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Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chicago saw a boost in tourism last year. Will the pope be a blessing in 2025?
Boosted by major events, Chicago was once again a 'toddling town' for tourists last year, welcoming 55.3 million visitors, up 6.5% over 2023 and setting a post-pandemic high, according to data released Thursday by Choose Chicago. Some of that growth came from increased international tourism to Chicago, which was up 10% in 2024, topping 2 million visitors for the first time since 2019, Choose Chicago said. The domestic and international visitors did more than just ask directions to Sears Tower, generating a record $20.6 billion in economic impact in 2024 through hotel stays, conventions and other activities, according to the city's tourism agency. 'Chicago is a city that knows how to host,' Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release. 'Whether it's conventions, major sporting events, or family vacations, visitors from around the world know they'll find an experience that's welcoming, inspiring, and unique to Chicago.' While last year's Democratic National Convention was a one-off, major returning events this year include the NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Lollapalooza. In addition, Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' shows this week at Soldier Field are expected to draw a lot of visitors and get the summer concert season off to a big start. But a more challenging economic and political landscape may make it hard for Chicago to surpass last year, Kristen Reynolds, Choose Chicago's new president and CEO, told the Tribune on Thursday. 'If we can just stay at the numbers that we're at … that would be a win,' Reynolds said. Choose Chicago, which held its annual meeting Thursday, is looking to build on its momentum in 2025 with a busy convention and events schedule, a new marketing campaign and perhaps some divine intervention, Reynolds said. Reynolds is hoping the selection of Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost as the first American pope — Pope Leo XIV — might boost the city as a travel and pilgrimage destination. 'That has been incredible global exposure, and that will put Chicago in the minds of people from all over the world that maybe hadn't thought of us before,' Reynolds said. 'It's a really wonderful opportunity for us, and not just the city of Chicago, but all of the neighborhoods and the suburban areas of Chicago where the pope has influence and history.' Pope Leo XIV: What to know about Chicago-born Robert Prevost The city, which had 61 million visitors in 2019, is steadily clawing its way back to pre-pandemic levels, reaching nearly 52 million visitors in 2023, according to Choose Chicago. International tourism accounted for about 1.8 million visitors in 2023. Topping last year's 55.3 million visitors and, particularly, the 2 million international visitors, is already proving to be a challenge, Reynolds said, as backlash over trade policies tamp down tourism across the industry. Industry analysts are projecting that Canadians, who represent the largest segment of international travel to the U.S. and Chicago, will curtail travel south of the border in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to annex their country as the 51st state. 'The Canadian sentiment for the United States right now is very low,' Reynolds said. 'So we are definitely seeing some declines in the first quarter internationally.' Potentially offsetting that, Reynolds cited the upcoming Premier League soccer exhibitions in July and the rugby match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks in November as boosts to Chicago's international tourism this year. She also pointed to the U.S. Travel Association's IPW 2025 trade show, which returns to McCormick Place in June for the first time in a decade, as a potential catalyst for international travel to Chicago. On Thursday, Choose Chicago also announced a long-term extension of the National Restaurant Show in the city through 2032. Last year, Chicago hosted 1,891 meetings and conventions generating an economic impact of $3 billion, according to Choose Chicago. Beyond political backlash, Reynolds said the economy may make it hard to grow tourism in Chicago, and across the country, in 2025. 'The economy is another very uncertain factor that everybody in the industry is going to have to deal with, because tourism is not only an emotional decision where people go, it's a financial decision,' Reynolds said. 'And it is a financial decision usually made from discretionary income. So it does impact our industry.' Reynolds, who previously served as president and CEO of Discover Long Island for nearly a decade, was named last month to the same role at Choose Chicago, taking the helm two weeks ago of the agency tasked with promoting the city as a travel destination. Launched in 2012 under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Choose Chicago gets most of its funding from state and city sources, with a budget of $34.7 million this year, according to an agency spokesperson. Emanuel initially set a goal of 55 million visitors a year by 2020, touting tourism as an economic boon and job creator. Chicago first crossed that threshold in 2017 and set a record at 61 million in 2019. But visits fell to 16 million in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it took four years to get back to Emanuel's original target. Meanwhile, Choose Chicago is planning to launch a marketing campaign in June at the IPW convention, pitching the city to thousands of international travel bookers in an effort to keep tourism numbers rising. Whether the new marketing campaign incorporates Da Pope remains to be seen. rchannick@
Chicago Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago saw a boost in tourism last year. Will the pope be a blessing in 2025?
