to Chicago. With more than 60 different airlines serving Chicago and 2,300 direct domestic flights daily, getting here is a breeze. And once they’ve arrived, attendees will have access to a world-renowned transit system that efficiently gets them where they need to be. For more information on travel to and within the city, see page 14. Clockwise from far left: The Chicago River provides a stunning backdrop. Chicago has one of the most extensive park networks in the country. Navy Pier facilities offer a dramatic setting for midsize events. ©istock/Konkrete, ©Richard Cummins, ©Richard Cummins alternative for meetings. Built in 1916 as a combination shipping and recreational facility, Navy Pier is the Midwest’s most popular attraction after a renovation in 1995. It extends more than half a mile into Lake Michigan and is lined with recreation, dining, cultural and entertainment options. With 36 meeting rooms, an 18,100-square-foot Grand Ballroom and 170,000 square feet of exhibit space, Navy Pier is perfect for growing or midsize events. And with its unmatched view of the city’s skyline, Navy Pier is a spectacular setting for meetings and exhibitions. Another 1 million square feet of green space is in Millennium Park, located just east of the Loop. Millennium Park has extensive gardens; a 1,500-seat auditorium; the state-of-the-art Jay Pritzker Pavilion, designed by internationally renowned Frank Gehry; Cloud Gate, by Anish Kapoor, one of the world’s most talked-about sculptures; in winter an outdoor skating rink; and several areas available for special event rental. The newly completed McCormick Place West building enhances the complex’s ability to host multiple groups of various sizes all at the same time. Designed to be a flexible, stand-alone building for meetings with exhibitions, McCormick Place West features a 470,000-square-foot exhibition hall and 250,000 square feet of meeting space (including 61 meeting rooms and a divisible, 103,000-square-foot ballroom). A transportation center, restaurants and a rooftop garden for special events are among the amenities. In addition, Chicago and the state of Illinois are firmly committed to continually improving McCormick Place. McCormick Place was the first venue to offer Internet2 service, exponentially increasing the speed and capabilities of its technology network. A dedicated express busway offers nonstop round-trip service between downtown and McCormick Place in just eight minutes. For more information on McCormick Place West, see page 32. Skilled Labor Chicago has more skilled labor professionals than almost any other U.S. city. But an expert workforce does not mean expensive labor costs or burdensome rules at Chicago exhibitions. McCormick Place and Chicago’s labor community have negotiated a series of historic labor agreements to make exhibiting in Chicago less costly and simpler than ever before. WHY I CHOSE CHICAGO “Overall, exhibiting at McCormick place has been fine, no difficulties. I especially like the convenience of the hotel shuttles.” Kate Ferenczy Informal Life Sciences Group, Westborough, MA choosechicago.com 11 YOUR CHICAGO VISIT Today, Chicago’s average hourly labor rate is more competitive than ever. In fact, it’s lower than in many cities, including New York, San Francisco, Detroit, San Jose and Atlantic City. McCORMICK PLACE WEST: MORE ROOM TO MEET http://choosechicago.com
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