(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — It appears the Democratic National Convention gave a significant boost to hotels in the Chicago-area.
“I think some people had some false hope that this was going to be a Gangbuster sellout week. That's not the case,” said Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association.
“At the end of the day, it's going to be a very successful week for the city. It's been a very lively, and frankly, profitable time, within our hotel, particularly in our bars and restaurants.”
Jacobson says the final numbers on the number of people staying in hotels during the DNC won't be in until next week.
Even so he says there's evidence many of those attending the convention had a positive impression of Chicago.
“When you look at the type of person that's here: the political thought leaders, the media influencers, tens of thousands of international and domestic media.
“You can't put a price tag on the ability to redefine the narrative and change people's perceptions about the city which we think will pay off for years to come.”
He says that will likely lead to a long-term boost in the number of people visiting the city and checking into hotels here.
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