What not to wear during the NATO summit
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By Ryan Ori May 08, 2012
(Updated 1:57 p.m.)


(Crain's) — Downtown workers may experience casual Friday and casual Monday later this month when the NATO summit arrives.


Workers at some Chicago office towers are being encouraged to dress down to avoid being targeted by protesters during the meeting of world leaders May 20 and 21. Safety procedures in some high-rises include the recommendation that employees set aside suits, ties and anything with corporate logos.


Tenants in the office building at 1 E. Wacker Drive received a memo encouraging them to stay away from wearing suits, urging workers to "look like a protester." A spokeswoman for Los Angeles-based CBRE Inc., which manages the building, initially declined to comment about NATO security measures. After this story was published, she denied that CBRE has recommended that workers change their dress because of the summit.

At 1 S. Wacker Drive, tenants are being urged to "dress down" in order to blend with protesters, and also cautioned against wearing items or carrying bags with corporate logos. That is one of 25 downtown properties managed by Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.


Mark Anderson, director of security for the Chicago-based firm, said it is not making tenants' dress codes a point of emphasis.


"Some of the tenants have discussed it," Mr. Anderson said. "It really comes down to their comfort level. There's no data out there to substantiate somebody being targeted or hassled because of their affiliation with their firm or their occupation."


Related: Greg Hinz on Politics: Adler, Shedd told late that they'd be closed during NATO


It remains to be seen whether executives for Chicago's leading companies will show up for work unshaven and wearing shorts and flip-flops, but the warning shows that building management and security staffs see the need for caution before, during and after the summit.


While some workplaces may dress down, others will shut down entirely amid the threat of potential protests and violence during the summit. At least two banks are closing downtown branches on that Friday and Monday, and others are considering doing so.


Chicago-based BMO Harris Bank will close three of its 30 downtown branches on those days, a spokesman confirmed. Those branches are at 111 W. Monroe St., 141 W. Jackson Blvd. and 99 W. Washington St.


"The branches we are planning to temporarily close are located in areas where demonstrations could take place, so we wanted to help ensure the safety of our employees, customers and assets," the spokesman said in an email. "We have several other branches in the immediate downtown area that will be open during this time.


"The safety of our employees, customers and business partners were key parts of our decision."


Citing security concerns, the Harris Bank spokesman declined to specify other steps the branches may take. But most downtown commercial buildings are expected to have extra security personnel and board-up crews on standby.


PNC Bank will close one of its 38 downtown branches May 18 to May 21, according to a spokesman for Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group Inc. The branch at 333 S. State St. will be shut down during that time because it is on DePaul University's Loop campus, which also will be closed during the summit, the spokesman said.


Spokeswomen for Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America N.A. and Chicago-based PrivateBank & Trust Co. said determinations have yet to be made on potential downtown closures.


A spokeswoman for New York-based J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. said that "we are planning on business as usual" for downtown branches. A spokeswoman for Chicago-based MB Financial Inc. said the bank will remain open with added security in place.


Last week the U.S. Postal Service announced it would maintain regular delivery, collection, process and retail operations "to the fullest extent possible" but lists more than 60 street collection boxes that will be removed from downtown from May 13 to May 23.


The Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago has provided recommendations to its more than 260 member buildings downtown.

They include securing items such as Dumpsters and garbage cans, preparing for delays in deliveries and informing employees of transportation slowdowns that could delay arrival times to work.


BOMA Chicago's executive vice president, Michael Cornicelli, said he's heard of few businesses planning to shut down entirely, although some people may work from home. Access to buildings is likely to be much more tightly controlled.


"You'll see more security in buildings," Mr. Cornicelli said. "There will be increased number and visibility of private security. Every building that I've talked to is doing that."


Mr. Cornicelli urged people to be observant and cautious and to steer clear of potential confrontations. But he downplayed the idea of workers camouflaging themselves.


"I don't think the dress thing is going to matter much," he said. "You'd have to go quite a way to blend in with the people participating in the demonstrations.


"I wear a suit every day. It's my uniform. I've walked through the Occupy Chicago protests and they've never bothered me."


Note: This story been updated to include CBRE Inc.'s comment.



Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120508/NEWS07/120509808/what-not-to-wear-during-the-nato-summit#ixzz1uJ8wt5FA
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dogma wrote:Should be fun, last time around the reaction from business people to the OWS protests were more entertaining than the OWS protests themselves.

juraigamer wrote:I see old men in Hawaiian shirts walking to work on the horizon.

Grakmar wrote:
Downtown is the much more obvious location, as that's where all the major businesses are. But, that won't really disrupt the summit at all. But, college kids care more about getting on TV than whatever it is they are pretending to actually care about.

Frazzled wrote:So the protesters are not allowed near where its being held or such?

Frazzled wrote:So the protesters are not allowed near where its being held or such?

dogma wrote:

Frazzled wrote:So the protesters are not allowed near where its being held or such?

The city has been accepting permits for some time, but has been fairly careful to prevent marches and demonstrations near to McCormick. They've even started retroactively diverting approved march routes away from the Loop.

Really that's a not a surprise though, considering the guest list for the event.

Frazzled wrote:
Ah starting to get it now. The meeting must actually be at this McCormick. It doesn't help that that makes me instantly think of steak.