Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau president resigns

Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB) Chairman of the Board, Bruce Rauner announced he has accepted the resignation of the bureau’s president and CEO, Tim Roby, effective December 22, 2010.


Roby, a veteran hospitality industry sales and marketing executive is leaving to join Starwood Hotels and Resorts as senior vice president of sales, North America after the first of the year.

Since April 2006, Roby has directed the bureau’s overall strategic vision, overseeing all sales, marketing and membership initiatives to promote Chicago as a global visitor destination.

“Tim has much to be proud of,” said Rauner. “On behalf of the CCTB board I’d like to thank him for his commitment to Chicago and acknowledge his efforts in securing new and returning convention business, especially during the last six months following the passage of convention reform legislation.”

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work with such a tremendous and an incredibly supportive Mayor Richard M. Daley,” said Roby. “Chicago is the greatest city in the world and it’s only going to get better now that we’ve changed the way business is conducted in this city. Joining Starwood affords me the ability to continue to market Chicago and its incredible attributes.”

Rauner has suggested to the bureau’s executive committee that Jack Johnson, the bureau’s vice president, external relations be named acting CEO effective December 23, 2010.

Johnson will work with the executive committee on an immediate search for Roby’s successor. With more than 25 years of experience in government and civic planning, Johnson spent half of his career in various positions with the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA).

Most recently, he was instrumental in leading the charge on behalf of the MPEA and the CCTB that resulted in the historic McCormick Place legislative reform.

“Tim has assembled a very strong team and we expect the direction he has set to go unchanged, as we work in partnership with the Bureau to continue to bring meetings and convention business to our city,” said Jim Reilly, trustee, MPEA.

“This process will be a seamless transition,” said Rauner. “I assure our members, customers and stakeholders that they will continue to receive the highest level of service and commitment that they’ve come to expect from everyone at the Bureau.”