The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), owner of the McCormick Place campus in Chicago, has announced that it will once again handle management of the convention center as of 1 July, 2025. MPEA said in a statement it would work closely with its current private manager, Oak View Group (OVG), to ensure a seamless transition. The decision to take back management in-house follows a resolution passed by the MPEA Board of Directors on 25 February, 2025.
“We are grateful for the collaboration with OVG over the course of our partnership,” said Larita Clark, CEO of MPEA. “This decision is rooted in our commitment to providing world-class service and exceptional events for all our clients and visitors. Looking ahead, we believe that in-house management will allow us to be a better partner to our clients and also deliver on our mission to generate economic opportunities for our city and state.”
MPEA said bringing management back in-house would enable the campus to best serve our customers by being “more nimble, competitive, and responsive in a fast-changing landscape”.
This transition, MPEA said, would have no impact on currently planned events and most McCormick Place employees would transition to become MPEA employees.
“We remain enthusiastic supporters of the MPEA. We want to thank all campus employees for their tireless work on behalf of the City of Chicago,” said OVG’s Greg O’Dell, president, venue management. “Should the MPEA ever need additional assistance or support beyond the transition period, we will not be far away, as we at Oak View Group will continue to offer the highest quality food and beverage programme in North America to the McCormick Place campus. We look forward to a long and continued partnership.”
From its opening in 1960 through 2011, McCormick Place was managed in-house. In 2011, MPEA outsourced management of the Convention Center to SMG, which was later acquired by ASM. In 2023, following a competitive bid process, OVG assumed private manager responsibilities.
McCormick Place is the largest exhibition and meeting facility in North America.
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk
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