Visit Chicago Southland has appointed Mary Patchin as its new president and CEO.
Patchin’s “many years of hard work and dedication make this well-deserved,” Richard Brink, chairman of the board of Visit Chicago, formerly the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in a statement. “She is the perfect fit to carry on our mission along with moving Visit Chicago Southland into the future.”
Patchin was approved at Visit Chicago Southland’s quarterly board meeting April 25. She assumed the role July 1 with the June 20 retirement of Jim Garrett.
“We are elated with Mary Patchin as the new president/CEO,” Garrett said in a statement. “Her experience in tourism, commitment to Visit Chicago Southland and knowledge and passion of the Chicago Southland region will serve her and the area well.”
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Patchin joined Visit Chicago Southland in 1999 upon graduating from Purdue Calumet with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional and Tourism Management. She has risen from a sales associate to director of sales and vice president of sales before being named to the new post.
In addition to her 25 years with Visit Chicago Southland, Patchin has served for eight years as chair of Meet in Illinois, received the Certified Destination Management Executive Designation by Destinations International in 2012, was recognized by Collaborate magazine (now Connect) as “40 under 40 in the CVB World” in 2014 and was Smart Women’s Industry Leader of the Year in 2023. Patchin has been instrumental in coordinating the national sales trade show schedule, boosting sales goals and bringing group business (meetings, sports, group tours and social events) to the region. Patchin also has been involved in Visit Chicago Southland’s marketing, public relations and finance departments.
“I am incredibly grateful and excited to have the opportunity to continue building on our sales and marketing programs for the Chicago Southland tourism industry,” Patchin said in a statement. “Initially, my primary goal will be to continue focusing on our three-year Strategic Plan, created in 2023, as well as continuing to build strong relationships with our communities, hospitality network and clients, representing the meetings, sports, group tour and leisure markets.”
Visit Chicago Southland is the official destination management and marketing organization for Chicago’s South and Southwest Suburbs.