hospitality and tourism summit chicago 2023

Insights from the 23rd Annual Hospitality and Tourism Summit Chicago

Tim O'Malley welcomes attendees to 2024 Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago

The 23rd annual Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago (HTSC), an industry conference hosted by Ateema Media & Marketing and featuring a tradeshow, educational sessions and networking opportunities, returned to Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom April 30.  

The one-day event was presented by Illinois Office of Tourism and drew a crowd of more than 1,300 meeting and event planners, concierges, hotel salespeople, social media influencers, business representatives and industry professionals from across the Midwest.

This year’s HTSC kicked off with educational sessions discussing industry trends, insights and marketing tips. One panel discussion presented by Choose Chicago addressed “The State of Hospitality, Events and Tourism in Chicago” and featured Choose Chicago Interim CEO Rich Gamble, Illinois Office of Tourism’s Deputy Director Daniel Thomas, Navy Pier CEO Marilynn Gardner and Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Michael Jacobson.

The event showcased 120 exhibitors from across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods, including Big Bus Tours, FlyOver Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Navy Pier, Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago and The Second City. More than 40 booths on the tradeshow floor gave attendees a taste of Chicago’s food and beverage scene and featured a NASCAR activation.  

The Summit’s net promoter score based on post-event surveys from both exhibitors and attendees was "excellent." After attending HTSC, 8% of planners said they booked business with a vendor or venue they met at the Summit and 81% of planners said they hadn't booked business yet but planned to book with venues or vendors they connected with at HTSC.

Read on for some behind-the-scenes intel on HTSC from Ateema Media & Marketing’s CEO Tim O’Malley, who has produced the event for the past 23 years, as well as a Q&A with Choose Chicago’s Gamble.

[Related: Chicago Is Making a Comeback. How the City Is Set Up for Meetings and Events Success ]

Behind the Scenes of Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago

When O’Malley founded Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago in 2002, he started with just 20 exhibitors. At the time, Ateema Media & Marketing was heavily focused on tourism, but over the past two decades both the company and HTSC have broadened their scopes and grown.  

“Now, it’s open to basically any type of business that touches tourism and the experience that someone coming to visit Chicago for events might have,” O’Malley said. “We have lots of restaurants, lots of event venues, event service providers, catering companies, show services. We have CVBs from around the state, which are great for helping planners find unique venues that are away from maybe where their headquarters are downtown.

“There are resources for entertainment, theaters, lots of interesting venues and attractions that also do group events, opportunities for nightlife, transportation companies,” he continued. “There are all the things that you would expect in a big city and more.”

The conveniency of being able to experience so many of Chicago’s group offerings in one place, as well as the business opportunities HTSC presents for exhibitors, has helped the Summit’s popularity increase over time. The 2018 Summit saw about 1,700 attendees, and while HTSC hasn’t yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, O’Malley said “it’s coming back strong.”

“We were the first tradeshow in Chicago after Covid,” he said. “2024 is three years back, and the Summit has been growing year-after-year. We’ve doubled—maybe tripled—the amount of education that we have. Based upon insight from past surveys, we’ve really focused on increasing their value while keeping them brief, so they’re all 25-minute sessions. And we’re now also doing a happy hour for the last hour-and-a-half of the show with entertainment and bars to allow more time for casual connections.

“We are really trying to make it easy for meeting and event planners to come [to HTSC] and find a bunch of resources,” O’Malley added. “Hopefully, they see a business they’re interested in, talk to one of the principals, find out what their offerings are and start a relationship versus having to blindly search the internet to find solutions for all the different needs they have as meeting planners.”

[Related: Chicago’s Meetings and Events Industry Thrives With Local Partnerships ]

A Q&A With Choose Chicago Interim CEO Rich Gamble

Overall, what was this year's Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago like for Choose Chicago?

This year's Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago was an exceptional event for Choose Chicago. It provided a platform for us to engage with industry leaders, share insights and showcase the vibrancy of our city's hospitality and tourism sector. The summit underscored our commitment to driving innovation, fostering collaboration and promoting Chicago as a premier destination for both leisure and business travelers.

What successes did Choose Chicago see a result of exhibiting at HTSC?

Our presence at the summit was an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships within the local tourism, hospitality and attractions sectors. Events like HTSC are critical contributors to the continued growth and success of Chicago's hospitality and tourism landscape.

Choose Chicago’s panel discussion, “The State of Hospitality, Events and Tourism in Chicago,” was a highlight of this year’s HTSC. As one of the panelists, can you share some of the biggest takeaways from that session?

During the panel discussion, Daniel Thomas (Illinois Office of Tourism), Marilyn Gardner (Navy Pier) and I addressed key topics such as the current state of the hotel industry, emerging attraction trends and strategies to attract international visitors. We also highlighted the significant impact of major events like the upcoming Democratic National Convention and NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend on the local hospitality sector. Overall, the discussion emphasized the resilience and adaptability of Chicago's tourism ecosystem in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities.

What are some of the biggest events Chicago is hosting this year and how are they projected to positively impact the city and its hospitality and tourism sector?

Chicago is set to host several major events this year, including the Democratic National Convention and the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend, among others. These events are expected to generate significant economic impact, drive hotel occupancy and showcase Chicago's capabilities as a premier event destination to broad audiences. Moreover, they provide opportunities for local businesses to capitalize on increased visitor traffic and foster lasting partnerships within the hospitality and tourism sector.

How is Choose Chicago's search going for a new president and CEO following Lynn Osmond stepping down earlier this year?

The Choose Chicago Board of Directors is actively engaged in the search for a permanent president and CEO. While the search process is ongoing, the Choose Chicago team remains focused on advancing our mission and serving the needs of our stakeholders and partners.

Any other big announcements or exciting news to share from Choose Chicago?

We will be releasing our official 2023 visitation figures at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 5, which show that we continue to be on a positive trajectory for regional, national and international leisure and business travelers. We remain dedicated to providing exceptional support and resources to meeting planners and ensuring their success in hosting events of every size and profile in Chicago.

Connect 

Choose Chicago  

Read more meetings and events news in Illinois. 

Taylor Smith joined Stamats in May 2022 as a content developer, destinations and features for Meetings Today. Smith has experience covering everything from travel to breaking news and graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in news and magazine journalism. Previously, she’s written for St. Louis Magazine and worked as an editorial assistant and apprentice for Aubree Nichols, who has been published in premier publications such as  The New York Times ,  ELLE  and  The Los Angeles Times .

