NATO Summit 2012 in Chicago

Steadfast is proud that the official Chicago NATO Summit 2012 site, ChicagoNATO.org, has made its home on our network. Leaders from around the world are gathering in Chicago this weekend for the NATO Summit 2012. NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an alliance made up of 28 countries including the US, Canada, France, the UK, Germany and Spain. NATO has served as an international peacekeeping force whose mission is to defend and enforce member nations' sovereignty. Holding the 2012 summit in Chicago has proven to be a challenge, but a welcome one for our city. Stepping up security, bringing outside law enforcement in to bolster our own and constant communication with the public has shown to be vital in preparing people for the impact the NATO Summit will have. Street closures, enhanced security procedures and an increased visible police presence are only a few of the obvious changes to our everyday lives brought about by the summit. Expected visitors include:

• Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan
• Mr. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
• Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council
• Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan
• Mr. David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations
• Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America
• And many, many more.

Steadfast operates one of its data centers out of 350 E Cermak which is mere blocks from the McCormick Place Convention Center, home of the 2012 NATO Summit. As a result we've had to adjust to the increased security and our customers have too. With so many foreign dignitaries and heads of state in town the need for securing the surrounding area is paramount and that's being felt by everyone in the area. Still, the NATO Summit is bringing a lot of publicity and press to Chicago which, in addition to our burgeoning local technology scene is now seen as a destination for increased international business.