On August 15^th the parking lot at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament opened at 4:30 because the line was so long we had to let everyone in.  This was not for a show, but, for “Who Wants To Be A Millinnaire” contestants who were seeking to be “next” millionnaire on the hit T.V. Show.

The Auditions were preformed by the Producers of the show and they were able to test 2500 individuals which are more then they have tested in the past. The Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald not only wrote articles on the event they auditioned as well. Medieval Times offered all WGN listeners and viewers a special discount to come to a show for the next two nights. They received over one hundred new customers as well as an over whelming number of new reservations after the event. Ann Miller who is the Vice President of Buena Vista TV was in attendance and stated that this was the best location that they have held the Auditions at in 5 years. The Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament staff was at their best and the jousting that was on Around Town was great.

Medieval Times and Tournament is a Planner Preferred Vendor of Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Meetings and Special Events Directory or you can visit their website at www.medievaltimes.com

New Contract with Decorators Union Continues to Increase Flexibility, Reduce Costs for McCormick Place Exhibitors

Five-year contract expands and solidifies labor reforms

August 22, 2006

CHICAGO - The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), trade show contractors and the union representing workers who help set up McCormick Place trade show booths today announced a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement, including work-rule changes that will mean more flexibility and reduced costs for both exhibitors and show management.

The agreement between McCormick Place contractors and “United Steelworkers Local 17 Decorators Union” is another step forward for Chicago in ensuring that the city continues its leadership as a premier convention and trade show destination.

“Chicago's reputation as the world's premier convention destination is rooted in the city's skilled workforce,” said Theodore Tetzlaff, Chairman of the MPEA.  “I commend the Decorators for doing their part as we continue to grow an industry that's so important to the city and state economy.”  

The agreement with the Decorators comes on the heels of a similar agreement in May with the Riggers Union Local 136. Both are considered landmark agreements in the history of labor-management relations at McCormick Place.

The Decorators Union is responsible for hanging signs and installing drape, cloth and/or tacked fabric panels.

“This contract sends a very powerful message to show organizers and exhibitors that Chicago is committed to making the trade show experience here better than ever,” said Leticia Peralta Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the MPEA.  “These negotiations were conducted with the best interests of our customers in mind.  The MPEA commends the Decorators Union for its openness to work rule changes, its spirit of cooperation and its commitment to excellence.  This agreement will bring further flexibility and cost reductions to McCormick Place show operations.”

Davis said the new contract grew out of labor reforms announced in May 2005. In particular, she cited establishment of a new Labor Management Council as a key step in ensuring ongoing dialogue among McCormick Place management, employees, contractors and customers that contributed to the agreement announced today.

Tony DeGrado, President of Local 17 Decorators Union said, “Our agreement to an unprecedented five-year contract will help the exhibition industry in Chicago.  My members take pride in the quality of their work and believe this agreement will draw even more business and jobs to the conventions, trade shows and hotel facilities throughout Illinois.  This contract protects the seniority rights of our members and gives them job security and a decent standard of living.” 

The five-year contract with the Decorators retroactively takes effect July 1, 2006 and expires June 30, 2011.  Among the key features of the new contract:

Reduced overtime charges: The new contract establishes two start times for crews Monday through Friday, with the first eight hours at straight time. The new weekday start times are 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.  This allows exhibitors greater flexibility in decorating their booths without incurring overtime charges. Time worked on Saturday will be at time and a half rather than double time for the first eight hours. Additionally, the first four hours following the break of a show will be billed at straight time.

Clearly defined language on reduced crew sizes: The new agreement establishes and clearly defines jobs requiring two-person crews and those requiring three-person crews.

Drug Testing: The Decorators Union will adopt an addendum to the current drug policy to include random drug testing at MPEA properties effective January 1, 2007.

Expanded management rights: Employers are granted expanded authority to direct the work force in the performance of work, assignment of workers, movement of employees between MPEA buildings and in disciplinary matters.

Wages/Benefits: The Decorators and contractors agreed to increased wages and benefits over the term of the contract.  

The contract was signed by the Decorators Union and the two major general show contractors, GES Exposition Services and Freeman.

Governor Blagojevich and Mayor Daley have been instrumental in providing support for labor reforms that will keep McCormick Place and Chicago at the forefront of the convention and trade show industry.

“Chicago is committed to providing value to all customers and this latest labor agreement is proof positive,” said Tim Roby, President of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.  

Peter Eelman, Vice-President of Exhibitions for the International Manufacturing Technology Show, said the agreement is a welcome demonstration of the commitment by all parties to ongoing operational reforms.

“It looks like McCormick Place is on a roll. In the space of just a few months, we've seen the retention or attraction of major shows and significant labor reforms such as those announced today.”

“We are thrilled by this most welcome news, which means that exhibitors will save money, show managers will have an improved show experience, and that set-up and tear-down will be more efficient than ever,” said Eelman.

Today's announcement was attended by a variety of business, civic, labor, hospitality industry leaders and McCormick Place customer representatives.

