New York-based CMM Intl. has developed several new initiatives designed to help companies save hundreds to thousands of dollars in exhibition-related costs for the 2003 show, which is set for April 14-17 at Chicago's McCormick Place. More than 28,000 converting professionals from over 70 countries are expected to attend.

The new initiatives address cost-reductions in two key areas: exhibit space and lodging. CMM partnered with Freeman Cos. to create several new options with up to 30 percent savings in several areas:

• Graduated scale on rigger labor to reduce hourly rates;
• Discount pricing of up to 30 percent for all furniture orders received with payment by March 23, 2003;
• Exhibitors or full-time company representatives may vacuum their booth each night—a potential savings of hundreds of dollars over the four-day show;
• New carpet prices that include free padding for booths that are 600-sq-ft or larger—up to a 30 percent savings; and
• Thirty days free storage on crated or skidded advance shipments received by Freeman by March 31, 2003.

CMM also worked with McCormick Place to make available a more simplified plan for exhibitors to order and budget for display-related utilities.

"We recognize that the past 16 months have been tough on everyone in the converting industry, and we want to help CMM exhibitors in every way possible to have as high-quality and worthwhile of a show in 2003 as they have in the past," says Leo Nadolske, vice president of CMM Events. "These options should provide all exhibitors with ample opportunity to reduce their costs associated with being at CMM 2003."

CMM and Expo Travel Inc. also collaborated with Chicago's Palmer House Hilton to secure a special exhibitor rate of $149/night for bookings of five or more nights. This is a significant cost reduction that has not been reflected at other converting/graphic industry shows held in Chicago recently where the same rooms were more than $200.

More info: 212/268-4160, fax: 212/258-4178, www.cmmshow.com