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Htsc Program Book 2023 Aon Ballroom

by Tim O'Malley

CHICAGO 2023 AON GRAND BALLROOM MAY 2 AT NAVY PIER Network: ATEEMA23 Password: summit23 HTSC 2022 PROGRAM BOOK | 1

CHICAGO 2023 AON GRAND BALLROOM MAY 2 AT NAVY PIER Network: ATEEMA23 Password: summit23 HTSC 2022 PROGRAM BOOK | 1 Less

WELCOME Welcome to the 22nd Annual Hospitality & Tourism Summit! Chicago is a world-class city, partly because of the world-class experiences that our industry provides to our guests from around the globe. With great pride, we should all celebrate the fact that each and every one of us influences those experiences on a regular basis. Thanks to you, my outstanding teammates and our generous sponsors and exhibitors, you are in for a day of learning, reconnecting, growing, networking, sampling and selling...and let’s remember to enjoy each other’s company and have a few laughs along the way! We’re all trying to make up for time lost to the pandemic, and today’s Summit is a great way for you to turbocharge those efforts. I hope you enjoy the morning’s educational sessions, and the Entertainment Showcase this afternoon sponsored by Live Art International. Make sure to check out the fun activations from Curaleaf, Esquire by Cooper’s Hawk, and Live Art International. Be sure to stop by the Choose Chicago Neighborhood Pavillion in the Aon Grand Ballroom to meet some of the interesting businesses from Chicago’s neighborhoods. You should also visit “Beyond Chicago Square” to learn about what’s going on in the surrounding suburbs. Make sure to check out the new Faces of Chicago Hospitality booth to help us celebrate many of the leaders behind our great industry and be one of the first to see this great new coffee-table-style magazine. Also, if you are a business looking for digital marketing opportunities, make sure to stop by the Ateema booth to see how we’ve been killing it for our clients! We hope the people you meet at the Hospitality & Tourism Summit today inspire you. We want you to use your experience today to build your business and initiate, and invent great ideas to make you one of those people that help lead our industry, and city, to the next level of success. Cheers! Tim O’Malley CEO Ateema Media & Marketing P.S. Make sure to download the Expo Pass app to optimize your experience today and get access to exhibitor contacts. Search ‘Expo Pass’ in the Apple or Google Play Store. Set up and verify your account using the same email you used to purchase your ticket. From there you can select the event and add sessions to your schedule. HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK | 3

19 18 17 16 15 21 13 22 20 23 14 33 43 12 57 56 32 42 11 59 55 58 31 41 54 30 40 64 63 62 60 53 39 29 38 28 37 65 66 67 68 27 36 44 52 26 35 45 51 25 34 46 50 24 69 70 47 48 49 8 7 4 5 6 1 2 3 Aon Grand Ballroom Upstairs to Lakeview Terrace 71 Esquire by Coopers Hawk Wine Tasting AON GRAND BALLROOM 1ST FLOOR 1. Cabaret ZaZou 15. Coast Yachts 2. Ateema Media & Marketing 16. The Second City 3. Blue Man Group 17. Water Tower Place 4. Skydeck Chicago 18. Knot By Boat Charters 5. Theater on the Lake 19. Signature Transportation Group 6. Village of Rosemont 20. Standing Room Only Orchestra 7. Fashion Outlets 21. Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters 8. Go Brewing 22. Howl at the Moon 10. NCA Silent Auction 23. Morgan Arts Complex 11. Cupitol Coffee + Eatery 12. Team Bonding 13. Windy City Limousine & Bus 14. Qwick 4 | HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK

37. Bronzeville 38. Belmont Cragin 39. Chatham 40. West Town 41. Pilsen 42. Woodlawn 10 43. Hyde Park BEYOND CHICAGO SQUARE 44. Chicago’s North Shore 45. Rosemont 46. Chicago Southland 47. Meet Chicago Northwest 48. Visit Oak Park 49. Heritage Corridor Destinations 50. Visit Lake County Elevator 51. Naturally McHenry County 52. Discover DuPage Men Comfort Room RIVER WALK Women Comfort Room 53. The Northman Beer & Cider Garden 54. Tiny Tap & Cafe 55. Island Party Hut Tiki Bar & Grill CHOOSE CHICAGO 56. Navy Pier NEIGHBORHOOD PAVILLION 57. Levy 24. Choose Chicago 58. Locque Chicago 25. Austin 59. Moor’s Brewing Co. 26. Lincoln Park 60. B. Hospitality Co. 27. Logan Square 63. Big Bus Tours 28. Little Village 64. Harry Potter™: Magic at Play 29. Uptown 65. Punch Bowl Social 30. Lakeview 66. Fox in a Box Chicago 31. Albany Park 67. Aries Charter Transportation 32. Edgewater 68. Kamehachi 33. Rogers Park 69. Live Art International 34. Chinatown 70. Russian Tea Time 35. Pullman 71. Esquire by Coopers Hawk 36. National Park Service Wine Tasting HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK | 5

72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 105 106 111 109 114 112 110 115 107 108 113 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 LAKEVIEW TERRACE 72. MK Events 84. Fogo de Chão 73. Pioneer Court 85. International Live Events 74. City Experiences Association (ILEA) 75. Gene & Georgetti 86. Speedpro Chicago 76. Absolutely Chicago Segway 87. Pinstripes Tours 88. Tanduay USA 77. Bottleneck Management 89. Rivers Casino 78. Moor’s Brewing Co. 90. Sancerre Hospitality 79. Lighthouse Immersive 91. The Kitchen 80. Accurate Printing 92. Shedd Aquarium 81. Penthouse of Hyde Park 93. National Association for Catering 82. FACES of Chicago Hospitality & Events (NACE) 83. Millenium Hall 94. 8 Hospitality 6 | HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 119 4 117 116 5 118 120 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 95. Lyric Opera of Chicago 109. Catalyst Ranch 96. The Richard H. Driehaus Museum 110. FlyOver Attractions 97. Bar Takito - West Loop 111. Clowning Around & Celebration 98. Chicago Symphony Orchestra Authority 99. 360 Chicago Observation Deck 112. milk + honey spa 100. Five Iron Golf 113. On Location Tours 101. Maggie Daley Park 114. Museum of Illusions 102. Museum of Contemporary Art 115. Hard Rock Cafe 103. eATLAS 116. Chicago North Shore 105. Studio W.I.P. 117. Komo 106. WNDR Museum 118. Broadway in Chicago 107. Starbucks Reserve Roastery 119. The Art Institute of Chicago 108. Sloomoo Institute 120. Pond Ripple Media HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK | 7

REC 2 Chillin Station Brought To You CURALEAF By Curaleaf with coffee, water More booths in Lakeview Terrace 121 and charging station More booths in Lakeview Terrace Downstairs to Aon Grand Ballroom Downstairs to Aon Grand Ballroom Elevator Men Comfort Room Women Comfort Room 121. Curaleaf 8 | HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK

YOUR WINE DISCOVERY AWAITS UNRIVALED 4-Story Wine Tower AWARD-WINNING Wine List of 1,600 Selections RARE & EXCEPTIONAL Tastings Every Day 58 E . OA K ST RE E T, C HI CAG O, I L | 31 2.736 .9 9 9 9 | ESQUIREBYCH.COM

