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A Note from the Interim President and CEO
Dear Partners,
What an exciting time in Chicago! It’s spring, the weather is getting warmer, and we have so many updates to share.
Just two weeks ago, Choose Chicago officially launched “The 77: A City of Neighborhoods,” our new local travel series profiling five beautiful and culturally diverse communities across the city. Thank you to all who attended our premiere event at CIBC Theatre. Kudos to the Choose Chicago Neighborhood Strategy team for their leadership on this project and to our partners in the neighborhood chambers of commerce, community-based organizations, and local businesses who came together to share their stories and make the series truly special.
Last week we welcomed Expo Chicago back to Navy Pier for another incredible event showcasing our amazing local arts and culture community. Choose Chicago hosted a reception with our partners at the City and Expo Chicago to welcome global media and art professionals last Thursday evening.
In just under three weeks, our team will be headed to Los Angeles for U.S. Travel’s IPW 2024 to lay the groundwork for next June, when we will once again host the largest inbound travel trade show in the country. Choose Chicago will be co-leading a delegation of local partners to IPW 2024 to show off all that our city and state have to offer leisure and business travelers from every corner of the world. Don’t forget to RSVP for our IPW 2025 Partner Engagement Webinar on May 16! (Read on for more details.)
We are thrilled to welcome a new edition to Chicago’s already deep and dynamic lineup of film events—Sundance Institute x Chicago 2024. The high-profile event will include workshops for emerging local filmmakers, screenings, and speaking programs at venues across the city. You can find more details as they become available at our website.
In a final note, I just want to give a shout out to two new exciting additions to Chicago’s professional sports community: the Chicago Sky drafted Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Congratulations and welcome to both these incredible athletes! Can’t wait to see them on the court at Wintrust.
As always, more updates to come next month. Read on below for more info on upcoming events.
Sincerely,
Rich Gamble
Interim President & CEO
Choose Chicago
Welcome New Partners
- Association Project Team
- Beer Culture Center
- Creative Consulting Specialists, Inc.
- Gemini Grill
- Hawksmoor Chicago
- Industry Ales Brewpub
- Kaiser Tiger
- Leading Authorities
- PCXP Event Agency
- Reliable Chauffeur Inc.
- The Revival
- Urban Transformation Network at Metro Farms
- WNDR Museum
Sales and Services Update
Choose Chicago closed out Q1 well ahead of two key performance indicators:
- The Sales team reached 119% of its definite room night goal, representing 81% year-over-year growth for Q1 production.
- The team also hit 141% of its lead room night goal, representing 38% year-over-year growth.
The team will be engaging current clients and potential customers throughout this month in multiple events:
- Choose Chicago’s Sales team attended Business Events Industry Week (BEIW) in Washington, DC to participate in education and networking with various industry organizations such as PCMA and IAEE.
- The team will be hosting Client Appreciation Days in Chicago (April 15) and DC (April 22) to give thanks to our incredible customers who continue to support us by hosting their conventions and shows in Chicago
Recent and Upcoming Shows and Events at McCormick Place
Recent Media Highlights
- New York Times | The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago Right Now
- Bon Appétit | The Best Hot Dogs in Chicago
- Worcester Living | Looping the Loop (page 39)
- Wanderlust | Raising the Roof in Chicago (page 131)
- Men’s Journal | 50 Best Vacations in the U.S. to Explore America’s Adventure Capitals
- Food and Wine | 10 Top US Cities for Food and Drinks, According to the Experts
- WGN TV | “The 77: A City of Neighborhoods” Docuseries
- FOX32 | Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods share spotlight in new travel series
- Crain’s Chicago Business | Commentary: Chicago’s meeting prowess is second to none (Op-ed by Rich Gamble and Larita Clark)
- Chicago Sun-Times | Sundance Institute bringing inaugural film event to Chicago
- Block Club Chicago | Sundance Institute Bringing New Film Festival To Chicago This Summer
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
Voting is now open for the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. Vote for Best Big City, Best Airport, Best Hotel, and more at this link.
How to vote:
- Select the “cities” category
- Type “Chicago” in the text box for “search for a city you’ve been to”
- Complete the survey about your Chicago experience!
Kendall College Service Conference
Register here to attend the 2024 Kendall College Future of Service conference and explore the many facets of the service experience and what current trends mean for the future of hospitality.
IPW Corner
What is IPW?
IPW 2025 Partner Engagement Webinar
Thursday, May 16 | 10 – 11am.
RSVP here
This webinar will include a general overview of IPW and its immediate and long-term impacts on Chicago’s visitor economy as well as discussion of opportunities to join Choose Chicago as a booth/aisle partner, sponsorship programs and activations, and volunteer needs.
DNC Corner
Some action items to consider from DNC Chicago Host Committee Executive Director, Christy George, to ensure we are collectively projecting a positive image for our city this August:
- Consider beautification of storefronts and public spaces in or near your businesses (e.g., window displays, adding planters with blue flowers)
- Post signage welcoming DNC delegates in your businesses
- Ensure that your business licenses are up to date and keep in mind official capacity guidelines when booking events during the convention week
- Make sure your businesses are registered in the DNC vendor portal
- Sign up to volunteer! The DNC needs 12k volunteers and more than 9k individuals have expressed interest so far
