Desiree Rogers Wants 55M by 2020
ChooseChicago chair Desiree Rogers (also CEO of Johnson Publishing Co, snapped at CREW Chicago's latest luncheon) has an ambitious tourism goal—she wants Chicago to have 55M international travelers per year, 2.3M hotel room nights sold, and be No. 5 in the US for international travelers by 2020. (We currently have 49M international visitors and are No. 9 nationally.) The city’s revamped marketing plan will target these hot spots: China, Brazil, the UK, and urban dwellers in major US cities like San Fran, Denver, and DC. On the business side, she reported conventions are up with Microsoft’s on the docket. Next year, Chicago will also host the James Beard Foundation convention for all the foodies out there. (It’s the first time it’ll be outside NYC!)