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS HOSPITALITY & TOURISM SUMMIT 2023 TUESDAY, MAY 2ND Education Sessions Meeting Rooms 201-207 | 11:20 am - 2:00 pm 10 Entertainment Ideas That Will Impress Your Guests | 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM Looking for some new ideas to add some WOW to your next event? Join 5 leading entertainment industry professionals as they discuss unique and exciting ways to enhance entertainment programming and guest engagement. FIRESIDE CHAT HOST Dayna Malow, CEO, Live Art International Dayna Malow is the owner and CEO of Live Art International, an experiential production agency that uses art to make a positive impact on the world. She is a veteran of the entertainment industry and has worked with numerous corporations, festivals, and non- profit organizations. Live Art International has raised over $5.25 million for charities and produces large-scale events such as The Mag Mile Lights Festival and Weddings at Wrigley. PANELISTS Wayne Brin, Owner, Photo Booth Time Wayne is the co-owner of Photo Booth Time, a Chicago-based photo activation service provider that delivers excellent customer service since 2011. His company is highly recognized in the industry due to their attention to detail, commitment to exceed customer expectations, and innovative approach to their work. Wayne’s dedication and expertise have led him to establish Photo Booth Time as a go-to provider for events of all kinds. Josh Niemiera, Booking Agent, Double D Booking Josh Niemiera is a booking agent with Double D Booking, exclusively representing cover and tribute bands for bookings at clubs, festivals, and private events throughout the US. With talent that ranges from a solo acoustic act to the top headlining bands in the Midwest, Josh always strives to find the right act for every type of event you can imagine. Kelly Patton, Event Sales Manager, The Second City Kelly is an experienced hospitality professional who has been managing corporate events in Chicagoland for over 15 years. She is currently the Event Sales Manager at The Second City, where she has achieved record sales since joining less than a year ago. Kelly is passionate about creating comfortable and exciting events that align with her clients’ professional and social goals, and she strives to ensure that everyone who walks through The Second City’s doors experiences the magic of the building. 10 | HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK

Pamela Rose Bucheit, Co-Owner / Producer / Performer, Mystique Productions Pamela is a versatile artist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Business, experienced in vocals, music production, voice instruction, and dance. She has performed on numerous commercial jingles and shared the stage with major artists. Pamela has also toured nationally and internationally and won a Chicago Music Award for Best Country/Western Act with her band, Pamela Rose & Windy City Country. Currently, she is a co-founder, co-owner, producer, and managing principal of Mystique Productions. Beyond Downtown: Bringing Visitors and Meetings to Chicago’s Neighborhoods | 12:05 PM - 12:45 PM Nothing sets Chicago apart from other destinations like the 77 vibrant community areas that make our city so exciting. In this session, you will learn new ways to connect guests and meeting planners to our neighborhoods, discover hidden gems, and more. MODERATOR Rob Fojtik, Vice President, Neighborhood Strategy, Choose Chicago Rob Fojtik is Choose Chicago’s VP for Neighborhood Strategy, promoting and supporting neighborhoods by engaging with residents to highlight local businesses, events, and attractions. He oversees Chicago Alfresco, a $2.5 million grant program that creates community spaces for outdoor dining, placemaking, and community identity. Previously, he worked as a Senior Advisor to Mayor Lightfoot, ran her winning campaign in the 2019 Chicago mayoral race, and worked in public affairs for a Fortune 500 company and in Washington DC for former Secretary of Defense William Cohen. PANELISTS Rhonda McFarland, Executive Director, Quad Communities Development Corporation, NFP Rhonda McFarland is the Executive Director of Quad Communities Development Corporation and has extensive experience in community and economic development. She also has a background in finance, having worked as a VP of lending, specializing in affordable housing, mixed-use, and commercial real estate developments throughout the Midwest. Alex Esparza, President, Eighteenth Street Development Corporation Alex Esparza is the President of ESDC and has overseen significant growth and transition within the organization’s departments. He serves as the chair of the Pilsen Planning Committee and the Economy & Jobs Task Force, collaborating with local organizations to address community issues and develop programming ideas. Esparza holds a Bachelor of International Business Management, and is a member of various community and business advisory councils, including the Illinois Latino Caucus Foundation and ComEd Business Advisory Council. Jimmy Lee, President, Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce Jimmy Lee became President of the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce in June 2022, expanding its membership base and service area. He has served on several boards and advised state and local governments on promoting the interests of Chicago Chinatown and Chinese Americans. As a successful businessman and veteran, Jimmy understands the needs of the local community and advocates for the interests of local businesses. HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK | 11

Welcome Messages | 1:00 PM Tim O’Malley, CEO, Ateema Media & Marketing Mark Dunlap, Vice President of Strategy, Expo Pass Marilyn Gardner, President & CEO, Navy Pier General Session: The State of Hospitality, Events & Tourism in Chicago | 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM This insightful panel led by Choose Chicago President and CEO Lynn Osmond will explore the state of the industry and what to expect in 2023 and beyond. Panelists include Managing Director of 360 CHICAGO/M56 Group Nichole Benolken, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Michael Jacobson, and Illinois Restaurant Association President & CEO Sam Toia. MODERATOR Lynn Osmond, Choose Chicago President and CEO Lynn Osmond is the President and CEO of Choose Chicago, the official sales and marketing organization of Chicago’s tourism industry. She previously served as President and CEO of the Chicago Architecture Center for 25 years, where she significantly expanded its offerings and received numerous awards. Osmond is a dedicated proponent of Chicago’s tourism and hospitality industry and has served on various boards for her contributions to Chicago’s architecture and community. PANELISTS Nichole Benolken, Managing Director of 360 CHICAGO/M56 Group Nichole joined M56 Group in 2013 as Managing Director of 360 CHICAGO and has managed over $14 million in capital investment. She has built a team of professionals that have propelled the asset to record high revenue and profitability, executed the repositioning and introduction of a new brand, and most recently executed the renovation and opening of the successful CloudBar. Nichole spent over 15 years in the hotel and restaurant industry and currently serves on the Board of Advisors for US Travel Association’s National Council of Attractions and Experiences. Michael Jacobson, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Michael Jacobson is the President and CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, representing 1,500 hotels and hospitality stakeholders in the state. Prior to his current role, he spent eight years at the U.S. Travel Association, where he led grassroots advocacy and political engagement initiatives. Sam Toia, Illinois Restaurant Association President & CEO Sam Toia has been the President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) since 2012, representing the state’s largest private sector employer. He is responsible for managing the association’s day-to-day operations, increasing membership, developing profitable strategies, and maintaining positive relationships with public officials. He is also a specialist in community and government relations and has held leadership positions in several civic and public agencies. 12 | HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK

Trade Show Floor Opens | 2:00 PM Welcome to the 22nd Annual Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago! We are happy to welcome the industry together for a day of education, networking, and limitless business-building opportunities. This year will be bigger than ever with with special activations from Curaleaf, Esquire by Cooper’s Hawk, the Choose Chicago Neighborhood Pavilion, Chicago River Walk, Beyond Chicago Square, and more. This year’s trade show features 100+ exhibitors from the tourism and hospitality industries, and an entertainment showcase featuring Chicago’s top performers and entertainers Trade Show Hours are from 2:00pm - 6:00pm CT Stop By & See The Fun Events & Things To Do That Are Happening In The Surrounding Suburbs! HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK | 13

Rosemont is the Ultimate Destination for Hot Entertainment, Cool Fashion and Endless Fun! Shop 130+ Outlet Stores at Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Experience 40+ Restaurants. Take in a Chicago Dogs game. Enjoy free outdoor concerts, fitness classes & fireworks all summer long! Start planning today at Rosemont.com Looking For Digital Marketing Solutions For Tourism & Groups? Ateema Can Help You: • Reach visitors in specific hotels • Target convention delegates of specific shows in McCormick Place • Attract more tourists through content marketing • Reach planners through the Planner Source Newsletter and PlannerMasterClass.com • Reach locals that have visited your competitors in the last 90 days • Serve ads to your existing customers to increase frequency of visits Contact our Sales Team at [email protected] or call 312-360-1770 for more information.

