It’s been a particularly busy time for Choose Chicago’s Tourism and Global Development team. A series of high-profile industry events in London has provided valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships with key travel trade partners and raise Chicago’s profile within the UK/Ireland market.
Unite USA remains a cornerstone event in the UK travel trade calendar, bringing together major UK tour operators that sell U.S. destinations. The event provides an important platform for destination marketing organizations (DMOs) to strengthen relationships, secure marketing partnerships, and influence future product inclusion.
This year, Unite USA hosted 70 trade partners, including senior product managers and decision-makers responsible for U.S. travel portfolios. Choose Chicago held 17 targeted one-to-one meetings with priority tour operator partners, reinforcing existing partnerships and identifying opportunities for future collaboration and product development.
Following Unite USA, Choose Chicago hosted a networking reception and activation for 130 travel trade buyers, travel media, and UK trade professionals, extending engagement beyond the formal meetings.
The reception highlighted the Route 66 centennial through themed branding, giveaways, and a live art activation, reinforcing Chicago’s role as the starting point of the historic route and generating strong interest among tour operator partners.
The Visit USA Members Meeting, held at the U.S. Embassy, brought together 100 travel trade partners and agencies. The event provided an opportunity to connect with organizations actively promoting U.S. travel in the UK and to exchange insights on market trends and upcoming opportunities.
The first-ever British Airways Destination Partner Day welcomed 100 tourist boards and destination partners, offering strategic networking opportunities and insights into British Airways’ priorities and future vision. The session provided valuable context on airline strategy and opportunities for collaboration with destination partners.
The Choose Chicago Tourism and Global Development team works to enhance Chicago’s profile as a top leisure destination domestically and internationally. The team is responsible for creating and overseeing travel trade sales and marketing efforts, and are committed to helping tour operators, receptive operators, travel agents, group leaders, and bank travel managers feel at home with developing Chicago group travel programs.
Learn more about how becoming a Choose Chicago partner can help connect your brand to travelers and tour organizations across the globe.