Boosted by major events, Chicago was once again a 'toddling town' for tourists last year, welcoming 55.3 million visitors, up 6.5% over 2023 and setting a post-pandemic high, according to data released Thursday by Choose Chicago. Some of that growth came from increased international tourism to Chicago, which was up 10% in 2024, topping 2 million visitors for the first time since 2019, Choose Chicago said. The domestic and international visitors did more than just ask directions to Sears Tower, generating a record $20.6 billion in economic impact in 2024 through hotel stays, conventions and other activities, according to the city's tourism agency. 'Chicago is a city that knows how to host,' Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release. 'Whether it's conventions, major sporting events, or family vacations, visitors from around the world know they'll find an experience that's welcoming, inspiring, and unique to Chicago.' While last year's Democratic National Convention was a one-off, major returning events this year include the NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Lollapalooza. In addition, Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' shows this week at Soldier Field are expected to draw a lot of visitors and get the summer concert season off to a big start. But a more challenging economic and political landscape may make it hard for Chicago to surpass last year, Kristen Reynolds, Choose Chicago's new president and CEO, told the Tribune Thursday. 'If we can just stay at the numbers that we're at … that would be a win,' Reynolds said. Choose Chicago, which held its annual meeting Thursday, is nonetheless looking to build on its momentum in 2025 with a busy convention and events schedule, a new marketing campaign and perhaps some divine intervention, Reynolds said. Reynolds is hoping the naming last week of Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost as the first American Pope might boost the city as a travel/pilgrimage destination. 'That has been incredible global exposure, and that will put Chicago in the minds of people from all over the world that maybe hadn't thought of us before,' Reynolds told the Tribune. 'It's a really wonderful opportunity for us, and not just the city of Chicago, but all of the neighborhoods and the suburban areas of Chicago where the Pope has influence and history.' Pope Leo XIV: What to know about Chicago-born Robert PrevostThe city, which had 61 million visitors in 2019, is steadily clawing its way back to pre-pandemic levels, reaching nearly 52 million visitors in 2023, according to Choose Chicago. International tourism accounted for about 1.8 million visitors in 2023. Topping last year's 55.3 million visitors and particularly, the 2 million international visitors, is already proving to be a challenge, Reynolds said, as backlash over trade policies tamp down tourism across the industry. Industry analysts are projecting that Canadians, who represent the largest segment of international travel to the U.S. and Chicago, will curtail travel south of the border in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to annex their country as the 51st state. 'The Canadian sentiment for the United States right now is very low,' Reynolds said.'So we are definitely seeing some declines in the first quarter internationally.' Potentially offsetting that, Reynolds cited the upcoming Premier League soccer exhibitions in July and the rugby match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks in November as boosts to Chicago's international tourism this year. She also pointed to the U.S. Travel Association's IPW 2025 trade show, which returns to McCormick Place in June for the first time in a decade, as a potential catalyst for international travel to Chicago. On Thursday, Choose Chicago also announced a long-term extension of the National Restaurant Show in the city through 2032. Last year, Chicago hosted 1,891 meetings and conventions generating an economic impact of $3 billion, Choose Chicago said. Beyond political backlash, Reynolds said the economy may make it hard to grow tourism in Chicago, and across the country, in 2025. 'The economy is another very uncertain factor that everybody in the industry is going to have to deal with, because tourism is not only an emotional decision where people go, it's a financial decision,' Reynolds said. 'And it is a financial decision usually made from discretionary income. So it does impact our industry.' Reynolds, who previously served as president and CEO of Discover Long Island for nearly a decade, was named last month to the same role at Choose Chicago, taking the helm two weeks ago of the agency tasked with promoting the city as a travel destination. Launched in 2012 under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Choose Chicago gets most of its funding from state and city sources, with a budget of $34.7 million this year, according to an agency spokesperson. Emanuel initially set a goal of 55 million visitors a year by 2020, touting tourism as an economic boon and job creator. Chicago first crossed that threshold in 2017 and set a record at 61 million in 2019. But visitation fell to 16 million in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, and it took four years to get back to Emanuel's original target. Meanwhile, Choose Chicago is planning to launch a marketing campaign in June at the IPW convention, pitching the city to thousands of international travel bookers in an effort to keep tourism numbers rising. Whether the new marketing campaign incorporates Da Pope, remains to be seen. rchannick@
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
