In Short
The exhibit hall is bare to the rafters, and for shows like the Chicago O'Hare Antiques show, sponsors don't even bother to throw down any carpeting. But you don't go here for decor. You go to buy and see stuff. The center draws some of the area's biggest consumer shows, like the Gem and Jewelry Show and the Midwest Boat Show. Occasionally it pulls in monster exhibitions, like the 1998 National Sports Card Collectors show. It also brings in smaller shows, like Chicago Comicon, featuring comic books, artwork and comic book artists signing autographs and talking about their work.