World Business Chicago

The 46th Bank of America Chicago Marathon is more than just a race—it's a global event with major economic and cultural impact. With over 50,000 runners from 130+ countries, this year’s marathon is set to break records and generate millions for Chicago's local economy. In 2023 alone, the marathon brought in $547M in economic impact. From hotels and restaurants to retail and transportation, nearly every part of the city benefits. This year’s race will again feature activations from our Chicago Sister Cities International program, celebrating the vibrant global ties that make Chicago a true international hub. Plus, we’re cheering on local entrepreneurs like Harish Neelamana, co-founder of Convr, who says, “The Chicago Marathon exemplifies how our city brings the world together to take on new challenges and achieve great accomplishments.” Catch the full impact in this week’s Business Pulse ?? #ChicagoMarathon #ChicagoGlobalConnections #EconomicImpact #SisterCities

This week for #manufacturingmonth we're spotlighting Testa Produce, Inc. - recipient of the Positive Community Impact Award at the Chicago Manufacturing Awards! Testa Produce is the first foodservice facility in the United States to achieve LEED Platinum certification. The food manufacturer's list of green initiatives is staggering, from energy generation to rain-water harvesting and more. Their sustainably-designed facility in Chicago's Southwest side enables Testa Produce to thrive, while supporting local vendors, reducing emissions and giving back to the community. "Chicago has the greatest mix when it comes to food," says CEO & President Peter Testa. "If you like any kind of food, and you can't find it in Chicago - you're not looking." #manufacturingmonth2024 #manufacturinginchicago

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, we celebrate the remarkable impact of leaders like WBC board member Martin Cabrera Jr. of Cabrera Capital Markets. A proud Mexican-American and father of five, Martin’s personal story is rooted in history; his grandfather was among thousands of Mexicans repatriated during the Great Depression. Join us in recognizing Martin’s leadership and the continued contributions of Chicago’s Latino community, today and every day. Special note of thanks to Lourdes Duarte, WGN-TV, for sharing this story. #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinoLeadership

"Venture capital is a driving force behind digital transformation across industries, and Chicago is at the heart of that innovation," said Jeffrey Diehl, Managing Partner & Head of Investments at Adams Street Partners World Business Chicago congratulates Adams Street Partners on their latest milestone—a remarkable $1.2B venture fund launch! This achievement underscores Chicago’s leadership in #venturecapital and innovation, showcasing the city's immense growth potential for companies and investors. "We are excited to see the continued expansion of Chicago’s innovation ecosystem, propelling the city’s influence on a global scale. This new venture fund positions us to continue supporting cutting-edge companies that are shaping the future of the global economy." – Phil Clement, President & CEO, World Business Chicago. #ChicagoInnovationVentureCapital https://lnkd.in/gZbuwr-j

Today we celebrate and honor the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Indigenous communities. Chicago stands on land that has long been a center of trade and culture for Indigenous peoples, and we recognize their vital role in shaping our city's past, present and future.

Congratulations to the Chicago Bears on a fantastic win in London! ?? We are proud to see Chicago so well-represented on the world stage over the last few days. Special thanks to Mayor Brandon Johnson, Choose Chicago, and members of the World Business Chicago board including Charles Smith, Scott C. Swanson, Vamsi Bonthala, Richard Gamble, Brett Hart, Lori Healey, Karen Murphy, Jim Reynolds, Tom Ricketts, John Robak, Mark Tebbe, and Andrea Zopp. Our hometown team's victory today caps off several days of meetings focused on economic and business development ties between Chicago and London, including: ? Meeting with Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to discuss ways to further strengthen the economic and cultural ties between #Chicago and #London ? Discussion around the expansion of large-scale fan events such as the English Premier League Fan Fest in Chicago, which saw record-breaking attendance last year. ? Well-being tech company, pirkx, decision to establish its U.S. headquarters in Chicago. https://bit.ly/3U6Zgev ? A promising collaboration with European food market leaders on a potential new global food hub on Chicago’s South Side. ? Climate-focused and quantum technology sessions with over 20 climate-focused entrepreneurs and investors exploring?U.S. expansion opportunities. There is a strong commitment between #Chicago and #London business and government leaders to tackle climate change. We look forward to continuing to invest time and energy in realizing the inherent opportunities from our recent meetings, partnerships, and the economic opportunities they will bring to our city.?

One of the key strengths of Chicago’s business community is its high level of engagement, collaboration, and support. This spirit has been on full display throughout all our meetings and events in London. A big thank you to WBC board member Wade Thomson and Jenner & Block for hosting an impactful roundtable meeting in London on Friday with over 20 climate-focused entrepreneurs and investors exploring U.S. expansion opportunities. Since 2019, UK-based investors have participated in more than 110 VC and private equity growth deals involving over 80 Chicagoland companies. At Friday’s roundtable, United Airlines shared its experiences with business-government collaboration in addressing climate change, demonstrating how these partnerships can drive progress. Plans set to continue further discussions about investment in Chicago with the entrepreneurs and investors whose goals align with Chicago’s sustainability objectives. "We are working hard to identify and interact with economic sectors where we have an edge so that we can attract sustainable businesses and good jobs to our city for long-term success. My vision for a blue-green economy is centered around growing our overall economy without sacrificing the health and safety of our residents,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. #InvestInChicago #GlobalPartnerships #ChicagoClimateChange

On Friday in London, Mayor Brandon Johnson, senior advisor Jason Lee, Chicago Sports Commission Executive Director Kara Bachman, and World Business Chicago's Phil Clement and Charles Smith met with English Premier League CEO Richard Masters and his leadership team to discuss the future of large-scale fan events in Chicago. Building on the success of last year’s record-breaking Premier League Morning Live Fan Fest in Lincoln Park—where over 15,000 attendees made it the most successful Fan Fest to date—the conversation centered on expanding Chicago’s role as a global destination for premier fan experiences. With recent major events like this weekend’s Chicago Marathon and the Chicago NASCAR Street Race— which Choose Chicago reported injected $128 million into the local economy—Chicago consistently proves its capacity to host world-class, fan-driven events. These discussions reaffirm our commitment to furthering such opportunities, both in Chicago and internationally. #GlobalSports #InvestInChicago #ChicagoLondon

?? Go long! See how Monarc is changing the game with the world's first robotic quarterback. Monarc is a Chicago-based sports robotics company and recipient of the Rising Star Award at the 2024 Chicago Manufacturing Awards. "We'd like to be the world leader in sports robotics", says Monarc co-founder, Bhargav Maganti "And we think that Chicago is the perfect place to do it." #ManufacturingMonth #ManufacturinginChicago

The 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon is just three days away and nine of our sister city committees will be hosting cheering stations! Congratulations to all of the marathon runners from our sister city countries & beyond. We can't wait to cheer you on this Sunday!?? ?? ??