The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (312.567.8500) recently appointed Don Welsh president and CEO. Welsh previously served as the CEO of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association. Prior to his stint in Indianapolis, he worked as the CEO of the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The 610-room JW Marriott Chicago Hotel (312.660.8200) opened in late 2010. The luxury property offers 44,000 square feet of meeting space and a 20,000-square-foot spa. It also features The Florentine, an award-winning restaurant, which caters to private groups of up to 40 guests.
The Wit-A Doubletree Hotel (312.467.0200) recently debuted on historic State Street. The hip property has 256 guest rooms and 42 suites. The units feature vivid colors and stylish furnishings, as well as panoramic views of the skyline, the lake or the Chicago River. The hotel has 7,000 square feet of meeting space and a 2,500-square-foot ballroom. The 27th floor of the hotel boasts the year-round ROOF, a rooftop party spot and event venue with 7,000 square feet of space, along with roaring fire pits, live music and telescopes.
Hotel Palomar Chicago, A Kimpton Hotel (312.755.9703) opened in March 2010 on North State Street in the heart of Chicago's shopping district. The property offers 261 guest rooms, 5,800 square feet of meeting space and the trendy Sable Kitchen & Bar.
Construction is under way on the new Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago (800.967.9033) on North Columbus Drive in Chicago's River North neighborhood. The property is slated to open this fall with 334 guest rooms and meeting space.
Hotel 71 (312.346.7100) plans to complete a $15 million renovation this spring. Upgrades will be applied to the hotel's lobby, guest rooms, business center and fitness center. It will also include the addition of 2,500 square feet of meeting space to its current 6,500 square feet. The property offers 357 guest rooms
Plans are under way on a 500- to 600-room expansion of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place (312.567.1234). The addition is scheduled for completion by 2014. The property currently offers 800 guest rooms and is attached to McCormick Place.
In December, Hotel Blake was reflagged the Wyndham Blake Chicago (312.986.1234). The property offers 162 guest rooms and several meeting rooms, including a 1,200-square-foot ballroom.
Renovations are under way at the 285-room Ambassador East Hotel (312.787.7200) on North State Parkway. Upgrades will be applied to the entire hotel and are slated for completion in August. The property offers 13 meeting rooms with 8,900 square feet of meeting space.
