FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts:
Isaac Reichman, ireichman@choosechicago.com, (312) 805-9586
Stephen Crano, scrano@choosechicago.com, (312) 567-8505
Michelle Gonzalez, mgonzalez@choosechicago.com, (312) 259-5708
The event included an overview of Choose Chicago’s key projects and initiatives in the last year, a Q&A session with Mayor Johnson, the release of 2023 visitation and economic impact numbers, and an original performance by world-renowned Chicago house and blues artists
CHICAGO, IL (June 6, 2024) – Choose Chicago held its highly anticipated Annual Meeting yesterday, celebrating the organization’s achievements in 2023 and setting the stage for Chicago’s next act, the theme of the meeting. The event, hosted at the historic Auditorium Theatre, brought together key industry partners, civic officials, media, and community leaders. The meeting included a Q&A with Mayor Brandon Johnson, the announcement of the 2023 official estimated visitation and economic impact figures, presentation of awards for outstanding contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry, and recognition of recipients of Choose Chicago Foundation scholarships.
“This city’s unmatched hospitality, vibrant cultural scene, and strategic initiatives led by Choose Chicago have propelled us to new heights as a destination, especially if you look at the array of world-class events we are hosting this summer” said Choose Chicago Board Chair Glenn Eden. “As we look forward to all that lays ahead of us in 2024 and the coming years, we are dedicated to ensuring Chicago remains top-of-mind for families and individuals planning their next vacation, for meeting planners looking for venues for their next big events, and travelers from every corner of the world looking for an urban destination with boundless culture and incredible natural beauty.”
Choose Chicago announced that Chicago welcomed nearly 52 million domestic and international visitors in 2023, an increase of 3.3 million from the previous year. This increase in tourism contributed to an estimated $19.2 billion in economic impact, 8% higher than 2022, and generated an estimated $2.65 billion in state and local taxes, up 11% from 2022 – both indicators surpassing 2019 levels. International visitation, a key focus of Choose Chicago, increased by 27% year-over-year to 1.8 million. Chicago’s hotels saw an impressive 11 million occupied rooms – 10% more than 2022 – marking another significant recovery year for the city’s hospitality sector.
“These numbers highlight the incredible progress we’ve made in the past year,” said Choose Chicago Interim President and CEO Rich Gamble, “and we owe this success to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team and partners. Chicago is a premier destination for global travelers for so many reasons—our lakefront, beautiful neighborhoods, world class architecture, dining, and cultural institutions. I look forward to continuing to welcome the world to my home.”
The Annual Meeting celebrated the achievements of key industry partners and future leaders. Rich Gamble presented the Tourism Ambassador Awards to three exceptional recipients:
- Little Village for their dedication to preserving the cultural heritage and driving economic development in the Little Village neighborhood. Honorees:
- Jennifer Aguilar – Executive Director of Little Village Chamber of Commerce
- Kim Close – Executive Director of The Foundation of Little Village
- Elena Duran – Secretary of SSA #25
- Peter Eelman for his leadership in organizing the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) and his contributions to the community. Honoree:
- Peter Eelman – Chief Experience Officer of Association of Manufacturing Technology (AMT), and Head of the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS)
- The Bear, the hit TV show on Hulu, for its role in showcasing Chicago’s culinary scene to a global audience. Honorees:
- Christopher Storer – Producer of Hulu’s The Bear
- Chris Zucchero – Owner of Mr. Beef
- Donnie Madia – Partner and Restaurateur at One Off Hospitality
The Choose Chicago Foundation awarded scholarships to promising students who represent the future of the hospitality and tourism industry. This year’s scholarship recipients included:
- Jim Reilly Reformer Scholarship: Chaitanya Kumar Vepareddygari (Governor’s State University) and Jermal Ray (Illinois Institute of Technology)
- Bill Williams Trailblazer Scholarship: Mikayla Butler (Kenwood Academy) and Nathan Deloach (Walter Payton College Prep)
- Future Leader Award: Marta Cyran (Roosevelt University) and Atlas Babcock (School of the Art Institute of Chicago)
Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the importance of tourism and hospitality to the city’s economy and community. “As we prepare to host the Democratic National Convention, NASCAR, Lollapalooza, and so many other major events, we look forward to showcasing Chicago’s unmatched hospitality on a global stage,” said Johnson.
Choose Chicago’s Vice Chair and President and CEO of Navy Pier, Marilynn Gardner, highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to innovation and community engagement: “We are excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead to make Chicago an even more attractive destination for visitors from around the world. Our attractions, amenities, and culinary and cultural experiences are truly second to none.”
The Annual Meeting concluded with a celebratory performance by legendary house music DJs Chip E. and Lori Branch, joined by blues musicians Billy Branch and Wayne Baker Brooks, underscoring the vibrant cultural scene that makes Chicago a top destination and celebrating the 40th anniversary of house music.
For more details on Choose Chicago’s Annual Report and to view the full list of award recipients and scholarship winners, please visit Choose Chicago’s website.
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About Choose Chicago: Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and meetings destination, leveraging the city’s unmatched assets to ensure the economic vitality of the city, its residents and our partner business community. Follow @choosechicago on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X/Twitter. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.
