VISIT CHICAGO SOUTHLAND APPOINTS MARY PATCHIN AS NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO

Visit Chicago Southland (formerly Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau) has appointed Mary Patchin as their new President/CEO.

“The Visit Chicago Southland Board of Directors is proud to announce the promotion of Mary Patchin to the position of President/CEO.  Her many years of hard work and dedication make this well-deserved,” said Visit Chicago Southland Board Chairman Richard Brink. “She is the perfect fit to carry on our mission along with moving Visit Chicago Southland into the future.”

Patchin was approved at Visit Chicago Southland’s quarterly board meeting on April 25. She’ll officially assume the role on July 1, 2024 as current President/CEO Jim Garrett will retire on June 30, 2024.

“We are elated with Mary Patchin as the new President/CEO,” said Garrett. “Her experience in tourism, commitment to Visit Chicago Southland, and knowledge and passion of the Chicago Southland region will serve her and the area well.”

Patchin joined Visit Chicago Southland in 1999 upon graduating from Purdue University (Northwest) with a Bachelor in Science degree in Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism Management. During her tenure, she has risen from a sales associate to Director of Sales to Vice President of Sales and now to President/CEO.

In addition to her 25 years with Visit Chicago Southland, Patchin has served for eight years as chair of Meet in Illinois, received the Certified Destination Management Executive Designation by Destinations International in 2012, was recognized by Collaborate magazine (now Connect) as “40 under 40 in the CVB World” in 2014 and was Smart Women’s Industry Leader of the Year in 2023. Patchin has been instrumental in coordinating the national sales tradeshow schedule, boosting sales goals, and bringing group business (meetings, sports, group tours, and social events) to the region. Patchin has also been involved in Visit Chicago Southland’s marketing, public relations, and finance departments.

“I am incredibly grateful and excited to have the opportunity to continue building on our sales and marketing programs for the Chicago Southland tourism industry,” said Patchin. “Initially, my primary goal will be to continue focusing on our three-year Strategic Plan, created in 2023, as well as continuing to build strong relationships with our communities, hospitality network, and clients, representing the meetings, sports, group tour, and leisure markets.”

Visit Chicago Southland is the official destination management and marketing organization for Chicago’s south and southwest suburbs. Visit Chicago Southland nationally markets and sells the Chicago Southland region as a destination for meetings and conventions, group tours, sports events and leisure travel. For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com.

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