The Second City’s all new revue, “War! Now In Its 4^th Smash Year!” delivers the uproarious hilarity of a nation divided on immigration, education and, of course, that crazy ongoing war in Iraq.  No one cares about Africa.  “War! Now In Its 4^th Smash Year!,” directed by Marc Warzecha, celebrates political and social strife with the triumphant and giddy energy of teenagers heading to a foreign country to fight for truth, liberty and the American Way, for a people who clearly have no interest in it.

The cast of “War! Now In Its 4^th Smash Year!” includes Joe Canale, Ithamar Enriquez, Molly Erdman, Brian Gallivan, Maribeth Monroe (Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee), and Claudia Michelle Wallace. Ruby Streak is musical director and Craig Taylor is stage manager. Set design is by Stephanie Nelson and costume design is by Butch Jerinic. The producing team for “War! Now In Its 4^th Smash Year!” includes Executive Producer and CEO for The Second City, Andrew Alexander; Producer Robin Hammond; Vice President of The Second City, Inc, Kelly Leonard; and Associate Producer Alison Riley.

Group tickets are available for groups of 16 or more by calling GroupTix at 877-4-GRP-TIX (877-447-7849).  Groups enjoy a full-service wait staff, guaranteed seating and no handling fees!  The show schedule and ticket prices available through GroupTix are as follows*:

Tuesdays - Thursdays               8pm                             $18.00

Fridays and Saturdays                 11pm                             $24.00

Sundays                                        7pm                             $18.00

*additional showtimes may be available – call GroupTix for details.

The Second City is also available for booking, bringing a special medley of classic scenes, songs and improvisations to any event.  Call GroupTix for details on The Second City Touring Company.

GroupTix is a Planner Preferred Vendor of Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Meetings and Special Events Directory.   Visit GroupTix

It was only when I began my job search that I truly understood the great divide between planner and supplier. To me, asking for services and providing those services did not seem to have some vast wall between the two, but the meeting industry disagreed with me.

It was while attending Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) Institutes I in 2004 that I realized there were two sides to the industry.  I had fallen into meeting planning in college and didn’t realize there was an entire industry of professionals who understood what I did and didn’t give me a strange look when I explained my job.  For the first time I was asked, “Are you a planner or supplier?” and since I didn’t know the term supplier I figured I was a planner and left it there.  Over the course of the week I quickly grasped the terminology.

After returning from Institutes, I begin searching for a new position within the industry.  I checked the MPI job boards (nationally and the Chicago Chapter) and there were many positions I thought interesting and demanding.  I considered my 4 main goals:

• Growth from new challenges and responsibilities.
• An organization (preferably non-profit) with a mission I believed in and could contribute to.
• A position I could see myself being happy and challenged in for 5+ years.
• Ability, and organization support, for professional development including involvement in industry organizations. 

Believing I would benefit from industry veterans advice, I contacted MPI-CAC board members and joined the MPI Mentoring Program.  I was astounded by the generosity and openness of the members I contacted, including Eric Johnson of SmithBucklin,  Kelly Woods of Omni Hotels and Gretchen Stegall of Ambassadors (my mentor), who took time out of their busy schedules to discuss their experiences, as well as offer advice.  Those discussions helped me realize that my strengths and talents could translate across the planner-supplier divide, but they also cautioned me that I would be considered against those with previous experience 

I was intrigued by Conference Coordinators, Event Coordinators and Account Managers; the position is as varied as the venues themselves. To me, it meant providing the ultimate customer service.  From the moment the client makes contact with the venue to the final goodbye at the end of the event, the responsibility is to anticipate any need before it arises and let the client enjoy the event he or she has spent so many hours planning. 

How does a planner compete for these positions?  I focused on my 7 years of providing superior customer service, ability to relate to meeting planners, and my knowledge and dedication to the industry.   My biggest challenges were meeting my own criteria and not having the precise experience certain companies were focusing on.  I found for-profit organizations did not match my goal of working for an organization that has a deeply rooted educational mission and that I didn’t match their criteria of having previous experience in these positions.  I was told I was a great candidate, but we chose someone who has done the job before.  I had an opportunity for a position that met a few of my goals (educational mission, long-term growth), but it didn’t relate directly to the industry and I realized I wasn’t ready to compromise on this aspect.

It was The Field Museum that saw my experience as consistent with the skills necessary to be successful as a venue manager. Our Director, Megan Beckert, explained that it was certain qualities, not just experience, that led me to be offered a position within Special Events.  Passionate, articulate and knowledge of the industry led her to believe I would thrive in the position as well as my experience and dedication to non-profits and educational institutions.  My acceptance of the position was based on it meeting all the criteria I had set forth for myself and my future organization.

Today, I promote The Field Museum as a stunning special event venue to the association and convention market, as well as manage these events. I am part of a team of professionals who seek to provide clients of this unique venue with the extraordinary service that makes it world-renowned. Any change is a risk, but I feel both the position and organization have turned out to be an exceptional match. I struggled through nine months of searching and questioning my goals, but feel that it was all worth the effort since it brought me to The Field Museum.  By sharing my story, I hope that more organizations will look at candidates and see more than just experience as a planner or supplier, but qualities that offer endless possibilities ……

Kara Gifford is an Account Manager with the Special Events Department at The Field Museum.  She can be reached at 312-665-7607 or kgifford@fieldmuseum.org.