Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show Opens Today

Progressive Chicago Boat, RV and Sail Show opens today and runs through January 13 at McCormick Place (South Loop) Chicago, Illinois. The annual event features more than 150 hourly sailing seminars, as well as exhibits featuring sail boats, power boats, and RVs.

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, click here.

Chicago Auto Show February 9 – 18, 2019 at McCormick Place

First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marks the 111th edition of the Chicago Auto Show.

Ford Mustang from the 2017 Chicago Auto Show

The Chicago Auto Show utilizes more than 1 million square feet in the North and South Exhibit Halls of the McCormick Place complex. McCormick Place offers a total of 2.7 million square feet of exhibit halls with an additional 700,000 square feet of meeting room availability.

For more information on the auto show and to purchase tickets, click here.

2017 Chicago Auto Show #CAS17

The Chicago Auto Show opens to the general public today, Saturday, February 11 at McCormick Place, 2301 S King Dr, Chicago, IL. Public show times: February 11-19 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.; February 20 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

The Chicago Auto Show is the largest show of its kind in North America. First held in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marks the 108th edition. The Chicago Auto Show utilizes more than 1 million square feet in the North and South Exhibit Halls of the McCormick Place complex.

Collier’s Magazine piece promoting the 1939 Chicago Auto Show.

McCormick Place is easily reached by car or public transportation. Extensive shuttle bus service from all area parking lots to and from McCormick Place. Weekend-only shuttle service from the Millennium Park and East Monroe underground garages. Shuttles stop in 10-15 minute intervals near Columbus/Upper and Lower Randolph and at Gate 3 at McCormick Place.

Scooter and Wheelchair rentals are available by contacting Scootaround toll-free at (773) 439-9940.

Scooter rentals are $50.00 a day and wheelchair rentals are $20.00 a day. Scootaround accepts all major credit cards. Scootaround is located at Gate 4 of McCormick Place (west end of the Grand Concourse). While Scootaround will make every effort to accommodate all needs, you are encouraged to reserve in advance.

2017 Chevrolet Camaro from this year’s Chicago Auto Show 

McCormick Place is easily reached by car or public transportation. Extensive shuttle bus service from all area parking lots to and from McCormick Place. Weekend-only shuttle service from the Millennium Park and East Monroe underground garages. Shuttles stop in 10-15 minute intervals near Columbus/Upper and Lower Randolph and at Gate 3 at McCormick Place.

Scooter and Wheelchair rentals are available by contacting Scootaround toll-free at (773) 439-9940.

Scooter rentals are $50.00 a day and wheelchair rentals are $20.00 a day. Scootaround accepts all major credit cards. Scootaround is located at Gate 4 of McCormick Place (west end of the Grand Concourse). While Scootaround will make every effort to accommodate all needs, you are encouraged to reserve in advance.

Tickets are available at our McCormick Place ticket booths on public show days or online at ChicagoAutoShow.com and https://tickets.drivechicago.com. (Show box office closes one hour before the show closes.)

$13 for adults

$7 for seniors aged 62 and older

$7 for children 7-12

Free Admission for children 6 and younger when accompanied by a paying adult. Family members only.

Around the South Loop

Construction is moving along with the DePaul Arena and the new Marriott Hotel. Below are some images taken from the west building of McCormick Place. The new construction will change the face of Cermak…we hope for the better.

The DePaul arena rises on S. Indiana and Cermak. 

The Marriott hotel rises just east of the arena.

The old American Book Company building will be connected to and part of the
new Marriott Marquis.

To the west of S. Indiana the view isn't as promising.

Here comes the 2016 Chicago Auto Show

The nation’s largest and oldest auto show is back in the Windy City, February 13 – 21. This year marks the Chicago Auto Show’s 115th anniversary, boasting almost 1,000 different vehicles on display. The show held at McCormick Place each February, makes us forget about the cold temperatures outside. Inside we have the opportunity to view and sit behind the wheel of our dream cars.

For more information, including how you can purchase tickets, visit the Chicago Auto Show Web site. For a PDF map of the exhibit floor, click here.

Besides the new cars, the Chicago Auto Show also has many classics cars on display as well.

Public Meeting on the Lucas Museum tonight, September 30 at 6 p.m.

The Chicago Park District is hosting a public meeting on the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. The meeting will be held in the West Building, Room W181C of McCormick Place, 2301 S. Indiana Ave. at 6 p.m.

