Billed as "the world's premier housewares marketplace," the International Home and Housewares show features over 2,000 exhibitors from around the world. The annual trade show, which takes place at McCormick Place, is "a one-stop shop for anything and everything that goes in and around the home," including products, companies and trade professionals that focus on trends and lifestyles related to - that's right - housewares. more ›

McCormick Place will remain home to the National Restaurant Association's annual trade show, under a new agreement signed between the Association and the McPier Authority today. Changes made by Governor Quinn to reduce expenses to convention holders were sufficient enough for the NRA to keep its convention in Chicago through 2016. more ›

Every year, Chicagoist visits the Sweets and Snacks Expo at McCormick Place. Every year, our friends whine and cry about how they have always wanted to go, how it reminds them of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and how they can't understand how we don't have to be carried out on a stretcher. And every year we try to explain that while lots of candy expo is tasty and wonderful, there is also a dark underbelly of horror. Friends, read and beware - these are the worst candy products of 2010. more ›

Every year, the National Restaurant Association releases its top 20 trends in the restaurant industry on the eve of its annual trade show (closing its run today at McCormick Place). And yet we've stopped being surprised at the disconnect between the report — with its focus on local, sustainable and nutritious foodstuffs — and the realities on the show floor with its emphasis on pre-packaged, processed food, factory farms and heavy duty refrigeration. more ›

In his on-going efforts to stop the bleeding at McCormick Place, Mayor Daley is floating the idea of privatization as a solution to overhauling the city's convention business. The convention center, part of the publicly-run Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which includes Navy Pier and is known as McPier, has been under pressure lately as it has lost conventions and trade shows to other parts of the country, thanks to the high costs of doing business in Chicago. "Bring the private sector in and you manage it and get out of the business of McCormick Place in the sense that it should be fully privatized," Daley told the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association's annual meeting. "Then you can run the costs down." Jodi Kawada, a spokeswoman for the mayor, quickly pointed out that the mayor was not talking about selling McCormick Place off as a city asset. "This is just an idea at this point," she told the Tribune. "The mayor is trying to think creatively about jump starting the convention and tourism industry in Chicago, which will require bold steps." more ›

Conventions have been leaving McCormick Place faster than rats on a sinking ship lately and now Mayor Daley is pointing his finger at the MPEA and trade show managers. After he discussed how the CHA has used stimulus money at a press conference on Tuesday, Daley was asked about the recent trade show exodus. “You have competition from Atlanta, you have competition from Vegas and Orlando and you have to get away from gouging. If you gouge 'em, they're not going to come back,” Daley said. more ›

Bad news often begets more bad news and the last thing we need to hear is the possibility of another convention contemplating pulling up stakes to move to another city. Hot on the heels of the plastics convention moving to Orlando comes word that the National Restaurant Association may be looking at hosting its 2012 convention in another city. The NRA is already committed to having its spring show at McCormick Place in 2010 and 2011, but the old refrain that cost is an issue may force the NRA to look elsewhere. more ›