DOWNTOWN — Chicago welcomed 55.3 million visitors last year, and another strong year is expected, the city’s tourism arm announced Thursday at its annual meeting at the Nederlander Theatre. Choose Chicago said last year’s visitor total represented a 6.5 percent increase year over year, with international tourism surpassing 2 million visitors for the first time since 2019. The rise in tourism was attributed to the city hosting several large special events and conventions, such as the Democratic National Convention , Sundance Chicago , Lollapalooza and the second Downtown NASCAR race . Combined tourism spending is estimated to have reached $20.6 billion last year, Mayor Brandon Johnson said Thursday. “We can leverage the success of tourism and hospitality industries to build a future for Chicago that is safe, equitable and thriving for all people in all of our communities,” Johnson said. “To do so, we must continue to work together and tell the story of Chicago.” Other achievements cited by Choose Chicago include an eighth consecutive year of Chicago being named “Best Big City in the U.S.” by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and the newly announced extension of the National Restaurant Association Show through 2032. The organization reported helping visitors book 2.65 million hotel rooms in 2024. Leaders also said the group secured 49 citywide conventions, including the 2026 NAACP National Convention and the 2028 Grand Conclave of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. On Thursday, Johnson announced the appointment of Guy Chipparoni, president and CEO of Res Publica Group, as the new chair of Choose Chicago’s board of directors. Chipparoni will take over for Glenn Eden, who was appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Eden’s tenure was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges — and triumphs — of reopening the city to tourism in its aftermath.
In farewell remarks Thursday, Eden joked about his appointment by Lightfoot, saying, “I had no idea what the hell I was getting into,” but he ultimately expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“I’m grateful for her, so grateful for her, for this opportunity and to Mayor Johnson for allowing me to continue,” Eden said. “You always want to leave something better than what it was, and I feel like I’ve honestly achieved that during my time as board chair.” Kristen Reynolds, who spent the last decade as CEO of New York’s Discover Long Island , delivered her first public remarks as Choose Chicago’s president and CEO. She was announced as the organization’s newest president last month. Reynolds said Thursday her vision for Chicago is “simple but powerful.” “We don’t just compete; we dominate. We don’t just promote the city; we are the city,” Reynolds said. “We’re the culture, the energy and the heartbeat, and we’re going to need that unity and resilience here as we navigate these uncertain times.”
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In farewell remarks Thursday, Eden joked about his appointment by Lightfoot, saying, “I had no idea what the hell I was getting into,” but he ultimately expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“I’m grateful for her, so grateful for her, for this opportunity and to Mayor Johnson for allowing me to continue,” Eden said. “You always want to leave something better than what it was, and I feel like I’ve honestly achieved that during my time as board chair.” Kristen Reynolds, who spent the last decade as CEO of New York’s Discover Long Island , delivered her first public remarks as Choose Chicago’s president and CEO. She was announced as the organization’s newest president last month. Reynolds said Thursday her vision for Chicago is “simple but powerful.” “We don’t just compete; we dominate. We don’t just promote the city; we are the city,” Reynolds said. “We’re the culture, the energy and the heartbeat, and we’re going to need that unity and resilience here as we navigate these uncertain times.”
