Chamber Backs the Bid!

-Monday, September 21, 2009

The Chicagoland Chamber enthusiastically supports hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games in our region and the local business community is committed to its success. We stand behind Mayor Daley, City Council and Chicago businesses in full support of the Chicago 2016 bid.

The Chicagoland Chamber is deeply involved as Jason Felger, executive vice president of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, participates on the expanded Outreach Advisory Council, more specifically serving on the Contracting and Procurement Outreach Advisory Council. The goal of the council is to ensure that all constituencies have meaningful opportunities for participation.

As the Chicagoland “voice of business” the Chicagoland Chamber foresees many business and economic development opportunities over the next several years. The economic activity that the games could generate totals over $22 billion for Illinois over an eleven-year period, providing a welcome boost for the business community in the years to come. Additionally, more national and global companies would soon discover Chicago as a great place to locate and do business and this would serve as an important catalyst for job creation.

“Chicago being named a Candidate City for the 2016 Olympics remains an incredible honor and reaffirms the amazing strides we have made as a global city”, states Chicagoland Chamber President and CEO Jerry Roper. “From world class airports, to impressive convention and tourism facilities, to our vibrant business community, the Chicago region continues to thrive, grow and make ‘no small plans’ to take charge of our future.”

“More than 75 years ago, Chicago solidified its place on the world stage by hosting the 1933 World’s Fair. Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics holds the same promise to grow our stature and economy for the benefit of the entire region. If we are successful in securing the 2016 Olympics, the Chicagoland Chamber will leverage this momentous opportunity to continue encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship to benefit local businesses and residents alike.”