Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce’s Post

So I have watched every Indycat street race because I prefer Indycar to NASCAR sndI still think that if you watch NBC coverage of NASCAR race then n Chicago and you watch races in Long Beach, St Pete, Toronto, and Nashville you’ll realize that the pictures from Indy street races are subpar. People will say this is a diss. It is not. Many cities open up their streets to racing, but the pictures are not epic. Chicago is weird as a city because what it has is public parkland and an epic skyline. @lorilightfoot you have been correct that we have something worthwhile. We have to realize that Chicago ratings are driven not just by residents but by ex-pats who are compelled by the pictures from Grant Park. We need a charm campaign using our assets to show others that we are real people. We have problems. But, Chicagoan’s at their heart care about others and want to make this city better. Not in a political sense but a real human sense. We need to show that’s who we are. We won’t let children go into the criminal justice system for life for being angry or hopeless after Covid. We are a city that created tough laws after extreme fires to stop extreme fires. We can stop extreme behavior, we just have to be a city of understanding, compassion, and practicality as we have been. We have to understand are children are angry that covid may have cost their hopes are dreams. We can be a City that chooses to give them new directions and new hopes. W don’t have to repeat past mistakes. We can choose to all be better.

Are you aware that NASCAR is back in Chicago? This weekend's second Chicago Street Race is a chance for NASCAR to deliver on what it planned last year before torrential rain disrupted the event. The big picture: The 2.2-mile course that weaves through Grant Park was a tough sell to a city not as consumed with racing as other sports, but NASCAR is using it to attract a wider, more diverse fan base. Friction point: Even before last year's event was disrupted by rain, commuters were mad about street closures in the Loop, downtown residents and alders complained about noise and pollution, and Taste of Chicago fans were frustrated the event lost its summertime Chi slot. Between the lines: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot brokered the city's contract with NASCAR, which runs through 2025, so some thought Mayor Brandon Johnson would wave it goodbye once he took office in 2023. -The agreement can be terminated with at least 180 days' notice without compensation or damages. Reality check: He didn't. But NASCAR and the city negotiated for six fewer days of race set-up and breakdown — from 25 to 19 — for this year's race. What they're saying: "Our unparalleled skyline provides a stunning backdrop for NASCAR's television and streaming audiences, and that's to say nothing of the economic benefits that come with the event," Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce CEO Jack Lavin told Axios in a statement. Zoom in: Saturday's lineup includes The Loop 110 (50 laps), performances by Buddy Guy, the Black Keys and the Chainsmokers, and Q&As with drivers. -The big race, Grant Park 165 (75 laps), is Sunday at 3:30pm with performances by Lauren Alaina and Keith Urban earlier in the afternoon. -NBC will also broadcast the races. If you go: Two-day tickets start at $269 and go up to more than $3,000 for hospitality suites. -New this year is a general admission one-day ticket for $150, with kids free on Saturday and $45 on Sunday (alongside an adult ticket). -Metra has also announced more trains will be running for the event. #nascar #chicago #grantpark #downtown #racing #city

Are you aware that NASCAR is back in Chicago? This weekend's second Chicago Street Race is a chance for NASCAR to deliver on what it planned last year before torrential rain disrupted the event. The big picture: The 2.2-mile course that weaves through Grant Park was a tough sell to a city not as consumed with racing as other sports, but NASCAR is using it to attract a wider, more diverse fan base. Friction point: Even before last year's event was disrupted by rain, commuters were mad about street closures in the Loop, downtown residents and alders complained about noise and pollution, and Taste of Chicago fans were frustrated the event lost its summertime Chi slot. Between the lines: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot brokered the city's contract with NASCAR, which runs through 2025, so some thought Mayor Brandon Johnson would wave it goodbye once he took office in 2023. -The agreement can be terminated with at least 180 days' notice without compensation or damages. Reality check: He didn't. But NASCAR and the city negotiated for six fewer days of race set-up and breakdown — from 25 to 19 — for this year's race. What they're saying: "Our unparalleled skyline provides a stunning backdrop for NASCAR's television and streaming audiences, and that's to say nothing of the economic benefits that come with the event," Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce CEO Jack Lavin told Axios in a statement. Zoom in: Saturday's lineup includes The Loop 110 (50 laps), performances by Buddy Guy, the Black Keys and the Chainsmokers, and Q&As with drivers. -The big race, Grant Park 165 (75 laps), is Sunday at 3:30pm with performances by Lauren Alaina and Keith Urban earlier in the afternoon. -NBC will also broadcast the races. If you go: Two-day tickets start at $269 and go up to more than $3,000 for hospitality suites. -New this year is a general admission one-day ticket for $150, with kids free on Saturday and $45 on Sunday (alongside an adult ticket). -Metra has also announced more trains will be running for the event. #nascar #chicago #grantpark #downtown #racing #city

