McCormick Place Drops OVG from Venue Management Deal

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) board of directors has decided to take back the management of Chicago’s McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America. The Oak View Group (OVG) will continue to manage the facility’s food and beverage.

“We are grateful for the collaboration with OVG over the course of our partnership,” said Larita Clark, CEO of MPEA, in a statement. “Looking ahead, we believe that in-house management will allow us to be a better partner to our clients and also deliver on our mission to generate economic opportunities for our city and state.”

From its opening in 1960 through 2011, McCormick Place was managed in-house. In 2011, MPEA outsourced management of the convention center to SMG, which later merged with AEG Facilities to form ASM Global in February 2019. In 2023, following a competitive bid process, OVG was awarded the venue management and food services contracts.

“We support the move of MPEA to self-management,” said Greg O’Dell, president of OVG360. 

This transition will have no impact on currently planned events, according to MPEA. Most McCormick Place employees will transition to become MPEA employees.

The announcement comes just days after the OVG secured a 10-year deal as the food and beverage partner of the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, representing OVG's first F&B deal with an NFL franchise. Allegiant Stadium will continue to be managed by OVG's rivals, ASM Global.

More Changes Expected in Chicago

Choose Chicago, the city’s sales and marketing organization, is still without a permanent president and CEO since CEO Lynn Osmond unexpectedly stepped down on January 31, 2024.

Rich Gamble, who currently serves on the Choose Chicago board of directors as chair of the nominating committee and as a member of the executive committee, is serving in the interim role as the search for a permanent CEO is underway.