DCEO -Tourism Public Relations RFP

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Tourism, has awarded a five-year public relations contract to MMGY Global, with a total contract value of $18,316,900. The contract, designated as Bid Number B-46748, covers tourism public relations services from August 12, 2025, to June 30, 2030, with annual budgets escalating from $3,000,000 in the first year to $4,392,300 in the final year. The scope encompasses comprehensive domestic and international tourism marketing efforts, including media relations, travel trade relations, social media management, and crisis communications.

The contract includes provisions for both domestic and international blended hourly rates, with pricing ranging from $135 to $185 per hour depending on the contract year. MMGY Global will be required to maintain a full-service public relations office within 30 miles of Chicago or Springfield, Illinois, and will work to promote Illinois as a business and leisure tourism destination. The firm has committed to a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) utilization plan involving Lopez Martin & Associates, Inc. dba Purple Group for 22% of domestic spend, with a focus on multicultural marketing, Spanish-language adaptations, and culturally relevant messaging across various media channels targeting key international markets including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and emerging markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, and India.