McCormick Place to Have Lower Exhibitor Costs

• Expanded exhibitor rights—Exhibitors will now be able to do their own booth and equipment setup and dismantling using their own ladders and hand tools (power tools are acceptable), regardless of booth size.
• Standardized straight time, overtime and double time—The straight-time window for all skilled labor services-including those performed by Teamsters, riggers, carpenters, decorators and electricians-will increase to 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Straight time is for the first eight hours of the workday. Specific, standardized windows will be observed for overtime and doubletime.
• New automobile and small utility vehicle policy—Exhibitors will be allowed to deliver, unload and reload certain materials and equipment themselves in designated areas, according to outlined rules.
• Implementation of lower crew sizes—The crew size has been set at two people, unless larger crews are determined to be necessary for efficiency or safety reasons.
• Significant changes to McCormick Place’s exhibitor and technical services. The “at-cost” rate will be charged for all labor provided by electricians, plumbers and telecommunications installers. Additionally, Exhibitor and Technical Services will no longer charge labor for installation or removal of electrical services smaller than 208 volts, nor for tear-out of booth or meeting room work (excluding rigging or work classified as theatrical or stage production). Additionally, new competitive rates have been put in place for electrical service.
• New pricing plans for food service—A 10 percent price reduction will be implemented for all catering and exhibitor catering menu items, with additional reductions going toward coffee, soda and bottled water. The previous policy of delivery charges on orders of less than $250 will be replaced by no delivery fee for a minimum $35 order. Pricing for purchases from all non-branded food outlets will be reduced by 20 percent. Finally, exhibitors will now be able to bring their own food and beverages into McCormick Place for personal consumption.