Global event will return to Chicago for the first time since 2005 to celebrate its 125th anniversary in the city it was founded
CHICAGO (February 23, 2023) – Choose Chicago and the Metropolitan Pier
and Exposition Authority (MPEA) are proud to announce that Rotary
International has selected Chicago’s McCormick Place West Building to
host the Rotary International Convention from May 25-29, 2030. The
convention, which attracts tens of thousands of attendees from all over
the world, will return to Chicago for the first time since 2005 to
celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2030.
“We’re thrilled to announce today, on the anniversary of the first
Rotary club meeting in 1905, that Chicago will once again host
Rotary’s biggest gathering,” said Lyle Staab, Rotary member and
Chair of the Chicago Bid Team. “We can’t wait to show our visitors
all Chicago has to offer. We’re determined to deliver a memorable
experience for the participants, and to make a difference in Chicagoland
through the event.”
“Rotary International has deep roots in Chicago and I am thrilled to
welcome them back to our great city for their international convention
in 2030,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Rotary is a global
organization that delivers many benefits to communities worldwide,
and we are honored that they chose Chicago for such an important
celebration. Major events like these are vital to our local economy and
our residents, and we look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of
Rotary members to Chicago!”
Founded in Chicago in 1905 and currently headquartered in Evanston,
Ill., Rotary International hosts an annual International Convention that
brings people from all continents and cultures to share, learn, and take
action to bring positive, long-lasting change to communities worldwide.
These International Conventions take place all over the world, with the
2023 event in Melbourne and future conventions taking place in
Singapore, Taipei, Manila, and other global cities. The 2005 event, which
took place in Chicago on Rotary’s 100th anniversary, welcomed over
40,000 attendees and had an economic impact of over $65 million. Choose
Chicago and MPEA are expecting similar or higher figures in 2030.
“Chicago is thrilled to welcome tens of thousands of Rotarians in 2030,”
said Lynn Osmond, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “We cannot thank
Rotary enough for bringing positive change-makers from around the world
to Chicago once again. This is a wonderful opportunity for Chicago and
our sales team and will bring the global exposure needed to further
solidify Chicago as the top destination in North America for
conventions.”
“We are honored to host the Rotary International Convention in 2030,”
said Larita Clark, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition
Authority, the municipal corporation that owns McCormick Place. “We look
forward to welcoming thought leaders from around the world who take
action to create lasting change in communities across the globe.”
The successful bid for Rotary International’s 2030 International
Convention comes after the Choose Chicago sales team wrapped up a very
effective 2022. The team met their aggressive sales goal by booking over
1,500 events, including 39 major citywide events, with 64% of these
significant events representing new businesses in the city. These bookings
represent more than 1.7 million hotel room nights, creating economic
opportunities for our hotels, restaurants, and the hospitality community.
About Choose Chicago: Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing
organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and
meeting 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
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and tag
#ChicaGOandKNOW.
For more information, visit choosechicago.com [8].
About Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA): The
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority owns McCormick Place, the
largest exhibition and meeting facility in North America, the Wintrust
Arena as well as the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and the Marriott
Marquis Chicago Hotels. Together, the North, South, and West Buildings
and Lakeside Center offer 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space.
Located along Chicago’s lakefront, McCormick Place features 173 meeting
rooms, the Arie Crown Theater, and one of the largest ballrooms in the
world.