The agenda posted to the CPD Web site follows:

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

1. Presentation
2. Public Comment
3. Adjourned

Proposed site for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

2015 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place

The 2015 Chicago Auto Show opened at McCormick Place, February 14 at 9 a.m. The show runs until February 22. According to the Chicago Auto Show Web site, “the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent.” The auto show made its debut in the Windy City in 1901. This year is the 107th edition.

One of the beauties from the 2015 Auto Show

Show Hours:
Feb. 14-21—9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Feb. 22 – 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

You can follow the show on Twitter @ChiAutoShow using the hashtag #CAS15. You can like them on Facebook for more videos and auto show information.

The 1901 Chicago Auto Show was held at the old Coliseum at 15th and Wabash.

Town Hall Meeting on McCormick Place Event Center & Hotel

Third Ward alderman, Pat Dowell has scheduled a town hall meeting regarding the new stadium and hotel coming to McCormick Place. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 6-8 p.m. The meeting location is McCormick Place West Building, 2301 S. Indiana Ave., Room W181. Free parking is available in Lot A.

NATO Summit comes to the South Loop

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the NATO Summit (May 20-21) is coming to Chicago. What you probably don’t know is how this event will impact the neighborhood. NATO security team members took questions from an anxious audience at a recent meeting at Second Presbyterian Church on Monday, but many questions remain.

Perimeter leaked

Chicago will be the first American city other than
Washington to host a NATO Summit.

Tuesday the ACLU leaked information on the perimeter surrounding McCormick Place to be “locked down” as reported on ABC 7 News, although the perimeter details as reported have not been confirmed by the Secret Service. Based on what was said at Monday’s meeting, the perimeter could be somewhat fluid according to how events, including the planned marches and protests, play out.

2,000 journalists to cover Summit
According to the NATO website, besides the foreign dignitaries and protesters, there will be 2,000 journalists descending on the South Loop. With all the motorcades and the corresponding security details, periodic street closures will bring inconvenience for sure.

Expect to be inconvenienced
If you live in the South Loop and are planning to stay in the neighborhood, you’ll have to expect some disruption to your normal routine. Additionally, as pointed out at Monday’s meeting by the security consultants, you may want to make sure you have proper identification on hand, just in case you are asked to identify yourself. If you have to travel in and out of the South Loop, walking and public transportation is your best bet.

Keep current
To stay on top of news related to the Summit, keep checking the NATO Web site regularly for updates. You can also follow the Summit on Twitter @ChicagoNATO.

Trade Show Coming Back to McCormick Place

Trade Show Comes Back to Chicago
The Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society trade show will be coming back to McCormick Place in the future, according to today's Crain's magazine. Citing prohibitive costs, Healthcare Management scheduled their 2012 show in Las Vegas. In 2009, the city reported a $55 million boost to the local economy. Losing a large trade show (tens of thousands of visitors to Chicago) like Healthcare Management is a blow to the city, especially in tough economic times.

New Reforms Passed After Loss
After McCormick Place lost the trade show to Las Vegas, the Illinois legislature passed reforms to make the venue more competitive.

Mayor Daley and other city officials held a press conference this morning to announce the return of the Healthcare Management show.

What do you think? Is Chicago doing all it can to make it competitive with other cities?

Around the South Loop and Chicago

How's your eyesight? The American Academy of Ophthalmology was at McCormick Place for six days.

Happy Birthday to Lauren, my friend and waitress at Sweet Maple Cafe in the West Loop

The Original Five BBQ is coming to 1030 Taylor St. this fall.

Signs directing the crew and extras for the new Matt Damon movie, Contagion

Dearborn Park: It's still nice enough to play tennis.

The Roosevelt St. L platform was a fairly pleasant place to be yesterday afternoon.

Plants and vegetables are still growing in the community garden.

McCormick Place Bike Path Fountain

Running on All Cylinders
The McCormick Place bike path fountain isn't always going at full blast, so I felt lucky to be able to capture it on video during my morning bike ride today.

10 Things to do this weekend

Bow, wow, wow
The Westminster Kennel Club is back at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, on Saturday. This family-friendly 2-day event takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on this event, call 773-237-5100 or click here to visit their Web site.

For the other nine things to do this weekend, click here.