I love how this article that our DCI team placed ties in a well-known sports entity and how its investment in a city can impact an entire economy by attracting complementary industries, residents and visitors. A tri-fecta of place marketing success. We know that sports tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in attracting leisure visitors, and we also know through Development Counsellors International's proprietary research that a potential workforce likes to visit a place first before relocation. So here's a quick tip when it comes to #talentattraction marketing: If you want to elevate your region as a great place to live and do business, don't be afraid to leverage the brand reputation of your sports teams and the development they bring to your economy. It's a winning combination. (Also...if I was more sports inclined I'd probably have a better pun... please don't tell my husband, who played college baseball, how woefully ignorant I am with these types of analogies:) #econdev #economicdevelopment

Let's talk NASCAR! Not the competition provided across 28 racetracks/speedways/arenas over 41 weeks that drives impressions in the media with bright shiny things the consumer observes on glass in front of them, or as a visceral experience attending the Daytona 500. No, rather, want to talk about the brand as enjoyed and valued by the free marketplace. And, want to talk about the value of the "league" to society and the world of private equity. No one company has had greater corporate impact on my environment since summer of 1980 when I arrive in Daytona Beach between my JR and SR of HS.  France family has driven the narrative for Daytona Beach since William H.G. France, Sr., ("Big Bill"), collected $2.50 per ticket from 14,000 people staging their first NASCAR race. On the beach, and South Atlantic Avenue, in 1948 after a meeting at the Streamline Hotel months earlier on December 14, 1947. These definitive steps were the start of being part of the "major-leagues'. NASCAR/Frances would stand closer by permanently approving Team Charters. Jim France (my email to him last week presented in the attached comment), representing a family that has spanned 4 generations, has two choices. First, they can remain the first family of stock car racing with majority ownership covering a fiefdom. They will cycle through scheduled Charter contract negotiations constantly. Or, second, they transcend to a new level of leadership and sell controlling interest to new ownership group comprised of free market investors. Believe market appetite is strong with institutional private equity aggressively seeking sports related properties. Believe value of NASCAR, the "league", is between $4.35B and $6.35B. However, if the Frances would accept some portion of that purchase price from a consortium of institutional investors in cash and in the form of "paper" it opens possibilities. Simultaneously, if the investor were to reach a deal with the collective 36 charter team owners in form of cash and "paper", for the approval of a permanent distribution from the "new" NASCAR, it solidifies the integrity of the product offered. Stakeholders (Frances, Race Team Alliance/Charter Team Owners and capitalist private equity) are then rowing together toward a league like the NFL, MLB, NBA or NHL. Maybe NASCAR becomes a public traded sports league with a Board of Directors and shareholders and run by the team owners. Below is a link to my LinkedIn comments added to the post of Adam Stern with Sports Business Journal which shared Ken Belson's article for the The New York Times. I've offered similar commentary, and personal communication, with/to other reporters like Eric Jackson from Sportico here and on Twitter. https://lnkd.in/gjKrwABm

After 40 years Formula 1 is going to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. The track layout is spread across Vegas strip covering famous hotels and properties offering an amazing view for the night race. What does it mean for the Vegas city? Around 300,000 attendees are expected to visit Las Vegas for the grand F1 race and is estimated to have a local economic impact of nearly $1.3 billion. Accommodation, Transportation and Restaurants sales are expected to reach all-time high breaching the sales of Super Bowl. Many properties face the circuit, so expect them to charge a bomb with up to the six and seven-figure range for three-night packages. As its almost Holiday-season, I think high-rollers will definitely feel the charges worth the action. This is the impact of a sports event. If the nation and the city plan and manage the event precisely, it gives a massive boost the economy within a short period of time. #formula1 #lasvegas #lasvegasgp #f12023 #f1racing #sports #racing

In our latest article, we delve into the vital role of communication in shaping the thoroughbred racing industry's narrative. Discover the three key strategies that can effectively counter misinformation and steer public perception towards a more truthful and positive path. https://lnkd.in/gnFvr4qT

If you have time, take a look at this interesting article featuring my older sister. This is definitely worth reading!

I like the hundreds of millions around the world am a Formula 1 fan. It's a spectacle to watch and a highly technical sport. Red Bull Racing & Red Bull Technology has been dominating in recent years. I love hearing them talk about tire strategy and how it's key to winning races. Whether you're going 200mph or 35mph, tires are key to helping you operate your vehicle safely. Temperature has a significant impact on tire performance. Summer compounds are virtually rendered unusable in freezing temps and can be like driving on hockey pucks. An All-Season rated tire is a measure of geometry and not an indicator that the compound is suitable below freezing temperatures. Look for tires with the 3PMS, Three Peak Mountain Snowflake designation on the sidewall to know the tire has been tested in snow spin up and meets or exceed the prerequisite capability requirements put in place by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) to determine whether a tire is fit for use in severe snow conditions. For a cold race track teams will be opting to use the softest F1 racing tires to get up to optimal grip temperatures quickly.