By The Beachwood Big Data Affairs Desk
“Travel expenditures in Chicago last year hit a record $12.76 billion, up 6.7 percent from the prior year, according to new data from the U.S. Travel Association,” Crain’s reports.
“The stats are the latest in a string of cheery tourism numbers being trumpeted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism bureau.”
But why? Our analytics bureau dug into the data and found out.
10. People came from all around to watch Bill Daley’s camp . . . oops.
9. Successful time-share promotion for operators of charter schools.
8. Groupons for Gangs was a hit.
7. Rod Blagojevich Committed Wire Fraud Here was most successful marketing campaign in years.
6. Crappy t-shirts at Navy Pier one percent less crappy.
5. Rahm Emanuel went door-to-door across America telling everyone they better come to fucking Chicago and spend some fucking money or they’d be fucking sorry.
4. The Outfit now offering early bird specials.
3. Michael Madigan has been designated a historical landmark.
2. Capitol doors got five stars from AAA.
1. Numbers according to CPS.
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Another 10 reasons:
* Banjo-playing lieutenant governor more of a draw than expected.
* Stats now include anyone laying over at O’Hare.
* Lady Gaga’s wheelchair now on display at the Art Institute.
* Parking meter operators held convention here for first time.
* Lollapalooza’s Pitchfork stage led to increased attendance.
* Field Museum’s Lindsay Lohan exhibit really paid off.
* Chicago Fire has a really big cast.
* Baseball fans came from all over to see Robin Ventura’s last year as manager.
* Fans still traveling the country with Styx really packed the state fair.
* Chicago Comic Con now drawing twice as many nerds.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on September 17, 2013