What makes your city a top meeting/convention destination?
Chicago has been on a roll recently with the opening of the new McCormick Place West Building, thousands of new hotel rooms on the horizon, major labor improvements, and the latest in high-quality technology at McCormick Place. These positive enhancements reinforce Chicago's position as a leading destination.

The West Building's features were designed for greater flexibility and functionality, enabling McCormick Place to host more simultaneous and back-to-back shows. Much of the West Building's focus will be on securing small- to-mid range association, corporate, and medical meetings.
Tell us about a meeting you're thrilled to have just signed on or a recent meeting you're very pleased with.
Chicago recently hosted the U.S. Greenbuild Conference in the new West Building, the largest LEED-certified building in the country. This was very exciting for Chicago and for Mayor Richard M. Daley, since Chicago is leading the way in green city initiatives.
What is your city's roadmap for the future?
The CCTB has adopted Mayor Daley's vision for Chicago - to be among the top three global visitor destinations, and as the Applicant City for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are more focused on this than ever before.

We're the city that continues to evolve. Beyond its accessibility and business strengths, Chicago boasts spectacular attractions, including our newest global icon - Millennium Park; Navy Pier, the state's No. 1 attraction; and the Museum Campus, which is just a short walk from McCormick Place.
What green initiatives is your city/convention center undertaking?
Mayor Daley is so committed to ensuring Chicago's future that he appointed a Chief Environmental Officer to his cabinet to oversee citywide environmental efforts - the first position of its kind in the nation.

In an effort to ensure that Chicago remains one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the United States, Mayor Daley and his team developed an Environmental Action Agenda, a comprehensive plan for protecting the environment and improving quality of life in the city, including plans for water efficiency, energy, and atmosphere conservation, air quality, etc.

McCormick Place is also doing its part to become environmentally responsible. It is transitioning to the use of Clean Seal products for day-to-day cleaning throughout the entire facility and utilizing 100 percent recycled paper products in its restroom facilities.

Beverage cold cups are made of polylactic acid (PLA) resin, which is derived from natural corn starches and is 100 percent annually renewable and fully compostable. The flatware available for guests and attendees in all dining areas at McCormick Place is made of compostable potato starch. All packaging for boxed lunches is 100 percent compostable - including the box, napkins, cookie bag, flatware, and sandwich and salad containers.

McCormick Place foodservice offerings include a pilot program to utilize paper compostable products as part of show floor Booth Catering programs. There's also the use of natural light in the more recently constructed facilities, including the new West Building.
What is your biggest challenge as a DMO?
Competition is fierce.
How did you get into this career? How long have you been there, and where have you been in the past?
I started in hotels, as so many of us do. I've been with the CCTB for 18 months.