Economic Club of Chicago
| Economic Club of Chicago | |
| |
| Founded | 1927 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL |
| Products | Public-speech events featuring well known speakers |
| Web site | http://www.econclubchi.org |
The Economic Club of Chicago (ECC), like its sister group the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, is best known for inviting American and world leaders to speak to its members on pressing issues of the day. Its guests have included U.S. Presidents and other world leaders, plus CEOs, educators, journalists and historians.
History[edit]
The ECC was founded by Chicago banker Lucius Teter in 1927 with the aim of "enlightening public opinion on the important economic and social questions of the day."[1] Its most prominent activity is scheduling prominent speakers for ECC dinners and functions but it also aims to develop young leaders from its membership in Chicago's civic and business community.
Key People[edit]
ECC Executive Director and President Grace Barry[2] became executive director in June 1986 and then president in June 1998 and is only the fifth person to hold the top office in the club's 80-year history[3]. After directing the Chicago office of Cablevision Systems in the early 1980s she served as Chicago's Cable Commissioner from 1989 to 1996. In 1994 Barry co-founded retail gift and concession company that became an airport-based store catering to high-end travellers and since consulted to many Chicago businesses. She is active in several Chicago civic groups and served on the first Advisory Board of the Chicago Conservation Center.
Notable Recent Speakers[edit]
- U.S. President George W. Bush
- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
- Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton
- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke
- Bank of America Chairman and CEO Kenneth D. Lewis
- International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge
References[edit]
- ↑ The Economic Club of Chicago. ECC.
- ↑ Advisory Board - Grace Barry. Chicago Conservation Center.
- ↑ Executive Directors and President of The Economic Club of Chicago. ECC.