In late 2023, Choose Chicago launched the PR Roundtable—a recurring forum that brings together over 100 public relations, marketing, and communications professionals from civic, cultural, hospitality, and tourism-focused organizations across the city. Each month, these convenings spotlight sectors shaping Chicago’s visitor experience and highlight opportunities for strategic collaboration. Past Roundtables have focused on topics like Chicago’s culinary industry, neighborhood development, sports, museums, and media.

This week’s PR Roundtable, titled Culture Meets Commerce: Partnerships to Power the Holidays, explored how cultural events drive foot traffic and spending in neighborhood retail corridors. Panelists from the German American Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Loop Alliance, Uptown Chamber of Commerce, Magnificent Mile Association, and Quad Communities Development Corporation shared how their communities rally together to drive meaningful business before, during, and after the holiday season.

The conversation focused on the importance of proactive collaboration, both between the different businesses and attractions in a community and across different Chicago neighborhoods. From our vibrant central core where the Christkindlmarket and Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival serve as some of Chicago’s most iconic holiday attractions, to our diverse neighborhoods where activations like Uptown’s Winter Walk on Wilson and Holidays in Bronzeville showcase the best of our communities to visitors and residents alike, Chicago’s holiday season shines thanks to our collaborative efforts.

Thank you to all our panelists for sharing their insights and experience:

• Leila Schmidt, German American Chamber of Commerce
• Ariella Gibson, Chicago Loop Alliance
• Sarah Wilson, Uptown Chamber of Commerce
• Liz Gilbert, Magnificent Mile Association
• Rhonda McFarland, Quad Communities Development Corporation

Next up: the November PR Roundtable will take place in person at the Chicago Architecture Center and will highlight the upcoming Route 66 centennial. The Mother Road Starts Here will feature Choose Chicago’s Rob Fojtik, TV personality Geoffrey Baer, and Cory Jobe from Great Rivers and Routes, exploring how this national milestone will shine a spotlight on Chicago.