January 2007
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Statewide News Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism celebrates 20-year milestone
Conference attendees will benefit from a range of educational sessions focusing on forward-thinking trends, new media technology, marketing to growing travel segments, improving customer service and the future of the travel industry. Leading industry experts speaking at the conference include Keith Reinhard, chairman emeritus of DDB Worldwide and founder of Business for Diplomatic Action; the brilliant young futurist Andrew Zolli; customer service expert and famed speaker Lisa Ford; Lettuce Entertain You President and CEO Kevin Brown; and renowned social media and blogging expert Steve Rubel. DCEO Director Jack Lavin and State Travel Director Jan Kostner will present the annual State of the State of Tourism Address on Feb. 8. Lavin and Kostner will provide an overview of the travel industry’s evolution over the past 20 years, cover highlights from 2006 and discuss the vast opportunities that lay ahead. The conference will also provide attendees with a number of networking opportunities. On Feb. 7, Chicago’s famed Museum of Science and Industry will host the Future Is Ours Icebreaker where participants can investigate the much-anticipated exhibit Body Worlds 2 or tour a U-505 German submarine. On Feb. 8, attendees can explore the city during A Night on the Town and enjoy exclusive values at some of the city’s top dining spots, as well as discounted tickets at acclaimed theatrical productions such as Blue Man Group, The Second City and Wicked. Later that evening is the Sweet Dreams Late Night Dessert Reception at the Palmer House with live entertainment and decadent desserts. Participants can also network at the tradeshow reception on Feb. 8, which will showcase the latest products and services available to the travel industry. Visitors can sample Illinois wines as they explore the tradeshow floor and enter a drawing to win one of two pairs of round-trip tickets to any Southwest Airlines destination. The conference concludes on Feb. 9 during the Governor’s Awards Luncheon emceed by radio personality Roe Conn of Chicago’s WLS-AM when CVBs from across the state will be recognized for their innovative marketing initiatives and cutting-edge programming. For a complete conference schedule and list of speakers or to register for the 2007 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism, visit www.iltourismconference.org or www.visitillinois.net, or call 888-658-0749.
Lisa has been IBOT’s public relations manager for more than six years and has distinguished herself through her leadership skills and many accomplishments, including her management of all domestic and niche public relations efforts and coordination of the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Prior to joining the bureau, Lisa worked at the Chicago Office of Tourism and at the National Laboratory for Tourism and eCommerce (formerly the Tourism Research Laboratory) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she received her Master of Science degree in leisure studies. In her new role as marketing manager, Lisa will oversee IBOT’s advertising efforts and its marketing division. Lisa and her husband welcomed the birth of their first child, Andrew, in July. Lisa can be reached at lisa.link@illinois.gov or (312) 814-6579. Brad has been with IBOT for four years as marketing communications coordinator, focusing on Web site management, copy and speech writing, and special projects. His dedication and experience will serve him well in his new role managing the public relations efforts for domestic tourism. Brad is a graduate of Northern Illinois University's political science department, and previously held the position of outreach director for then-Congressman Rod Blagojevich, handling correspondence and constituent relations. A former elected official himself, Brad served four years on the DeKalb City Council. Brad can be reached at brad.strauss@illinois.gov or (312) 814-3155. Both Lisa and Brad are looking forward to working with all Illinois tourism partners in their new capacities.
In the region’s AVA application, Owl Creek Vineyard founder Ted Wichmann asserted that the Shawnee Hills region’s soil type, precipitation levels, altitude and climate created a unique environment for native Midwest grape varieties such as Chambourcin, Seyval, Norton and Chardonel, among others. The designation allows winemakers to include the region’s name on any wines with 85 percent or more of their volume derived from area grapes, assuring consumers that wine with Shawnee Hills on the label is enriched by the region’s characteristic grape attributes. In addition, the designation will let wineries within the AVA use the term “Estate Bottled” for the first time to describe area wines produced on the same premises on which the grapes are grown. The AVA will also further help Southern Illinois market itself to potential visitors interested in culinary and wine tourism.
After the busy holiday season, a great way to spend quality time and unwind with friends and family is to head out for an Illinois adventure! This winter the Illinois Bureau of Tourism wants consumers to explore the state with one of their Magnificent Winter 3-Day Getaway packages. This season’s getaways feature one-of-a-kind activities that range from outdoor adventures to romantic outings, cultural attractions and children’s museums. Eagle watching is at its peak in January, and trips down to Alton’s Eagle Meet & Greet are the perfect way to experience these magnificent creatures. Other features of this outdoors package are overnight stays at the cozy Pere Marquette Lodge and Conference Center, strolls through the Grafton Antique District and stops at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville. With Valentine’s Day soon approaching, a romantic getaway to Northern Illinois is ideal. Travelers can book a night at the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa and enjoy skiing, shopping in Galena, and visiting local historic sites such as the Ulysses S. Grant Home. Dinner at Fried Green Tomatoes, Galena’s most romantic restaurant, is also a highlight. For a mix of history and the heartland, the Lincoln Lore package includes nationally acclaimed attractions such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and other Lincoln sites, as well as day trips down Route 66 to check out the Cozy Dog Drive-In and Shea’s Gas Station. All packages are available by calling 1-800-2CONNECT to speak with an Illinois travel counselor or by visiting the Bureau’s Web site at www.enjoyillinois.com. In September the Illinois Bureau of Tourism and Edelman surveyed ITN readers to obtain feedback about the newsletter. The bureau would like to send a special thank you to the survey respondents for their participation. The feedback is greatly appreciated and incredibly useful. To keep ITN as relevant as possible, this reader feedback will be incorporated into future newsletter issues. In 2007 readers will continue to see examples of successful tourism programs and partnerships. ITN will also provide advance information about upcoming marketing programs to encourage participation and support from CVBs, chambers of commerce and attractions. Following the Governor’s Conference in February 2007, ITN will highlight throughout the year information shared during the conference’s educational sessions to further inform readers about packaging, marketing techniques and new technologies. Finally, ITN will be a resource for relevant travel trend information and include research findings that apply to Illinois and the industry as a whole. The Illinois Bureau of Tourism looks forward to another successful and informative year of ITN, and thanks readers for their continued support!
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