Over the past year, Prime Electrical & Exhibition Services (EES) made the most of an opportunity created by work-rule changes for tradeshows at McCormick Place and Navy Pier.
These changes enabled Prime EES to not only provide expert electrical, plumbing and rigging services, but through labor management and aggressive price points, Prime EES is also providing tailored, cost-savings solutions that are positioning Chicago as a reemerging hot spot for tradeshows and meetings.
“Our goal is to offer unmatched customer service and experienced expertise that leaves our clients feeling happy,” said Charlie Nicosia, co-founder and managing partner, Prime EES. “We’re excited to bring business back to the Chicago market, knowing we have so much to offer here.”
The outcome of these work-rule changes brokered by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel with McCormick Place unions meant that exhibitors could set up their own booths with simple tools, drive and unload their own trucks at the convention center, and use a two-person union crew rather than the previous three-person minimum. These changes have led to shows, such as the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo, signing with Chicago.
Prime EES was conceived in 2011 when these work-rule changes created opportunities to service the meeting and tradeshow industry at McCormick Place and Navy Pier.
“It’s not just about the savings,” said Tony Abruscato, director, Chicago Flower & Garden Show. “Prime EES’s level of customer service was better than any contractor I’ve ever worked with. You know this is true when exhibitors—who generally talk about attendance and their own personal success at a tradeshow—make it a point to comment on how pleased they were with the electrical contractor!”
So far this year, Prime EES has worked about a dozen shows, including The Black Women’s Expo (April 4-7), the Chicago Flower & Garden Show (March 9-17) and the National Chocolate & Dessert Show (Oct. 20-22).
“A lot of our vendors don’t know until 30 days prior what their electrical needs will be,” said Merry Green, president and CEO, The Black Women’s Expo. “The people at Prime let them come in at the last minute and still worked with them to get the job done. That’s a level of service I’ve simply never seen.”
Other 2013 tradeshows for Prime EES:
- Chicago DUB Show (June 21-22)
- Salesforce Customer Company Tour (April 15-18)
- Pepsi Conference (July 19-25)
- Midwest Clinic (Dec. 18-21)
- Chicago Business Opportunity Fair (April 17-18)
- Chicago Fine Chocolate & Dessert Show (Oct. 18-20)
- Chicago Toy & Game Fair (Nov. 22-24)
- Midwest MBA Career Fair (Sept. 27)
For more information on Prime EES, visit www.primeees.com.
