bill began his career in 1973 as concierge at the fairmont hotel in new orleans. he later became convention coordinator there, before moving to new york to become regional sales manager. in 1977, bill relocated yet again, to the fairmont san francisco, to work as sales manager. he came to chicago in 1979 as regional director of sales for fairmont hotels, and was appointed to head the pre-opening sales team for the new fairmont hotel chicago in 1985. he and dave hinton launched hinton+grusich into business in may 1986.

bill primarily works the association market, mainly through association management companies. his sales territory includes - but is not confined to - illinois, ohio and wisconsin.

throughout his career, bill has been very active in a number of industry organizations, at the local and national levels. since coming to chicago, he has been a member of the chicago society of association executives (association forum). he served on their board of directors and in 1984 was the recipient of their first annual associate member of the year award. the american medical association named him their salesman of the year the same year. he was named supplier of the year (1989-90) by chicago area meeting planners international (campi), and in 1992 received the associate member of the year award from the institute of association management companies (iamc). the greater midwest chapter of pcma bestowed the prestigious richard a. daignault award upon bill in 1997. he also won the iaamc award of distinguished service.

he has been a member of both mpi and campi (now mpi-cac) since 1979, and was president of the chicago chapter when it was given the chapter of the year award for 1987-88. he has served two terms on their board of directors: 1979-81 and 1989-92. bill was also the recipient of the mpi’s individual hall of fame award in 2003. he belongs to the midwest chapter of the national association of exposition managers, and continues to serve on a number of industry committees.

in august 1992, bill earned his certified meeting planner designation. he regularly speaks to groups of students studying the hospitality industry at roosevelt university in chicago.

bill earned a bachelor of science degree in business management from mcneese state university in lake charles, louisiana where he also played football, and resides in evanston, il with his wife and two children.