Metropolitan Pier Exposition Authority Board met Jan. 31.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Board Members Present via Videoconference: Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman; Don Villar, Vice Chairman; Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer; Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart; Nina Grondin; Roger J. Kiley, Jr.; T; Juan Morado*, Jr.; Sherman Wright *Joined at 9:04 a.m.
Others Present via Videoconference: Larita Clark, Chief Executive Officer; Matthew Simmons, General Counsel; Jason Bormann, Chief Financial Officer; Stephanie Lovelace-Nieves, Controller; Dao Ngo, Deputy General Counsel; Gloria Juarbe, Director of Human Resources; Hilary Barker, Director of Procurement; Tom Ryan, Director of Campus and Plant Operations; David Causton, ASM Global/McCormick Place; Irma Guerrero, Project Coordinator; Maria Calderon, Compliance Officer and Board Administrator
The public was able to watch the virtual board meeting through Microsoft Teams – Live Event, a live streaming service. A total of eighteen members of the public watch anonymously.
General Matters:
A1. Roll Call: MPEA Chairman Bethke, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and Ms. Calderon called roll.
A2. Approval of Minutes: Chairman Bethke called for the approval of the minutes of the November 16, 2021 Regular Board Meeting.
Moved by Member Ramirez, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item A2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Technical Issues |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes |
A3. Public Comment.
There was no public comment.
Report from CEO: Ms. Clark provided an update on the progress during the recovery period and the outlook on the future. Ms. Clark reported since July of 2021 the campus has hosted over 77 events which resulted in 67,216 attendees, $544 million in economic impact, and 2,208 employees coming back to work. Ms. Clark reported the figures did not include many of the smaller events, for example, the filming of Chicago Fire and Chicago PD and employees who work with contractors during the events. Ms. Clark reported about two-thirds of the campus employees were back at work which included 50% of full-time employees and 75% of diverse employees. Ms. Clark reported since July of 2021 many events have happened on campus including corporate events (Morningstar and Experiential Marketing); associations (WefTec and NACS); and public shows (C2E2). Ms. Clark reported the first six months of the campus reopening have gone well given the reality of the pandemic and the travel restrictions. Ms. Clark reported international travel was banned until mid-November by the United States government and many foreign governments. Ms. Clark reported events that have been here previously had lower numbers than prior years and on average attracted 65% of the forecasted attendance. Ms. Clark reported many shows measured the success of their events by the additional measures put in place due to the new health protocols. Ms. Clark reported many shows shared comments received from attendees on how the shows exceeded their expectations. Ms. Clark stated conventions and trade shows were there to connect buyers to sellers whether it was with products or services, the goal is to be the nucleus that connects them. Ms. Clark stated many of those customers left Chicago having done great deals and look forward to coming back to Chicago in the future. Ms. Clark shared a quote from the Radiological Society of North America regarding their in person show with a hybrid component for 2021. Ms. Clark stated McCormick Place has been able to provide hybrid programs for years and thinks this season highlighted the flexibility and the virtual experience McCormick Place could provide. Ms. Clark stated the comments on social media reflect the excitement of attendees being back in-person and the importance of connecting. Ms. Clark reported what the campus did regarding public health during the closure. MPEA invested significantly in time, energy, and resources to maintain a healthy environment by revamping cleaning policies and protocols and made changes to the air filter system and other systems. Ms. Clark reported MPEA implemented a vaccine requirement for campus employees and thanked labor partners for helping make the requirement a smooth process. Ms. Clark stated the support from labor partners helped the campus comply with health requirements. Ms. Clark reported the campus continues to have its Global Biorisk Advisory Council accreditation, making McCormick Place one of only 53 out of 250 conventions centers that are accredited. Ms. Clark thanked Ms. McCafferty, Ms. Kievit and Choose Chicago for their on-going work with Healthy Meetings Chicago and for the relaunch of the most updated version. Ms. Clark reported some of the changes to the site were current protocols and to make the site easier to navigate which was some of the feedback received from Member Birnecker Hart. Ms. Clark stated the campus is looking forward to future events and getting back to and trying to exceed prior years’ numbers. Ms. Clark reported the campus 2022 calendar is robust, with 152 events; an expected 1.6 million guests; and a (pre-pandemic) estimated economic impact of $1.9 billion. Ms. Clark reported some of the shows on the 2022 calendar are the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA); the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS); International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS); the Inspired Home Show; Salesforce; and Star Trek Mission Chicago. Ms. Clark reported the planning for these events starts well in advance and last week IMTS with many of their exhibitors were on campus planning for their show in September. Ms. Clark reported the Inspired Home Show which was the first major show to cancel at the beginning of the pandemic will be hosting their show on campus in early March and the 2022 Chicago Auto Show will open in mid-February. Ms. Clark reported there