Jim Garrett, CDME, President/CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau, was awarded the 2011 Bruce Riley McDaniel Award for Individual Professionalism & Lifetime Achievement by the Upper Midwest Convention & Visitors Bureau (UMCVB). Garrett received this award during the 2011 Fall Conference in Brookfield, WI.

The “McDaniel Award” is given to a tourism industry professional who has demonstrated and made a significant leadership impact, and furthered the economic growth of the hospitality industry. The award was established in honor and memory of Bruce McDaniel, one of the founders of UMCVB.
“Receiving the Bruce McDaniel award is an incredible honor,” said Garrett, “the passion for driving tourism to the Chicago Southland has always pushed me to work just that much harder during my career in destination management and marketing.”

Garrett attributes the CVB’s success to the professional efforts of the Chicago Southland CVB staff focusing on marketing and promoting the Chicago Southland as a premier meeting, convention, event and leisure destination for visitors and meeting planners. “The exceptional effort on the part of the CVB staff positively impacts the Chicago Southland economy, and they continue to reach every day.”