PROCESS EXPO Exhibitors Benefit From New Legislation Revitalizing McCormick Place

Chicago, IL – After several weeks of debate, the Illinois state legislature and governor have come to closure on important pieces of legislation which addresses the rising cost of exhibiting at McCormick Place, a big factor in several well known events either moving or threatening to move their events out of Chicago.

The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) has supported this legislative reform since its inception. “We hail the passage of this bill as a victory for all our members and exhibitors,” said David Seckman, President & CEO of FPSA. Mr. Seckman continued: “We have committed to hold the PROCESS EXPO show every other year in Chicago, starting November 2011. We chose Chicago because of the strong regional ties to the food processing industry as well as the ability to draw the international audience. Now with the passage of the new legislation, we know our exhibitors will experience an even greater ROI.”

These new exhibitor rights will provide more flexibility in choosing vendors and result in significant cost reduction of labor and food & beverages services. Following are just some of the key provisions that will impact exhibitors (for a complete listing go to: http://www.fpsa.org/SB3215-Enrolled).

• Exhibitors may unload and load materials from privately owned vehicles with the use of non-motorized hand trucks and dollies
• Shows will be allowed to solicit an outside electrical contract group
• Exhibitor/exhibitor employees are permitted in a booth of any size to skid, position and re-skid all exhibitor material, machinery and equipment
• Exhibitor/exhibitor employees are permitted in a booth of any size to deliver, set up, and plug in, interconnect, and operate an exhibitor’s electrical equipment, computers, audio-visual devices, etc
• Exhibitor/exhibitor employees are permitted in a booth of any size to set up and dismantle machines, materials, install signs, graphs, props, balloons and other decorative items including drapery, skirting, tables, etc
• Major changes regarding straight and overtime pay have been made (see http://www.fpsa.org/SB3215-Enrolled for more information about changes to labor costs)
• Crew sizes are not to exceed two persons and will be determined by the required task rather than a minimum, standard-number of crew members
• An exhibitor may bring food and beverages on the premises of the Authority for personal consumption
• Pricing for Focus One and food and beverage will be significantly restructured

“As an exhibitor at PROCESS EXPO and Chairman of the Association, I’m thrilled about this new legislation,” said Scott Scriven, Chairman of FPSA. “We always knew that Chicago was the right place for our show, but now with changes that directly reduce the cost to exhibit and expand exhibitor choices, we know that McCormick Place is the right venue to serve our needs going forward.”