Greg Mihalich
Organization:Sports Illinois
Beginning his career in 2001 with the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity/Office of Tourism (IOT), Greg is a results-driven program manager, specializing in tourism and economic development, overseeing more than $29 million in annual tourism grant funding. He manages the full lifecycle of multiple statewide programs, ensuring compliance, transparency, and effective resource allocation while advising agency leadership on funding decisions and program improvements. He serves as the statewide liaison for Sports Illinois, offering strategic guidance, funding resources, and subject‑matter expertise to support marketing and business development initiatives across the state. In this role, he collaborates closely with local tourism partners, sports commissions, and event organizers to strengthen Illinois’ competitive position in the national and international sports tourism market. He also represents Illinois at major industry conferences and trade shows, promoting the state’s capabilities to attract high‑profile sporting events and drive economic impact. Collectively through these and other IOT initiatives assisted the State of Illinois to reach its highest-ever hotel revenue figures in FY24 with $322 million – a 4.5% increase over the previous record set in FY23. Additionally, Illinois welcomed 112 million visitors who spent $47 billion in 2023 – representing 1 million additional travelers spending $3 billion more than the previous calendar year. Across all roles, Greg champions the advancement of Illinois’ tourism and economic development priorities through strong partnerships, strategic planning, and continuous program improvement.
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