Conventions are a significant industry in the US. It helps support hotels, restaurants and airlines. Chicago got into the business in 1873 with the Exposition Building. It was the largest exposition building on the continent. And Chicago had the International Amphitheater from 1934 to 1983.
Then they opened McCormick Place on the lakefront in 1960.
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| Michael Brandt posted A nice postcard of the original McCormick Place. |
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| Gail Bob McCabe posted I don't know what I was more impressed with...the original McCormick Place or the terrific looking boats... |
Unfortunately, it burned down on Jan 16, 1967.
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| ExhibitCityNews "On July 31, 1967, seven months after the fire, the official investigation report was released. Led by Rolf H. Jensen, professor of fire protection engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the investigation team concluded that not only was there a lack of sprinklers and working fire hydrants, but the building’s construction was unable to withstand the fire regardless of the severity." The Arie Crown Theatre sustained only minor damages, and it was easily rebuilt. Today's Lakeside Center opened its doors on Jan 3, 1971, with a 300,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall. The convention center now has roughly 2.6 million sq. ft. |
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| McCormickPlace-pdf, p1 |
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