ENTERTAINMENT SHOWCASE SCHEDULE The Entertainment Showcase is presented by Live Art International 3:30 - 4:30 PM 4:30 - 4:45 PM - Standing Room Only Orchestra - Artbeat Live 4:45 - 6:00 PM - Howl2GO HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK | 15

2023 SPONSORS PREMIERPremier SPONSORS Sponsors Premier Sponsors sors Supporting Sponsors Supporting Sponsors SUPPORTING SPONSORS onsors 16 | HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK

PARTICIPATING SPONSORS HTSC 2023 PROGRAM BOOK | 17

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How we prepared ourselves to attend!

As we announced last month, we’ll be attending this year’s Hospitality & Tourism Summit, which takes place at the Navy Pier on Tuesday, May 2 nd .

Since our last update, we’ve been busy planning and preparing for the event.

With less than a week to go, it’s time to take stock of what we’re expecting to achieve by attending the summit and how we’re preparing for it.

Why we're attending the summit

Through our years of hosting events for multiple brands and businesses in Chicago, we’ve gleaned the importance of building strong partnerships with meeting and event planners - it’s a win-win.

That's why we're attending our city’s premier trade show and conference for the hospitality and events sector - the Hospitality & Tourism Summit .

Broadly speaking, we’re looking to connect with top meeting and event planners - and others in allied sectors - to showcase how we can provide a team building experience that can be a learning asset for participants , especially through a SWOT analysis of their performance. 

In addition, we complement our basic offering with a smooth booking service and prompt information exchange , which would add significant value by taking most of the logistical hassles out of both the company AND our meeting/event planning partner’s hands .

The goals we have set for ourselves

Connecting with 1,000+ meeting and event planners .

Gaining revolving business by connecting with local event planners.

Building relationships with planners by providing proposals to review for their clients , ranging from small and local businesses to large corporations.

Cross-marketing opportunities with concierge staffs.

Showcasing our experiences & team and discussing merits with meeting planners, concierge staffs, and others in the industry in real time.

Getting into the fun spirit of the event by providing a fun and immersive 30-minute escape room experience to the guests.

Speakers, exhibitors and attendees we’re looking forward to meeting

As of now, we can only repeat what we mentioned above - that over a thousand meeting planners will be in attendance, and we’re hoping to discuss potential partnerships with most of them.  

This is a tourism and hospitality industry conference featuring a trade show , educational sessions , and other events - as you can guess, it’ll be teeming with networking opportunities . 

We expect that concierges , hotel salespeople , social media influencers , business representatives & other industry professionals will be here.

However, we can’t name names as we don’t have the actual guest list yet. We will update this post as soon as the conference releases the final list.

Key opportunities we’re looking to capitalize on

We’ve been hosting team events in Chicago for a while now, albeit at a slower pace.

However, beginning 2022-2023, we have decided to step up our efforts at getting corporate and other team building event bookings.

As part of that shift, we’re looking to build a revolving corporate catalog of companies and event planners. 

We will be pushing our weekday morning time slots as team building events. 

That’s why his year, we thought it would be a good idea to invest in a conference that would provide a broader and larger scale networking base for us. 

The Hospitality & Tourism Summit fits the bill perfectly.

Preparing for the summit

From creating mini-games and other activities for both casual visitors and those looking to connect, to getting our booth ready - we worked on multiple fronts to amplify our presence and catch as many eyes as possible!

Creating experiences for our visitors

We wanted to have a wholesome mix of fun activities for guests quick-walking past, and games for participants that want to get a taste of our team and other events. 

Here’s what we decided…

Interactive puzzles: Small interactive escape puzzles will sit on our table that guests can check out and compete with one another on.

This is mostly aimed at guests who want to get a feel of the kinds of experiences that we offer.

A spin-to-win wheel: Guests will be able to sign up with their contact info before they spin it to win a variety of prizes, gift cards, and team escape games!

Best suited for guests that are just walking through and looking for quick and fun activities.

The Final Exam: We will run a 30-minute version of our signature team-building game The Final Exam . Playable by 2 players, there will be 8 games in total throughout the day.

A great way for meeting planners to get a feel of our top team building offering.

Spin To Win prizes

Fox in a Box Mugs

Fox in a Box Game Patches

Fox in a Box Pens

Other prizes

Fox in a Box T-Shirts.

$10-$15 Amazon gift cards.

$10-$15 Starbucks cards. 

$25 vouchers off a “ family and friends” game (not applicable for corporate bookings).

$25-50 off a standard corp team with 35 players or more! Check our team events page for details.

$50 off a refreshment package booking of 35 players or more! Check our team events page for details.

The Final Exam Participation Prizes

Winner circle stickers

Final Exam diplomas

Our booth design and layout

Fox in a Box Banner 

Folding table(s) & skirts

Orange Table Cloth

 #1 Escape Room sign

QR code sticker to attach to Banner

A TV showing a video collage of all of our corporate group photos

Brochures to hand out 

“Finn”, our stuffed animal Mascot!

Training staff to represent our company and showcase our offerings

While taking on temp staff to represent us at the event was an option, we didn’t go for it as:

We wanted our presence to have a personal touch.

We’ve been dealing with a rush of bookings, and taking on the responsibility of training the temps to represent us would’ve spread us out too thin.

So, it’ll be Vince (our owner), Miranda (our relationship coordinator), and Adam and Mak (2 of our veteran game masters) at the summit!  

Looking forward to the event!

We look forward to showcasing our experiences and building relationships, which we can leverage to forge new business connections that benefit both us and our partners.  

Thank you for reading, and we hope to see you there!

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The Hospitality and Tourism Summit Chicago Returns April 30 to Navy Pier

Ateema Media & Marketing announced the Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago, presenting partner, Illinois Office of Tourism , will return to Navy Pier’s Aon Grand Ballroom on Friday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Attended by over 1,250 leading industry professionals from across the Midwest, the event kicks off with educational sessions discussing industry trends, insights, and marketing tips beginning at 10 a.m.; a “who’s who” trade show of exhibitors from 2 to 7 p.m. and a special networking happy hour on the show floor from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Highlights include a panel discussion. presented by Choose Chicago , addressing The State of Hospitality, Events and Tourism in Chicago, featuring Choose Chicago’s Interim CEO Rich Gamble , Illinois Office of Tourism’s Daniel Thomas , Navy Pier CEO Marilynn Gardner and Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Michael Jacobson . 

