SIM Chicago – Using Technology as an Engine of Opportunity at McCormick Place

Topic:   McCormick Place: Using Technology as an Engine of Opportunity Speaker:   Ellen Barry, Chief Information Officer, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority When:   Thursday, April 15, 2010 11:00am - 2:00pm Where:   The Metropolitan Club, Willis Tower 66th Floor, Michigan Room 233 S Wacker Dr
	SIM Chicago is pleased to present Ellen Barry, Chief Information Officer with the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority. Please join us at the member-only SIM luncheon on April 15th SIM when Ellen will share McCormick Place’s impact on our local economy. In her presentation Ellen will examine how technology, combined with the CIO’s vision, plays a critical role in bringing continued economic prosperity to Chicago. We look forward to seeing you on April 15th.

Additional Details:  

Professional Bio

Ellen Barry is the CIO for the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority. The Authority owns and manages McCormick Place, Navy Pier and the Hyatt McCormick Place Hotel. In addition to traditional responsibilities of a CIO, Ms. Barry has successfully implemented revenue generating initiatives by insourcing the delivery of Internet and Technical Services to Exhibitors, Show Management and Meeting Planners for convention and meeting planning events; installing revenue generating wireless services throughout McCormick Place and Navy Pier which allow for over 8000 concurrent users within the facility; and implementing a gigabit circuit to ‘next generation networks’ including Internet2.

Prior to MPEA, Ellen Barry was part of the Mayor’s effort to re-invent City Government in the area of technology. Ms. Barry held the position of 1st Deputy Chief Information Officer for the City of Chicago. As 1st Deputy CIO, Ms. Barry was responsible for two major outsourcing initiatives, one for desktop support and one for data center operations. Previous to her role as 1st Deputy CIO, Ms. Barry worked with Chicago’s Police Department in numerous IT and Strategic Planning activities including efforts toward implementation of a major Criminal History Records Information System. Prior to coming to the City of Chicago, Ms. Barry worked as an internal consultant for various private sector organizations in strategic IT development, planning and project implementation.

Ms. Barry holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a MBA in Quantitative Methods and Computers from Loyola University. Ellen Barry has been a life-long resident of the City of Chicago.

Ms. Barry was the recipient of the 2003 Excellence in Corporate IT Leadership Award presented by WITI (Women in Technology, International) Chicago Chapter.

Ms. Barry has the following affiliations:

• i.c.stars*, Board Member, Executive Committee Vice Chair, Event Committee Co-Chair
• SIM (Society for Information Management) Board Member, Chicago Chapter Chairman 2007, Chapter President 2006
• Executives’ Club of Chicago Member, Technology Club Member, Judge CIO of the Year 2009 Award
• DePaul University, College of Computing and Digital Media Program, Advisory Council Member
• Mayor’s Council of Technology Advisors, Member
• Chicago Innovation Awards 2009, Judge
• Association of IT Professionals (AITP) Member

Agenda:
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Networking
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Announcements and Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Keynote Speaker and Q&A
2:00 pm – Adjourn

Cost:
$40 per member. Includes lunch and beverages
$50 per *guest. Includes lunch and beverages

*Must be accompanied by a SIM member