Champion Spirit Group - Dance Grand Nationals McCormick Place Chicago

McCormick Place is a famous convention center that is located in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the largest convention centers across North America. The venue was built in 1958, and it opened for the public in November 1960. The total construction cost of the project was $2 billion. The convention center has a seating capacity of 4,250 (Arie Crown Theater) and is owned and operated by MPEA. McCormick Place consists of four interconnected buildings along with one outdoor arena. The venue is best known for hosting many trade shows and meetings. Some of the largest events at the convention center on an annual basis are the International Home and Housewares Show each March, the Chicago Auto Show each February, and the National Restaurant Association Annual Show each May. In the fall of every other year, the International Manufacturing Technology Show takes place.

McCormick Place is named after the publisher of the Chicago Tribune and a prominent member of the McCormick family of McCormick Reaper fame, Robert R. McCormick. He was the one who championed the purpose-built lakeside convention center for Chicago. The convention center's building also includes the Arie Crown Theater, which Edward Durell Stone designed. It was said to be the largest theater in Chicago when it comes to seating capacity.

McCormick Place underwent many major expansions in 1986, 1997, 2007, and 2017. The last expansion resulted in the opening of Wintrust Arena, which hosts the WNBA's Chicago Sky along with DePaul Blue Demons men's and women's college basketball.