The board of directors of the Metropolitan Pier and Fair Bureau (MPEA) has decided to take back management from McCormick, the largest convention center in North America. Oak View Group (OVG) will continue to manage the facility’s food and beverage.
“We are grateful for our partnership with OVG,” MPEA CEO Larita Clark said in a statement. “Looking forward, we believe that internal management will make us a better partner for our customers and fulfill our mission to bring economic opportunities to cities and states.”
From 1960 to 2011, McCormick Place was managed internally. In 2011, MPEA outsourced the management of the conference center to SMG, which later merged with the AEG facility and merged into ASM Global in February 2019. In 2023, OVG was awarded a contract for site management and food service after a competitive BID process.
“We support MPEA’s move towards self-management,” said Greg O’Dell, president of OVG360.
According to MPEA, this transition will not have any impact on the currently planned events. Most McCormick Place employees transition to MPEA employees.
The news comes days after OVG’s 10-year contract with the Strategic Food and Beverage Partner at Allegiant Stadium, representing OVG’s first F&B agreement with the NFL range. The Allegiant Stadium will continue to be managed by OVG’s rival ASM Global.
More changes are expected in Chicago
Chicago, a sales and marketing organization that chose the city, still has no permanent president and CEO, as CEO Lynn Osmond resigned unexpectedly on January 31, 2024.
Rich Gamble, currently serving on the Chicago Board of Directors, chairs the Nomination Committee and serves on the Executive Committee, is in an interim position as they are looking for a permanent CEO.
