Chicago shines at IPW 2025

Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organisation, wrapped up a successful IPW 2025, as host city, driving hundreds of millions of future travel to Chicago.

Hosted by Choose Chicago, U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2025 drew more than 5,000 delegates from 64 countries, including thousands of key global travel buyers and media.

There was a week of Chicago style events, meetings with tour operators, and media engagements that will impact the next three years of travel to the United States.

“I’m immensely proud of Chicago’s tourism community for making IPW 2025 a truly show-stopping event—and the best IPW ever,” said Choose Chicago President and CEO Kristen Reynolds.

“We showcased what a city that is never done and never outdone looks like. Alongside the U.S. Travel Association, our partners across Chicago’s museums, hospitality, attractions, and culinary industries rose to the occasion to ensure all IPW attendees had outstanding and truly memorable experiences.”

Last hosted by Chicago in 2014, the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW is the largest international inbound travel trade show in the country, bringing thousands of travel buyers and media to Chicago to connect with domestic travel exhibitors, generating global media coverage and leading to future business.

According to new data released by U.S. Travel and Rockport Analytics, IPW 2025 is projected to drive 10.9 million new visitors to the U.S. over the next three years, generating $26.1 billion in visitor spending.

It supports over 63,000 American jobs annually, and generates $3.3 billion in combined federal, state, and local tax revenue.

“IPW is more than a travel trade show, it’s a statement about America’s readiness to welcome the world,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman.

“Choose Chicago was an incredible partner this year. Their work brought Chicago’s strengths—its culture, creativity and spirit—into the global spotlight.”

Choose Chicago worked for well over a year to plan for IPW 2025.

Over the course of three official business days at McCormick Place, Choose Chicago held over 500 appointments with international travel buyers and conducted over 200 meetings and interviews with international travel media.

In addition to the official business conducted at McCormick Place, Choose Chicago hosted numerous events, tours, and activations at iconic attractions and neighborhoods across the city:

Hosted more than 30 tours for media and travel buyers to showcase the city before IPW kicked off.

Hosted over 500 members of the international media at Chicago’s Press Brunch at Wrigley Field.

Kicked off IPW with a House Party 2.0 Opening Night at the Field Museum complete with food and drink across the museum, a karaoke lounge, a silent disco, and more.

Governor Pritzker, Kristen Reynolds and Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomed IPW attendees to Chicago at the opening lunch and introduced Choose Chicago’s new campaign ‘Never Done. Never Outdone’ to a global audience.

Hosted a VIP reception for the Japanese delegation aboard a First Lady architectural river cruise on Monday.

Welcomed attendees to the Magnificent Mile Monday event, which encouraged attendees to enjoy special deals at various restaurants and shops along the Avenue – and concluding with an exclusive party at the Shops at North Bridge featuring a performance by Maggie Speaks.

Kept the party going Monday night with late-night Pie in the Sky for IPW media at Skydeck Chicago with special guest Wayne Baker Brooks.

Hosted a neighbourhood open night featuring Pilsen, West Town, and Hyde Park with guided tours, music, and activations on Tuesday.

• Supported the IGLTA Foundation 2025 Pride Reception as Premier Sponsor and Official Entertainment Sponsor at Sidetrack Lounge on Tuesday.

Officially closed IPW with a Playcation-themed Closing Night at Navy Pier, featuring rides on the Centennial Wheel, a Route 66 inspired mini golf course sponsored by Enjoy Illinois, pop-up art exhibitions, and culminating in a fireworks display.

Hosted hundreds of media and travel buyers for site visits before and after IPW, including a familiarisation tour before IPW for more than 20 key travel trade clients from Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

Choose Chicago welcomed visitors to McCormick Place  with a booth on the trade show floor, including a 50-feet Chicago Flag display hanging overhead.

It also hosted a Chicago Press Lounge inside the IPW Press Centre at McCormick Place, to connect with global media, conducted interviews, and gave members of the media the opportunity to win Chicago prizes.

Choose Chicago was joined on the trade floor with more than 25 partners made up of some of the leading cultural institutions, attractions, and professional sports teams in Chicago.

• 360 CHICAGO
• The American Writers Museum
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Barack Obama Presidential Centre
• Broadway in Chicago
• The Chicago Architecture Centre
• Chicago Cubs
• Chicago Fire
• Chicago White Sox
• Chicago’s First Lady Cruises
• City Cruises by Hornblower
• CityPASS
• Colour Factory Chicago
• The Field Museum of Natural History
• Flyover Chicago
• Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
• Hiltons of Chicago
• Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Centre
• John G. Shedd Aquarium
• K&G Coach Line
• The Magnificent Mile Association
• Museum of Ice Cream
• Navy Pier
• RIU Plaza Hotel
• Shoreline Sightseeing
• SKYDECK CHICAGO
• Wendella Tours & Cruises

Related News Stories:  Orlando to host MICHELIN Guide Florida ceremony     Titan Travel - TravelMole     Destinations International - TravelMole