New 1,200-room Hotel on Tap at McCormick; Existing Hyatt Hotel's $110 Million Facelift Completed Summer 2013
February 18, 2013
Chicago’s McCormick Place already has one hotel, the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, which is on track for a $110 million upgrade to be unveiled in the summer, but now the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority-owned venue also will have a new 1,200 room anchor hotel attached to the building.
The new hotel will be connected by skybridge to McCormick’s West Building and, besides the new rooms, there will be a 400-seat restaurant and a grand and junior Ballroom.
“Building a headquarters hotel connected to McCormick Place is a major step in taking Chicago’s convention and meeting business to the next level,” said Jim Reilly, MPEA’s CEO.
He added, “Hundreds of additional nearby hotel rooms will strengthen our competitive edge and attract new business to Chicago. The hotel also will be a catalyst for revitalizing the convention center’s neighborhood.”
The new headquarters hotel is projected to attract approximately 15 new mid-market events per year to McCormick Place, generating roughly 80,000 additional attendees, according to MPEA officials.
"Increased visitation to Chicago delivers immediate value for the city's overall economic development efforts," said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Choose Chicago.
He added, “… As we work to further strengthen our position among our key competitors, this new property, coupled with the Hyatt McCormick Place renovation and expansion provides our sales team with the critical elements necessary to deliver a comprehensive package to customers.”
The number of hotel rooms within walking distance from the convention center will be doubled, especially with the opening of the Hyatt Regency’s new, 460-room tower in addition to the hotel’s current 800 rooms, also owned by MPEA.
“We look forward to the completion of the renovation and showcasing our new transformation,” said Paul Daly, general manager, Hyatt Regency.
He added, “Our state-of-the-art services and amenities, combined with even more guestroom availability directly connected to the nation’s largest convention center will allow Hyatt Regency McCormick Place to play an even larger role in both attracting and hosting Chicago’s top meetings and conventions.”
The Hyatt Regency is in Phases Two and Three of a three-part renovation and construction project that began in December 2011. There also will be theaddition of three new boardrooms and a new business center.
The three phases include the 460 additional rooms, as well as a renovation of the existing rooms, the conference center, lobby and other key areas.
“We are eagerly anticipating the completion of the second tower and the existing hotel renovation this summer,” Reilly said.
He added, “The addition of on-site tower along with the newly renovated existing hotel will not only enhance the McCormick Place experience but also goes a long way toward drawing more trade show and meetings business to Chicago.”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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