VISITORS EXPERIENCE CHICAGO
THROUGH LOCAL GREETERS
Beginning April 18, the Chicago Office of Tourism invites visitors to meet Chicagoans and experience the new Chicago Greeter service. Chicago Greeter is a volunteer-based service that gives Chicagoans a chance to show visitors their favorite things about the city. Through this new service, visitors will meet a greeter who will take them around the city and demonstrate its walkability and the user-friendliness of its public transportation system. This service provides visitors with a Chicago experience from a local's perspective.
Chicago Greeter is similar to the New York's Big Apple Greeter and Australia's Melbourne Greeters visitor services. It is designed to match a friendly, enthusiastic, and city knowledgeable local with an interested visitor for a 2 - 4 hour informal, insider orientation to Chicago's sights. Visitors will match with greeters through an on-line registration system based on interest and language. Chicago Greeter's more than 100 volunteers speak 13 different languages.
The service will permit Chicagoans to share their love and knowledge of the city. The Chicago Greeter service also gives Chicagoans a chance to take an active role in Chicago's tourism industry while making a big city feel more familiar and friendly.
"Chicago Greeters not only gives visitors a personal introduction to the city, it highlights one of our most priceless assets, the warmth and friendliness of our people," said Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Those interested in Chicago Greeter can register for a visit beginning April 18 on-line at www.chicagogreeter.com. Reservations can also be made by calling 1-312-744-8000 during business hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chicago Greeter visits will originate at the Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center, 77 E. Randolph Street.
American Airlines and United Airlines are partners of the Chicago Greeter service.
Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive additional information, including brochures and maps on Chicago's exciting events and attractions by calling toll-free 1-877-CHICAGO (1-877-244-2246), or by stopping at one of the Visitor Information Centers. The centers are located at Chicago Water Works, 163 East Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street and the information kiosk located inside Sears on State Street. For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico and Canada, please call 1-312-201-8847. The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1-866-710-0294. Chicago tourism information is also available on the Internet at www.cityofchicago.org/Tourism.
