German soccer players, coaches, journalists, broadcasters and fans will live in the village during this summer’s World Cup soccer matches at Soldier Field.
Officials said Westmont was selected so the Germans could enjoy the Chicago area without the hassles of city traffic.
In addition to eating and sleeping in several hotels and restaurants, the Germans will use the Inland Meeting and Exposition Center, 400 E. Ogden Ave., as their base of media operations, said Lee Ann Stawczyk, vice president of the center.
Correspondents from as many as nine German television and radio stations and a number of print publications will use the center for their satellite links to bring the World Cup to German audiences, Stawczyk said.
The Germans’ stay is expected to bring at least $500,000 in revenues to restaurants, Stawczyk said. “That doesn’t even include transportation, banking, accommodations. The import of their stay is really incredible for the village,” she said.
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The amount of revenue could be even higher if the Germans repeat their 1993 championship.