Mayor Emanuel Announces Gogo to Relocate Headquarters and Expand in Chicago

Oct. 30, 2013

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gogo president and CEO Michael Small announced that Gogo, the world leader in in-flight connectivity, will move its corporate headquarters and commercial aviation business to 111 N. Canal Street in Chicago. The company will move more than 460 employees to 232,000 square feet at the new location, with plans to add more than 50 jobs within the next two years.

"Gogo is an exciting company that is a leader in its space and on the cutting edge of the technology economy," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "I welcome the company to Chicago, and I am certain that Gogo will find our workforce, our transportation system, and our business climate to be exactly what the company is looking for as it grows and expands."

Gogo is currently headquartered in Itasca, Ill., and its commercial aviation business is located in Itasca as well. Gogo's business aviation division is based in Broomfield, Colorado and the company considered options in Colorado, but ultimately chose Chicago to tap into the city's extensive talent pipeline, because of its access to domestic and foreign partners, and its thriving technology community.

"This is an incredibly important step for Gogo as we continue to grow and evolve into a global organization," said Gogo's president and CEO, Michael Small.  "As we conducted our search for a new company headquarters, it was clear the state and the city have made considerable efforts to raise Chicago's profile as a technology hub and our new company headquarters puts us at the epicenter of that activity in a location that's better suited for the rapid growth we expect at Gogo."

Gogo provides in-air connectivity to more than 2,000 commercial aircraft and communication services to more than 6,000 business aircraft. The company provides its services by utilizing its own ground based cellular air to ground network and satellite technology platforms. Gogo's in-flight connectivity partners include American Airlines, Air Canada, AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America; in-flight entertainment partners include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Scoot and US Airways. In June, 2013 Gogo began trading on the NASDAQ Global SelectMarket under the ticker symbol GOGO.

Gogo has been located in Itasca since 2007.

"We truly appreciate all of the support that the Village of Itasca gave Gogo over the years as the company developed its commercial aviation business," added Small, who received the Illinois Technology Association's 2013 CEO of the Year Award.

In Chicago, Gogo will be joining a flourishing technology community. Gogo will join growing Chicago companies including Braintree and FieldAware which have offices at 111 N. Canal. The city is home to more than 1,500 digital technology companies, employing more than 40,000 people (up 21% in 2013), with a tech startup launched in Chicago every 24 hours, according to Built in Chicago.

Companies such as Gogo are continuously drawn to the city in large part due to its unique talent pool. Public and private post-secondary educational institutions enroll more than 65,000+ in the Chicago Loop alone, and Chicago is home to two of the world's top business schools. Additionally, the most recent U.S. Census Bureau report showed Chicago residents over 25 with BAs in computers, math, and statistics increased by 20 percent in 2012 (nationally, this figure increased by 4.6 percent).

Fostering innovation and building momentum around the region's technology industry is a key component of the city's Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, called for by Mayor Emanuel and currently being implemented by World Business Chicago (WBC). As a part of the Plan, WBC is working to drive growth and opportunity in businesses related to science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship with its ChicagoNEXT council.

"Gogo is a perfect example of the companies we are looking to attract to Chicago and to support through ChicagoNEXT," said WBC President & CEO Jeff Malehorn. "We welcome Gogo and look forward to working together as we continue to accelerate the growth and expansion of Chicago's tech sector."