“Chicago’s hospitality, tourism and events industry gathers annually at this event to learn, showcase their companies, share their experiences, build their businesses, find new venues and vendors, and enhance their networks,” said Tim O’Malley, chief executive officer of Ateema Media & Marketing. “We are also thrilled to welcome the partnership of Illinois Office of Tourism to strengthen this year’s educational content. Attendees are also treated to some of the best culinary, entertainment and experiential attractions, which is what makes the Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago a landmark event in our industry’s calendar, as well as a primer for anyone interested in learning about the diverse tourism and event offerings that our city offers.”

This event attracts over 1,250 top professionals, including meeting and event planners, concierges, hotel salespeople, destination management companies (DMCs), press, social media influencers, business representatives and industry experts to network while experiencing some of Chicago’s top attractions, cultural institutions, hotels and dining, as well as neighborhood organizations and regional destinations. Exhibitors showcase from across Chicago’s 77 vibrant neighborhoods, including Big Bus Tours , FlyOver Chicago , Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago , Navy Pier , Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago and The Second City . A full list of exhibitors can be found at htsc.co/2024exhibitors . 

The full program will be announced in March, but attendees can expect to enjoy food and drink samples from local restaurants and nightspots, interact with new and established venues and attractions, and learn from industry leaders about the tourism and hospitality sectors. 

Additional educational sessions will include a cutting-edge session on meeting and event sustainability for meeting and event planners and DMCs, an overview of the Illinois Office of Tourism's plans and other sessions on tourism and events in Chicago's neighborhoods and in the neighboring regions.

There are varying ticket levels and ticket prices range from $20 to $150. To learn more about the 2024 Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago or purchase tickets, visit htsc.co .

About Hospitality and Tourism Summit 

The Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago, presenting partner, Illinois Office of Tourism, is an industry conference featuring a trade show, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. The Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago welcomes more than 1,250 meeting and event planners, concierges, hotel salespeople, social media influencers, business representatives and industry professionals to connect, learn, and build business before Chicago’s busy tourist season. 

About Ateema Media & Marketing Founded in 2001, Ateema helps small- and mid-sized hospitality businesses thrive with local, tourism, and event marketing. Ateema Media & Marketing is a Chicago-based company that connects buyers with sellers in tourism, meetings, and events. Ateema has an array of products and services designed to help our tourism and group meetings and events-related customers attract business from meeting and event planners, visitors, concierge, social media influencers, and groups. 

Ateema Media & Marketing’s portfolio includes a highly successful digital advertising platform, a visitor content marketing program, and a weekly newsletter about things to do in Chicago. Ateema produces the only visitor publication in hotels, Concierge Preferred Magazine along with The Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago , Faces of Chicago Hospitality , and Chicago Neighborhood Hotel Maps. Ateema Media & Marketing also provides a plethora of digital marketing services, research, and marketing services around the concierge community. For more information about Ateema, visit Ateema.com .

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by John Wroblewski

As the Chicago weather warms, I start to look for things to do this summer. The Hospitality & Tourism Summit provided more ideas than I could squeeze into the summer.

In its 23rd year, The Hospitality & Tourism Summit featured educational sessions, travel industry professionals and colleagues, more than 100 vendors and much more. After attending for my first time, it was easy to see why it is nominated as the Best Fair/Outdoor Event for the 2024 International Live Events Association Spark Awards.

Emcee Catie Keogh welcomes attendees to educational sessions. Photo Credit: Cameron Krasucki.

Attendees listen to educational sessions at 2024 Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago. Photo credit: Cameron Krasucki.

The vendors provided the most interesting part of the event for me. The company representatives were energetic and eager to give information without being pushy. The relaxed vibe was a refreshing change of pace from other similar events. Because I didn’t worry about dodging a sales pitch, I stopped at many more booths than usual and learned a lot about area destinations.

There were far too many other vendors to list, but I will be referring to my notes as I plan outings this summer. My blogs will be filled with ideas I picked up at the Tourism & Hospitality Summit.

Whether an industry professional or simply a local looking for activity ideas, this was an ideal place. I will definitely return next year.

— John Wroblewski, online writer

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Connecting Hospitality- Oriented Buyers & Suppliers to Further Expand Their Business  

We Connect Hospitality-Oriented Businesses With Highly Influential Audiences

Ateema is both passionate about, and extremely motivated in helping hospitality-driven companies market to and connect with influential audiences that can exceedingly impact their business. We leverage a variety of events, products and services to connect the right audience to our clients. 

Ateema's mission is to encapsulate the loyal Midwestern hospitality we all know and appreciate in our collaborations with clients. 

Learn more about us here !

Testimonials

Our business relies on word-of-mouth and the relationships that we've built in partnership with Ateema over the years. We're really grateful to the concierges who have recommended Tortoise Supper Club to their guests.

Megan Addington, Tortoise Supper Club

In the past, we had tried digital ads and print marketing, but the ROI we received from your events was 400% more effective— It has been brick building results for us as a company

Dayna Malow, CEO, Live Art International

The concierge community is an important part of our business and we are grateful to the team at Ateema for helping us cultivate those relationships throughout the years.

Chris Rondeau, 360 Chicago

We Specialize In Marketing Hospitality & Related Industries

We Help Service Businesses Connect With Groups, Tourists & Social Influencers

At Ateema Media & Marketing, LLC, we take pride in serving hospitality oriented businesses.  From tourism marketing to group, restaurant and attraction marketing, we connect businesses in the following industries with the right audiences.

Hospitality Marketing

Restaurants, nightlife, culture & attractions, tours

Meetings & Event Marketing

Caterers, audio-visual, entertainment, team-building,

Hotel & Venue Marketing

Special event venues, meeting venues & more

Who We've Worked With

Kingston Mines

Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants

Chicago Chop House

Hard Rock Cafe

Art Institute of Chicago

Shops at North Bridge

Audiences We Influence

We Connect Clients With The Following High Impact, Value Packed Audiences:

Concierge - hotel, corporate, residential & retail

Event Planners

Meeting Planners

Business travelers

Convention delegates 

Social Media Influencers

Hotel Sales 

Tour Guides, Directors & Operators

Products & Services

Leverage These Events, Products & Services To Grow Your Business

We've built these hospitality and group marketing tools to connect businesses with the audience they desire.  Be it concierge, meeting and event planners, DMC's, social media influencers, hotel sales people or the like, we can help you optimize your outreach and connection to these audiences to help you grow your business.

Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago

The Place Chicago’s Planners, Concierge, Social Influencers & Vendors Connect

Referred to as “the single, most impactful  event for visitor-oriented businesses in Chicago.” This trade show, educational, and networking event is held at Navy Pier, where over 2,000 meeting and event planners, DMC’s, concierge, social media influencers & industry professionals gather for a day of selling, networking, learning, and fun.​

Check out the Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago video here.

Learn more, register, or purchase a booth here.

Concierge Preferred Magazine

"It is the most comprehensive  tourism guide to the city," Paula Fortney, Chef Concierge

Leveraging concierge insight, Concierge Preferred Magazine gets readers inside information about things to do in Chicago that they simply can't get anywhere else. Readers get valuable insight about Chicago restaurants, attractions, nightlife spots and shopping venues.

