Choose Chicago President and CEO Lynn Osmond is thrilled to announce that Choose Chicago has been awarded $5.5 million to expand its neighborhood tourism initiatives. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), this grant will allow Choose Chicago to greatly increase its efforts to develop, implement and manage a unified and comprehensive tourism marketing strategy that positions Chicago and its neighborhoods as prime destinations for residents and visitors alike. This three-year grant is distributed by DCASE as part of the Chicago Recovery Plan. Programs being funded by the grant include the following existing and new initiatives:

• Neighborhood Content Creators: With the help of neighborhood partners, Choose Chicago will expand its award-winning program contracting social media-savvy neighborhood residents to produce compelling content showcasing the things to do in their neighborhoods. Travelers want authentic experiences, and working with local residents to promote their neighborhoods has been a huge success for the local businesses and attractions featured to date.

• Professional Food and Small-Business Photography: Based on the guidance of our neighborhood partners, Choose Chicago will expand its efforts to provide free professional food photography across the city in order to bridge the digital divide and help small businesses market themselves.

• City of Stories: In partnership with World Business Chicago, Choose Chicago will produce and leverage creative assets that tell the stories of residents, business owners and other important stakeholders in longer-form storytelling to support neighborhood marketing.

To learn more about Choose Chicago and our neighborhood programs, go to www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods.

Photo Credit: Choose Chicago