SIM Chicago

What SIM Chicago does

SIM Chicago (Society for Information Management Chicago Chapter) is a non-profit professional membership association founded in 1968, operating as one of the largest chapters of SIM International in the United States. The organization serves senior IT leaders — including CIOs, CTOs, and their direct reports — along with IT consultants, service providers, retired IT executives, and non-profit IT professionals in the Chicagoland area. Its core offering is a tiered membership program (Individual Practitioner at $295-$795/year, Non-Profit at $195-$695/year, Partner at $495/year, Retired at $150/year, and Enterprise Basic for organizations) that provides networking access, event participation, and SIM International benefits.

The organization's product portfolio is event-driven, anchored by the CIO of the Year Awards (co-hosted with AITP Chicago and the Executives' Club of Chicago), the 20th Annual Charity Golf Outing supporting i.c.stars, the inaugural SIM Chicago Summit (launched 2025), Women in Tech Leadership programming, Learn and Burn networking events, Career Network nights, and the Fall Gala. Technology infrastructure is built on YourMembership.com's association management software, which handles website hosting, membership management, event registration, email marketing, and member invoicing.

SIM Chicago's revenue model relies on two primary streams: recurring membership dues (annual subscriptions across multiple tiers) and corporate event sponsorships (ranging from Diamond tier at $10,000+ down to Silver tier), supplemented by event registration fees. The organization operates from its headquarters at 222 S Riverside Plaza in downtown Chicago, serving exclusively the Chicagoland metropolitan market. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on member referrals ($50 incentive per successful referral), word-of-mouth, and partnerships with peer executive organizations to acquire and retain members.

Name

SIM Chicago

Legal name

Society for Information Management Chicago Chapter

Website

https://sim-chicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Membership Association

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• IT professional association
• CIO networking events
• Membership organization
• IT leadership community
• Professional development events

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: SIM Chicago generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues paid by individual practitioners, partners, and organizations. Membership categories include Individual Practitioner ($295-$795/year), Non-Profit Practitioner ($195-$695/year), Retired ($150/year), Partner ($495/year), and Enterprise Basic Membership for organizations.
2. Event Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors pay to support specific events and programs, gaining visibility and access to the network of senior IT executives. Sponsorships range from Diamond ($10,000+) to Silver tier levels, with benefits including event visibility, logo placement, and networking access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SIM Chicago operates a membership-based professional association for senior IT leaders in the Chicagoland area, offering tiered individual and enterprise memberships and a portfolio of in-person events including the CIO of the Year Awards, SIM Chicago Summit, Annual Charity Golf Outing, Learn and Burn series, Women in Tech programming, Career Network nights, and Fall Gala. The organization generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues (ranging from $150 to $795) and corporate event sponsorships (Diamond $10,000+ down through Silver tiers).

