Tim Roby has resigned as president and chief executive officer at the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, effective December 22. Roby, who had been in the position since April 2006, is leaving to join Starwood Hotels and Resorts as senior vice president of sales, North America, after the first of the year.

Jack Johnson, vice president, external relations, at CCTB, has been named acting CEO effective December 23. Johnson will work with the executive committee on an immediate search for Roby’s permanent successor.

In other news, the National Restaurant Association signed a five-year deal with the CCTB to hold its annual National Restaurant Association, Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event in Chicago through 2016, continuing a 61-year tradition in the city. The NRA Show draws about 66,000 attendees.

This is the ninth major convention to re-commit to Chicago since the Illinois legislature enacted sweeping reforms last spring. These commitments represent more than $2.2 billion in estimated direct expenditures for Chicago and Illinois. Other organizations that recently re-committed to Chicago include the Biotechnology Industry Organization, International Manufacturing Technology Show, and the International Housewares Association.