Chicago, IL – The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has signed a five-year agreement to keep its annual trade show in Chicago through 2016.
NRA President and CEO Dawn Sweeney said November 15 that the changes to work rules and other reforms undertaken this year by the state, city and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) had made McCormick Place a welcome venue for the NRA Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA Show) and co-located International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event.
“The legislation includes many important provisions that will help us grow our trade show, which is arguably the world’s, largest foodservice and hospitality event,” said Sweeney.
The annual NRA Show spanned 480,965 net square feet (nsf) in 2009, placing it 31st on the latest Trade Show Executive Gold 100 list of largest U.S. trade shows.
The NRA was among the major McCormick Place tenants that pressed for radical changes necessary to bring down exhibitor costs. “With the new legislation being implemented, McCormick Place will provide an exhibitor-friendly, hassle-free and cost-effective facility that makes for an outstanding trade show environment,” Sweeney said.
Sweeney said the show would have an estimated economic impact on Chicago of about $600 million over the next six years.
Reach Dawn Sweeney at (202) 331-5900 or dsweeney@restaurant.org; Mary Pat Heftman at (312) 853-2525 or mheftman@restaurant.org
