FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Isaac Reichman, ireichman@choosechicago.com, (312) 805-9586
Cynthia McCafferty, cynthia@hawthornestrategy.com, (314) 322-86470
CHICAGO TO HOST MICROSOFT IGNITE IN 2024
CHICAGO, IL (March 4, 2024) – Choose Chicago and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) are proud to announce that Microsoft has chosen Chicago to host Microsoft Ignite this year. Taking place November 18 – 22, 2024 at McCormick Place, Microsoft Ignite is Microsoft’s largest event of the year and an opportunity for IT professionals, partners, decision makers, and more to discover the latest Microsoft innovations, receive training, and connect with professionals from Microsoft and across the tech industry. The event is expected to bring thousands of attendees to Chicago, with an estimated economic impact of $44 million.
“I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to Microsoft Ignite 2024,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Microsoft’s choice to host Ignite 2024 in Chicago reaffirms this city’s standing as a hub for innovation, technological advancement, and major corporate events.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Microsoft back to Chicago for Microsoft Ignite 2024,” said Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “I want to thank Microsoft for choosing Chicago and recognizing all that we offer corporate clients – including the largest and most flexible convention center in North America, a central location that is accessible for delegates from around the world, a welcoming hospitality community, and a deep and skilled labor pool that helps us flawlessly execute major events.”
“We can hardly wait to welcome Microsoft Ignite to McCormick Place,” said Larita Clark, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, owner of McCormick Place. “We were honored to serve as the inaugural location for Ignite, and look forward to having them back in November. Microsoft and McCormick Place are both known for world-class events, we are proud to be a partner for Microsoft Ignite 2024.”
Headquartered in Redmond, WA, Microsoft is one of the largest and most recognizable companies in the world, with over 220,000 global employees. Microsoft Ignite was created in 2015 after Microsoft consolidated several smaller events into one large event, with the first meeting taking place in Chicago. Subsequent events were in Atlanta and Orlando, with the event taking place in Seattle over the last two years following a pause due to the pandemic. By choosing Chicago for Microsoft Ignite, Microsoft is confirming Chicago’s status as the premier location for large corporate events and a top destination for the tech industry.
“2023 was a year of exciting growth and innovation here at Microsoft,” said Takeshi Numoto, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft. “This year’s focus is to empower our customers and partners through AI transformation. Attending Microsoft Ignite will provide you with the opportunity to learn, grow and make defining connections with experts from around the world.”
The announcement of Microsoft Ignite comes after Choose Chicago wrapped up a very successful sales year. In 2023, Choose Chicago booked over 2,100 future meetings and events, representing 2.45 million hotel room nights. Total room nights booked were 24% higher than goal and 43% more than 2022 levels.
“This announcement is a huge win for Chicago and our tourism and meetings industry,” said Glenn Eden, Board Chair of Choose Chicago. “This further proves that Chicago is a world-class city where major global companies want to do business and showcase their latest innovations. Congratulations to the Choose Chicago sales team for our vision in executing this strategy targeting corporate events and their hard work securing Microsoft’s biggest annual event.”
Microsoft Ignite will add to Chicago’s packed calendar of conventions in 2024, with a number of recurring large shows taking place this year such the ASCO Annual Meeting, IMTS, the PACK EXPO, and the RSNA Annual Meeting, as well as major one-off shows like the 2024 Democratic National Convention. 2024 is off to a strong start – earlier this year, Chicago hosted the AHR Expo in January, with over 48,000 attendees.
Follow @MSIgnite on LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Instagram and tag using #MSIgnite. For more information, visit ignite.microsoft.com.
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About Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and meetings destination, leveraging the city’s unmatched assets to ensure the economic vitality of the city, its residents and our partner business community. Follow @choosechicago on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X/Twitter and tag #ChicaGOandKNOW. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.
About the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA): The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority owns McCormick Place, the largest exhibition and meeting facility in North America, the Wintrust Arena as well as the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and the Marriot Marquis Chicago Hotels. Together, the North, South, and West Buildings and Lakeside Center offer 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space. Located along Chicago’s lakefront, McCormick Place features 173 meeting rooms, the Arie Crown Theater, and one of the largest ballrooms in the world.
