Mary Patchin, who became the president and CEO of Visit Chicago Southland in early July, exudes tranquility. She credits her parents with her serene nature, noting they instilled in her a strong work ethic, sense of humor, patient temperament, and calm spirit. “It was always ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff, look at the big picture,’” she says. “I take things in stride. I always realize there could be something worse and something better in every situation.”
The Visit Chicago Southland enterprise that Patchin now oversees requires just this kind of big-picture outlook—as well as grace under pressure—as the convention and visitors bureau represents some 58 south and southwest Chicago suburbs. She notes, “We represent up to Bedford Park, which is [the location of] Chicago Midway International Airport, down to Peotone, east to the Illinois-Indiana border, and west to Homer Glen.”
Patchin joined Visit Chicago Southland in 1999 after graduating from Purdue University Northwest in Indiana with a bachelor’s degree in restaurant, hotel, institutional, and tourism management. During her 25 years with the convention and visitors bureau, she rose through positions as sales associate, director of sales, and vice president of sales, before taking over the organization following the retirement of longtime President
and CEO Jim Garrett.
An animal advocate who raises chinchillas and rescued kittens, Patchin sees much of what she does relates to the four-legged residents of the region. “I always refer to a difficult situation being like talking to a cat,” she says, noting that, much like people, sometimes cats listen, and sometimes they do not—and that is perfectly natural. “If you can argue your case to a cat and win, you’re doing pretty good that day. I always take life like that.”
Patchin realizes there is much competition out there when it comes to destinations, another challenge she tackles head-on at Visit Chicago Southland. “Someone can book in Illinois one year, go to Michigan the next year, and then go to Florida,” she explains. “We recognize that, and always ensure our clients have the best experiences for their meetings and events here.” She says even if clients cannot return every year, her team works hard to keep the area in planners’ rotations. “I am always looking to not only bring in new business, but to also help existing clients stay in the area and grow,” she says. “I think that is absolutely mission critical today.”