The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and Rosemont Exhibition Services in Rosemont, Ill., recently informed customers that it plans to implement the labor cost-saving measures mandated by legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly earlier this year.
Known as the McPier Legislation, the measure was designed to reduce labor costs at Chicago’s McCormick Place and Navy Pier by expanding exhibitor rights, setting new labor work rules, reducing crew sizes and establishing a new policy for food services.
According to Christopher Stephens, executive director of the Rosemont facility, the convention center will continue to work under the terms of existing union contracts, while providing show services at the reduced hourly labor schedule mandated by the McPier Legislation.
“Rosemont has a long history of receiving and passing along all savings associated with the rule changes in Chicago,” he said. “It is our intention to implement these savings and work with the trade unions towards the permanent adoption of these new changes here in Rosemont.”
In Chicago, Mayor Richard M. Daley and convention center officials have stated that the legislation has already had a beneficial impact on convention and trade show business in the city. According to the Chicago Tourism and Convention Bureau, at least six customers have recommitted and three new pieces of business have been landed as a result of the legislation—representing over $1 billion in revenue for the city.
