Chicago Event Management

Name

Chicago Event Management

Legal name

Chicago Event Management, Inc.

Website

https://cemevent.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Endurance Sports Event Production

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Road Running Events (Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K/5K) (MPAKAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass Participation Race Organizers (Runs, Triathlons, Cycling) (MPAKADAD), Ticketing, Registration & Event Technology (Badging, Apps) (BPAFAGAL), Event Marketing, Ticketing & Registration Management (HSACAAAM)

Keywords

• Endurance event production
• Marathon event management
• Race management services
• Event equipment rental
• Charity running programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from participant registration fees for endurance events including the Chicago Marathon, Shamrock Shuffle, Chicago 13.1, and Abbott Chicago 5K
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership revenue from title sponsors such as Bank of America and presenting sponsors including Abbott, generating significant economic impact ($547 million annually for the Chicago Marathon)
3. Charity Program: Charitable donations facilitated through the event's charity program, raising over $322 million since 2002 for local, national, and global causes

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Chicago Event Management produces and operates a portfolio of major endurance running events, anchored by the Bank of America Chicago Marathon (an Abbott World Marathon Major), the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 half marathon, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K, the Abbott Chicago 5K, and the BTN 10K. The company also provides supporting event production services including equipment rental for organizers and volunteer program management for its race portfolio.

Product overview

Chicago Event Management (CEM) is an endurance sports event production company founded in 1996 that operates a portfolio of major running events. The core product portfolio includes the Bank of America Chicago Marathon (Abbott World Marathon Major), Bank of America Chicago 13.1 (half marathon), Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle (8K), Abbott Chicago 5K, and BTN 10K. Supporting services include a Race Management Program for industry collaboration, equipment rental offerings, volunteer program management, a community newsletter, and a Chicago Area Run/Walk Clubs resource directory. In 2026, CEM announced a strategic partnership with Let's Do This to leverage AI-powered registration technology for managing record-breaking marathon entry demand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bank of America Chicago Marathon Annual 26.2-mile marathon endurance event operated by Chicago Event Management, attracting 50,000+ finishers annually from all 50 U.S. states and 130+ countries. Designated as one of the original Abbott World Marathon Majors, it offers a spectator-friendly course through Chicago's neighborhoods starting and finishing in Grant Park. Open to elite athletes, recreational runners, and charity fundraisers via individual registration.
• Bank of America Chicago 13.1 Half marathon (13.1-mile) endurance event operated by Chicago Event Management as part of the Chicago Distance Series. Open to runners seeking a marathon-distance alternative with the production quality and community support of the Chicago Marathon brand.
• Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Annual 8K (8-kilometer) run/walk event operated by Chicago Event Management each March that opens Chicago's outdoor running season. Open to runners and walkers of all skill levels.
• Abbott Chicago 5K 5K running event operated by Chicago Event Management as part of the Chicago Distance Series, sponsored by Abbott. Open to runners and walkers seeking an accessible, community-oriented distance running experience.
• BTN 10K Big Ten Network-branded 10K (10-kilometer) endurance event operated by Chicago Event Management, connecting college athletics with the broader Chicago running community.
• Event Equipment Rental Rental inventory of event production equipment offered by Chicago Event Management to external event organizers, including directional signage, rigging equipment (truss and base), ballast, small generators, and tools. Available to support third-party event production needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• $547 million annual economic impact on Chicago
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Let's Do ThiscoreTechnology or Integration · 20 March 2026Strategic partnership to manage record-breaking global demand for Chicago Marathon entries using Let's Do This's AI-powered registration technology. The collaboration supports CEM's growth strategy and helps identify new commercial opportunities. Let's Do This already serves as exclusive partner to other Abbott World Marathon Major events including the TCS London Marathon.
• Bank of AmericaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, and Bank of America Chicago 13.1. The partnership represents a flagship relationship for CEM's core endurance events.
• AbbottflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAbbott serves as sponsor for the Abbott Chicago 5K and is the naming partner for Abbott World Marathon Majors, of which the Chicago Marathon is a founding member.
• BTN (Big Ten Network)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBTN 10K is part of CEM's event portfolio, connecting college athletics with the running community.
• Chevron Houston MarathonminorOthersIndustry partner listed as part of CEM's network of relationships with other major U.S. endurance events for best practices sharing and industry collaboration.
• Girls on the Run ChicagominorOthersNon-profit partner focused on youth running programs and community engagement.
• Banners on a RollminorOthersPreferred vendor partner providing banner and signage services for events.
• iTABminorOthersPreferred vendor partner providing custom race merchandise and memorabilia.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Running USA: Industry trade association for the U.S. running industry, with Nishi on its board. Adjacent industry organization supporting the ecosystem in which CEM operates.
• Let's Do This: AI-powered endurance event registration platform and CEM's exclusive technology partner, also serving other AbbottWMM events like the TCS London Marathon. Ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• London Marathon Events: Organizer of the TCS London Marathon, a fellow founding member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Compares directly to CEM in operating a flagship World Major with mass global participation and tiered title sponsorships.
• New York Road Runners: Organizer of the TCS New York City Marathon, a fellow founding AbbottWMM member. Operates a comparable portfolio of mass-participation distance running events with similar title sponsor and charity-program revenue models.
• Berlin Marathon (SCC EVENTS): Organizer of the BMW Berlin Marathon, a fellow Abbott World Marathon Major. Comparable to CEM as a European-headquartered peer with mass-participation road running events and title sponsorship economics.
• Boston Athletic Association: Organizer of the Boston Marathon, a fellow founding AbbottWMM member. Directly comparable to CEM in operating a globally iconic mass-participation marathon with elite sponsor economics and a long-running charity program.
• Tokyo Marathon Foundation: Organizer of the Tokyo Marathon, an Abbott World Marathon Major. Directly comparable in scale, sponsorship profile, and mass-participation road running economics.
• Marine Corps Marathon Organization: Organizer of the Marine Corps Marathon, one of the largest U.S. marathons. Compares to CEM in operating a flagship mass-participation road running event with strong community and volunteer infrastructure.
• Houston Marathon Committee: Organizer of the Chevron Houston Marathon, listed by CEM as an industry partner. Directly comparable as another U.S. mass-participation marathon operator with title sponsorship economics.

Broad incumbents

• IRONMAN: Operates a large portfolio of mass-participation endurance events (triathlons, marathons, cycling). A broader incumbent in the endurance event space with overlapping audience but distinct event formats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cemevent
• Instagraminstagram.com/cem.event
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chicago-event-management

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Event Management