Every month, ITN profiles a tourism industry leader whose success can be used as examples of how to develop fresh ideas to promote Illinois. This month, we introduce Eileen LaCario, vice president of Broadway in Chicago.

Eileen LaCario has been in show business for over 25 years in many facets of live theatre in both regional and touring houses. She has held the positions of vice president of sales for Livent, vice president of sales and marketing for Fox Theatricals and currently is vice president of Broadway In Chicago, a joint venture between the Nederlander Organization and Live Nation. 
 
Broadway In Chicago is the managing force of the Chicago Downtown Theatre District which include the LaSalle Bank Theatre, the Cadillac Palace Theatre, and the Ford Center for the Performing Arts - Oriental Theatre; as well as booking the Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and presenting the current long run at the Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place.
 
LaCario, with her seasoned team at Broadway In Chicago, has led the Chicago marketing initiatives behind several World Premiere Pre-Broadway engagements including The Producers, Movin’ Out, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and currently The Pirate Queen; as well as the long engagements of Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. 
 
“I’m so proud that Broadway In Chicago has been key in Chicago’s development as a top theatre destination market, with more than 1.6 million in attendance annually and one in four patrons coming from over a 50 miles radius,” says LaCario, “My favorite aspect of this progression is the people who fill our houses week after week.  Our audience has a clear appreciation for quality theatre. Because of them we are able to host such phenomenal productions in some of the nation’s finest and most historic theatres.”

Eileen and all the staff at Broadway In Chicago credit their success to their partners – Cadillac, Walgreen’s, United Airlines, Renaissance Chicago Hotel and Hotel Allegro, as well as all the restaurants, and other neighbors that make up the Broadway In Chicago family.

LaCario adds, “One of our most important partnerships is with all the state and local tourism organizations that do so much for the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago.” Broadway In Chicago, along with the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, the Chicago Office of Tourism and IBOT, sponsored and created many tourism packages including over $1 million in Lion King hotel packages. As well, Broadway In Chicago sponsored and co-hosted the 2004 American Bus Association reception with the State of Illinois; attracting over 2,000 tourism professionals into the theatre district.

Most recently, Broadway In Chicago and Wicked created and sponsored nearly $3 million in an airport advertising campaign, “Make it a Smash Hit Chicago Weekend,” that was placed in five major Midwest airports in full support of the CCTB, state of Illinois and city of Chicago’s tourism initiatives. Broadway In Chicago’s partnerships have contributed to the record-breaking Chicago phenomenon of Wicked, and the city and state’s hospitality continues to attract producers from all over the world to bring their shows to Chicago first.    

LaCario serves as the Chairperson of the League of Chicago Theatre’s Foundation. She was also on the faculty of Columbia College in Chicago for 10 years teaching Box Office Management. In her community, she led the restoration of the oldest church in Northern Illinois, St. James at Sag Bridge in Lemont.  And for over 25 years she has been a partner in Fabrile Gallery, an art glass and designer crafts gallery on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
 
LaCario is married to theatrical producer, Tony D’Angelo and has three children all very much involved in the arts– the oldest of which just became the Assistant Company Manager of Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.