NASCAR Chicago Street Race Faces Backlash As Local Residents Speak Out
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NASCAR Chicago Street race is facing concerns from local residents ahead of its return for the third year of racing in the city in July. The Chicago Police met with local residents along with NASCAR representatives on Wednesday, according to a report from CBS News. One resident, Paul Wasserman, claimed, "It's really tough on the neighborhood during NASCAR. "Occasionally when there's an event going on down here, you get like a bad day or maybe a bad night for like a Beyoncé concert [at Soldier Field] or something, but this is like that, but for however long NSACAR goes on." He added: "I understand that we might have to live with it, but if it were elsewhere, I'd be happier." Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota, and Zane Smith, driver of the #71 Focused Health Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 07,... Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota, and Zane Smith, driver of the #71 Focused Health Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. MoreCentral (1st) District police Cmdr. David Harris responded to residents concerns, explaining: "I understand it's a lot of people live down here, and they're not interested in their front yard being a party every weekend." NASCAR's response President of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Julie Giese commented: "We have been working very hard to minimize those disruptions." Giese also addressed the amount of time NASCAR is in the city for, which is expected to be a total of 25 days of disruptions from setup to to clearing up the course. She added: "We're going to continue to get better at this," Giese said. NASCAR Chicago Street Race contract NASCAR officials announced a three-year contract extension for the Chicago Street Race in 2023, which will see it's agreement conclude at the end of the current season. Steve O'Donnell, who recently took the role of NASCAR President, commented on the future of the event in December 2024. He explained, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports: "For us, we're just looking at 2025. It'll be the third year of a three-year run, and each year we've wanted to build upon the momentum that we have. "We've learned things each and every year — it's our first street race, a lot of learnings came from that." He added: "[There are] a number of folks who are interested at looking at NASCAR from a street race [perspective]. "We are certainly interested in California and the Southern California market, and that will continue to be a focus for us, but nothing to confirm at this point." Giese also responded to questions about the event's future during the Wednesday meeting, to which she stated: "Again, right now, our focus is on this year's event. We have those option years. We'll have those conversations."
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Choose Chicago names new CEO to lead city's tourism agency
After a yearlong search, Chicago has chosen a New York destination marketing executive to lead the city's tourism efforts. Kristen Reynolds, 51, who has been president and CEO of Discover Long Island for nearly a decade, will head west to take the same role at Choose Chicago, the agency tasked with promoting the city as a travel destination. Moving on from a successful run on Long Island, an expansive and populous region stretching from the outer boroughs of New York City to seaside resort communities like the Hamptons, Reynolds is ready for the challenge and opportunity of building back Chicago's tourism numbers in the post-pandemic landscape. 'I'm all about breaking records and exceeding expectations, and I want to do the same thing here in Chicago,' she said Thursday. 'I want to make sure that we continue to grow not only the convention side, but the leisure side.' Choose Chicago has been without a permanent CEO since Lynn Osmond stepped down at the end of January 2024. Board member and former Chicago Tribune executive Rich Gamble has served as interim CEO during the extended search for Osmond's successor. The city, which had 61 million visitors in 2019, is slowly clawing back to pre-pandemic levels, reaching nearly 52 million visitors in 2023, according to Choose Chicago. International tourism accounted for about 1.8 million visitors in 2023. Choose Chicago expects to release 2024 visitation numbers in June, but the city has been gaining momentum, catalyzed by major events such as the Democratic National Convention in August, which along with recurring tentpole events such as the NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Lollapalooza helped boost summer hotel stays 5% last year compared with 2023. The busy schedule last year may also have delayed the search for a new Choose Chicago CEO. 'With all that we had going on last year, we had some pretty monumental events … we knew going into the search that we could take our time, because we had a qualified leader in the interim,' said Glenn Eden, Choose Chicago's board chair. Eden said there were a lot of stakeholders in the process that led to hiring Reynolds, who starts May 5. She was the consensus choice and the right person to lead Choose Chicago 'above and beyond' and help write the next chapter of the city's tourism agency, he said. One key stakeholder expressed support for the choice. 'Kristen Reynolds is a proven leader in the tourism industry and we welcome her to Chicago,' Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release Thursday. 