Just a few of the 58,000 people who will return next year.
Photo: courtesy of NRA
After worries that the National Restaurant Association would leave town because of the increasing costs of using McCormick Place, the conference signed a five-year lease commitment. This is probably due to a new state law pushed forward by Governor Pat Quinn, which helped “cut exhibitor costs and hassles.” Though it’s not the biggest conference at the convention center, it did bring in over 58,000 attendees this past May. At least six other conferences also recommitted for next year, including the International Housewares Association’s. [Chicago Breaking News]