The National Confectioners Association has agreed to move its Sweets & Snack Expo to earlier dates next May at McCormick Place to avoid overlap with the NATO and G8 summits coming to town.
The candy show is the second show to rearrange its timing. The National Restaurant Association agreed to move its dates after negotiating a one-time financial package worth about $2 million, including some noncash items, such as marketing assistance.
The Sweets & Snacks Expo declined to disclose whether its new agreement included financial assistance, but a spokeswoman said convention officials recognized the show might lose some exhibitors because of the change in dates, from May 22-24 to May 8-10.The association considered moving its 2012 show to another city, possibly Las Vegas or Orlando, Fla., after its members grew concerned that security surrounding the global summits could cause logistical problems for candy show attendees.
A source close to the deal said the city's convention bureau offered incentives worth about $500,000 to keep the show here.
Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau officials declined to disclose any details of the agreement, but a spokeswoman characterized it as a "modest investment to protect a dedicated and loyal customer."
The move was aimed at ensuring "the best experience for exhibitors and attendees — smooth transportation throughout downtown, (and) access to their favorite restaurants and venues," bureau spokeswoman Meghan Risch said in a statement.
As it has before, the candy show will overlap one day with the restaurant show, which will run May 5-8. The restaurant show draws about 60,000 attendees; the candy show brings about 14,000.
"Chicago has welcomed our annual Expo since its inception 15 years ago, so it is no surprise that city officials, along with leadership at McCormick Place, have gone above and beyond, and together we decided on a mutually acceptable alternative," association President Larry Graham said in a statement.