'With major global events on the horizon and our city continuing to break tourism records, Kristen's leadership will be instrumental in strengthening Chicago's position as a top destination for visitors, conventions, and business investment.' A Texas native and Arizona State graduate, Reynolds spent more than a decade promoting Arizona as a tourism executive before landing on Long Island in 2015. Since taking the helm at Discover Long Island, the agency's budget has doubled and annual tourism spending has increased by $2 billion, Reynolds said. Last year the region, home to 3.5 million people, welcomed 42 million visitors — without a convention center, which is in development. The marketing strategy Reynolds implemented, which relies heavily on social media, 'transformed' Discover Long Island and drove record-breaking visitation, according to a news release Thursday from the New York agency announcing her departure. 'We really kind of put Long Island on the map,' Reynolds said. Choose Chicago was launched in 2012 under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel by combining two bureaus into the city's official tourism organization. The not-for-profit gets most of its funding from state and city sources, with a budget of $34.7 million this year, according to an agency spokesperson. Osmond, who stepped down after less than two years as CEO, earned $536,165 in 2023, according to the most recent Choose Chicago nonprofit tax return posted online. Funding Choose Chicago is 'critically important' to its success, Reynolds said. 'I am very passionate about the need for diversified funding, and that's going to be a huge priority and goal,' she said. Another priority for Reynolds is community buy-in for promoting Chicago as a tourism destination. She pointed to her podcast 'Long Island Tea' as a platform for giving Long Islanders a place to dish on their communities and be part of the marketing process for the region. Tourism, she said, improves the quality of life for residents. While international visitation is a small percentage of the Chicago tourism pie, it will also be a priority for Reynolds, despite a political environment that may be challenging. Industry analysts are projecting that Canadians, for example, who represent the largest segment of international travel to the U.S. and Chicago, will curtail travel south of the border in the wake of President Donald Trump's recently imposed tariffs and threats to annex Canada as the 51st state. Last year, there were more than 20 million Canadian visitors to the U.S., according to the U.S. Travel Association. 'There's a lot of international headwinds facing our nation right now, not just Chicago, but the entire country, and we're going to have to navigate that very carefully, and we're going to have to have a really strong approach,' Reynolds said. 'Chicago is in a very unique position internationally to be able to say we are welcoming, we do present and represent those American values of welcoming everyone. And I think that's really going to resonate internationally.' Eden and Reynolds cited the upcoming Premier League soccer exhibitions in July and the rugby match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks in November as boosts to Chicago's international tourism this year. They also pointed to the U.S. Travel Association's IPW 2025 trade show, which returns to McCormick Place in June for the first time in a decade, as a potential catalyst for international travel to Chicago. Chicago is, of course, a convention city, which was not a part of the portfolio for Reynolds at Discover Long Island. Shut down during the pandemic, the convention business has been returning to McCormick Place, with 103 major events in 2022, 115 in 2023 and 112 last year, according to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. Selling Chicago as a convention destination will be high on the agenda for Reynolds. While Reynolds comes to Chicago from New York, she has family ties to her new city. Her husband is from Chicago and her daughter attends Loyola University Chicago. On a professional level, she said the move represents the 'pinnacle' of her career, and an opportunity to make Chicago second city to none as a travel destination. 'I'm just really ready to shout how wonderful Chicago is from the global stage,' Reynolds said. 'The energy here is unmatched, and I'm ready to hit the ground running.' rchannick@
Chicago Tribune
03-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Choose Chicago names new CEO to lead city's tourism agency
After a yearlong search, Chicago has chosen a New York destination marketing executive to lead the city's tourism efforts. Kristen Reynolds, 51, who has been president and CEO of Discover Long Island for nearly a decade, will head west to take the same role at Choose Chicago, the agency tasked with promoting the city as a travel destination. Moving on from a successful run on Long Island, an expansive and populous region stretching from the outer boroughs of New York City to seaside resort communities like the Hamptons, Reynolds is ready for the challenge and opportunity of building back Chicago's tourism numbers in the post-pandemic landscape. 'I'm all about breaking records and exceeding expectations, and I want to do the same thing here in Chicago,' she said Thursday. 