Maker Faire Chicago Set to Launch in the Windy City
January 24, 2017
Make: and Reed Exhibitions are partnering up to launch Maker Faire Chicago 2017. Set for April 22-23 at McCormick Place, the two-day, family-friendly event will be collocated with the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2).
Co-founded in 2006 by Maker Media, Maker Faire festivals gather together tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors to celebrate innovation, creativity and hands-on collaboration across the spectrum of science, engineering, art, performance and craft.
Upon its debut, Maker Faire Chicago will take its place as the third flagship Maker Faire, alongside the New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area Faires.
Approximately 20,000-25,000 attendees and 300-400 “Makers” (i.e., exhibitors) are expected to converge from around the Midwest and beyond for the inaugural Chicago Faire, according to show officials.
“We have known that Chicago supports a growing maker community and we have wanted to organize Maker Faire Chicago to reflect the extent and diversity of making in Chicago,” said Dale Dougherty, founder and CEO of Maker Media, which co-founded Maker Faire in 2006.
He added, “We are excited to partner with Reed Exhibitions to bring Maker Faire to Chicago at McCormick Place, co-located with C2E2.”
Last year, the 11th annual Maker Faire Bay Area at the San Mateo Event Center drew in 150,000 attendees and 1,300 exhibitors, while the 7th annual World Maker Faire at the New York Hall of Science in New York City drew in 95,000 attendees and 950 exhibitors to both indoor and outdoor event spaces.
From DIY experts to complete beginners, Maker Faire attendees of all ages can expect plenty of creative inspiration and opportunities to find something to learn about, build or make.
As creative, hands-on events for makers of all ages, ranging from DIY experts to complete beginners, Maker Faire Chicago attendees can look forward to finding something fun and inspiring to learn about, build or make.
“Reed Exhibitions is excited to partner with Make: to launch a flagship Maker Faire alongside C2E2,” said Nancy Walsh, president of Reed Exhibitions North America.
She added, “Make: is a respected brand and a leader in the Maker Movement, and we believe that this launch will open up many opportunities for the future growth of both events, continuing to bring a one-of-a-kind event weekend to the city of Chicago.”
In 2016, Maker Faire celebrated 192 Faires in 38 countries across the globe, including Tokyo, Rome, Oslo, Berlin, Paris and Singapore, and in U.S. cities including Atlanta, Detroit, Kansas City, Orlando, Pittsburgh and San Diego.
Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be.
Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024.
To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages.
Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions.
In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage.
Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.
Add new comment