Ty Tabing is executive director of the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) which promotes the Loop as a dynamic mixed-use urban destination. Tabing’s leadership led to the creation of CLA when, in 2005, he successfully merged the Greater State Street Council with the Central Michigan Avenue Association. Today’s CLA is reflective of the Loop’s variety uses representing theater, retail, cultural, office and educational sectors. As chief executive of CLA, Tabing oversees a staff of 10 employees and a 2009 budget of $3 million.

Tabing advocates and promotes the Loop – Chicago’s fastest-growing residential area and the city’s most mixed-use neighborhood. In his advocacy role, he negotiates scopes of work and maintenance programs for infrastructure projects in the Loop. He spearheaded a charrette in 2008 focused on creating more of a “gateway” for Michigan Avenue south of the Chicago River. Tabing is involved in many urban planning and development issues related to downtown including the Central Area Action Plan, where he regularly advocates for the continued investment in the Loop and better access and transit connections to the area.

Under Tabing’s leadership, CLA has created events and promotions that bring media attention to the Loop including 2007’s and 2008’s Looptopia, which Tabing envisioned and implemented. Looptopia was America’s first “White Night” celebration, offering 15 hours of programming that branded the Loop as a 24/7 mixed-use destination. Each year Looptopia attracted over 200,000 people and received 125 million media impressions.

Tabing declared 2009 as the Year of the Loop — a year-long celebration of all of the new developments taking place in the Loop. The plan includes: the launch of LoopUChicago.com, a Web site that connects the student population to Loop businesses; a Streetscape Program, which beautifies State Street with artistic installations; and a programming series at the soon-to-be unveiled Pritzker Park.

At CLA, Tabing has created fresh new membership events, launched a sponsorship program, redesigned the Web site, created a public art program and developed a branding study that serves as CLA’s “road map” for enhancing the Loop’s built environment. Prior to leading CLA, Tabing was employed by the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning & Development, where he managed development projects in the Loop area including the successful recruitment of the Boeing Corporation to Chicago and the selection of a developer and creation of a master plan at Block 37. Prior to employment with the City of Chicago, Tabing worked in a number of public policy positions including legislative assistant for a U.S. congressman on Capitol Hill.