'I want to make sure that we continue to grow not only the convention side, but the leisure side.' Choose Chicago has been without a permanent CEO since Lynn Osmond stepped down at the end of January 2024. Board member and former Chicago Tribune executive Rich Gamble has served as interim CEO during the extended search for Osmond's successor. The city, which had 61 million visitors in 2019, is slowly clawing back to pre-pandemic levels, reaching nearly 52 million visitors in 2023, according to Choose Chicago. International tourism accounted for about 1.8 million visitors in 2023. Choose Chicago expects to release 2024 visitation numbers in June, but the city has been gaining momentum, catalyzed by major events such as the Democratic National Convention in August, which along with recurring tentpole events such as the NASCAR Chicago Street Race and Lollapalooza helped boost summer hotel stays 5% last year compared with 2023. The busy schedule last year may also have delayed the search for a new Choose Chicago CEO. 'With all that we had going on last year, we had some pretty monumental events … we knew going into the search that we could take our time, because we had a qualified leader in the interim,' said Glenn Eden, Choose Chicago's board chair. Eden said there were a lot of stakeholders in the process that led to hiring Reynolds, who starts May 5. She was the consensus choice and the right person to lead Choose Chicago 'above and beyond' and help write the next chapter of the city's tourism agency, he said. One key stakeholder expressed support for the choice. 'Kristen Reynolds is a proven leader in the tourism industry and we welcome her to Chicago,' Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release Thursday. 'With major global events on the horizon and our city continuing to break tourism records, Kristen's leadership will be instrumental in strengthening Chicago's position as a top destination for visitors, conventions, and business investment.' A Texas native and Arizona State graduate, Reynolds spent more than a decade promoting Arizona as a tourism executive before landing on Long Island in 2015. Since taking the helm at Discover Long Island, the agency's budget has doubled and annual tourism spending has increased by $2 billion, Reynolds said. Last year the region, home to 3.5 million people, welcomed 42 million visitors — without a convention center, which is in development. The marketing strategy Reynolds implemented, which relies heavily on social media, 'transformed' Discover Long Island and drove record-breaking visitation, according to a news release Thursday from the New York agency announcing her departure. 'We really kind of put Long Island on the map,' Reynolds said. Choose Chicago was launched in 2012 under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel by combining two bureaus into the city's official tourism organization. The not-for-profit gets most of its funding from state and city sources, with a budget of $34.7 million this year, according to an agency spokesperson. Osmond, who stepped down after less than two years as CEO, earned $536,165 in 2023, according to the most recent Choose Chicago nonprofit tax return posted online. Funding Choose Chicago is 'critically important' to its success, Reynolds said. 'I am very passionate about the need for diversified funding, and that's going to be a huge priority and goal,' she said. Another priority for Reynolds is community buy-in for promoting Chicago as a tourism destination. She pointed to her podcast 'Long Island Tea' as a platform for giving Long Islanders a place to dish on their communities and be part of the marketing process for the region. Tourism, she said, improves the quality of life for residents. While international visitation is a small percentage of the Chicago tourism pie, it will also be a priority for Reynolds, despite a political environment that may be challenging. Industry analysts are projecting that Canadians, for example, who represent the largest segment of international travel to the U.S. and Chicago, will curtail travel south of the border in the wake of President Donald Trump's recently imposed tariffs and threats to annex Canada as the 51st state. Last year, there were more than 20 million Canadian visitors to the U.S., according to the U.S. Travel Association. 'There's a lot of international headwinds facing our nation right now, not just Chicago, but the entire country, and we're going to have to navigate that very carefully, and we're going to have to have a really strong approach,' Reynolds said. 'Chicago is in a very unique position internationally to be able to say we are welcoming, we do present and represent those American values of welcoming everyone. And I think that's really going to resonate internationally.' Eden and Reynolds cited the upcoming Premier League soccer exhibitions in July and the rugby match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks in November as boosts to Chicago's international tourism this year. They also pointed to the U.S. Travel Association's IPW 2025 trade show, which returns to McCormick Place in June for the first time in a decade, as a potential catalyst for international travel to Chicago. Chicago is, of course, a convention city, which was not a part of the portfolio for Reynolds at Discover Long Island. Shut down during the pandemic, the convention business has been returning to McCormick Place, with 103 major events in 2022, 115 in 2023 and 112 last year, according to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. Selling Chicago as a convention destination will be high on the agenda for Reynolds. While Reynolds comes to Chicago from New York, she has family ties to her new city. Her husband is from Chicago and her daughter attends Loyola University Chicago. On a professional level, she said the move represents the 'pinnacle' of her career, and an opportunity to make Chicago second city to none as a travel destination. 'I'm just really ready to shout how wonderful Chicago is from the global stage,' Reynolds said. 'The energy here is unmatched, and I'm ready to hit the ground running.'
