TORONTO — Choose Chicago, the destination marketing organization for Chicago, Illinois, has appointed LMA Communications Inc. as its new PR representative in the Canadian market.

LMA will provide Chicago brand-supporting public relations efforts to a variety of target audiences in Canada, including consumer and meeting/travel trade media.

Leading the account at LMA Communications Inc. on behalf of Choose Chicago will be Jerry Grymek, Account Director. Choose Chicago’s Director of Media Relations for the Americas, Melanie Perez, will lead media relations efforts for Canada.

“LMA is excited about the opportunity to promote travel to this sophisticated, world class destination,” said John Ozikizler, President of LMA. “Chicago has so much to offer Canadians from the arts and galleries to amazing food and shopping along the Magnificent Mile – all accessible within a 90-minute flight from Toronto.”

Michelle Revuelta, Vice President of Media Relations for Choose Chicago added: “Chicago is an excellent choice for Canadian travellers. We are confident that LMA’s extensive experience with Canadian media and markets, and the team’s creative an strategic plan for promoting Chicago, will help us build more demand and interest for Chicago.”

In 2016, Chicago welcomed 54.1 million visitors in 2016 (+2.9% vs. 2015), of which Canadian travellers accounted for 444,000 visitors.