Crain’s is reporting that the Housewares show is considering moving its trade show out of Chicago after 70 years in Chicago.
It is the result of operating the giant exposition hall for the benefit of the unions that run the place. How much more do Chicagoans have to take before they see the light and straighten out the city, freeing itself from its self-imposed shackles?
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Tags: McCormick Place
The next show to leave will be the big RSNA (Radiological Society of North America) currently scheduled at McCormick Place through 2014. As contrasted with other trade shows, this event brings in the really big spenders - both the doctors and their suppliers who will stop at nothing to gain business. When my brother-in-law attended that meeting as a seller of X-Ray and MRI equipment, he routinely entertained client doctors and clinics at Le Francais in Wheeling. At the time the restaurant was the most expensive restaurant in the country and also rated the best. My wife and I were privileged to also be invited. My recollection of our last visit was that the tip alone was $400 (at a rate of 15%, meaning the bill was at least $2600 for 6 people). This was in the 80's, so you can do your own math to find out what the present value of that is. By the way, he always closed orders for at least $4-$5 million dollars from each dinner.
Them days are gone forever, I fear.