Exhibiting partners such as 360 CHICAGO, the Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago Cubs, and the Field Museum ensured Chicago’s offerings were prominently featured throughout the event.
“IPW provides an unmatched platform to showcase Chicago’s rich tapestry of cultural, culinary, and architectural offerings to a global audience,” said Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “Our active engagement here sets a strong precedent for what we will deliver when we host IPW next year.”
Setting the Stage for 2025
The Chicago delegation kicked off their presence with a vibrant trade show booth in a prime location on the convention floor, complemented by numerous brand activations. On Friday evening, Choose Chicago hosted a private media reception, a house music party honoring the genre’s 40th anniversary, attended by over 100 domestic and international media and DJed by Chip E., one of house music’s pioneers.
Chicago-themed activations captivated attendees throughout the show. Highlights included a Chicago mural photo opportunity, Route 66 exhibits, and a variety of Chicago’s iconic culinary delights such as Chicago hot dogs and local beer. The house music happy hour, featuring DJ Chip E., drew significant attention, embodying the city’s vibrant spirit.
Representatives from Choose Chicago also participated in over 250 business appointments during the three-day event, facilitating crucial meetings with key travel decision-makers and media representatives.
Promoting Chicago as a Premier Destination
Choose Chicago held a future host city press conference themed “Welcome to Our House” to celebrate the 40th anniversary of house music in Chicago. Attended by approximately 500 international media, the conference featured speeches from Chicago Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Rich Gamble, and Glenn Eden, Board Chair of Choose Chicago. The event culminated in a dynamic performance blending house music and blues, featuring DJs Lori Branch and Chip E., and blues musicians Billy Branch and Wayne Baker Brooks.
In celebration of Route 66’s centennial anniversary, Choose Chicago presented a Blues Brothers-themed welcome video during the “Route to Chicago” handover luncheon. The video, followed by speeches from Rich Gamble and Daniel Thomas, Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, invited attendees to explore Chicago and Illinois via Route 66 at IPW 2025.
Engagement and Economic Impact
The delegation included prominent leaders from Chicago’s tourism, hospitality, and civic sectors, such as Glenn Eden, Lori Healey, Michael Jacobson, Seth Kagy, Jim Kenyon, Jan Kostner, Patrick Macellaio, Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt, Gemma Mulvihill, Matt Petersen, Charles Smith, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Daniel Thomas, Lisa Timbo, and Scott Weiner.
Deputy Mayor Merritt shared, “The energy and engagement we’ve seen at IPW 2024 reinforces Chicago’s status as a world-class city for both leisure and business travelers. I am so excited to bring this momentum back home and continue to elevate our city’s profile on the global stage.”
“The relationships forged at IPW are invaluable,” said Daniel Thomas. “Past IPWs have generated billions of dollars in additional economic impact through increased international visitation to past host cities, and we anticipate a significant boost in global travelers choosing Chicago and Illinois in the years following our hosting next year.”
Key Statistics from IPW 2024
– Delegates: 5,700, a 20% increase from IPW 2023 in San Antonio.
– International Buyers and Media: 2,000 buyers and over 600 media representatives from 70 countries.
– Engagements: Over 250 business appointments and more than 100 interviews with domestic and international media.
Positive Tourism Trends for Chicago
Visitor spending in Chicago generated an estimated $1.8 billion in state and local taxes in 2023. Hotel revenue reached approximately $2.5 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with a record-setting Q1 revenue of $346 million. These positive trends are expected to continue with the presence of major shows and events throughout the year.
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