CCTB Vision
Chicago will be the top global destination.
CCTB Mission
The Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau is the premier sales and marketing organization that promotes Chicago’s world-class assets to global leisure travel and convention business to ensure the economic vitality of the City and its member business community.
CCTB History
Chicago has a long and illustrious history as a convention and meeting site. The area's first recorded convention dates back to 1847, when the U.S. River and Harbor convention met to discuss the St. Lawrence River. By 1907, the city was beginning to establish itself as a world-class attraction, and the Chicago Association of Commerce moved to establish a local business committee charged with the responsibility of attracting conventions to the growing downtown area.
In 1943, the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau was founded to serve as Chicago's primary sales agent for conventions and trade shows of all types and sizes.
In 1970, the Bureau merged with the Tourism Council of Greater Chicago to form the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.
In 1980, the Metropolitan Fair and Exposition Authority - owners and managers of McCormick Place - determined that the CCTB was the best qualified organization to serve as the principal sales agent for McCormick Place. The Bureau moved its offices to McCormick Place at the end of 1980.
In 1989, under the leadership of Governor James Thompson, the Metropolitan Fair and Exposition Authority assumed total responsibility for Navy Pier, thus the Authority was renamed the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA).
Acting under the agreement still in effect today, the Bureau plays a crucial role in enhancing the economic fabric of the Chicagoland community by selling and promoting the city and its facilities as the ideal destination for visitors of all types.
CCTB Impact
Visitors spend billions of dollars each year in metropolitan Chicago. This income spurs new business, which means new jobs for the area and economic growth for the region, benefiting everyone.
Located in the center of the U.S., Chicago's size, transportation options, lively hospitality industry and unparalleled meeting and exhibition facilities make Chicago the premier choice for group meetings of any type or size.
Funding
The CCTB is neither a branch of any government nor a charitable foundation. It is an independent not-for-profit organization, which receives its funding from several sources, including:
• A percentage of Chicago's hotel/motel tax
• State of Illinois grant monies for development of local conventions and tourism
• Membership dues from local hospitality-related businesses
• Grant money from the MPEA
Membership
The CCTB considers its members to be its greatest asset. The Bureau's membership provides products, services and expertise vital to the Bureau's role as a liaison to the convention and tourism industries.
The CCTB boasts one of the largest membership bases (1,200) of any convention bureau in the nation. Membership in the CCTB provides a recognizable endorsement sought by meeting planners and also provides direct marketing opportunities to key buyers and decision-makers.
CCTB Departments
SALES-CONVENTION: Positions metro Chicago as a future meeting site to thousands of potential local, national and regional customers. Books group meeting space at McCormick Place, Navy Pier, and other venues throughout the city. For more information, email us at: salesconvention@choosechicago.com
CLIENT SERVICES: Works hand-in-hand with the convention sales department as a liaison between meeting planners and CCTB members, city offices and other key contacts, once Chicago has been selected as the site of a meeting or convention. For more information, email us at: services@choosechicago.com
SALES-TOURISM: Sells Chicago to the tour and travel industry, packages individual and group overnight stays to Chicago, and markets those packages on both domestic and international fronts. For more information, email us at: salestourism@choosechicago.com
MARKETING: Supports all departments with creation and production of communications support materials such as brochures, planning materials and promotional publications. Coordinates advertising program with outside agency. Assists customers with advertising and marketing efforts. For more information, email us at: marketing@choosechicago.com
PUBLIC RELATIONS: Communicates CCTB and Chicago visitor industry news and information with a variety of stakeholders, including customers, members, industry professionals, local businesses, and elected officials. Coordinates all media relations efforts with local, national, trade and consumer outlets. For more information, email us at: publicrelations@choosechicago.com
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS: Produces publications including a quarterly visitors guide, an annual destination planning guide, a membership directory, and a schedule of conventions and trade shows. Also maintains websites and manages operations at Chicago's visitor call center. For more information, email us at: communicationsandsponsorship@choosechicago.com
RESEARCH: Provides statistical and demographic information about Chicago's convention and tourism industry. Produces city visitor statistics and assists convention customers with research needs. For more information, email us at: researchinfo@choosechicago.com
MEMBERSHIP: Recruits and retains hospitality-related businesses for membership. Presents marketing opportunities and benefits that are only available through CCTB membership. For more information, email us at: membership@choosechicago.com
PROMOTIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS: Coordinates CCTB promotions and special events including fundraisers, membership networking events, client events and Bureau involvement at industry conventions and trade shows. For more information, email us at: specialevents@choosechicago.com
STRATEGIC MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS: Oversees the development and implementation of all of the Bureau's strategic marketing partnerships. This department is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive list of all CCTB assets, and packaging benefits for year-round and multi-year marketing opportunities. For more information, email us at: communicationsandsponsorship@choosechicago.com
INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS