The Chicago Office of Tourism has announced its presence on Foursquare, a new location-based, social networking application for mobile phones. The City of Chicago�s tourism office is the first to use Foursquare to promote citywide neighborhoods, restaurants and attractions.

�Foursquare provides a great incentive for people to explore the City�s diverse neighborhoods by playing a fun and interactive game,� says Dorothy Coyle, Director of the Chicago Office of Tourism. �We�re excited to be pioneering this innovative service.�

�By partnering with a city entity, we�re offering Foursquare players a new angle on discovering the city around them,� says Tristan Walker, Head of Business Development at Foursquare. �Adding these Chicago-specific badges encourages users to try out new businesses and promote lesser-known landmarks.�

After following Explore Chicago at www.foursquare.com/explorechicago, visitors and locals can �check-in� at over 60 eligible citywide locations to earn up to three Chicago-themed �badges�, all celebrating Chicago traditions. Game players are encouraged to discover the Blues through historic sites and iconic clubs, meet up with friends across town while searching for the perfect Chicago-style hot dog, and re-enact their favorite scenes at one of many well-known movie locations throughout the city.

To tap into the imaginations of film buffs everywhere, Explore Chicago developed the �On Location� badge, earned by engaging in one of five movie-themed experiences. Visit locations from movies such as The Blues Brothers, The Dark Knight, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and High Fidelity, or pay homage to �Chick Flicks in Chicago� by stopping by sites from My Best Friend's Wedding, The Break-Up, When Harry Met Sally, The Lake House and other favorites. Chowhounds get rewarded with a �Celery Salt� badge for visiting five notable Chicago-style hot dog establishments, including hot dog-serving sporting venues. Music fans are awarded a �Chicago Blues� badge for visiting five Blues landmarks and clubs.

Foursquare is free to download and is accessible on smart phones and other internet-connected mobile devices. While requirements for Foursquare badges are usually a mystery to game players, the Explore Chicago website is giving users a head start by posting lists of locations needed to earn the Chicago-themed badges at www.explorechicago.org/games. After checking in to each of the badge locations, users can read related �tips� provided by Explore Chicago, ranging from historical facts to movie trivia.

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For more information or to obtain a brochure, call the Chicago & Illinois Tourist Office�s Freephone Brochure Line on 08700 503410 or visit online www.gochicago.com

For further information on the city of Chicago and Illinois� ongoing initiatives, please contact Jackie Cooper PR:

Sophie Rhatigan/020 3047 4069/sophie_rhatigan@jcpr.com