As we wrap up 2005 and prepare for the holidays, I’m pleased to report that our creative team and industry partners have kept Illinois tourism moving forward this year with a series of events and projects that shined the spotlight directly on Illinois.

One of the year’s most prominent events was the grand opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, which was a tremendous success. In October the museum marked its six-month anniversary and welcomed its 400,000th visitor. Its many exhibits honoring and celebrating the life of Illinois’ favorite son have attracted travelers to Springfield from around the world. This holiday season, the museum introduces Christmas at the White House, a temporary exhibit showcasing how presidents have celebrated the holiday throughout the years.

Rockford’s Burpee Museum of Natural History was host to another 2005 milestone. On June 29, the Diary of a Dinosaur exhibit introduced “Jane” to the world. Jane is the most complete skeleton of a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex ever found, and has been a source of fascination and wonder for scholars, school children and dinosaur-lovers of all ages since her unveiling.

We highlighted Illinois’ more than 60 wineries during the inaugural Illinois Wine Month in September. Established by Gov. Blagojevich, this initiative celebrated the wine industry’s extraordinary growth with dozens of wine-related events throughout the state. In partnership with the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, we promoted tastings, tours, dinners and festivals that announced to the state and the region that Illinois is wine country. Continued >

Industry Insider: Lisa Rose

To help you get to know who’s who in Illinois tourism, ITN profiles an industry leader each month. This month, we introduce Lisa Rose, CEO of Robert A. Rose & Associates LLC.

Lisa Rose began her career in Illinois tourism 17 years ago. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in foods in business, Lisa previously worked as a restaurant manager for Marshall Field’s and as a seafood broker before deciding to join the family business to embark on an advertising sales career.

Lisa joined Robert A. Rose & Associates in 1989, working with her father, Bob, to learn about advertising and tourism. Rose & Associates is a publishers’ representative firm with a specialty in travel and tourism advertising. Today the company is owned and managed by Lisa and her sister, Susan Rose.

The firm is dedicated to providing publishing clients with superior sales representation and service as well as consulting services that drive business growth and success. Its sales expertise crosses both the consumer and trade magazine arenas, and Lisa and her team offer deep travel industry knowledge in the leisure, meeting and group markets.

Current Rose & Associates publishing clients include AAA Magazines (AAA Living, Home & Away, The Midwest Traveler, Southern Traveler, Car & Travel, GO, AAA Touch, Journeys), Illinois Meetings & Events, Serendipity Publishing (Packaged Travel Insider, SYTA’s Student & Youth Traveler), TPG Sports (Chicago District Golfer), Privilege and Baxter (Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier). Continued >