For businesses looking to optimize their tourism marketing, or looking to market to, visitors, leisure travelers or convention delegates, Concierge Preferred reaches them all. 

Check out the video on Concierge Preferred Magazine ,  or check out the digital edition of the magazine.

Chicago Planner Master Class

Connect With & Educate Chicago's Top Meeting & Event Planners

Educate 75-90 meeting and event planners about your business in an exclusive setting.  Our intimate, round-table format plus networking in a relaxed ambiance results in much deeper, and more valuable, connections.

Everyone leaves with a database of the folks who attended the Master Class. Only ten businesses can participate in a Chicago Planner Master Class.

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Chicago Neighborhood Hotel Maps

Reach Visitors Closest To Your Business

“How do I get there” is the number one question at the  concierge desk, which explains why maps are their most used tool. Make sure the visitors closest to your business see your business by putting an ad on the map used by your neighbor hotels.

Content Marketing

Custom Content About Your Business

We create compelling articles and videos that make your business look outstanding. We then distribute that content through the channels that visitors choose to see it on, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and email in addition to the award winning Concierge Preferred Magazine.

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Place Your Ads On Chicago's Visitor's Phones

Target folks on their cell phones within specific geographic areas as small as a competitor's building, for example.  We share a report that shows how many of your ads converted to people actually visiting your geographic location.

Chicago Concierge Favorites Awards

Oscars-style awards ceremony for the concierge community.

This is a “must support” event if you want the concierge to feel like you and your business is part of their community!

Concierge vote on favorite restaurants, nightlife, culture/attractions and shopping. Awards are presented in each of these categories at this “Oscars style” awards program for the visitor industry celebrating the concierge  community.​

500 plus concierge, industry leaders and local celebrities join in the festivities. A portion of the proceeds is  donated to the concierge associations

Connect With Us

Get in touch to learn how we can help your business grow and flourish by attracting more groups and visitors. All you’ve got to do is call!

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Chicago’s Hospitality & Tourism Summit returns as Phase 5 nears

by: Rob Sneed

Posted: Jun 8, 2021 / 04:51 PM CDT

Updated: Jun 9, 2021 / 04:54 AM CDT

CHICAGO — Chicago business leaders joined together under one roof Tuesday for the 20th annual Hospitality & Tourism Summit. Organizers told WGN they’re happy to be back after the pandemic caused last year’s event to go virtual.

The Navy Pier Grand Ballroom has been packed all day — a welcomed sight for many vendors in attendance. Some say their businesses barely survived the pandemic. Others believe Tuesday’s turnout is a glimmer of hope after a difficult year.

“It feels incredible because, number one, we need each other,” said Kevin Ball of In Grape Company. “We need to be able to react and see smiles on faces. Most importantly, I think that there will be a lot for things we learned in the last year or two that we will be able to hold on to and integrate back into this outdoor, social world.”

On Tuesday, more than 85 restaurants, attractions, transportation companies and event services came together for the daylong event.

“This is all about anyone in the city had that has anything to do with tourism or events coming together from the standpoint of buyers and sellers to be able to build the events and experiences that our guests of Chicago expect,” said organizer Tim O’Malley.

The city is gearing up to fully reopen this Friday after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot moved up the date of a fully reopening from July 4 to June 11.

While the city still hasn’t met the goal to have 70% of the total population fully vaccinated — the city currently stands at 41% — businesses large scale, conventions and amusements parks will be able to operate at full capacity since the beginning of the pandemic.

That’s good news for so many businesses hit hard by the pandemic.

“For us to be hit with a brick wall like that and to lay people off like that didn’t deserve it,” said Kevin Duff, president of Signature Transporation Group. “To see our business go from 100% budget to 10% budget overnight, it was devastating. So we are excited now to be back in action and to feel this energy here at this convention.”

With Phase 5 immiment, vendors say they are looking forward to the future.

“The excitement and energy here today is amazing,” said Lisa Gurick, director of group sales and events at Hawthorne Race Course 

The Navy Pier-area convention lasts through 6:30 p.m.

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Student Stories

Hyatt Career Summit Readies Hospitality and Tourism Management Students

In October, nearly 50 NIU students were hosted by Hyatt Hotels Corporation for an overnight Hyatt Career Summit in Chicago. These students were recruited based on their participation in key programs and/or cultural resource centers on campus, including many students from the hospitality and tourism management (HTM) program within the College of Business.

Two NIU alumna, Hyatt CFO Joan Bottarini and Hyatt Global Head of Asset Management Devin Griffith, showed students the vast array of career paths offered at Hyatt. Students toured Hyatt’s corporate office and several world-class hotels. They participated in career information sessions and learned from and networked with Hyatt team members from diverse backgrounds.

This unique experience supplemented students’ academic and professional development while opening the doors for future internships or employment with Hyatt.

Alex Orloff is a senior in the HTM program who attended the Hyatt Career Summit.

“Attending the Hyatt Summit was a great opportunity. As a hospitality major, I found the hotel tours to be particularly informative. It is always great to see classroom experiences come to life in a real-world setting,” Orloff said. “I think that corporate partnerships with companies like Hyatt really allow for us as students to see our classroom experiences take shape in the real world.”

Another HTM student, Katie Cotto, said the experience helped her to better understand the job opportunities available to her after graduation.

“There are many departments in a hotel, and students may not be aware that their degrees could be relevant to working for a company like Hyatt,” she said. “We also learned that working for Hyatt can be an important career move because of the endless development and growth opportunities. Our Hyatt tour guides did a great job informing students about how they develop their employees. They highlighted their own career stories and gave impactful advice to students on what to expect after NIU. I think these experiences are motivating to students because they get to see where their degree could lead them.”

Hyatt generously covered students’ transportation, lodging and food costs for this once-in-a-lifetime experiential learning opportunity, ensuring financial means did not stand in the way of opportunity.

Erin Smith, senior director of corporate and foundation relations for the NIU Foundation, was invaluable in coordinating the event and making connections between Hyatt and NIU leadership.

“Industry partnerships are vital to NIU’s success as an engine of social mobility for our students,” Smith said. “We are proud to partner with Hyatt Hotels Corporation to offer our students this immersive experiential learning opportunity. Hyatt’s generosity of time and resources highlights the company’s commitment to advancing education and job readiness for people from diverse backgrounds — an essential element of the company’s ‘World of Care’ environmental, social and governance global strategy. Thank you to Huskies at Hyatt — Joan Bottarini and Devin Griffith — for their tremendous advocacy on behalf of our students.”

“The College of Business network is vast and far-reaching, offering students first-class opportunities!” said Interim Dean Denise Schoenbachler. “I am proud that we are able to offer our students quality, on-site experiences like this before they graduate. Because of opportunities like this summit, our Huskies are not only ready to enter the workforce when they graduate, but they are also positioned to lead in their fields.”

