Marshall Field built the Merchandise Mart as the epicenter for commerce in Chicago. When the building passed ownership to Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., the father of future U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1945, Merchandise Mart Properties extended beyond Chicago and the physicality of the Mart.
Today, under the leadership of Chris Kennedy and the ownership of Vornado Realty Trust, the organization is now referred to as MMPI complete with a new identity representing its mission statement: MMPI is the world’s leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 markets events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year.