Announces Strategic Staff Redeployment to Ensure Successful Show Planning for all Chicago Customers
For more information, contact:
Meghan Risch 312.567.8540
(CHICAGO, IL)-November 15, 2006- The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB) hosted 12 customers for its two-day 2006 Chicago Advisory Council (CAC) Fall meeting November 8-10. The CAC, developed in 1998, is comprised of Chicago customers who act as consultants regarding CCTB’s services and programs, industry challenges and solutions, and provide feedback to ensure all customers ultimately have a positive Chicago show experience.
In addition to the topics discussed during the two-day meeting was the announcement about the CCTB’s Sales and Services staff redeployment. Now under the new executive leadership of Tim Roby, President and CEO, and Mark Theis, Executive Vice President, Sales, the 38-person sales, services and research teams are being restructured in an effort to focus more on strategic account management, moving beyond the traditional accountability for dates, rates and space. All staff will remain in place, but account responsibility will likely change for all team members.
“Essentially, the CCTB sales team is further demonstrating our commitment to our customers needs,” said Theis. “Our sole purpose with this redeployment is to become a true extension, consultant if you will, to our customers.”
The research team, authors of the well-known Competitive Analysis issued for the last 15 years, will continue to assist with industry data and planning, but is also expanding its services to help customers achieve success.
For example, research is currently underway to better understand customer behavior and interests in order to develop customized marketing programs highlighting Chicago’s attributes, making it easier than ever to link the city’s world-class attractions and venues with the specific needs and interests of a given organizational profile.
Furthermore, the CCTB’s award-winning Services team, formerly called Bureau Services, is now the Strategic Client Services department. Aptly named, the team will continue to work closely with the sales and research teams to help customers achieve measurable and successful show results, building upon its industry-leading marketing and attendance-building programs.
Karen Malone, Vice President, Meeting Services for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and a member of the CAC, spoke favorably about the recent announcement. HIMSS will hold its show at Chicago’s McCormick Place in April of 2009. “From what we heard over the past two days, the CCTB is committed to customizing every touch point to meet our individual goals for success and building individual marketing programs aligned to meet them. Chicago sets the benchmark and continues to stay proactive in meeting our needs and now enhancing the experience of our attendees.”
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Editor’s Note: a photo from the CAC meeting is available upon request