Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Friday that McCormick Place will host a new energy trade show, made possible by a recent agreement struck by two of the convention center's major unions.
Solar Power International, which sees 27,000 attendees at its annual trade show, will be coming to Chicago in both 2013 and 2015, the mayor said in a statement. The two shows are expected to have an $80 million economic impact in Chicago.
The announcement comes a week after Emanuel and Gov. Pat Quinn struck a deal with the Teamsters and Carpenters unions to expand exhibitor rights at McCormick Place. Reduced costs and burdensome labor rules had deterred trade shows from occurring at McCormick Place for years.
“On behalf of all trade show organizers, I congratulate and applaud the agreement reached between labor and management which will enable the great city of Chicago and McCormick Place to once again serve as host for the most important business trade events in the United States,” said Brian Tully, executive director of Solar Power International, in a statement.
Additionally, the mayor said that the labor deal has resulted in $500 million in planned renovations for Chicago hotels, including the downtown and O'Hare Hiltons and the Chicago's Wydham hotels.
