How Do Cities Prepare for International Summits?—PICTURES

By National Journal Staff

Updated: May 18, 2012 | 11:29 a.m.
May 18, 2012 | 11:28 a.m.

With Chicago ready for the huge job of hosting the NATO summit this weekend, we look at what it takes for a city to prepare for a top-level international gathering, including a welcome video created by the host committee.

Chicago is the host city for the 2012 NATO summit. This is the first time the summit will be hosted in a U.S. city other than Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

McCormick Place in Chicago will serve as the welcome area for journalists and visitors. Building preparations were still being made as recently as the week before the start of the summit. (2012 Chicago NATO Summit Host Committee)

The McCormick Place chef is tasked with feeding 19,000 VIPs during the NATO summit. Visitors will be able to sample deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, among other host city favorites. Some area restaurants will offer special menus for the occasion. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Dozens of protests occur at each summit. Here, a protester yells at a Chicago police officer during a demonstration outside the federal Immigration Court building on May 15. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

Police dress in riot gear in Chicago in preparation for summit protests. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

To help NATO summit visitors navigate the city, explorechicago.org provided neighborhood maps. (explorechicago.org) (explorechicago.org)

The Chicago NATO Summit Official Host Committee started a Twitter account to keep the community and visitors informed of summit details. Follow the account: @ChicagoNATO (Twitter)

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