Choose Chicago held its Annual Meeting at the historic Auditorium Theatre, celebrating the organization's achievements in 2023 and laying the groundwork for upcoming major events in the city. The event brought together key industry partners, civic officials, media, and community leaders, who participated in a Q&A session with Mayor Brandon Johnson. During the meeting, official visitation and economic impact figures for 2023 were announced, awards were presented for outstanding contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry, and beneficiaries of Choose Chicago Foundation scholarships were recognized.

"Chicago's unparalleled hospitality, vibrant cultural scene, and strategic initiatives led by Choose Chicago have propelled us to new heights as a destination, especially considering the variety of world-class events we'll host this summer," said Glenn Eden, chairman of the Choose Chicago board of directors.

Impressive Tourism Figures in 2023 Choose Chicago announced that the city welcomed nearly 52 million domestic and international visitors in 2023, an increase of 3.3 million from the previous year. This uptick in tourism contributed to an estimated economic impact of $19.2 billion, an 8% increase from 2022, and generated approximately $2.65 billion in state and local taxes, an 11% increase from 2022. Both figures surpassed 2019 levels. International visits, a key focus of Choose Chicago, increased by 27% year-over-year, reaching 1.8 million visitors. Chicago hotels recorded an impressive 11 million occupied room nights, a 10% increase from 2022, marking another year of significant recovery for the hotel sector.

"These figures highlight the incredible progress we've made over the past year," said Rich Gamble, interim president and CEO of Choose Chicago. "We owe this success to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team and partners. Chicago is a premier destination for global travelers for many reasons: our lakefront, beautiful neighborhoods, world-class architecture, restaurants, and cultural institutions. We look forward to continuing to welcome the world to our home."

Awards and Recognitions The Annual Meeting celebrated the achievements of key industry partners and future leaders. Rich Gamble presented Tourism Ambassador Awards to three outstanding recipients:

Little Village for its dedication to preserving cultural heritage and driving economic development in the La Villita neighborhood. Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce Kim Close, Executive Director of the Little Village Foundation Elena Durán, Secretary of SSA #2 Peter Eelman for his leadership in organizing the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) and his contributions to the community. Peter Eelman, Vice President of Experience at the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and Director of the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) The Bear, the successful television program, for its role in showcasing Chicago's culinary scene to a global audience. Christopher Storer, Producer of The Bear Chris Zucchero, Owner of Mr. Beef Donnie Madia, Partner and Restaurateur at One Off Hospitality The Choose Chicago Foundation also awarded scholarships to promising students representing the future of the hotel and tourism industry.

Commitment to Innovation and Community 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 many other major events, we look forward to showcasing Chicago's unparalleled hospitality on a global stage," said Johnson.

Marilynn Gardner, Vice President and President & CEO of Navy Pier at Choose Chicago, highlighted the organization's ongoing commitment to innovation and community engagement. "We're excited about the future and the opportunities ahead to make Chicago an even more appealing destination for visitors from around the world. Our attractions, services, and culinary and cultural experiences are truly unmatched."

Cultural Celebration The Annual Meeting concluded with a celebratory performance by legendary house music DJs Chip E. and Lori Branch, along with blues musicians Billy Branch and Wayne Baker Brooks, underscoring the vibrant cultural scene that makes Chicago a premier destination and celebrating the 40th anniversary of house music.