The International Home + Housewares Show, a Chicago mainstay since 1939, will make a serious assessment of rival venues in Las Vegas and Orlando for 2012, the Rosemont-based show sponsor disclosed Tuesday afternoon.
The show joins a growing chorus of discontent over the high costs of putting on a trade show at McCormick Place, which lost two big shows last fall. The exhibition hall is at risk of losing several others in coming months, sources say.
The International Housewares Association’s board of directors applauded the city and state’s current push to cut trade show costs, but asked its staff to conduct the review of alternative sites in case
Chicago failed to make adequate progress in time for a 2012 decision. The March show is booked here for the next two years.
“Our board members represent our exhibitors, who are critically concerned about the costs relating to labor, food and the operational aspects involved in exhibiting or attending our show at McCormick Place,” said Phil Brandl, president of the association.
The high-profile show draws 60,000 attendees and generates an estimated $75 million in local spending.
The association shopped around several years ago as well, but decided to stay put after some cost adjustments at that time. But since then, costs have risen and “the economy certainly has put pressure on the whole picture,” Brandl said.
Among the other trade groups weighing a move, sources say, is the National Restaurant Association, which has not yet made a commitment for its 2012 show.
The restaurant show is among the city’s most well-known.
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