Choose Chicago president Don Welsh has announced the appointment of Shana Lee as the organisation’s chief marketing officer.

Lee will be in charge of defining a sales and marketing strategy to further elevate the Chicago’s brand globally, with a mandate to capitalise on record leisure travel to Chicago and to infuse business travel strategies.

Previous employment includes her position as vice president and commercial director of hospitality with UK-based Travelport, Lee joins Choose Chicago with an extensive global business and marketing background.

Welsh said: “When you consider the sheer impact of Chicago’s visitor industry and the demands of the organisation responsible for marketing it regionally, nationally and internationally, Shana is the right leader to take us to the next level.

“She embodies the energy and passion necessary to build upon our marketing, sales and communications strategies to achieve the goals set forth by Mayor Emanuel.”

Chicago’s visitor industry is directly responsible for 132,000 jobs resulting in US$806 million (approximately £498 million) in tax revenue that supports education, healthcare, public safety and other public services and US$12.8 billion (approximately £7.9 billion) in direct spending by visitors on food, entertainment, transportation and shopping.