Coming out of a nearly two-decade-long partnership with a former general show contractor, the Chicago Auto Show made the strategic decision to award the show contractor duties to a few new partners who managed freight, decorating and electrical services for the 2025 Chicago Auto Show with the goal of helping exhibitors operate more efficiently and trimming overhead costs by as much as 20%.

The breakaway departure from the “traditional” show contractor model where one company handled all aspects of the show — including freight, rigging, decorating and electrical — was transformed into a segmented operation. The specific contractor pieces were awarded to three different entities: Event Design Group, Prime Electrical and Exhibition Services, and Absolute Productions. In addition to lowering rates, this strategy provided exhibitors a more “personal touch” as many of the new individuals managing the exhibitor’s business formerly served as exhibit appointed contractors (EACs) for the manufacturing exhibitors.

Director of Auto Show Operations Chris Konecki summarized, “Who better than veteran former EAC personnel would have the ability to instinctively understand and accommodate the needs of our current exhibitors? Having personally been through many of the frustrations that can come from dealing with the former outdated model, our new partner’s approach was refreshing; they better understood our exhibitors’ needs and were more in tune to the timelines facing them.”

“Now that the show is in the rearview mirror, we are confident that we made the right decision with making these changes and are happy with the outcome,” added Konecki. “All new ideas and processes come with some learning, which was certainly the case for us this year, but our intention is to build on those lessons heading into 2026 and beyond.”