From Obama to the Olympics: Chicago's It Factor

Visitor publication Concierge Preferred hosts convention and trade show

By WENDY WOLLENBERG

Updated 3:58 PM CST, Tue, Jul 21, 2009

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Chicago is a town full of contradictions -- we don't mind living in the shadow of more boastful cities, but we also don't shy away from the spotlight. And now that our city's star is definitely on the rise thanks to our current president and our highly publicized Olympics bid, Chicago is the place to be for 42 million visitors every year -- a number that industry experts expect to climb. In that spirit, Concierge Preferred, a leading visitor industry marketing company and producer of tourism publications that connects visitors to city experts, will present its eighth annual Convention and Trade Show, entitled "Chicago On the World's Stage," on Tuesday, April 28.

Concierge Preferred will host hundreds of visitor-oriented businesses for this educational and interactive event at Navy Pier's Crystal Garden. More than 1,700 tourism professionals, including business owners, concierge, event planners and members of the media are expected to attend the event to network and take part in the educational seminar series. Sessions include such hot topics as the latest information on the Chicago 2016 bid from the organization's director of events, an insider's look at Barack Obama by host and producer of "24/7 Chicago," Catie Keogh, and a discussion about what Obama's presidency means to the Chicago visitor market. The trade show floor will be open from 12:30-7PM.

And, as only fitting for this epicurean epicenter, numerous food and drink options from a variety of restaurants and caterers will be available throughout the day, and live entertainment and a silent auction will kick off at 4PM. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the National Concierge Association - Chicago Chapter Education Fund. An after-party from 7-9PM aboard an Anita Dee cruise will cap off the day's festivities in grand style, showcasing the glittering city skyline from Lake Michigan.