In 2001, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which owns and manages both McCormick Place and Navy Pier, recognized an ever increasing need for space within McCormick Place. A proposed a 2.5 million square foot expansion was approved by the Illinois Legislature the same year.

 

The McCormick Place West expansion project, which aimed to add 460,000 square feet of exhibit space; 250,000 square feet of meeting space; and one of the world's largest ballrooms, was contracted out to Mc4West as the design/build team. Because of the sheer size of the project, multiple companies partnered up to make sure the project could be completed on time and within budget. Gary Schalmo of Clark Construction and Director of Mc4West, approached Maron Electric Company to work jointly with Divane Bros. Electric Co. to design all the electrical

systems within the new McCormick Place West facility.