Cobo Center Reforms Work Rules Responding to convention organizers' complaints about high labor costs and restrictive work rules at Detroit's Cobo Conference & Exhibition Center, the city has announced major changes. The new rules allow for more flexibility in labor shifts, and permit exhibitors to do more work on their own.

The work rule changes were developed by a task force composed of city, CVB, and labor union leaders, as well as representatives from major association clients. If the changes had not been made, "We probably would have sought other venues," says Joan Press, manager, operations group, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Dearborn, Mich., and a task force member. "Now, we will continue to support the center and the city."

Next, Detroit will try to win back the conventions it had already lost due to the old work rules.