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A group of hospitality industry professionals hosted a rally yesterday and presented thousands of signatures on a petition in support of Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nearly 1,000 people attended the event in a display of the industry's passion for winning the Games and its eagerness to welcome the world to Chicago. Also in attendance were 17 Olympic and Paralympic athletes who back Chicago's bid.

Speakers included Mike Ditka, restaurateur and former Chicago Bears head coach; Billy Dec of Rockit Ranch Productions; Tim O'Malley of Concierge Preferred, the visitor marketing company that spearheaded the Chicago Hospitality Backs the Bid rally; and Lisa Bertomeu of Hilton Hotels.

Carey Pinkowski of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon also addressed the crowd.

"Chicago has world-class hotels and hospitality experts who take pride in making visitors feel comfortable and right at home," said Lori Healey, President of Chicago 2016. "They are dedicated to personal service. They know the best the city has to offer-restaurants, museums and other cultural attractions, shopping and entertainment. And they know how to provide their guests with the best possible Chicago experience."

Healey represented Chicago 2016 at the rally and was presented with a petition signed by more than 10,000 people from the hospitality industry who support bringing the Games to Chicago in 2016. The petition was presented by the "Faces of Chicago Travel," representing employees from six different lines of work in the industry-everything from housekeeping and concierge services to wait staff and travel coordinators.

"Now is the time to demonstrate that Chicago's hospitality community is united in the push for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Tim O'Malley, president and publisher of Concierge Preferred. "Chicago has world class hotel, restaurant and tourism professionals, and today they have a chance to show that we are ready and eager to host the world in 2016."

The Chicago metropolitan area has 115,000 hotel rooms. More than 93,000 are within 50 km of the Games center; over 33,000 are within 8 km of the Games center.

(Source: AIPS)