HeresChicago.com’s Jim Grillo to be inducted into Meeting Professionals International – Chicago Area Chapter Hall of Fame

Hereschicago.com announced today that its president and founder, Jim Grillo, CMP will be inducted into Meeting Professionals International-Chicago Area Chapter’s (MPI-CAC) 2009 Hall of Fame.

This prestigious honor will be bestowed to Grillo in 2009 for his outstanding contributions to awareness, professionalism, and growth of the meetings industry.

Members of the Chicago Area Chapter will gather for its Annual Awards Gala, which will include Grillo’s induction to the Hall of Fame on June 2, 2009 at the Millenium Knickerbocker and the Drake Hotel.

The news of the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame induction completes a trifecta of industry awards bestowed upon Grillo and HeresChicago.com within the last year.

He recently was the recipient of the 2008 Illinois Meetings & Events magazine’s “Supplier of the Year Hall of Fame” Award and an Emmy Award in the Alternate Media/News category for his online video coverage of “Looptopia” with the NBC 5 Chicago Street team.

Serving as president of MPI-CAC in 2003-2004, Grillo has been a frequent volunteer for the local chapter, helping promote industry partners, guiding student members into their first jobs, and serving as a committee member within the international organization from 2003-2008. His ongoing visibility and efforts have resulted in attracting over 100 new members for the MPI.

Further, Grillo served as president of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing International Chicago Chapter from 2001-2004, while leading many other industry leadership initiatives.

Currently, Grillo is a leading advocate of the Travel Industry Association of America’s “Meetings Mean Business” initiative, which is designed to call attention and promote the benefits of meetings within business and their respective impact within communities and the global marketplace.

Current president of MPI-CAC, Laurel Rhoads McCarthy of Krisam Group, stated: “I am thrilled to announce that Jim “Mr. Hospitality” Grillo will soon be inducted into the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame. Our community is one of many fortunate recipients of his heartfelt support. On behalf of our entire membership, many thanks and congratulations to Jim for receiving this well-deserved honor.”

Grillo stated: “It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers within the chapter and the hospitality community. I am fortunate to have built my career serving an industry and profession that I love and care about.”