Statewide News

DCEO director promotes Illinois in China

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Jack Lavin led a state delegation in China June 1 - 9 to discuss expanding the Chinese tourism market and how to promote Illinois as a leading destination for international visitors. The nine-day trip included stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Tianjin. Lavin was accompanied by key members of the Visit USA Committee, including representatives from Northwest Airlines, Marriott Hotels, Continental Airlines and United Airlines.

The agenda also included developing a tourism training program with the Liaoning Province, Chinese sister state to Illinois. Chinese students who specialize in tourism will rotate into Illinois’ hospitality industry to learn about the state, with the hope that these students will further promote Illinois in the future.

Director Lavin was very pleased with the results of the delegation's visit and expressed confidence that it will lead to many future opportunities for promoting Illinois in China.

World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta opens with a bang

Gov. Blagojevich, joined by state and local officials, business leaders and sportsmen from across the nation, officially opened Sparta’s World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) on July 6. The state-of-the-art, 1,600-acre complex features 250 acres of water, 120 trap fields, two sporting clay courses, a full-service restaurant and lounge, and much more. The WSRC is expected to boost Southern Illinois’ economy, bringing more than 250 new jobs to the region and hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state.

The first major shooting event to utilize the new complex was the U.S. Open Trapshooting Championship in July, which drew several thousand people to Sparta. WSRC is also scheduled to host the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s Grand American competition, the nation’s largest outdoor shooting tournament, later this month. The 10-day event is expected to attract nearly 100,000 spectators to Sparta.

The opening of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex and competitions like the Grand American will not only increase tax revenue and create new jobs throughout the state, but will also make Sparta a destination for thousands of people nationwide. For more information on the complex, contact the WSRC at 866-850-2564 or visit dnr.state.il.us/worldshooting/home.html.

154th Illinois State Fair welcomes travelers from across the Midwest

Visitors can do it all at the Illinois State Fair, Aug. 11-20, at the state fairgrounds in Springfield. From numerous agricultural exhibits and classic festival food stands to butter cows and nationally recognized pop stars, it’s hard to name something fair-goers won’t see. The summer of 2006 simply won’t be complete without spending a day or two at the grounds.

This year’s fantastic musical lineup features Bow Wow, Big & Rich, Foreigner, Counting Crows and American Idol star Carrie Underwood. Several new attractions have also been added, including “Close Encounters of the Exotic Kind,” a mix of Royal Bengal tigers and African lions, and added dates for the Twilight Harness Horse Racing and Grandstand concerts.

For more information, contact the Illinois State Fair at 217-782-6661 or visit www.illinoisstatefair.info.

IBOT busily preparing for second annual Fall-O-Ween^TM

Fall is fabulous in Illinois! This year’s Fall-O-Ween will entice travelers from around the state and the Midwest with brilliant colors, fall festivals, family hayrides, wine and food tastings, and haunted attractions.

On Monday, Aug. 7, IBOT will host the first-ever Fall-O-Ween kick-off Web conference, hosted by Jan Kostner. Participation is strongly recommended for all CVBs/RTDOs, as the conference will provide crucial information on how to help drive fall travel, including tips on assembling compelling seasonal packages, advice on how to effectively promote Fall-O-Ween events, information on how Fall-O-Ween events will be advertised and promoted throughout the Midwest, and more.

For more information on Fall-O-Ween, contact Alexa Gunther (alexa.gunther@edelman.com) or Emma Douglas (emma.douglas@edelman.com).

Cyclists get ready to roll in the 2006 Illinois Great Rivers Ride

The much-anticipated 2006 Illinois Great Rivers Ride is just around the corner and now is the time to register! The seven-day noncompetitive ride kicks off on Sunday, Sept. 10 in Rockford, traveling along the Rock, Illinois and Mississippi rivers before concluding on Saturday, Sept. 16 in Alton.

The festivities begin in Rockford on Sept. 9 with optional pre-ride activities that offer participants entertainment, dinner and access to local attractions. Throughout the ride, cyclists will enjoy magnificent scenery along with spectacular activities, attractions and live performances at stops such as Rock Falls, the Quad Cities, Henderson County, Nauvoo, Quincy and Nebo. The final day takes cyclists to the National Great Rivers Museum at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in Alton where they will enjoy a celebration with dinner, dancing and fireworks.

The cost for the seven-day ride is $450 and registration is limited to the first 300 cyclists who sign up before Monday, Aug. 14 at 9:00 a.m. (CST). Individuals also have the option to register for the one-day ride on Sept. 15 or the two-day ride Sept. 15 and 16. Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration includes camping, breakfasts, dinners, snacks, and evening festivities. Additionally, registrants will receive the use of a towel service, shuttle service to all events and attractions, access to a support and gear truck, and transportation from Alton back to the various starting points. Lunches will be available for purchase. Hotel accommodations will be available each night for interested participants at an additional cost.

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