How to Attend a Trade Show at McCormick Place in Chicago

McCormick Place is the largest convention facility in North America, and you will need lots of preparation before attending a show there. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Comfortable Shoes
• Microcassette Recorders
• Internet Access
• Rental Cars
• Travel Services
• Pads Of Paper
• Computers

1. Make hotel and car rental reservations at least four months in advance if you expect to stay anywhere near downtown and get a special show rate to boot. Tell the hotel which show you will be attending, and they will typically offer you the show rate if any rooms are still available in that show's block.
2. Preregister for the show and take your badge with you. There will be higher fees and long lines to endure if you have to register on-site.
3. Get online and check out a map of McCormick Place before the event at McCormick's home page (mccormickplace.com). This will allow you to familiarize yourself with the layout before taking off for the show.
4. Take a cab instead of driving if this will be your first trip to Chicago or McCormick Place. Lots of traffic can prove confusing, especially on unfamiliar ground.
5. Get a preshow planner if the show you are attending offers one. Use the preshow planner to map out which exhibitors you want to see and the approximate order in which you will see them. Determine how much of the show you can adequately cover, because there is no way to see a show that covers McCormick North, South and Lakeside Center in anything under two full days.
6. Leave your hotel for the show at least an hour in advance of the time you need to be there. Competition for cabs, crowded drop off points and general show confusion can take some time to sort out, especially on opening show days.
7. Find out where you have to pick up your badge holder and show materials before the show. This information is usually included in the preshow planner, along with a map of the show floor.
8. Stop for lunch at one of McCormick's eight restaurants or 25 concession stands. Refueling on-site will save you time and boost your energy for the second half of the day.
9. Check out any seminars offered throughout the show days that may relate to what you are trying to accomplish at the show. These seminars usually cost extra, but they are an excellent way to get the inside track from your industry's movers and shakers.
10. Take notes in your show planner or a notepad, or take along a small cassette recorder to help you keep track of things and people to follow up on once you return to the office. This will work much better than trying to rely on an overloaded short-term memory.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place if you are really concerned about traffic and travel in downtown Chicago. You can't beat it for convenience - it is attached to McCormick Place by a concourse - but you will pay higher rates than at many other downtown hotels.
• Take in a show at the newly reopened Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place after a day of trade show trekking. Call [phone] for further information on upcoming shows and events.
• Take time to experience some of the sights, sounds and tastes of Chicago while in town. Check out the music scene at the House of Blues, see the sights of Navy Pier and dine at Chicago Chop House for an unforgettable night out.
• Don't think you can just pull this one off without any planning! When the cab driver asks where you want to be dropped off at McCormick Place, you better know the answer, it's a long walk from North to South.
• Dress mostly for comfort, not style. Covering over 700,000 square feet of exhibition space can leave feet in uncomfortable shoes blistered, bruised and aching for no more.