We could not have asked for a more productive and inspiring Governor’s Conference. Thanks so much to everyone whose hard work and perseverance made our 20th anniversary an unforgettable event.

Of course, those of you who attended the conference deserve the ultimate credit for making “The Future is Ours” not just a slogan, but a reality. So many wonderful ideas were brought up in our breakout sessions, on the trade show floor and even at our social events. Now we must keep the momentum going by continuing to think creatively and keeping the lines of communication open.

I was pleased to announce a number of new initiatives during my State of the State of Tourism address. The Seven Wonders of Illinois is an innovative initiative that received a tremendous amount of press attention within days of its unveiling. It has brought new levels of interactivity to our Web site as consumers nominate and vote for their favorite attraction in each region. When we announce the winners in late spring, each will be the subject of a downloadable video, yet another inroad we are making to take full advantage of emerging technologies. So be sure to log on to www.enjoyillinois.com and vote for your choice for the Seven Wonders of Illinois. Continued >

Success Story

Every month, ITN profiles a tourism industry leader whose success can be used as an example of how to develop fresh ideas to promote Illinois. This month, we introduce, Juan A. Ochoa, chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority.

Juan A. Ochoa is the chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), the agency that owns and operates McCormick Place and Navy Pier. Gov. Blagojevich appointed Ochoa as CEO of the MPEA in early 2007.

Ochoa recognizes the importance of partnerships and strives to align his organizations with other tourism entities to work together to develop programs that are consumer driven and attract more visitors. By capitalizing on his contacts, Ochoa works with the state to market Illinois as a destination, which is critical to MPEA’s success.

Knowledge and commitment are two traits that lead to success in any programming. “I’ve always immersed myself in whatever the task is before me,” says Ochoa. “As CEO, I’m committed to learning all aspects of the trade show and tourism business and to providing strong leadership as well as putting a strong focus on coalition-building to ensure that our facilities remain first rate. I also attribute my success to knowing how the business community works and to having a strong track record in bringing people together with differing points of view.”

In the near future, Ochoa’s focus will be gearing up to open the new McCormick Place West building this summer, eight months ahead of schedule and on budget. MPEA also plans to host fun family-friendly activities for visitors to enjoy at Navy Pier this spring and summer.

Prior to joining the MPEA, Ochoa served 10 years as the president and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC). Under Ochoa’s leadership, IHCC became one of the most active and respected Hispanic business organizations in the country, growing from 52 members and a $45,000 budget to more than 1,200 members and a $1.7 million budget. IHCC received national recognition for its work to promote Hispanic economic empowerment through business growth. IHCC currently operates programs that provide assistance with building capacity and business development to hundreds of businesses annually. Continued >