Hospitality and Tourism Summit Chicago 2022 at Navy Pier

Apr 20, 2022 | News

A few members from our team were invited to experience the Hospitality and Tourism Summit Chicago 2022 at Navy Pier held this past Tuesday. Attendees included our Events Director , Jessica Brown, HR and Account Specialist, Marissa VanGarderen, and the Senior Planner from one of our Turnkey Hospitality brands, Michelle Durpetti Events , Nicole Lee. They spent the day talking with other industry professionals about the rebuilding of tourism, meetings and events in Chicago. This was a great event designed to cultivate relationships between meeting and event planners, concierges, and businesses that cater to Chicago’s groups, events and visitors!

“The event draws the ‘who’s who’ in the industry each year and boasts 80+ exhibitors including venues, restaurants, nightspots, hotels, event services, attractions, tours, shops and more.” After the breakout sessions, our team was welcomed to listen to a panel of professionals who gave insight on previous trends and what we can expect in the coming years. The panel included:

Jim Meyer- Choose Chicago , Interim CEO Marilyn Gardner- Navy Pier , President and CEO Larita Clark- MPEA , CEO Michael Jacobson- Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association , President and CEO Sam Toia- Illinois Restaurant Association , President and CEO

“People are traveling and booking in-person events again.” said Tim O’Malley, CEO of Ateema Media & Marketing . “It has been an unprecedented couple of years for our industry and we’re proud to team up with our partners to take this important next step in the rebuilding process. Our industry needs to work together to let people know that Chicago has reopened, and we’re back to providing world class experiences for our guests,” O’Malley continued. “This year’s Summit will play a more important role than ever before in terms of connecting industry buyers and sellers given the effects of the pandemic on the networks in our industry.”

After the panel, they enjoyed the entertainment showcase featuring local bands, artists, drag queens, magicians, DJs, and comedians! To conclude their long day of learning and networking, they enjoyed a beautiful ride aboard The Odyssey Lake Michigan and incredible views of our city!

Our team is very much looking forward to what’s to come for the hospitality industry and for tourism numbers to increase in Chicago for 2022!

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Chicago sees record tourism numbers in first half of 2023, but slower years ahead

By Chris Tye

August 2, 2023 / 4:25 PM CDT / CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park on Thursday, and as music fans flock to Chicago, the city is already having a banner year for visitors, but a slight slowdown might soon be coming.

NASCAR, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and small armies of conventioneers that are back have helped Chicago shine in a post-COVID spotlight.

Like a mega-watt musician, Chicago is topping the charts this summer, with the city ranking the #1 American city for meetings and events volume for the months of April, May, and June, according to hospitality industry tracker Knowland.

"So that means we're beating Las Vegas, Orlando, all our major competitors; and that's just really encouraging," said Lynn Osmond, president of Choose Chicago, the city's tourism agency.

From January to June, hotel revenue in Chicago hit $1.12 billion, up 24% from last year, and 102% from pre-pandemic 2019, setting a new record for the city.

Over that period, Chicago's hotel tax generated $62 million in revenue, also a record breaker.

But the artists who sell records aren't the only ones fueling this surge in visitors. At the same time Swifties were jamming at Solider Field, approximately 44,000 oncologists were in Chicago for an annual conference at McCormick Place.

"So it was pretty interesting seeing the Swifties and the oncologists mix around Soldier Field or throughout the city," Osmond said.

And this is before Lollapalooza begins the first festival of a new 10-year commitment to Chicago.

"The cumulative effect is over $2 billion in economic activity, based just on Lollapalooza being in Chicago," said Matt Patton, Ph.D., executive vice president of Angelou Economics.

Patton studied Lollapalooza's impact on Chicago over the last 12 years.

"Over that same period of time, we looked at over 22,000 jobs being created or supported because of Lollapalooza," he said.

But for a city firing on all entertainment cylinders, expect a gear shift and a slower few years ahead.

Since Illinois was largely shut down during COVID, while other states remained open, some conferences looking to secure 2025 and 2026 venues passed on Chicago.

"In Chicago, we'll see a few softer years coming up ahead in 2025-26, because we were closed and didn't have staff when other states like Las Vegas and Florida were still open and selling," Osmond said

Will NASCAR come back to Chicago next year for a second run of its first-ever street race?

The city and NASCAR have a contract to bring the race back to Grant Park next year, but both sides have the option to terminate the agreement within 180 days after the end of this year's race. Mayor Brandon Johnson, who inherited the NASCAR deal from predecessor Lori Lightfoot, has said he will evaluate the impact of the event, and on Wednesday said he has yet to make a decision on the future of NASCAR in Chicago.

As for Lollapalooza, where 15,000 more people are expected this year than last, stages are being set, and many street closures have begun in and around the South Loop, with 115,000 people expected for each day of the festival Thursday through Sunday.

• Taylor Swift
• Beyoncé

Chris Tye is a reporter and fill-in anchor at CBS2 Chicago.

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Daily Southtown | Visit Chicago Southland tourism bureau promotes…

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Daily southtown | visit chicago southland tourism bureau promotes 25-year veteran to lead group.

Mary Patchin, who was promoted from vice president of sales and has worked for the organization for 25 years, will replace retiring CEO and President Jim Garrett once his tenure officially ends June 30.

“We are elated with Mary Patchin as the new president/CEO,” Garrett said in a news release announcing Patchin’s promotion. “Her experience in tourism, commitment to Visit Chicago Southland, and knowledge and passion of the Chicago southland region will serve her and the area well.”

Visit Chicago Southland, which until recently was named the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau, is a nonprofit founded in 1986 that receives funding from a state grant requiring matching funding from community contracts, membership and programming. The money is used to market the south suburbs as a destination for leisure, events and meetings and advocate for the development of attractions to draw visitors.

Patchin said her main focuses will be executing a three-year plan developed in 2023 to build strong relationships between the organization, local communities and their clients, especially in areas of hospitality and group business, which she focused on heavily in her past role.

This includes becoming certified through an international group of similar tourism marketing organizations through meeting set goals, she said.

Patchin said she’s also preparing for national tradeshows starting in August that are important for marketing the Southland as a primary destination for everything from work meetings to sports tournaments.

“Weddings, family reunions, class reunions — we have an abundance because we have a lot of banquet facilities and hotels out here,” Patchin said. “And we have so many great events that take place throughout the entire year here too, a little something for everybody.”

Patchin joined Visit Chicago Southland after graduating from Purdue University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in restaurant, hotel, institutional and tourism management, according to the news release. She has involved herself in the finance, public relations and marketing departments of the organization, though she always worked in sales.

She said she has wanted to work for a convention and visitors bureau since she was 16.

“I was one of those annoying kids that called every 1-800 number for every state tourism office,” she said. “So I’ve always loved the industry, at a young age, even before really understanding what tourism was.”

With Garrett leading the organization for 28 years, Visit Chicago Southland earned the 2024 Illinois Excellence in Tourism Award for Best Website by the Illinois Office of Tourism and received Diversity Inc’s 2011 Community Spirit Award.

Patchin said she plans to keep the organization focused and ahead of competing convention bureaus by meeting people where they’re at and relying more heavily on those who live in the marketed communities.

“A lot of the work that we do tends to be outside of the region, and what we’re trying to do is really be a better education tool for local residents, because local residents are really the best tourism ambassadors,” Patchin said.

She said that includes building up community awareness with hospitality partners.

