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.

Also in September, hundreds of cyclists toured the Northern and Western regions of the state during the first-ever Illinois Great Rivers Ride. Giving travelers a new way to experience Illinois’ scenic riverside communities and landmarks, the nearly 400-mile route began in Rockford, wound along the Rock, Illinois and Mississippi rivers, and ended at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. Thanks to the hard work by Roger Carmack and the Western Illinois Tourism Development Office and many other co-sponsors, we look forward to bringing the ride back next year.

We’ve received a very enthusiastic consumer response to our “Offbeat Illinois” vintage-style poster advertising campaign. Whether seen at bus stops and other venues around Chicago or on the new feature at www.enjoyillinois.com, these posters have brought attention to many of the state’s unique, lesser-known treasures.

Current advertisements feature the Illinois State Fair Butter Cow; Metropolis’ Superman statue; Morton’s Pumpkin Festival; Berwyn’s “car kabob” sculpture; Alton’s tribute to world’s tallest man Robert Wadlow; Illinois Wine Country; and Jane, Rockford’s juvenile T. rex skeleton. Expect more eye-catching advertising in the upcoming year.

2006 promises even more exciting tourism initiatives. For example, IBOT will partner with the Illinois Department of Transportation to add attraction signage to the current gas/food/lodging signs on numerous interstates throughout Illinois. Also look for the debut of “Wild Chicago: Illinois Road Trip.” This seven-part series will run on PBS beginning in April. And though it’s hard to believe, 2006 will mark the 20th anniversary of our annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism!

We look forward to working with all of you for a successful and productive new year.