in ChicagoThe residents of Chicagoshowed the true spirit of our cityby being world-class hosts forthe NFL Draft. While the NFL Draftput our skyline in the spotlight,it was Chicagoans who showed why our city is the perfect homefor marquee events.MAYORRAHMEMANUELThe 2015 NFL Draft was one of the most watched and talked about sports events of the year. The event helped fll downtown hotel rooms and drove increased traffc to local restaurants and businesses.Attracting new eventsand demand generators like the NFL Draftwill help Choose Chicago reach the visitationgoals set by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The results featuredin this report areprovided by the Sport Industry Research Center at Temple Universityand Choose Chicago.3After 50 years inNew York City, the NFL brought the 2015NFL Draft to Chicago. Held April 30th through May 2nd at the Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University, the NFL also hosted a reimagined,free fan festival in Grant Park called Draft Town.2015NFLDRAFTINCHICAGO: BYTHENUMBERSTV Viewers Watched Round 1 of the DraftTweets and 6th Most Tweeted Sports Program Over the Past 12 months8.8M 4.7MVisitors to Draft Town200KSecuring high-profle events such as the NFL Draft are central to achieving the goals set forth by Mayor Emanuel, including increasing annual visitationto 55 million visitors by 2020. The national exposure and intent to visit is signifcant. DESIREEROGERS, CHAIR, CHOOSECHICAGOin Total Economic Impact New Jobs Temporary Construction and Labor Jobs$81.6M 846 2,0955in Total State andLocal Taxes Generated$6.5Min City Hotel TaxRevenue Generated$456KOn behalf of the Chicago Sports Commission and Choose Chicago, we thank the NFL for their partnership and enthusiasm in creating a memorable experience not only for our teams, but forthe more than 200,000 fans who experienced a completely reimagined Draft.DONWELSH, PRESIDENT&CEO, CHOOSECHICAGO A big thank you goes to everyone that contributed. You exceeded our expectations and turned Chi-Town into Draft Town for the 200,000 fans who joined in our festivities. ROGERGOODELL, NFLCOMMISSIONERFrom hospitals to schools, fag football to family football clinics, thousands of local children and their families experienced the excitement of the NFL Draft through a seriesof free events.72015NFLDRAFTINCHICAGO: BYTHENUMBERSStudents from 10 Chicago Public Schools AttendedVolunteers Worked Over 1,300 Shifts Over 3 Days1,000+ 650+Thanks to the Mayors commitment, the Chicago Bears support, the Park District, Roosevelt University andthe support of so many partners, the reimagined Draft was an incredibly successful experience for the city, the NFL and most importantly, the fans. KARABACHMAN, EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR, CHICAGOSPORTSCOMMISSIONResults indicated that 60% of attendees were male and 60% had children.Nearly half (49%) of attendees werefrom outside Chicago.Hotel RoomNights Generated36,576In 125 years of operation, an estimated twenty million people have been through the Auditorium Theatreat Roosevelt University. Fifty million saw the Theatre on TV in just three days of the NFL Draft. BRETTBATTERSON, EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR, AUDITORIUMTHEATRE9The NFL Draft was a huge success for restaurantsin Chicago. We saw increased business during typically slower hours, especially in the time between lunch and dinner. And you cant beat the star power- a good number of prominent NFL players andcoaches dined at our restaurants.PATRICKDOYLE, DIRECTOROFOPERATIONS, THEGAGE/ACANTO2015NFLDRAFTINCHICAGO: BYTHENUMBERSof Attendees Would Recommend Chicagoas a Travel Destinationof Attendees Planto Return to Chicagofor a Vacation in theNext 12 months83% 65%TOUCHDOWNWith over a hundred downtown hotelsand non-stop service from our two international airports, Chicago is the perfect city to welcome NFL teams and fansfrom across the country.112015NFLDRAFTINCHICAGO: BYTHENUMBERSTOUCHDOWNin Established TV and Digital Media Ad Value$114.7MTaxpayer Dollars Spent$0Just a couple years ago who would have thought that an event of this type would have the type of viewership that it has had? It has grown into a spectacleprobably the biggest event of the offseasonand were thrilled that were going to have it right here in Chicago. GEORGEMCCASKEY, CHAIRMAN, CHICAGOBEARSJuly 2015