As the founder and CEO of an online resource guide designed for the meeting and convention industry, HeresChicago.com’s, Jim Grillo, CMP issued a challenge aimed at the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority’s newly formed Task Force on conventions.
The group’s first stated priority is to find ways to become more competitive with other destinations.
In response, Grillo, who is a well-known entrepreneur within the meetings and conventions industry, suggested that the Task Force weigh in with actual customers during the strategic planning period.
Further, he recommended that the process for appointing McPier’s governing board be revisited to include meetings industry owners and customers, stating “As is, no one with a hospitality or hotel facility background is on that board. The grassroots perspective is sorely lacking.”
To emphasize his point, he stated, “If meetings mean business to Chicago, hospitality business people should be at the board table in addition to - or in place of - political appointees.”
The recent cancellation of large Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and the Plastics Industry Shows from Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center has prompted McPier to create the Task Force to develop a plan for rebuilding the city’s convention business.
While Grillo believes “the creation of a Task Force is a good start,” he cautions that such a group implies finding “short term or quick fixes” rather than developing long term solutions.
Known for his “customer-driven” successes, Grillo wants to see the Task Force include a broader perspective, “It would make sense for a diverse mix of convention organizers and suppliers to take on roles within the Task Force.”
In his experience, the best and most realistic solutions come from stakeholders that have witnessed the problems first-hand. “Real business people typically offer real solutions to affect real change.”
Grillo added, “The span of authority in Chicago’s convention and tourism community has blurred over the years, causing a massive blame game. Realistic solutions for complex problems involve someone taking ownership and leading the team for the long-term. After years of skyrocketing costs and other deterrents to convention planners and exhibitors in this city, one thing is clear: the status quo is not working.”
While a shrinking convention roster directly impacts his livelihood, Grillo remains optimistic about the future as an industry advocate.
“We can choose to actively contribute to the success of our industry, or sit on the sidelines trusting that someone else is in charge of managing it. In this case, we sat on the sidelines for too long and we now realize it’s time to get on the field."
Image, Jim Grillo, CEO, HeresChicago.com
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