November, 2004
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| Industry Insider
Grant DePorter literally grew up in the Chicago hospitality industry, having lived in the Hyatt Regency Chicago for 13 years. He also was part of the Hyatt Hotels Training Program prior to receiving a bachelor’s of science degree from the prestigious Cornell School of Hotel Administration, and then a master's of business administration degree from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Upon his return to Chicago, DePorter joined Harry Caray’s Restaurants and has been there ever since. As president and managing partner, DePorter oversees HC Restaurant Group (HCRG), which is comprised of Harry Caray’s Restaurants in Chicago and Rosemont, Midway Airport’s Harry Caray’s Seventh Inning Stretch, Harry Caray’s Catering and 10pin Bowling Lounge. Harry Caray’s Restaurant, named for the late Hall of Fame baseball announcer, has been voted best steakhouse in Chicago and best sports restaurant in the country, and has won the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 16 years in a row. With great enthusiasm, DePorter is looking forward to his tenure as chairman of Visit Illinois, whose mission is to advocate for, educate and unify the visitor industry in Illinois. In looking for ways to build upon the many successes of the organization, he remarks, "We are in the middle of a strategic planning process in which we are refining our vision for the many diverse elements of our dynamic industry. An important part of that is educating our partners about the value of tourism to the Illinois economy." DePorter’s father, Don DePorter, was in many people’s minds “Mr. Chicago.” There was not a civic or charitable committee that he was not on, and he was recognized several times by Mayor Daley for his volunteerism and dedication to betterment of Chicago. DePorter feels that he is following in his father’s footsteps. Just as his father did, DePorter views volunteerism as what exemplifies the best of the hospitality industry and is deeply involved with a variety of Chicago organizations. He is co-chairman of the board of directors for the Gateway Green Committee, a non-profit organization committed to the “greening” and beautification of Chicago’s expressways, gateways and other areas. From 1991 to the present, he also has served as food and beverage chair for their annual Green Tie Ball, a premier black-tie event for young professionals in Chicago. DePorter is also first vice chairman and 2005 chairman-elect of the Illinois Restaurant Association board of directors and chairman of the government affairs committee. He serves on the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association board of directors, is a member of their executive committee, and was co-chair of their marketing committee as well as past chair of The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival from 1998 to 1999. Other involvement includes serving on the board of directors and the finance committee for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. He also is a commissioner for the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and on the steering committee of the National Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to growing up in Chicago while his father was with the Hyatt Corporation, DePorter has lived in Seattle, San Francisco and Albany, N.Y. He has traveled and seen most of Illinois, once even riding his bicycle to Chicago from Springfield after taking the train down. It took him a week to get back because he visited most of the towns along the way. DePorter has fished in almost every state in the country and has stayed at most of the U.S. Hyatt Hotels in Hyatt system. Understandably, Chicago is his favorite city in the world. And it goes without saying, he is a huge Chicago Cubs fan. On February 26, 2004, DePorter blew up the infamous Cubs foul ball that is credited with costing the Cubs its first trip to the World Series since 1945. He purchased it at auction for $113,824.16 on behalf of Harry Caray's Restaurants. The event made the front page of The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and more—totaling a staggering 4,000 newspaper stories and 2,000 TV stories worldwide. Academy Award-winning special effects director Michael Lantieri volunteered to help design the destruction of the ball. The “Today Show” went live from Chicago in honor of the event and MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” not only declared it the number one story in the country, but also declared it the second, third and fourth top stories. Actor/Director Harold Ramis presided as master of ceremonies, and Billy Corgan (formerly with Smashing Pumpkins), Rick Nielson (Cheap Trick) and Alice Peacock all performed at the destruction. DePorter has been married for 17 years to his wife, Joanna, who works with him at Harry Caray’s. Together, they are the proud parents of twin 9-year-old daughters, Hannah and Margo. Editor’s note: Birthday greetings to Grant DePorter who will turn 40 on November 7th. May the next 40 years and beyond bring you much happiness and success!
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To help you get to know who’s who in Illinois tourism, ITN profiles an industry leader each month. This month, we introduce Grant DePorter, president and managing partner of the HC Restaurant Group and the 2005 chairman-elect of the Visit Illinois Board of Directors.
