Choose Chicago

Choose Chicago, tourism and convention promotion for the city

Choose Chicago is the official tourism and convention organization for Chicago. Its activity focuses on attracting meetings, events, and leisure travelers to the city, as well as promoting the Chicago brand as a global destination. The entity states that the city has been voted the best big city in the United States for nine consecutive years.

Areas of activity

The organization structures its work in two main areas: tourism promotion and attracting meetings and conventions. In the tourism area, it offers guides and information on attractions, neighborhoods, culture, dining, events, and accommodation and transportation options. In the meetings area, it provides resources for event planners, such as searching for hotels, venues, and vendors, and the possibility to submit requests for proposals (RFPs).

Visitor resources

Choose Chicago's website provides visitors with tools to plan their trip: hotel, flight, package, and activity search; a guide to getting to and around the city; accessibility information; and a volunteer greeter service called Chicago Greeter. It also offers a visitors guide and a newsletter, as well as an updated events calendar.

Featured events and programs

Among the initiatives it promotes are the Chicago Gourmet food festival, the Route 66 centennial celebration, the fall culture program, and a selection of free activities. The organization also highlights that Chicago has been the host city for the James Beard Awards for more than a decade. It also promotes the "All for the Love of Chicago" initiative, which invites residents and visitors to share their stories about the city.

Neighborhoods and local culture

Choose Chicago dedicates a section to the city's neighborhoods, presenting them as a mosaic with their own personality and history. It also offers specific content on Black, Asian, and Hispanic and Latino culture in Chicago, as well as guides on architecture, history, music, theater, sports, and shopping.

Services for industry professionals

For the meetings sector, the organization offers resources such as the Meeting Professionals Guide, information on what's new in the city, access to McCormick Place and its campus, Wintrust Arena, and the possibility to contact the sales team. It also has a strategic partners program and the Chicago Sports Commission.

Structure and governance

Choose Chicago has a board of directors and several internal teams, including Executive Office, Client Services, Inclusive Tourism and Community Engagement, Marketing, Tourism and Global Development, Communications and Content, Meeting and Convention Sales, Events and Partnerships, Operations, and Public Policy and Community Affairs. The entity publishes annual reports and strategic plans, and has its own foundation that awards scholarships.

Location and contact

301 E. Cermak Rd. Chicago, IL 60616 · Phone: (312) 567-8500