This is it! It's time for "The Main Event" and the game can't begin without you. Of course, I'm talking about the 2006 Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism. Themed "The Main Event: Winning the Tourism Game," the conference will be held Feb. 22-24 at the Hilton Springfield.

Sports are a great analogy for what we do in the tourism industry. Both put a strong emphasis on teamwork, planning, skill and winning. The Governor's Conference is a wonderful opportunity to enhance our teamwork in one big huddle. It's a rare chance to bring all of our industry partners together for a fun and productive event. At the conference, we'll review last year's game and work together on this year's playbook.

With Springfield as our host, you can experience firsthand a special attraction that made last year such a winning season. Don't miss the opening night icebreaker reception, our industry "pep rally," which will be held at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Since its historic opening last year, the museum has been a phenomenal success and is sure to be an inspiring location to kick off the conference.

The conference itself will feature a wide variety of dynamic speakers, including keynotes from NTA President Hank Phillips, futurist Watts Wacker, training and leadership expert Doug Lipp, and former Chicago Bear and current NFL analyst Tom Waddle. There will also be a multitude of valuable breakout sessions covering topics from heritage tourism to sports marketing. These sessions will feature some of the top professionals in their fields, including renowned historian Richard Norton Smith and Internet and technology guru Omar Wasow. Continued >

Industry Insider: Stephen Powell

To help you get to know who's who in Illinois tourism, ITN profiles an industry leader each month. This month, we introduce Stephen Powell, Executive Director of the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Stephen Powell joined the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (PACVB) as its executive director in June 2005. His primary responsibilities include increasing overnight stays in the Peoria area and generating new business when new attractions—such as the expanded Peoria Civic Center to be completed in fall 2007—are built.

Powell is busy promoting the dynamic city of Peoria, which boasts a booming downtown along its scenic riverfront. Last month Peoria’s Museum Square design plans were announced, revealing that the former Sears block downtown area will be home to the Central Illinois Regional Museum and a visitor center for Peoria-based Caterpillar, the world’s largest construction equipment manufacturer. The plans for the Central Illinois Regional Museum call for a state-of-the-art planetarium, a giant-screen theater and an Illinois River learning center, among other attractions. Caterpillar is also constructing a heritage museum along with this project in nearby East Peoria. 

Powell joined the PACVB on the heels of the recent designation of the Illinois River Country National Scenic Byway. A coup for the area, the designation means national exposure and access to a wide variety of destination-marketing vehicles that will elevate current regional marketing efforts and ultimately offer the potential for more visitors, more exposure and increased economic impact.

Under Powell’s direction, the bureau will also be implementing a comprehensive tourism research program to allow them to better target customers, justify expenditures and allocate resources in a more effective manner.

Prior to his arrival in Peoria, Powell served as the CEO and director of the Greater St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau in Missouri for 17 years. During his tenure, the city grew from a day trip destination to a multi-day, full-service destination with a tourism economic impact in excess of $100 million. Continued >