C2E2-How long will it stay at McCormick Place/Chicago?

Reading the Chicago Sun Times today, as I do every day, and came across a article about how 2 big trade shows have ditched McCormick Place and Chicago and moved to other locations, one going to Florida. And a chance a third might in 2011.

I guess with unions and such things can get pretty expensive there, with things like electricity hook ups in Florida costing $4,000 but in Chicago $40,000.

It got me thinking if it would be financially viable for C2E2 to be held IN Chicago. Wizard World Chicago/Chicago Comic Con is actually held in Rosemont and not Chicago. I wonder if its cheaper there then doing it in the city.

With the economy better but still a while off from full recovery I got questions that popped in my mind.

1. Is McCormick Place more expensive then suburbs or other locations?
2. Would it be better to hold C2E2 in a suburb of Chicago? Maybe Rosemont?
3. Would it be better to hold it in another Midwest State and change the name?
4. If there is that much a difference in price could it drive exhibitors away from C2E2 and possibly back to Rosemont/Wizard?

I can't speak about anything Chicago but the Reed holds NYCC at the Javits Center and that is not a cheap place to hold a show at and they've done it consistently for 4 years now. I don't know the cost to run a show at the Javits Center but my guess would be that its around the same price as McCormick Place if not more.

With what they're charging for tables...money's not an issue. :P

mchampion wrote:With what they're charging for tables...money's not an issue. :P

True, not for Reed but its the exhibitors that are going to be charged. And it was the exhibitors that caused the other Chicago trade shows to movie. Maybe not dealers that don't need anything but tables but what about publishers?

Lets just say Dark Horse is charged 40 grand for electricity when it Rosemont it cost 4 grand. Big companies still have bottom lines. They could decide that maybe its not worth the money when in a few months there is another big convention ready around the corner.

Or the fact that there is a competing Con from Wizard the same weekend. Something that looks like will repeat itself again. Companies could decide to save the money and take the cheaper con.

Its all hypothetical and maybe accounts to nothing. But all it takes is one underperforming show or one enticement of lower money that could sway things.

This is not con v con more of con v city and what makes for the best economics.

People are going to be bitching up a storm on Monday am after C2E2 about what it pain it was to attend. McCormick is great for a one day visit to the auto show, but a 3 day con where you are changing costumes, taking goodies back and forth to your room... it's gonna suck. I bet they are at McCormick ONE year.

I would love it if they moved to Rosemont/D.E.S. for 2011...

well i do prefer to see something more than just hotels around the convention center at rosemont - like chicago is a beautiful city i think - its the payoff for the city sights and con all i one

that means 2x the ammount i need to save up for! gahhh


whos clubbing with gem!?!!

Airwolf wrote:
whos clubbing with gem!?!!

I've known you for a long time and I really wanted to see this! Thing is, all the best clubs/bars are on the north side on Fullerton/Lincoln. You'll basically find them all there by the college/ Lincoln Park area. I'm sure you would have a field day there.

Just an FYI to all, the city isn't rosemont and you are going to have to tweek you con battle plan a bit, to...what's the word..."survive" if you plan on roaming outside the con. So in other words...

"Don't cross the streams...it could be bad."

Airwolf wrote:
whos clubbing with gem!?!!

I'm in.

Joshua wrote:

Airwolf wrote:
whos clubbing with gem!?!!

I'm in.

Rosemont was horrible in terms of anything to do outside of the convention. Especially since WWC wasn't like SDCC, where there was late night programming. If you wanted to do anything else, you had very few options. Hell, even getting a bite to eat was extremely limited!

Also, as someone mentioned before, McCormick Place probably isn't much more expensive that Javits Center.

No matter how many times I see a picture of baby seals getting clubbed to death, I never stop laughing.

SmilingIdiot wrote:Also, as someone mentioned before, McCormick Place probably isn't much more expensive that Javits Center.

It's cheaper

Mnemosis wrote:No matter how many times I see a picture of baby seals getting clubbed to death, I never stop laughing.

I think what really sells that image is the seal looking at the guy with it's mouth agape.