1st female CEO of Chicago’s tourism bureau on how she’ll bring tourists back to city

“I’ve actually simply grown to like this metropolis and I’m actually excited to be advertising and marketing it and promoting it to the world,” says Lynn Osmond, the newly appointed President and CEO of “Select Chicago.”

She’s the primary lady to carry and run town’s tourism and conference company. “I’m very happy with that and I believe there’s a actual alternative to supply mentorships for girls who wish to go into the tourism and conference trade as a result of it’s dominated by males.”

Client I-Crew Reporter Jason Knowles talked with Osmond on the Chicago Structure Heart. She at present runs that company. The town says Osmond was appointed to her new function after an intensive international search overseen by the “Select Chicago” Board.

Knowles requested if companies have to be introduced again so as to appeal to vacationers.

“There’s a transformation occurring publish Covid,” Osmond replied. “We’re seeing extra residential buildings come downtown.”

RELATED | Chicago retail storefronts sit empty as town, actual property brokers reimagine the trade

Knowles instructed Osmond in regards to the I-Crew’s report in October that uncovered a greater than 19% emptiness fee on the Magazine Mile, a pointy improve from a low emptiness fee in 2019. As well as, the I-Crew additionally discovered the Loop’s 26% emptiness fee was up from a historic low of 10% in 2015.

Osmond’s reacted by saying, “Initially, now we have to get our narrative again. I believe the narrative has change into adverse post-Covid and challenges we had throughout Covid and I believe we as residents want to speak, not trash speak town .. we have to speak positively.”

RELATED | Magnificent Mile violent crimes are on the rise; affiliation calls on state’s legal professional to prosecute

She additionally says experiential retail like Starbucks Reserve, Chicago Roastery on Michigan Avenue, is the longer term. “I believe that’s the alternative we’d like some inventive minds which are taking a look at, what are the developments that we’re seeing popping out of locations like Japan, China, Dubai, these are the leaders in experiential retail.”

Osmond additionally acknowledges that crime is a problem and will doubtlessly detour companies from transferring downtown.

“Now we have a terrific police division and we’re actually doing lots by way of public security,” Osmond stated. “You see them on the Magazine Mile, you see them on State Avenue. They’re there to assist us and shield us and I really feel assured of their capacity to try this.”

So after 25 years, Osmond will step down from her function as President and CEO of the Chicago Structure Heart. She is going to tackle the identical title at Select Chicago in Could.