One of the most rewarding aspects of my job here at IBOT is the opportunity to see how surprised and happy people can be when they discover the hidden treasures of Illinois. This really hit home with me a few weeks ago when I took some family members to Springfield. As we toured the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, my sister turned to me and said, "You know, there are a lot more than three days worth of things to do in Springfield!" This is a fact we in the industry know already, but it's great to hear it from someone just finding out how many travel options we have in Illinois. The same words could be said of any region in the state.

Similarly, many are surprised when they learn that we have a thriving wine industry right here in Illinois. Gov. Blagojevich sought to remedy this when he announced September 2005 as Illinois Wine Month. We're proud to join our wineries, vineyards and related sites in taking full advantage of this chance to promote Illinois as a producer of some of the highest quality wines available. The governor said it best in a recent statement: "We're thrilled to showcase the vibrant Illinois wine industry, which is quickly becoming part of the state's culture as well as a major contributor to Illinois' economy. Illinois Wine Month is the ideal time to explore our picturesque wineries and unique varietals."

While Illinois has a long and historic winemaking tradition dating back to the 1700s, it's over the past decade that the industry has truly grown by leaps and bounds. In 1997 the state had only 12 wineries, today it boasts nearly 60. A staggering 500,000 gallons of wine are produced annually in Illinois on close to 1,000 acres of land. The economic impact of this booming industry is a sizeable $20 million a year.

Wineries can be found in every corner of the state, so there are many options for those looking to celebrate Illinois Wine Month. For those in the Chicago area, Lynfred Winery will host its annual pig roast and Oktoberfest the weekend of Sept. 24 and 25 in Roselle. Just one weekend earlier, Sept. 17 and 18, Starved Rock State Park will be home to Vintage Illinois, featuring wines from 21 Illinois wineries. Southern Illinois, which is home to so many of our state's vineyards, has a plethora of events from which to choose. From the Cache River Basin Winery's Grape Stomping Harvest Festival, to the Illinois Wine and Art Festival at Rend Lake, this list barely scratches the surface of the goings-on during Illinois Wine Month.

For more information on Illinois Wine Month and the state's wineries in general, visit www.illinoiswine.com or check out our winery feature page at www.enjoyillinois.com/features/wine.aspx. Meanwhile, let's raise our glasses and toast our state's proud winemaking tradition.

On a more somber note, our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and surrounding states, which were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. I was contacted by Bud Nocera, my counterpart in Florida, who has called upon all of the state directors to help those affected in the hospitality industry from the hurricane. They are working on two suggestions and once they have a plan in place, I will reach out to you to see how we can all help.

Sincerely,