2 more shows abandon McCormick Place as a safeguard against coronavirus

National School Boards Association, Salesforce cancellations bring the convention hall’s total of lost bookings to six.

McCormick Place, a major convention center in the city located at 2301 South King Drive.

The National School Boards Association and Salesforce have canceled events scheduled at McCormick Place.

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Two more events have withdrawn from McCormick Place, bringing its roll call of cancellations to six as organizers skip large gatherings because of the coronavirus.

The National School Boards Association scrapped its 2020 convention, scheduled for April 4-6. Salesforce said it is converting its Connections 2020 event, scheduled for May 4-6, to a virtual setting.

Each was expected to draw around 8,000 people to McCormick Place, said a spokeswoman for the convention hall. She said the school boards group was expected to account for about 22,000 room nights at hotels, and the Salesforce event about 11,000.

The largest event to cancel at McCormick Place thus far has been the annual exhibition of the International Housewares Association, which was expected to draw 56,000 people from Saturday through Tuesday.

The Latest
Taking away guns from people served with domestic violence orders of protection would be a lot of work. “There aren’t enough sworn officers to carry out what’s being asked here,” Pritzker said.
Previously struggling to keep its doors open, the Buena Park establishment received a boost from the popular TikToker.
Bagent also said the negative publicity about teammate Caleb Williams leading to the draft has turned out to be “completely false.”
Deputy Sean Grayson has been fired and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Massey, who had called 911 to report a possible prowler. He has pleaded not guilty. The family says the Department of Justice is investigating.
Here’s how Kamala Harris and the Democratic National Convention are embracing Charli XCX’s social media post that sparked a cultural movement.