March 2005
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Statewide News Setting the Stage for Illinois tourism’s future: Illinois tourism professionals expect premier educational opportunities from the conference year after year, and 2005 attendees are once again in for an award-winning experience! Nationally renowned travel industry leaders and speakers will be featured. Debi Lilly, founder of A Perfect Event and a regular event planner for Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, will identify the keys to a flawless event. The new president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America, Roger Dow, will share his vision for the travel industry. Robert Stevenson, an author and motivational speaker, will offer guidelines for personal and professional improvement. Experts also will speak on topics such as niche opportunities in heritage and family tourism, marketing on a small budget, trends in the hotel industry, and Internet marketing. In addition, during the State of the State of Tourism address Jack Lavin, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Jan Kostner, deputy director of the Bureau of Tourism, will discuss the latest statewide activities. They’ll speak to the importance of tourism in Illinois as a tool for economic development and about issues facing the state’s tourism industry. In addition to these speakers, the conference will give attendees two fabulous nights of celebration, networking and theater. The icebreaker reception will be at Chicago’s House of Blues and will kick off the conference in style. Our second night celebration, themed “Illinois on Stage,” will pay tribute to Chicago’s lively theater scene as well as feature dining, dancing and music. Register early to get a front row seat! The magnificent campaign continues this spring and summer Work continues, as well, on IBOT’s Web site as our online media group, rmg:connect, has been busy redesigning www.enjoyillinois.com. The new site is scheduled to debut in mid-April, and bookable Magnificent 3-Day Getaway packages will be available in early May. TravElements has been selected as the booking vendor for the spring/summer packaging efforts. TravElements’ team has ample experience in the tourism industry and we’re excited to welcome them. The campaign also will feature advertising that focuses on active interests and passions, such as golf, wine, history and biking. Ads will be featured in vertical publications and on Web sites to increase awareness among enthusiasts of Illinois as a premier destination. Additional support is being provided for the Illinois Great Rivers Ride (to be held September 11-18) and the official opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. We’re working with American Heritage to produce a custom magazine that will prominently feature Lincoln and a variety of Illinois historic sites. It will arrive polybagged with the June/July issue of American Heritage and additional copies will be available through www.enjoyillinois.com and by calling 1-800-2CONNECT. American Bus Association Marketplace 2005 a success Held at McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center, the 2005 ABA Marketplace was a huge success hosting nearly 550 tour operators, more than 1,600 travel suppliers and 550 first-time delegates. Marketplace was extremely productive this year with more than 90,000 appointments made between buyers and sellers — a record for the event! ABA Marketplace attendees were also invited to discover what Chicagoland offers through a host of sightseeing tours in which more than 1,400 attendees participated. Dozens of conference attendees also explored different regions of the state during the pre- and post- conference familiarization trips that traveled to areas including Galena, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, Southwestern Illinois and more. For more information on the ABA Marketplace 2005, visit www.buses.org. Signs of spring in Illinois The bureau’s recent media outreach covers a range of new events and attractions as well as seasonal favorites throughout the state, including annual favorites such as the 13th annual Art Chicago (April 29–May 2), which showcases the work of more than 2,000 artists at its original Grant Park location; Roger Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival (April 20-24) at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign; Hornucopia Festival (May 20 and 21) in Rock Island, which offers music lovers “horns of plenty” at the Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District; Birding Fest 2005 (April 29–May 1), which offers a variety of bird-watching events at the Cache River Wetlands Center; and Belleville’s renowned Art on the Square (May 13–15) featuring the work of 100 juried artists from around the world as well as family entertainment and activities. And new this spring, Illinois welcomes the opening of two new water parks — Six Flags Great America Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee and Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Lodge and Water Park in Utica. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, a 13-acre Caribbean-themed outdoor water park, is targeted to open May 28 adjacent to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Lodge and Water Park, Illinois’ first indoor water park resort, will open later this spring just outside Starved Rock State Park, offering a 24,000-square-foot indoor aquatic center and a state-of-the-art 92-room hotel and conference center. For more information on blooming spring activities in Illinois, visit www.enjoyillinois.com. Bureau bits IBOT’s Jan Kemmerling has assumed the acting Springfield office manager position. Aside from the six years during which she ran her own tourism consulting firm in Texas, Kemmerling has worked with DCEO since 1979. In addition to her current duties as manager of research and planning for the bureau, she will manage the Springfield office of the Bureau of Tourism and oversee the grants programs and the bureau’s budget. IBOT also welcomes Lee Hillerich to the Chicago marketing team. Born and raised in Louisville, Ky., Hillerich graduated from the University of Louisville where he majored in political science. He joins IBOT from Papa John’s International, Inc. in Louisville where he was involved with marketing for domestic corporate and franchise stores. New to the Chicago area, Hillerich is already enjoying the culture and architecture of the city. The central and southern regions are of particular interest as the geography reminds him of his home state. Welcome, Lee! Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum opens in April The museum will celebrate its official opening with four days of exciting activities culminating in a public dedication on April 19, led by Governor Blagojevich, and attended by prominent state and national figures. Other events open to the public include a 5k presidential run, historic block party, scholarly conference, torchlight parade, concert, fireworks and laser show. For more information on the museum and grand opening events, contact the ALPLM at 217-558-8844 or visit www.alplm.org. |
