Choose Chicago prepares for the 2025 edition of IPW

Choose Chicago closed out successful Chicago business and advocacy meetings at IPW 2024, the largest inbound travel trade show in the United States, held in Los Angeles May 3-7. The delegation was made up of civic, hospitality and tourism leaders from the city. The entire Choose Chicago team laid the groundwork for next year's IPW, which will take place in Chicago from June 14-18, 2025. Exhibitor partners present at IPW 2024 included major attractions such as 360 CHICAGO, Skydeck Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago Cubs, Field Museum and many others, ensuring Chicago's unique offerings were front and center throughout the event.

"IPW provides an unparalleled platform to showcase Chicago's range of cultural, culinary and architectural offerings to a global audience," said Rich Gamble, interim president and CEO of Choose Chicago. "Our active participation here sets a strong precedent for what we will offer when we host IPW next year."

“The participation of our civic and hospitality industry partners in IPW 2025 shows the importance and impact of tourism on the economy of our city and state,” said Choose Chicago Board Chair Glenn Eden. "Personally, I can't wait to welcome the world to Chicago in June of next year."

The city's presence at IPW began on the first night and continued throughout the show with a vibrant booth in a prominent position on the convention exhibit floor and numerous brand activations. On Friday night, Choose Chicago hosted a private media reception (a house music party in honor of the genre's 40th anniversary) attended by more than 100 national and international media, and livening up the gathering was DJ by Chip E. , the architect of house music.

Chicago and Illinois themed activations captivated attendees throughout the show in the South Lobby of the Convention Center. Attendees enjoyed photo opportunities at a Chicago mural, Route 66 highlights, delicious bites and drinks including hot dogs and Chicago beer, and a house music happy hour with DJ Chip E. The activations of the booth attracted a lot of attention during peak attendance hours and showed the vibrant spirit of Chicago.

Choose Chicago representatives also participated in more than 250 business meetings during the three dates of the show, facilitating crucial meetings with key travel decision makers and media representatives, and attended numerous networking events throughout of the conference.

Choose Chicago held a future host city press conference on the theme “Welcome to Our Home” in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the birth of house music in Chicago. The press conference, attended by approximately 500 international media, served as a strategic platform to position Chicago as the premier destination for international leisure and MICE travelers in anticipation of IPW 2025. The attending delegation highlighted the countless attractions, experiences and experiences unique. features that define Chicago as an unparalleled destination and a speaking program featuring Chicago Vice Mayor Kenya Merritt, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Rich Gamble and Glenn Eden, both of Choose Chicago. The press conference culminated with a spectacular house and blues performance featuring house music DJs Lori Branch and Chip E. and blues musicians Billy Branch and Wayne Baker Brooks.

In a nod to the 100th anniversary of Route 66, Choose Chicago showed a Blues Brothers-themed welcome video presentation during the “Route to Chicago” delivery luncheon. The video presentation was followed by speeches from Rich Gamble, interim president and CEO of Choose Chicago, and Daniel Thomas, deputy director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, inviting attendees to embark on a journey to experience the unparalleled charm of Chicago and Illinois at IPW 2025 via Route 66, a convergence where urban vitality seamlessly intertwines with natural beauty. Held on the final day of the conference, the luncheon positioned Chicago and Illinois as leading destinations in front of more than 5,500 domestic and international travel professionals.

The Chicago delegation included the following leaders from the local civic, hospitality and tourism communities:

• Glenn Eden, President – ​​Choose Chicago Board of Directors
• Lori Healey, Senior Vice President, OPC Implementation – Obama Foundation
• Michael Jacobson, President and CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association
• Seth Kagy, Gerente General – Navy Pier
• Jim Kenyon, executive vice president of Intersport
• Jan Kostner, Senior Vice President of Membership and Corporate Relations – Chicago Chamber of Commerce
• Patrick Macellaio, Event Manager – Obama Presidential Center
• Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt – City of Chicago
• Gemma Mulvihill, Executive Director of Sales – Broadway in Chicago
• Matt Petersen, Sports and Entertainment Consultant, Petey Sponsorship Consulting
• Charles Smith, vice president of World Business Chicago
• Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton – State of Illinois
• Daniel Thomas, Deputy Director – Illinois Tourism Office
• Lisa Timbo, Area General Manager, Marriott International
• Scott Weiner, director and co-founder of The Fifty/50 Group

Deputy Mayor Merritt said, “The energy and engagement we have seen at IPW 2024 reinforces Chicago's status as a world-class city for both leisure and business travelers. “I am very excited to bring this momentum home and continue to raise the profile of our city on the global stage.”

“The relationships forged at IPW are invaluable,” said Daniel Thomas, Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism. "Previous IPWs have generated billions of dollars in additional economic impact through increased international visitation to previous host cities, and we anticipate a significant increase in the number of global travelers choosing Chicago and Illinois in the years following our celebration next year.

IPW 2024 Key Statistics:

• 5,700 delegates participated, representing a 20% increase over the previous year's IPW in San Antonio.
• 2,000 international buyers and more than 600 media representatives from 70 countries attended.
• The Choose Chicago team participated in more than 250 meetings with travel industry professionals and conducted more than 100 interviews and appointments with national and international media.

Strong representation at key travel industry shows like IPW is critical to driving future visits to Chicago. Previous IPWs have generated more than $5.5 billion in additional economic impact to previous host city markets through increased international visitation.

Key tourism metrics are trending positively. Visitor spending in Chicago generated approximately $1.8 billion in state and local taxes in 2023. Hotel revenue in 2023 was approximately $2.5 billion, 102% of immediate pre-pandemic levels and an all-time high; and Chicago hotels set a new revenue record in the first quarter of this year with $346 million, generating a record of more than $60 million in hotel taxes for Illinois and Chicago. The presence of multiple major shows and events is expected to extend this positive trend into May and into the summer.