ORLANDO – Christie Lites announced plans to open a Chicago office in fall 2014. The move in Chicago follows the company’s recent expansion to a new location in Las Vegas this year, the launch of Christie Lites New York (in Fairview, NJ) and Winnipeg, Canada in 2013 and the launch of the company’s Nashville location in 2012. The new full-service 50,000 square foot warehouse location near Chicago is slated to open in Woodridge, IL. More details will be announced as they develop in late summer 2014.
More details from Christie Lites (www.christielites.com):
This new location in its multi-office rental network marks #14 for this stage lighting and rigging rental company – a number that CEO Huntly Christie considers to be a very auspicious one.
With this addition Christie Lites is adding to an already impressive list of primary locations across North America, including major entertainment centers as Toronto, New York, Orlando and Las Vegas – to name just a few. All locations and contacts are available on the Christie Lites website at www.christielites.com/contact1x.php.
The new 50,000 square foot Woodridge shop will follow the standard model set-up as the rest of its facilities. The design allows space for efficient equipment testing and maintenance, as well as up to eight dedicated show prep bays and ample trailer loading and parking. The location is further enhanced to handle high volume with speed and efficiency by using the most up-to-date automated equipment storage and processing systems for which Christie warehouses are well known throughout the industry.
The same in-house team that has built the company’s locations in Las Vegas, Nashville and New York will set up the Chicago location.
CEO Huntly Christie cites Chicago as an exciting, strategic move for various reasons. “Chicago has the largest convention center in the nation and ranks third for number of conventions held. It is an important business hub and home to 66 Fortune 1000 companies.
“However,” Huntly added, tongue in cheek, “the decision was ultimately based on the deep dish pizza. It is damn good stuff – can’t resist those pies!”
