Choose Chicago sponsorship opportunities
At Choose Chicago, we believe strong partnerships drive meaningful impact. Our partnership marketing opportunities are designed to connect brands with the audiences that matter most — from marquee events like Chicago Restaurant Week to industry programs such as All for the Love of Chicago Round Tables, and workforce initiatives through the Choose Chicago Foundation.
Each opportunity offers meaningful visibility and engagement with key stakeholders across Chicago and beyond. We invite you to explore the programs that best align with your brand, goals, and desired impact.
Choose Chicago Foundation Signature Fundraising Event
Become a sponsor of the Choose Chicago’s Foundation’s Signature fundraising event, supporting the next generation of hospitality and tourism rising professionals and leaders. Sponsorship contributions are tax deductible.
Chicago Restaurant Week and First Bites Bash
Reach thousands of culinary enthusiasts through Chicago Restaurant Week — the nation’s largest culinary event of its kind. This annual 17-day celebration brings together 500+ restaurants from across Chicagoland and serving more than 560k diners.
To build excitement and offer an exclusive preview of Restaurant Week menus, Choose Chicago produces First Bites Bash — the official kick-off event. Hosted annually by a celebrated Chicago-based chef, this one-night tasting experience brings together over 2,000 guests and features 75+ top restaurants, alongside curated beer, wine, and spirits pairings, plus engaging sponsor activations.
Choose Chicago Annual Meeting of Partnership
Connect with our partner community at our Annual Meeting of Partnership. This annual gathering brings together our full partner community for an address from our President & CEO, Kristen Reynolds, along with a review of key accomplishments from the previous year and a look ahead at our strategic priorities for the year ahead.
Request a sponsorship from Choose Chicago
Thank you for your interest in Choose Chicago as a sponsor for your program or event. There are three steps to this process:
- You must be a Choose Chicago partner to submit a sponsorship request form. Information about partnership benefits can be found here.
- Please complete the Sponsorship Request Form below. Incomplete forms will not be considered. Please be as thorough as possible in your answers.
- Please ensure your request is 6 months prior to the date of your event.
All programs or events regardless of previous support need to complete a new sponsorship request form. A Choose Chicago representative will review your application and respond within 10 business days.
Sponsorship Criteria
Choose Chicago will consider sponsorship opportunities that significantly and measurably drive economic impact, provide a platform for Choose Chicago to shape the narrative of our city, or align with our target demographics in the meetings and leisure space.
Choose Chicago does not sponsor:
- Sporting Events
- Commercial, retail, religious, political or academic events
- Business events (Meetings, Conventions, Conferences etc.)
- Seminars and clinics
- Tournaments and competitions
- Rallies and pageants
- Religious or political gatherings
- Fundraising events (with the exception of a business development opportunity)
- Farmers markets
- Award shows and ceremonies
- Lobbying activities
- Attractions, shows, tours, or recurring events held over an extended period of time
- Scheduled exhibitions or other regular programming
- Touring performances
- Fully virtual events
About Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago’s mission is to enrich our community by attracting meetings, events and leisure travelers to Chicago from outside our market- and to elevate the brand of Chicago as a must-experience global destination.
Partnership
Choose Chicago is a partner-based organization, comprising 1,600+ businesses; meeting and event suppliers, restaurants, tours and attractions, retail, cultural institutions, and more. To support the local business community and help them connect with millions of Chicago visitors in a highly innovative way, we offer our partnership program (starting at $99 annually).
Choose Chicago Foundation
The Choose Chicago Foundation strategically promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives that benefit youth, community, and workforce development. The Foundation will offer financial support and long-term training opportunities for ethnically and economically diverse communities for advancement within the hospitality and tourism industry.
Room Nights
In the future, if your program or event includes a hotel room block—even with just as few as 10 rooms each night – our convention sales team can assist in facilitating the bidding and site selection process and connect you with partners.
Chicago Marketing Toolkit & Events Calendar
- Choose Chicago Events Calendar: Submit your event to the Choose Chicago Events Calendar. Events are subject to approval.
- Photos and video: Find thousands of stunning Chicago images and videos to use as part of your marketing plan.
- Chicago descriptions: Share these vibrant descriptions of Chicago and its highlights, provided in various word counts.
- Official Chicago Visitors Guide: Share easy-to-navigate digital versions of our latest city guide.
- Chicago press kit: Check out news, stories, and general information about Chicago.
- Chicago facts and figures: Learn more about Chicago with these helpful statistics.
- Chicago maps: Download maps covering the Chicago area.
- Fun Facts: Learn interesting and entertaining facts about Chicago and its history to share with your attendees.
- Media accolades: See what the media is saying about Chicago and share news with your attendees.
- Official Visitor Guide: Request Choose Chicago’s must-have guide to the city’s attractions, dining, hotels, events, and more — and start planning your trip to Chicago
- Explore Chicago’s 77 Neighborhoods: Chicago has 77 distinct communities that represent a diverse array of cultures, people, and experiences.
