How to Plan a Corporate Event in Chicagoland: Why an Association Conference Planner in Chicago Uses a CVB
Sholeh Events is a corporate event planner in Chicago specializing in conference planning services, association meetings, and premium corporate venue sourcing.
As a premier corporate offsite event planner and business event planner in Chicago, Sholeh Events specializes in executing seamless corporate conferences, executive retreats, and large-scale meetings. When executing high-impact regional programs, an experienced association conference planner in Chicago relies on powerful behind-the-scenes allies: Convention & Visitor’s Bureaus (CVBs).
At Sholeh Events, we live and breathe logistics, design, and coordination. But we’ll be the first to admit that we couldn't do what we do without the incredible support of CVBs. Today, we’re dedicating our blog to highlighting why these local tourism experts are an absolute game-changer for event planners and everyday people alike!
Photo courtesy of Discover DuPage CVB
What is a CVB and How Do They Help a Business Event Planner in Chicago?
A Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (also known as a Destination Marketing Organization, or DMO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a specific town, city, or county as an ideal destination for tourism, business travel, and events.
The best part? Their services are completely free to planners and visitors. They are funded primarily through local hotel occupancy taxes and partner memberships, meaning their entire mission is simply to help you fall in love with their destination and make your event a massive success.
How CVBs Support Everyone: From Planners to Regular People
For Professional Planners: CVBs are like having a local co-captain who knows the destination inside and out. Instead of wasting hours cold-calling hotels or trying to guess which venue fits your vibe, a CVB acts as a single point of contact. They streamline the sourcing process, connect you with vetted local vendors, and help you unlock perks you might not find on your own.
For Everyday Travelers and "Regular People": You don’t have to be a professional meeting planner to utilize a CVB! Planning a family reunion? A milestone birthday weekend? Or maybe you're just looking for a fun getaway? CVBs provide local insider guides, up-to-date community event calendars, itinerary builders, and neighborhood maps. They ensure that everyday visitors experience the absolute best a destination has to offer.
If you’re looking for a room block for your wedding, a meeting space for your church gathering, or even vendor recommendations, reach out to your local CVB.
Spotlight on Our Friends at the DuPage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau!
Here at Sholeh Events, we are incredibly proud of our close relationship with the DuPage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (Discover DuPage). Representing one of the most vibrant visitor economies in Illinois (with a phenomenal hotel market, world-class dining, and stunning outdoor spaces like The Morton Arboretum), DuPage CVB is a powerhouse.
We recently had the absolute honor of partnering with them to help execute a Planner Familiarization (Fam) Trip!
Spotlight on Our Friends at the DuPage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau!
For those who might not know, a Fam Trip is an exclusive, curated experience where meeting and event planners are invited to a destination to experience its hospitality, venues, and attractions firsthand. It was an incredible experience helping DuPage CVB showcase the very best of the county to a group of talented planners. From coordinating local logistics to highlighting the region’s unique charm, working alongside the DuPage team reminded us just how passionate, professional, and vital they are to our local hospitality industry.
Photo courtesy of Discover DuPage CVB
How to Plan a Corporate Event: 6 Ways a CVB Simplifies Destination Coordination
If you aren't leveraging a CVB for your event, you're missing out on a treasure trove of resources. Here are a few ways they make magic happen for planners:
Streamlined Venue Sourcing (RFPs): Tell the CVB your event size, budget, and dates, and they will distribute a Request for Proposal (RFP) to all eligible local hotels and venues on your behalf. You get a neat, organized list of options without the headache.
Insider Local Knowledge: Need a quirky off-site venue for a welcome reception? A farm-to-table caterer? A reliable local AV team? A CVB has an extensive directory of local members and can give you unbiased recommendations.
Site Inspections: CVBs will often arrange and host site visits for planners, helping you tour multiple venues, hotels, and attractions in a single, well-organized trip.
Attendance Builders & Logistics: They provide promotional materials, visitor guides, maps, and sometimes even discount passes to local attractions to hand out to your attendees, making your destination highly appealing.
Permits and Community Advocacy: If your event requires street closures, special municipal permits, or connections with local government offices, the CVB can help navigate the red tape.
Expert Collaboration: While anyone can call a CVB, a professional planner knows exactly which specific questions to ask and how to turn their raw information into a bulletproof, actionable event timeline.
Quick Guide: How a Corporate Offsite Event Planner Leverages a CVB
What they do: Streamline destination venue sourcing and match planners with vetted local suppliers.
What it costs: Absolutely free. They are funded entirely by local hotel occupancy taxes.
Who they serve: Corporate teams, professional associations, and independent event organizers.
Let’s Plan Your Next Destination Event Together!
Whether you are looking to bring a corporate retreat to the premium business campuses of DuPage County, or need a seasoned association conference planner in Chicago to manage a multi-day downtown program, Sholeh Events and our network of amazing CVB partners are ready to bring your vision to life. Between us and these local bureaus, you’ve got a whole team in your corner.
Photo courtesy of Discover DuPage CVB
Our Local Chicagoland "Roll Call"
Depending on where your venue is, here are the teams we trust and reach out to often:
Discover DuPage (The second largest CVB in IL!)
Visit Naperville (Perfect for local activities)
Chicago’s North Shore (North Shore logistics and resources - longtime relationship with Sholeh Events!)
Choose Chicago (The big city experts for citywide or larger events)
Contact Sholeh Events today to streamline your venue research or to learn more about our comprehensive conference planning services Chicago.