was a solid pipeline for the calendar year and reported the combined sales teams of MPEA, ASM/McCormick Place, Choose Chicago, and the hotels have seen an increase in their lead volume this month looking far ahead out to 2030s. Ms. Clark reported in the last two years there were cancellations and changes to events but 68% have rebooked their events for this year or upcoming years. Ms. Clark reported the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is booked for 2024, its first time in Chicago since 2000. Ms. Clark reported one of the largest health shows, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), is scheduled for April 2023 with over 30,000 attendees. Ms. Clark reported HIMSS will be back in Chicago for the first time since 2015. Ms. Clark thanked the State of Illinois for their support by providing McCormick Place with a $15 million dollar incentives program for new citywide conventions over the next three years. Ms. Clark reported the incentives are offered for future events and are paid out after the show is over, so taxpayers will have a guarantee of a return on their investment. Ms. Clark reported this provided the sales team a level playing field as compared to competitors. Ms. Clark welcomed a new member to the team, Ms. Rubin, who will support the Collection bookings. Ms. Clark reported there are site visits scheduled in the next thirty days, including HIMSS. Ms. Clark reported one of the goals of the campus has been to have a variety of food offerings at McCormick Place that resemble food offerings in Chicago. Ms. Clark reported one of the pioneers is Mother Wade who has inspired many of the dishes severed on campus with her Southern and Soul Food. Ms. Clark was invited to honor Mother Wade for her longstanding commitment to Chicago and for being a partner at McCormick Place. Ms. Clark reported Savor put together a national cookbook which features Mother Wade, and she is the only African American in the cookbook and the chef representing Chicago.
Report from Controller: Ms. Lovelace-Nieves presented the financial results for November 2021 and December 2021.
Report from Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Bormann presented the tax collections for November 2021 and December 2021.
Report from McCormick Place General Manager: Mr. Causton reported the campus opened in July 2021. Mr. Causton reported two major events were hosted in January, the American Baseball Coaches Association National Convention and the Winter Volleyball Championship. Mr. Causton stated in August 2021 a statewide mask mandate for all indoor settings became effective and in January 2022 the City of Chicago started requiring proof of vaccination in public places where food or beverages are consumed. Mr. Causton stated staff continues to work with customers regarding the mandates and were successful during the two events in January. Mr. Causton reported nine basketball games were hosted at the arena and a South Korea’s boy band called ATEEZ sold out the arena for a concert in January. Mr. Causton reported Wintrust Arena will host eight DePaul basketball games in February and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) will return on February 2nd. Mr. Causton reported the Chicago Auto Show will host its First Look for Charity event on February 11th and the public event from February 12-21 and the Chicago Dental Society will host its event from February 24-26. Mr. Causton reported four major shows will meet this calendar year in-person for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic: the Inspired Home Show; the National Restaurant Association; the American Society of Clinical Oncology; and the International Manufacturing Technology Show.
Review of Covered Actions and Eligible Agreements:
C1. Consideration of Approval of Contract Extension for Online Training Services.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Birnecker Hart, and the remaining members present voted approving item C1.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
C2. Consideration of Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement: Teamsters Local 727 Traffic Aides.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Kiley, and the remaining members present voted approving item C2.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
C3. Consideration of Approval of Right of Entry between the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and the City of Chicago on behalf of Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Moved by Member Kiley, seconded by Member Ramirez, and the remaining members present voted approving item C3.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
C4. Consideration of Approval of New Contract for HVAC Parts and Supplies – Categories 1-3.
Moved by Member Ramirez, seconded by Member Villar, and the remaining members present voted approving item C4.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
C5. Consideration of Approval of Contract Extensions for Rapid Response Construction Services – 3 Categories: General, Mechanical, and Electrical.
Moved by Member Villar, seconded by Member Ramirez, and the remaining members present voted approving item C5.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Nina Grondin – Yes |
| Don Villar, Vice Chairman – Yes | Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
E2. New Business.
There was no new business introduced.
Adjournment
Chairman Bethke moved to adjourn the meeting moved by Member Ramirez, seconded by Member Wright, and the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote of the Board.
Roll call vote. Record as:
| Jeffrey Bethke, Chairman – Yes | Roger Kiley, Jr. – Yes |
| Jorge Ramirez, Secretary/Treasurer – Yes | Juan Morado, Jr. – Yes |
| Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart – Yes | Sherman Wright – Yes |
| Nina Grondin – Yes |
https://www.mpea.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/MPEA-Board-Minutes-Virtual-Session-January-31-2022_Final.pdf
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