Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Foursquare Friday, using the handle ChicagosMayor. Emanuel joins the network as Chicago and Foursquare launch the first official City Badge, predictably dubbed the "Windy City Badge."
“I am committed to leveraging new technologies to celebrate Chicago’s diversity and drive interest in small businesses," Emanuel said at the launch event Friday, alongside Foursquare co-founder Naveen Selvadurai.
Foursquare users can earn the Windy City Badge by checking into five of 20 designated cultural and small business attractions, including the Jane Addams Hull-House, the Oriental Institute Museum and the Garfield Park Conservatory. Interestingly, these are not the most conventional Chicago tourism destinations, such as the Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium or Field Museum. The choice of locations demonstrates the badge really is about exploring and getting to know the city.
"He's using Foursquare to allow people to connect with the Mayor, and for the Mayor to connect with the city," says Kevin Hauswirth, the mayor's director of social media. "I would not be surprised if you did see him checking in to a lunch chat with the police department about safety. It won't just be big public official things, he'll very actively allow people to keep up with him."
In addition to choosing a director of social media, Emanuel appointed a chief technical officer and chief data officer when he was elected in February.
The City of Chicago also unveiled an online mapping tool of the city Thursday, showing where the mayor and other city officials have visited. Each point includes photos of meetings with residents and community leaders. You can also suggest destinations you would like him to visit.