Product overview

SIM Chicago is a professional membership association for senior IT leaders, offering a comprehensive portfolio of membership programs and professional development events. The core offerings include Individual, Individual Premier, Enterprise Basic, Partner, and Retired membership tiers; the flagship CIO of the Year Awards Program recognizing Chicagoland's top technology leaders; the Annual Charity Golf Outing supporting i.c.stars; the SIM Chicago Summit for digital innovation; Women in Tech Leadership programming; Learn and Burn networking events; Career Network Networking Nights; and the annual Fall Gala. The organization serves as a forum for technology and business leaders, combining networking opportunities with philanthropy focused on developing the next generation of IT professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SIM Chicago Membership Programs Tiered professional membership offering Individual Practitioner ($295-$750 multi-year), Individual Premier ($795/year), Non-Profit Practitioner ($195-$695/year), Retired ($150/year), Partner ($495/year), and Enterprise Basic categories for senior IT leaders in the Chicagoland area. Provides networking opportunities, event access, and SIM International benefits.
• CIO of the Year Awards Program Annual awards program recognizing top CIOs in the Chicagoland area across categories including CIO of the Year, CIO Innovator of the Year, CIO Impact Award, and CIO+ Award. Includes nominations, application process, candidate receptions, and Fall Gala ceremony.
• Annual Charity Golf Outing Philanthropic golf event supporting i.c.stars, bringing together over 200 attendees for a day of golf with contests, networking, and awards ceremony. Celebrating its 20th year in 2026.
• SIM Chicago Summit Annual one-day summit bringing the Chicago SIM Chapter together with the IT community for interactive sessions, peer collaboration, and digital innovation discussions. Inaugural event held in 2025 with 200+ attendees.
• Women in Tech Leadership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Founded in 1968, one of the largest SIM chapters in the US
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SIM International (SIMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIM Chicago is a local chapter of SIM International, the parent organization for SIM chapters across the United States. SIM Chicago has access to SIM International benefits and operates under the organization's bylaws and guidelines.
• i.c.starscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary philanthropy partner. Since 1999, i.c.stars has been identifying, training, and jump-starting technology careers for low-income young adults. SIM Chicago supports this organization through its annual golf outing and philanthropic efforts.
• Compudopt ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIM Chicago supports Compudopt Chicago, which provides technology access and education to underprivileged youth in the Chicago area.
• AITP ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting partner for the CIO of the Year Awards program. AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals) Chicago Chapter collaborates on this flagship annual awards event.
• Executives' Club of ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting partner for the CIO of the Year Awards program, expanding reach to the combined membership bases of all three organizations.
• Evanta, a Gartner CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization that invites SIM members to the Chicago CIO Executive Summit, providing additional professional development and networking opportunities for members.
• Tech Leaders (TLA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology Leaders association partner for TLA Networking Events and collaborative programs.
• SIM Leadership InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIM Leadership Institute provides leadership development programs accessible to SIM Chicago members.
• YourMembership.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider powering SIM Chicago's website, membership management, event registration, email marketing, and member invoicing. Since 1998, YourMembership.com has provided online community and membership software.
• White Eagle Golf ClubminorOthersVenue host for the 20th Annual Golf Outing event. Located in the Chicago area.
• Union League Club of ChicagominorOthersPrestigious downtown Chicago venue hosting the annual SIM Chicago Summit and CIO of the Year Awards Gala.
• Comcast BusinesscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond-level event sponsor for the CIO of the Year Awards, providing significant financial support for the flagship awards program.
• V-Soft ConsultingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond-level sponsor presenting events like Learn and Burn. V-Soft provides technology consulting services.
• Plante MorancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor providing accounting and consulting services to the IT industry.
• nvisiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor and IT services firm.
• CBTScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor providing technology solutions.
• Yash TechnologiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum-level sponsor providing technology consulting services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Evanta (a Gartner Company): A Gartner-owned community platform that operates CIO Executive Summits and peer executive networks across major US metros including Chicago. Comparable as a senior IT executive community/peer network operator and as an active SIM Chicago partner.
• SIM International (SIMI): The national parent organization of which SIM Chicago is a chapter. Directly comparable as the umbrella professional association for IT executives with chapters across the US; SIM Chicago operates under its bylaws.

Emerging players

• SIM Leadership Institute: Affiliated leadership development program for IT leaders. Comparable as a sibling organization offering leadership programming to the same SIM Chicago member audience and listed as a partner.

Regional players

• AFCEA Chicago: Regional chapter of AFCEA International serving IT, defense, and government technology professionals in the Chicago area. Comparable as a regional IT executive membership and events organization competing for overlapping senior IT audiences.
• ISACA Chicago Chapter: Chicago chapter of ISACA, a global professional association for IT governance, risk, and cybersecurity professionals. Comparable as a regional chapter of a national IT professional association serving senior IT practitioners in the same metro.

Others

• Informatica Chicago CIO Community: Vendor-sponsored CIO peer community events across the US. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant running invitation-only CIO summits that overlap with SIM Chicago's senior IT executive programming.
• CompTIA Tech Leaders Network: CompTIA's industry community for technology leaders and executives. Comparable as a broader IT professional community organizer providing peer networking and leadership content to an overlapping technology executive demographic.

Direct peers

• TLA Tech Leaders: Technology Leaders Association serving senior technology executives in Chicago. Comparable as a peer IT leadership networking organization in the same metro and a formal collaborative partner of SIM Chicago for networking events.
• Executives' Club of Chicago: Chicago-based executive membership organization for senior business leaders. Comparable as a peer executive networking association in the same metro, and a formal co-host partner for SIM Chicago's CIO of the Year Awards.
• AITP Chicago: Association of Information Technology Professionals Chicago Chapter. Directly comparable as a Chicago-based IT professional membership organization serving a similar technology practitioner audience, and also a co-host of the CIO of the Year Awards with SIM Chicago.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SIMChicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 SIM Chicago