Tips for Attending ProMat 2009 at McCormick Place in Chicago
McCormick Place is the largest convention facility in North America, and you will need lots of preparation before attending ProMat 2009. Don't think you can just pull this one off without any planning! Here are some things to keep in mind.
- Make hotel and car rental reservations at least two months in advance
if you want to stay in an official ProMat
Show hotel and get a special show rate. Tell the hotel you will be attending
ProMat 2009.
- Pre-register at http://www.promatshow.com/attendees/register.aspx
before December 14. Your badge will be mailed to you before the show and
you can take your badge with you to the show. There will be lines if you
have to register on-site.
- Go to www.ProMatShow.com and check
out a map of McCormick
Place and the ProMat
floorplan before the event This will allow you to familiarize yourself
with the layout before taking off for the show.
- If you are staying in a ProMat Show hotel, take the complimentary shuttle
bus to and from McCormick Place. If this will be your first trip to Chicago
or McCormick Place traffic can prove confusing, especially on unfamiliar
ground.
- Use the ProMat pre-show planner that comes with your badge and the www.ProMatShow.com
on-line Agenda Planner. Use these tools to map out which exhibitors
and educational
sessions you want to see and the approximate order in which you will
see them. Check out exhibitor press
releases and show
news to find out what is new at the show. Print out your on-line agenda
and bring it with you to the show. Determine how much of the show you can
adequately cover, because there is no way to see a show that covers McCormick
Place South in anything under two days.
- Leave your hotel for the show at least an hour in advance of the time
you need to be there. Competition for shuttle busses, cabs, crowded drop
off points and general show congestion can take some time to sort out, especially
on opening show days.
- When you arrive at McCormick Place, pick up your badge holder and show
directory before the going onto the show floor. ProMat badge holder pick-up
stations will be located throughout McCormick Place South and in ProMat
Registration on Level 3 in the Grand Concourse Lobby. If you do not have
your badge with you, go to ProMat Registration to print out a new badge.
- Stop for lunch at one of McCormick's eight restaurants or concession stands.
Refueling on-site will save you time and boost your energy for the second
half of the day.
- Check out the Keynote
Forum and any educational seminars offered throughout
the show days that may relate to what you are trying to accomplish at the
show. These seminars are offered at no cost and are an excellent way to
get the inside track from the industry's movers and shakers.
- Take notes in your show planner, show directory or a notepad. Or take
along a small cassette recorder to help you keep track of things and people
to follow up on once you return to the office. This will work much better
than trying to rely on an overloaded short-term memory.
- If arriving by cab, when the cab driver asks where you want to be dropped
off at McCormick Place, say South. It's a long walk from North to South.
- Dress mostly for comfort, not style. Covering over 300,000 square feet
of exhibition space can leave feet in uncomfortable shoes blistered, bruised
and aching for no more. McCormick Place has made special efforts to accommodate
people with disabilities. If you are disabled and require special assistance,
please call 312-791-6060.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact ProMat Customer Service at or call 800-446-2622/704-676-1186.