By Jaime Mazur | Photo: ©The Drake

With the United States’ Semiquincentennial upon us, there is much to be excited about in the Midwest. The celebrations for America’s 250th birthday will stand out in a saturated special event space as they offer a one-time opportunity to capitalize on local authentic experiences within the context of our national story.

But what does that look like? When a town of 50,000 or 100,000 residents gets thrust into the national or international spotlight, how do they manage the massive influx of people and demands on their infrastructure? And how do they prepare for the opportunity? Convention and visitors bureaus, meeting planners and hospitality operators aren’t just selling tickets to an event; they’re curating an opportunity for access, memories, and total immersion in the place and time.

The curation spectators see is an exercise in meticulous planning and cooperation, and one that the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau has been tackling head on for nearly a decade.

This year is a big year for the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau. Not only is it organizing America250 celebrations in 2026, it is also the convention and visitors bureau of four communities celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66, and the host convention and visitors bureau for the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club in Medinah.

A Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour event pitting Team USA against non-European players from around the world, this biennial Presidents Cup event is one of incredible prestige and reach on an international stage. With foresight, though, the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau put the pieces in place to support its community members almost a decade before the event was even scheduled to take place.

The details involved in a winning bid are exhaustive. Megaevents are typically announced three to seven years in advance, but the work behind the scenes can begin closer to 10 years ahead of time.

Planning for the PGA Tour Presidents Cup began in 2019, but the announcement wasn’t made until late 2020, six years in advance of the actual event.

While the site of the tournament is a private golf club, the convention and visitors bureau was integral to the success of the bid. Beth Marchetti, the executive director of the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, explains, “The convention and visitors bureau has always had a great relationship with the Medinah Country Club. With this opportunity, [it has] both the unique and prestigious accolade as being the only golf course in the world to host the four rotating Majors (U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup). The vision of the Medinah team is to make this the biggest and most exciting Presidents Cup.”

In international golf competitions, VIP and luxury are the standard. In order to stand out, it really becomes a story of how seamless and curated the entire experience feels. After being announced as the 2026 site, a Medinah delegation, along with DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau representatives, attended the 2024 event, podiuming at the Montreal event to introduce the Midwest to the international community in both English and French. The mission was clear: Showcase Medinah and the county as one with accessible golf, free parking and an easy trip with numerous direct flights to O’Hare International Airport.

Marchetti continues, “Los Angeles, Disney, Vegas and New York tend to be the first places international travelers visit when they come to the United States. By elevating the offerings in 2026, it may put Chicago on their bucket list as they visit for megaevents like the Presidents Cup and America250.”

THAT LOCAL FLAIR

Rather than visiting only to watch the tournament, attendees want local authenticity, personalization and seek those “I couldn’t do this anywhere else” moments. How does the suburban enclave next to one of the largest cities in the country stand out to attendees researching the event?

“We felt it was important to do a one- stop shop on our website. We want to make sure that tickets, golf, dining and accommodations are all very clear. [Attendees] can stay out in DuPage closer to the golf course and meeting planners scheduling around the event can offer special experiences to their attendees,” explains Marchetti.

Meeting planners have substantial selling power in promoting meetings to coincide with megaevents.

Where else can attendees watch an international golf competition and then hop on a rented Harley to drive down the historic Route 66 for a day?

“Illinois has more Route 66-themed attractions than any other state,” Marchetti says, “and visitors can get a really good feel of all that Route 66 offers by just driving from Chicago to St. Louis.”

Ahead of the Presidents Cup, international travelers will be in the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup and the nation’s Semiquincentennial, and that’s when convention and visitors bureau partners can expect to have the best opportunities for planners piggybacking their events.

Of course, with branded megaevents like the PGA Tour, the convention and visitors bureau must work within the confines of the event’s existing sponsorship deals and brand guidelines. For example, the PGA Tour uses its own housing company.

But local hospitality operators capitalize on the event, even without being an official sponsor. Hotels with meeting space can offer planners “a dedicated event space during a high- demand time to maximize comfort and productivity,” says Jill Hare, the director of sales and marketing at The Drake Oak Brook.

“As a AAA Four Diamond hotel, delivering a luxury experience is our standard every day,” she explains. For groups booking before, during and after the Presidents Cup, perks include 15% off food and beverage pricing, break upgrades and double Marriott Bonvoy points.

With a much closer proximity to the site of the tournament and 16,000 hotel rooms in the county, DuPage County has several advantages compared to Chicago. Frictionless logistics, exclusive access and service can be the differentiator, even if the event is fairly standardized. With moderate heat waves, and more shoreline along the Great Lakes than the East and West coasts combined, the Midwest continues to shine as a jewel in the national and international spotlight.

Convention and visitors bureaus and vendors across the hospitality arena expect continued growth and opportunity through megaevents to provide returns and lasting interest in local offerings for years to come, and sometimes that spurs more infrastructure. Meeting and events planners will also stand to benefit.

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