Educational Sessions
2023 Educational Sessions & Information
Registration opens (Terrace C): 10:00 AM
Doors Open (Meeting Rooms 201-207): 11:00 AM
Educational Sessions:
11:20 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Meeting Rooms 201-207
Emcee: Catie Keogh
Travel Expert, Catie Keogh is an Emmy Award-Winning Host and Executive Producer. She is the founder of Let’s Go with Catie Keogh. Catie is a freelance digital content creator for National Geographic Travel and National Geographic Adventure and a moderator for Nat Geo’s Women of Impact Facebook Group. Catie is currently the host of her own travel radio show on WLS in Chicago. You can listen to the Let’s Go podcast on iTunes, Spotify and Audible. Catie is a travel expert for WGN TV on Daytime Chicago and a digital travel writer for Chicago Star Magazine. Catie’s extensive broadcasting background includes a Regional Emmy win for Best Magazine Program as Executive Producer/Host and an Emmy win for On-Air Talent/Host. She has 13 additional Emmy nominations throughout her broadcast career. Catie is based in the Chicagoland area with her family.
10 Entertainment Ideas to Take Your Event to the Next Level
Time: 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM
Summary: Calling all Meeting and Event Planners! Looking for some new ideas to add some WOW to your next event? Join 5 leading entertainment industry professionals as they discuss unique and exciting ways to enhance entertainment programming and guest engagement.
Josh Niemiera- Double D / Wayne Brin - Photo Booth Time / Dayna Malow - Live Art International / Kelly Patton - The Second City / Pamela Rose - Mystique Productions
Beyond Downtown: Bringing Visitors and Meetings to Chicago’s Neighborhoods
Time: 12:05 PM - 12:45 PM
Moderator: Rob Fojtik, Vice President, Neighborhood Strategy, Choose Chicago
Summary: Nothing sets Chicago apart from other destinations like the 77 vibrant community areas that make our city so exciting. In this session, you will learn new ways to connect guests and meeting planners to our neighborhoods, discover hidden gems, and more.
Panelists:
Rob Fojtik
Choose Chicago
Vice President, Neighborhood Strategy
Rhonda McFarland
Jimmy Lee
Quad Communities Development Corporation
Chicago Chinatown
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
President
Alex Esparza
President
Economic Strategies
Development Corporation
General Session: The State of Hospitality, Events & Tourism in Chicago
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Moderator: Lynn Osmond, Choose Chicago President and CEO
Summary: This insightful panel led by Choose Chicago President and CEO Lynn Osmond will explore the state of the industry and what to expect in 2023 and beyond. Panelists include Managing Director of 360 CHICAGO/M56 Group Nichole Benolken, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Michael Jacobson, and Illinois Restaurant Association President & CEO Sam Toia.
Panelists:
Lynn Osmond
Choose Chicago
President and CEO
