With anticipation mounting for the 20th annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, I’m proud to say that all the elements are in place for a very exciting event. From our stellar roster of dynamic speakers and educational forums to the great networking opportunities and celebratory outings, the 2007 Governor’s Conference will be one you won’t want to miss. I look forward to seeing all of you at Chicago’s Palmer House Hilton from Feb. 7-9. Keep checking www.iltourismconference.org for the latest updates.

In addition to the Governor’s Conference, I want to share exciting news from the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association (IGGVA). Last month I joined IGGVA in announcing the results of a new economic impact study. The results confirmed the strength and continued growth of Illinois’ wine industry. According to the study, Illinois wine tourism accounts for 155,000 visitors and $31 million yearly. Winery visitors spend an average of $198 each day and, judging by the popularity of a number of our wine-oriented 3-Day Getaways, many of these trips last several days. Given its amazing economic impact, it’s no wonder that September’s Illinois Wine Month has become an annual tradition.

In early December IBOT, in conjunction with the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitor Bureaus and Sports Illinois, hosted the inaugural Illinois Sports Congress in Vail, Colo. More than 300 new contacts were made at the conference, building enough leads and bids to potentially deliver an economic impact of $2.8 million. This innovative method of promoting our many fine sports facilities was the first such event in the nation. It incorporated a number of valuable forums and seminars, including our special guest speaker, Chicago Cubs President John McDonough. We have many excellent sports facilities right here in Illinois and the Illinois Sports Congress was the perfect opportunity to show them off.

Coming this spring, IBOT will begin distributing the newly revised 2007 Travel Guide complete with new features, including “Starring Illinois,” which spotlights our role in providing locations for many high-profile Hollywood films. Also included is a look at our “Top Ten Road Trips” and a showcase of our many “Looking for Lincoln” locations. The guide, available in March, looks great and is sure to be a very useful tool for travelers looking to explore our state.

Finally, just one more plug for the 20th annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. At this not-to-be-missed occasion, we plan to turn the slogan “The Future is Ours” into reality by keeping pace with the evolving travel world and leading the industry with innovative tourism initiatives.