Statewide News

Wheels are in motion for the 2005 Illinois Road Show

IBOT takes to the open road June 13-16 for the 2005 Road Show, making stops in Chicagoland, Rockford, the Quad Cities, Springfield, Alton/Hartford and Carbondale. The Road Show will provide members of the tourism industry in each market an opportunity to hear from Jan Kostner as she offers an industry update and announces 2004 visitor and economic impact numbers. IBOT representatives will also discuss upcoming statewide tourism initiatives such as the new advertising campaign, diversity marketing efforts and the Illinois Great Rivers Ride.

IBOT to host African-American media this summer

IBOT launched a new advertising and public relations campaign – “The Soul of Illinois” – to target the growing African-American travel market. The campaign promotes the rich ethnic, cultural and historical diversity of Illinois, as well as its varied leisure activities and destinations. Beaman Incorporated, IBOT’s African-American agency of record, has developed a press familiarization trip, to be held in late summer, in Chicago and the Chicagoland area to showcase the state to several leading African-American media outlets. The goal is to brand Illinois as the destination of choice for African-American travelers.

State celebrates Taste of Chicago milestone

What a birthday celebration! The city of Chicago is celebrating 25 years of food, drink, music and family fun with an 11-day celebration June 24 - July 4 in Chicago’s Grant Park. As one of the world’s largest food and music festivals, the Taste of Chicago continues to be a big draw for visitors from all over, and IBOT is joining in the celebration.

On Saturday, July 2, the state will host "Illinois Day" during which representatives from each of the other six regions – Chicagoland, Northern, Western, Central, Southern and Southwest – will be on-hand in IBOT’s tent near Buckingham Fountain to promote their region to the millions of Taste visitors. Also at the Illinois tent, visitors will have the chance to win several magnificent 3-day getaways.

Additionally, Illinois’ newest jewel – the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum complex in Springfield – will be showcased when an Abraham Lincoln impersonator greets visitors and shares stories throughout the day. Other Lincoln impersonators will be available for photo opportunities as they roam the crowd.

Visitors to Taste will once again be able to enjoy free concerts given by top performers, including Donna Summer, Lauryn Hill, Steve Winwood, LeAnn Rimes and Clint Black. Rock legend Santana and Los Lonely Boys will be performing on Illinois Day, and on July 3 the city celebrates in blockbuster fashion with the annual Independence Eve concert and fireworks spectacular.

Illinois Great Rivers Ride offers a new view of Illinois

This September hundreds of riders will have the opportunity to experience Illinois’ natural beauty as they wind their way along three of the state’s great rivers during the first annual Illinois Great Rivers Ride, sponsored by Governor Blagojevich, Opportunity Returns, the Illinois Department of Transportation and IBOT.

This seven-day noncompetitive, 385-mile bike ride begins Sept. 11 in the northern region of the state in Rockford and ends on Sept. 18 in the southwestern region of the state at Pere Marquette State Park, making stops each day for various activities, performances and more. Each night riders have the option to sleep in tents at state parks and campgrounds or in designated hotels or motels.

Exciting highlights of the trip will include bluegrass music under the stars, disc golf, camping along the Rock River in Rock Falls, and at the finish line, a Jimmy Buffet-themed party and fireworks at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton.

The fee for the ride is $300 and is limited to adults 18 and older and the first 300 cyclists who register before Monday, August 15 at 9 a.m. (CDT). Registration includes the cost of camping, breakfasts, dinners, evening festivities and snacks and water. Additional one- and two-day trips are available for children ages 12 and under. Use of a support and gear truck, as well as transportation from Pere Marquette State Park back to the various starting points, is also included in the registration fee.

For more information or to register, visit www.illinoisgreatriversride.com or call 877-477-7007 (ext. 217).

Pow Wow wows

Last month, the Chicago and Illinois tourism team participated in the Travel Industry Association of America’s International Pow Wow in New York City—the travel industry’s premier international marketplace and the largest generator of U.S. travel. Pow Wow brings together many of the top international tour operators with U.S. suppliers in a business-to-business venue. From May 3-7, the Chicago and Illinois partnership had more than 150 appointments with key tour operators from around the world and met with nearly 25 media contacts.

Illinois delegates also had the chance to network with other travel professionals, gleaning insight and ideas. Events at Rockefeller Center and Ellis Island were particular highlights, along with a fascinating address from Colin Powell, who captivated attendees with a speech on the importance of building international alliances to promote democracy and peace, and the travel industry’s role in that mission.

International Pow Wow 2006 will take place in Orlando, Fla. May 6-10.

Holiday deskside media tour a success

Last month, while in New York attending International Pow Wow, Jan Kostner made special visits to top-tier media contacts. Kostner enjoyed lively discussions about Illinois with magazine editors at Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Redbook, Woman’s Day and Parents. The primary goal of the interviews was to showcase Illinois’ family-friendly holiday events and the state’s new attractions.

The relationships that have resulted from the meetings will help expand national media coverage about the state, and allowed Kostner to get real-time feedback from journalists. With IBOT’s assistance, several editors are already planning their Illinois stories, with a focus on holiday events, as well as Illinois wine, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and “girlfriend getaway” destinations.