Event Leaders Exchange (ELX) Proudly Welcomes Choose Chicago as Official Member for 2024

4th March 2024 – Today, the Event Leaders Exchange (ELX) celebrates not one, but two momentous occasions, as it wishes the city of Chicago a Happy 187th Birthday, and announces its newest partnership with the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, Choose Chicago! Choose Chicago joins ELX as an official member for 2024, solidifying their commitment to shaping the future of events and conferences alongside this community of Global Heads of Events from the world's largest corporations. 

Choose Chicago, a leading force in the tourism and hospitality sector, has a rich history of promoting the vibrant cultural landscape of their city. As the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, they have played a pivotal role in attracting visitors and hosting successful events that display the city's unique offerings, consistently bringing millions of visitors to the city each year. 

In addition to their impressive record of accomplishment, including Chicago being voted Best Big City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for a record-breaking 7 years in a row, Choose Chicago stands out for its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The organization has been at the forefront of fostering an inclusive environment within the tourism and hospitality industry.  Last year, ELX sat down with Rob Fojtik, Vice President, Neighborhood Strategy, and Roz Stuttley, CMP, CDE, Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, to discuss how Chicago’s investment in its neighborhoods benefits event planners and puts DEI at the heart of its strategy, the article was then published on the ELX website.  

“We are thrilled to join the Event Leaders Exchange to announce our official partnership and confirm our shared commitment to pushing the events industry forward,” said Dustin Arnheim, Choose Chicago’s SVP of Sales and Services. “ELX plays a unique and valuable role connecting innovators and thought leaders from across the industry, and we are honored to be an official member of this vital organization. We look forward to working with the ELX community to drive meaningful change.” 

Additionally, Choose Chicago has been a key supporter of ELX, having hosted the inaugural annual congress last year. The event was a resounding success, bringing together event leaders from all backgrounds and creating a platform for knowledge exchange and networking. This collaboration exemplifies Choose Chicago's dedication to advancing the event industry and supporting the initiatives that bring the ELX community together. 

ELX are enthusiastic about the partnership with Choose Chicago, recognizing the value that their expertise and commitment will bring to the community. The collaboration is poised to elevate the industry by fostering innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity.  "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Choose Chicago as a new ELX partner and be part of this vibrant community.” says Aurore Braconnier, Executive Director for ELX. “Beyond Chicago's reputation as a fantastic destination for corporate events, their commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) through a soon to launch comprehensive 2-year diverse spend plan adds a significant layer of invaluable thought leadership to our community. That is truly exciting". 

As ELX and Choose Chicago embark on this journey together, the combined efforts of these industry leaders promise a future where events are not only successful but also reflective of the diverse and dynamic communities they serve.