Chicago is poised for a global spotlight with the historic appointment of Chicago-born Pope Leo. In this IPW 2025 episode, recorded live on the conference floor in Chicago, Choose Chicago president and CEO Kristen Reynolds sits down with Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran to discuss how her unconventional journey from Arizona tourism to Long Island destination transformation has prepared her to lead the Windy City's bold marketing vision.
Reynolds shares how Chicago is doubling down on its "Never Done, Never Outdone" campaign to celebrate the city's diversity and inclusion values, even while challenging false narratives about urban safety.
Reynolds also reveals what's on the horizon—the Obama Presidential Center opening in 2026, America 250 celebrations highlighting Chicago's role in the nation's evolution, and the city's record-breaking $20 billion tourism impact—as well as her newfound appreciation for Chicago's unmatched culinary scene and James Beard Award winners.
What You’ll Learn
Three Chicago restaurants/bars won James Beard awards this year
The Pope’s appointment will be a tourism boon for the city
The Obama Presidential Center is opening in 2026 and will include a garden and athletics complex
One of the biggest tourism challenges is a false narrative about the city’s safety
Chicago’s biggest international source markets
Where Kristen Reynolds takes her friends and family when they visit Chicago
Key Moments
[08:42] Chicago’s biggest tourism challenge is a false narrative about the city’s safety.
[11:00]: Winter in Chicago may be tough, but this is when you’ll find the best deals and fewest tourists
[12:08]: It’s essential that any elected official understands the value of what the tourism industry brings to the community
[13:42] Chicago had 55 million visitors in 2024 and saw over $20 billion in tourism economic impact.
Resources
Read the transcript of this episode
Learn more about Choose Chicago
Find Choose Chicago on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
Read Afar’s recent Chicago coverage
📊 By the Numbers: Chicago has 77 neighborhoods and, in 2024, saw more than 55 million visitors.
Previous Episode: Stacy Ritter, Visit Lauderdale.
Up Next: Caroline Beteta, Visit California.
Complete Series: View From Afar
Also in this IPW series: Hear from Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, about how this welcoming city is the birthplace of democracy.
Stay Connected
Subscribe to View From Afar to catch all 20 IPW episodes this week.
Follow @AfarMedia on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes IPW content.
Sign up for our travel industry newsletter, Afar Advisor.
Rate and review the show to help other travel professionals discover these insights.
Explore our other podcasts, Travel Tales, where we share first-person narratives of trips that have changed us, and Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.
This IPW 2025 special series was recorded live in Chicago. View From Afar is a production of Afar Media and a part of Airwave Media’s podcast network (email advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast). The podcast is produced by Aislyn Greene and Nikki Galteland, with assistance from Michelle Baran and Billie Cohen. Music composition from Epidemic Sound.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices