and expenses, ensuring that all potential revenue streams are examined, expenses incurred are reasonable, and there is no waste. The Media Strategy Committee, chaired by Fred Marks, analyzes and develops all the potential media streams for events like Drive for the Troops, Chicago Drives Electric, the Chicago Auto Show and the First Look for Charity Gala, while directing over $445,000 in paid advertising funding combined with over $1.6 million in bonus weight provided by our media partners. Finally, the Nominating Committee, chaired by Ryan Kelly, is charged with finding exceptional candidates for the CATA Board of Directors. Again this year, the committee proposed five candidates with high expertise and integrity to run for four vacancies on the CATA board. I want to express my gratitude to the CATA chairpersons who served before me and to my 11 fellow CATA directors, especially retiring Directors Dan Heller, Dan Marquardt and Kelly Webb Roberts, all of whom have been major contributors to the CATA. As most of you are aware, Dan Marquardt was the principal promoter of the warranty language that has proved beneficial to us all, and the Board of Directors has unanimously agreed to appoint Dan as an honorary CATA director and legislative affairs liaison, working hand in hand with the Government Relations and Lobbying Committee chairman. Also, I want to thank the entire CATA staff, ably led by President Jen Morand, for their enthusiasm, innovation, diligence, expertise and tireless efforts in everything they do. I am thrilled for our executive vice president, Chris Konecki, who will be transitioning to the role of general manager of McCormick Place. We look forward to interacting with Chris for years to come and thank him for his outstanding service to the CATA. Also, thanks to Dennis O’Keefe, our general counsel, whose experience, wealth of knowledge and sage advice are invaluable; and to Scott Marquardt and Chip Humes, our lobbyists, for their staunch efforts in advancing our legislative agenda. I welcome new CATA Directors Tom Conlin, Jeff Hopkins and Chris Weck, and I congratulate my friend and fellow Director Steve Phillipos on his election as 2026-2027 CATA chairman. Steve will bring exceptional expertise, vision and good judgment to his role in leading this wonderful organization. For a summary of the actions taken by the CATA Board of Directors during the 2025-2026 term, visit CATA.info. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve as your chairman. Sincerely, Ryan Kelly 2025-2026 CATA Chairman CATA UP TO SPEED 7
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