Inspired by longtime McCormick Place greeter, app aims to give visitors memorable experience

As we worked with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority to develop an app for McCormick Square visitors, we kept the launch of the app the front of mind. While we knew launching a first-of-its-kind app would generate some media buzz, our years of experience told us we needed to add something more to give the app a personality media outlets couldn’t ignore. Enter Marty Mullarkey, Guest Information Manager at McCormick Place and a “mascot” for the campus. By leveraging Marty's engaging personality and world-class concierge knowledge, Hawthorne helped McCormick Square secure an extensive story in the Chicago Tribune that previewed the impressive functionality of the McCormick Square app and the value of an in-hand, virtual guide to Chicago's newest neighborhood for campus visitors and locals alike. The story was also picked up by the Associated Press.