Choose Chicago

Choose Chicago
Name	Choose Chicago
Type	Nonprofit tourism and economic development organization
Founded	2012
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois
Region served	Chicago metropolitan area
Leader title	President & CEO
Leader name	Lynn Osmond
Website	(not displayed)

Choose Chicago is the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the City of Chicago and the Chicagoland region. It promotes convention bookings, leisure tourism, film production, meetings, and travel trade while coordinating with local institutions such as the McCormick Place complex, O'Hare International Airport, and the Chicago Department of Aviation. The organization works alongside civic actors including the City of Chicago, Cook County, and regional development bodies such as Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and World Business Chicago.

History

Choose Chicago was formed through a rebranding and consolidation effort linked to predecessor organizations that included the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and private promotion groups tied to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration. Its origins trace to initiatives following national events such as the 2008 United States presidential election and municipal priorities established under Mayor Richard M. Daley and later administrations. The organization’s timeline intersects with large projects at McCormick Place, investments connected to Navy Pier revitalization, and bids for international events like the 2016 Republican National Convention and outreach for trade delegations to partners such as Visit Britain and Destination Canada. During its evolution, Choose Chicago adapted to crises reflected in responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, coordination with the Illinois Department of Public Health, and recovery efforts mirroring strategies used by peers like NYC & Company and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

Organization and Governance

The organization is structured as a public-private partnership with a board that includes representatives from City of Chicago leadership, hospitality executives from groups such as Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Hilton Worldwide, and Kemper Corporation, and cultural institution leaders from Art Institute of Chicago and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association. Its governance draws on municipal contracting standards that reference ordinances from the Chicago City Council and oversight from the Office of Budget and Management (Chicago). Executive management has included figures with backgrounds at entities such as Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, Meeting Professionals International, and corporate partners like United Airlines and American Airlines. Legal and auditing relationships have involved firms like Baker Tilly and connections to state-level economic agencies including the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Marketing and Programs

Choose Chicago operates marketing campaigns across domestic markets and international gateways including London, Paris, Tokyo, Toronto, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo. Its programming spans meetings sales targeting associations such as the American Medical Association, entertainment production outreach with groups like Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and festivals coordination with institutions like Lollapalooza, Chicago Marathon, and Taste of Chicago. The organization runs film and television incentive promotion in cooperation with Film Chicago and studios including Netflix, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures, and develops trade partnerships with U.S. Travel Association, Meeting Professionals International, and the International Congress and Convention Association. Marketing channels have included cross-promotions with airlines such as Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines and campaigns synced with cultural venues like Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, and Museum of Science and Industry.

Economic Impact and Metrics

Choose Chicago reports metrics on visitor spending, room nights, and convention economic impact, often benchmarking against results from organizations such as Tourism Economics and studies conducted by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Its analyses reference impacts on lodging tax collections administered through the Cook County Office of the Treasurer and measure job support in sectors represented by Illinois Restaurant Association and Greater Chicago Food Depository. Data also inform negotiations with major venues like Navy Pier and United Center and feed into municipal budgeting handled by the Chicago Department of Finance. Impact assessments have been compared to economic outcomes in peer cities including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding streams combine municipal appropriations from the City of Chicago and revenue from membership dues, private sponsorships from corporations such as Aon Corporation and Comcast, and earned income through services to conventions tied to McCormick Place. Strategic partnerships include collaborations with the Illinois Office of Tourism, World Travel & Tourism Council, and international consortia such as Meetings Mean Business. Philanthropic and foundation partners have included entities like the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for cultural promotions and workforce programs coordinated with Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. Financial oversight and grant compliance align with standards used by institutions including the MacArthur Foundation and accounting practices common to Ernst & Young engagements.

Controversies and Criticisms

Critiques of the organization have addressed public subsidy levels and incentive structures similar to debates around film tax credits in Illinois General Assembly deliberations and subsidy controversies seen in other cities like Atlanta. Transparency and procurement practices have been scrutinized in contexts involving municipal contracting policies of the Chicago City Council and audit reviews akin to examinations by the Illinois Auditor General. Media coverage in outlets such as the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business, and Chicago Sun-Times has debated tradeoffs between tourism promotion and investments in neighborhoods represented by aldermen in the Chicago City Council. Other criticisms have touched on labor relations with unions including UNITE HERE and event labor disputes paralleling cases in cities like Las Vegas and New Orleans.

Category:Tourism in Chicago Category:Organizations based in Chicago Category:Convention and visitors bureaus