FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Isaac Reichman, ireichman@choosechicago.com, (312) 805-9586
Cynthia McCafferty, cynthia@hawthornestrategy.com, (314) 322-8647
CHOOSE CHICAGO ANNOUNCES LYNN OSMOND TO STEP DOWN AS PRESIDENT & CEO
Rich Gamble to assume Interim CEO role during search
CHICAGO (January 11, 2024) — Choose Chicago announced today that President & CEO Lynn Osmond has decided to leave the organization effective January 31, 2024, to focus her time and energies on a family health matter.
“It has been gratifying to serve as CEO of Choose Chicago for nearly two years, but, right now, I have to put my family first,” Osmond said. “I know this is the right decision for me, my family, and for the organization at this time as we gear up for a very busy year with the 2024 Democratic National Convention coming to town.”
“Choose Chicago is grateful for Lynn’s service to the organization and our city,” said Choose Chicago Board Chair Glenn Eden. “Under her leadership, the organization has made great strides and is well-positioned for the future. We thank Lynn for her dedication to ensuring Choose Chicago continues to play an important role in demonstrating everything that makes Chicago a world-class city for travelers of all kinds.”
During Osmond’s time leading the organization, the city secured and hosted major national and international events such as the 2024 Democratic National Convention and the city’s first-ever NASCAR race, generating global media exposure for the city; travel recovered from pandemic levels to achieve a projected 54.5 million visitors in 2023, resulting in an all-time record in summer hotel revenue and tax collections; and Condé Nast Traveler readers named Chicago the Best Big City in the U.S. for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year.
Chicago’s tourism and hospitality industry is on a positive path, and with a dedicated team, Choose Chicago is in a strong position to continue growing post-pandemic Chicago travel and tourism.
Osmond was appointed President & CEO of Choose Chicago in March 2022. Rich Gamble will act as interim CEO following Osmond’s departure.
Gamble is a recognized strategic and tactical executive leader with over 30 years of experience collaborating with high performing teams to create and drive organizational objectives into successful outcomes.
Gamble, who currently serves on the Choose Chicago Board of Directors as chair of the Nominating Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee, will assume this interim role as the organization begins its search process for a chief executive officer. More details on the search process will be released later this month.
“I am pleased to be able to provide support to the organization during this time of transition,” said Gamble. “Choose Chicago has an extraordinarily strong team with deep experience. The organization is well poised to continue to build on the momentum established in 2023.”
Most recently, Gamble provided advisory and management consulting services through Realized Value Collaborative, LLC. Prior to that, he served as Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President for six years at the Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo (CZS). He joined CZS following an impressive 16-year career with the Chicago Tribune where he last served as the Vice President & General Manager of Chicagoland Publishing and Publisher of Chicago Magazine. Prior to this, Gamble served in the roles of Vice President of Finance & Operations, Publisher & General Manger of ¡Exito! Newspaper, Director of Business Development, and Director of the Post-Press Packaging Division. Before Tribune Company, Gamble held a variety of leadership roles in the quick service restaurant and industrial supply industries.
Gamble has a strong history of service to the City of Chicago and the relationships he has developed across a variety of industries. He is currently the Board Chair for the Chicago Loop Alliance and Past Board Chair of the Magnificent Mile Association whose districts are home to a variety of Chicago’s retail, dining, culture, hotel, businesses, education, philanthropic, government and residential communities.
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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.
