Choose Chicago understands that succeeding in the ever-more-competitive world of event planning requires DMOs to offer more than just great venues and attractions. Planners are looking for destinations that are partners in the success of their meeting. They need a city that listens to their unique needs, helps solve problems collaboratively, and is innovative and reliable throughout the execution process.
In this exclusive interview, ELX chats with Dustin Arnheim, Senior Vice President of Sales and Services at Choose Chicago, to learn more about Choose Chicago’s efforts to simplify doing business in Chicago.
Q: What are Choose Chicago’s goals as it pertains to the client experience?
A: At Choose Chicago, we make it simpler, faster, and more cost-effective for planners to bring meetings and conventions to our city. We lead with flexibility and responsiveness, delivering best-in-class service through a unified partnership with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), our hotel community, organized labor, and the broader events ecosystem. With more than 1,600 active partners, we ensure that the very best of Chicago—award-winning dining, iconic venues, live entertainment, and unmatched hospitality—elevates every attendee experience. Our standard is clear: we don’t just meet expectations; we exceed them every time.
Q: Why is this work so important right now?
A: The meetings and events landscape has evolved, and Chicago is leading that evolution. Today’s planners face tighter budgets, higher expectations, and a growing demand for experiential impact—and our city is built to deliver on all three. We’re not reacting to change; we’re defining what partnership and performance look like in this new era. Our team is signaling to the global events community that Chicago is not only ready but fully equipped to out-innovate and outperform any destination in the world.
Q: What does this look like in practice?
A: We are a city that is Never Outdone. We’re actively putting this commitment into motion through deep collaboration across every part of the customer journey. Working closely with our partners and clients, we’re focusing on shared goals to create the most seamless, customer-centric experience possible in Chicago. This includes convening stakeholders to identify opportunities, eliminate barriers, and design practical solutions that make doing business in Chicago simpler, faster, and more rewarding for everyone involved. With one of the most diverse and high-quality hotel communities in the country, regular collaboration ensures we stay connected to the evolving needs of our customers and the marketplace.
Q: What will success look like for this work?
A: Success for us is simple: more events choosing Chicago because they know it’s the best place to meet. We measure that by client satisfaction, repeat bookings, and word-of-mouth that reinforces Chicago’s position as the premier meetings destination in North America. Our world-class infrastructure speaks for itself—but it’s our consistent delivery, reliability, and partnership that keeps planners coming back. When clients tell us, “That was the smoothest event we’ve ever had,” that’s how we know we’ve met our standard of excellence.
Q: What is the most important thing event planners should know about Chicago?
A: Chicago is powered by innovation, optimism, and hospitality—and that spirit defines every event we host. When planners choose Chicago, they gain more than a venue; they gain a dedicated partner in one of the world’s most capable, connected, and collaborative meetings’ communities. From citywide conventions to intimate gatherings, our team and our partners deliver precision, creativity, and care. In Chicago, reliability and flexibility aren’t promises—they’re guarantees. That’s what it means to meet in a city that is Never Done and Never Outdone.