“While we really try to focus with an online presence, there is still in part of what we do here that would be in print or local media,” she said. “It’s just creating that exposure the best way we can and working with our partners to do that.”

Patchin was approved to become Visit Chicago Southland’s CEO and president at the organization’s April 25 quarterly board meeting.

[email protected]

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7TH WORLD RESEARCH SUMMIT FOR HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

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Resilience, Recovery, and Reshaping

8-11 December 2023 | UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Orlando Florida, USA

We are very excited to bring you back to the World Research Summit, face to face, to the beautiful UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management in the Sunshine State of Florida!

The call for papers is now open. See the list of submission topics on the conference website. Please submit papers using the   online abstract submission system .

Abstract Submission Deadline: June 16, 2023

VISIT THE CONFERENCE WEBSITE

Conference Chair

• Youcheng Wang ,   Dean, William Peeper Destination Marketing Preeminent Chair Professor, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, USA [email protected]

Conference Academic Program Co-Chairs

• Murat Kizildag,   Associate Professor, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, USA [email protected]

View Profile:   hospitality.ucf.edu/person/murat-kizildag/

• Dr. Xiaoxiao Fu ,   Associate Professor, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, USA [email protected]

View Profile:   https://hospitality.ucf.edu/person/xiaoxiao-fu/

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College of Business > News & Events > Driehaus Announces New School of Hospitality and Sports Business

Driehaus Announces New School of Hospitality and Sports Business

The new school expands opportunities for students to pursue a range of in-demand careers.

By Meredith Carroll / June 13, 2024 / Posted in: College and Schools / Twitter / Facebook

The sports business program, launched in 2018, will be integrated into the School of Hospitality Leadership to form the School of Hospitality and Sports Business.  

The prog rams housed within the School of Hospitality and Sports Business (HSB) are in high demand among today’s students. Enrollments have grown consistently across these programs, which prepare students for careers in a wide array of fields, ranging from event planning and hotel management to the food and beverage industry to sports management and marketing. A growing selection of minors facilitates this career exploration.  

The school’s curricular offerings are connected to industry and relevant to a wide variety of career goals. Newly developed courses include a Chicago Quarter course that introduces freshmen to the city’s multicultural neighborhoods through food; a sports tourism class; and a leadership class that combines industry exposure with real-world case studies.  

As the HSB continues to grow, so too are its industry and academic collaborations. Lisa Young, director of the HSB, has nurtured relationships with community college across the Chicagoland area as demand for jobs in the field continues to increase. The Executive-in-Residence Program brings in top leaders from industry (most recently, from Hyatt Hotel’s Chicago headquarters), to share their expertise with students. Ongoing partnerships with major restaurant groups in Chicago — such as Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises and Gibsons Restaurant Group — give students frontline experience in the food and beverage industry. Likewise, the HSB boasts extensive connections to leaders in Chicago’s thriving sports business scene, including at Paragon Marketing Group, Wilson Sporting Goods, and multiple major-league teams across Chicago.  

The HSB is equally committed to giving students a global perspective on their chosen industry. An annual trip to London led by Andy Clark, director of the sports business program, brings students face-to-face with global leaders in sports marketing, management and events. Study-abroad trips led by Joel Reynolds, director of undergraduate programs in hospitality leadership, bring students to the forefront of Italy’s world-class food and beverage industry. And over the past decade, trips to Singapore and Tokyo led by Young have given students a firsthand perspective on a wide range of industries throughout Asia — including hospitality, tourism, sports and entrepreneurship.  

“The key point of difference for both sports business and hospitality students at DePaul is real-world learning and industry connections,” said Clark. “This quarter alone, our students and alumni have accepted positions with the Cubs, the Bears, NASCAR, and Wilson.”  

“This new school will lev erage the experti se of our faculty and industry partners for the benefit of all our students and alumni,” said Young. “Students in these disciplines learn to create meaningful, transformative experiences from the ground up. Many top universities already group these disciples under one umbrella. We are delighted to be joining them.” ​

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Chicago NASCAR 2023 street race has downtown hotels hoping to fill up

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The NASCAR Chicago street race will take over the area around Grant Park the first weekend July, and Chicago's hospitality industry is hoping for a big boost.

Each day of the event, which is being held July 1 and 2, is expected to bring around 50,000 people downtown, packing the grandstands around the race route and also packing downtown hotel rooms.

NASCAR CHICAGO GUIDE: See the Chicago NASCAR street race course, plus street closures and parking restrictions

"There's no way to track in real time, but we're hearing anecdotally from properties that, especially along the race route, there's a lot of sellouts," said Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association.

On the same weekend, a major girls' volleyball tournament is being held at McCormick Place, which is expected to bring in tens of thousands of additional visitors.

Coming on the heels of the sellout weekend from the Taylor Swift concerts, when hotels had a record-breaking weekend, the NASCAR weekend bodes well for an industry still recovering from the economic struggles of the past several years.

"So if we continue that momentum, it's going to be a really good summer for Chicago hotels," said Jacobson.

There are, of course, concerns about the impact the course closures will have on those living downtown or trying to get around.

"So certainly very concerned about the traffic inconveniences we're going to face between June 28 And July 5, that's especially going to be just brutal downtown with that portion of Lakeshore drive downtown closed as well. So that is that is a serious concern to my residents," said 34th Ward Ald. Bill Conway.

NASCAR's first-ever street race is a chance to expand its fan base, but because of the global reach it's also an opportunity for Chicago to promote itself.

"It's really great to have these people coming to our city. We can throw them a big party, a big event, and really showcase all the good things that we know about Chicago as residents and showcase it to the people across our country," said Lynn Osmond, president and CEO of Choose Chicago.

Despite the concerns about the impact of the race, the head of the hotel industry hopes that after it's over people might decide it wasn't really that bad, and that the benefits outweighed the inconveniences.

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Why Exhibit

What Is The Hospitality & Tourism Summit Chicago?

The Hospitality & Tourism Summit is an industry conference featuring a trade show, educational sessions and networking opportunities where 1,250+ top meeting and event planners, concierges, suppliers & industry professionals connect before the busy summer season!

Why Should Your Business Exhibit?

Fill your sales pipeline with quality prospects, energize your team, beat your competition to the punch, grow your network and your business, new: meet travel influencers and media, make 10x your investment within 12 months, learn industry trends and insights, meet hundreds of concierges, meeting and event planners, social media influencers, and industry professionals.

Of exhibitors said they grew their business as a result of their involvement

Of exhibitors rated the overall value of the Summit as “great” or better. 50% rated it as “outstanding.”

Average number of connections made by exhibitors.

Past Exhibitors & Attendees

A sampling of previous exhibitors.

"You get to see the right people in a well-curated environment. We come back each year because we've had a great experience, operationally it's a really well-run show, and it's a lot of fun."

-Art Institute of Chicago Marketing Professional

"The Summit is a really amazing opportunity to network with businesses, concierges, and really everyone in the hospitality industry."

-Loews Chicago Hotel Concierge

"The event is a great opportunity for me to network with local Chicago vendors, and people I've seen at past networking events I can meet in person."

-Bucom International Meeting Planner 

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