Mark your calendar for the 21st annual Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism
The 2008 Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism will take place Feb. 13-15 at the Hilton Springfield in Springfield. Hosted by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism (DCEO/IBOT) and the Illinois Tourism Alliance (ITA) the conference will bring together hundreds of Illinois travel industry representatives to enjoy a range of innovative educational programs, a trade show, social and networking events and the annual Governor's Awards Luncheon. Themed "Making News," this year's conference celebrates the state's diverse offerings and innovative marketing initiatives that continue to make headlines and position Illinois as a tourism industry leader.
DCEO/IBOT and ITA strongly encourage attendees to bring a team of industry professionals from their organization to take full advantage and learn first-hand from the educational sessions, top-notch speakers and expert panels about how to keep their organizations, destinations and attractions in the news.
For more information about the 2008 Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism, visit www.iltourismconference.com. Be sure to check back regularly for updates as the conference approaches.
Restaurants serve up great feedback on international FAM program
Fresh off a season stuffed full with media familiarization trips, IBOT hosted its second Restaurateurs Roundtable on Sept. 19 in Chicago. Engineered to foster relationships between IBOT and its partners, the roundtable provided an opportunity for restaurateurs to learn about the value of the FAM program and for IBOT to reinforce its dedication to promoting Illinois as a world-class culinary destination.
Last year Illinois welcomed a record 46 journalists through the FAM program, many of whom traveled throughout Illinois and praised the state’s culinary offerings, in addition to its architecture, cultural attractions, shopping and entertainment. The media are not the only ones with great things to say; the state and city partners renewed their promise to cater to visiting journalists from the UK, Germany and Ireland. IBOT looks forward to continued successes resulting from the FAM program both in Chicago and across the state.
Attracting student/youth groups to not-to-be-missed destinations
The school year is now in full swing and students are looking forward to a variety of educational and entertaining experiences outside the classroom. Greg Shipley of the Student Youth Travel Association board of directors believes there is no better time than now to market to this lucrative audience.
According to Shipley, the student/youth travel segment typically includes large groups who travel during the shoulder seasons.
Destinations can boost their appeal to a student or youth travel group by:
- Ensuring staff is friendly, helpful and understands the needs of their guests, no matter what age
- Providing packages that offer high-entertainment quality, hands-on activities and “boast-worthy” experiences
- Promoting the destination’s ability to deal with large groups and potential communications issues that can arise
- Offering hi-tech, multi-media components that cater to younger audiences
To learn more about how CVBs and attractions can effectively market their offerings to students and youth travelers, download Greg Shipley’s full presentation at http://www.visitillinois.net.
Illinois entices holiday travelers with one-of-a-kind winter events across the state
Illinois is warming things up this winter with seasonal activities statewide that range from nationally recognized lights festivals to some of the Midwest’s best skiing.
In Chicago, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Nov. 17) is a perennial favorite for families kicking off the holiday season, offering ice-carving demonstrations, caroling, live Disney musical performances and evening fireworks. The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe (Chicagoland) will dazzle visitors with Wonderland Express, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winding over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls and through dozens of Chicago's favorite landmarks.
With 19 runs for beginners through experts, as well as the Midwest's largest terrain park, Galena’s Chestnut Mountain (Northern) is a winter wonderland for skiers and snowboarders. After an invigorating day on the slopes, travelers can unwind at the Chestnut Mountain lodge and enjoy fine restaurants and an indoor pool.
Alaskan reindeer greet visitors at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul (Central), which also offers a Christmas tree farm and the old-fashioned Country Barn Gift Shop, ideal for selecting that perfect holiday gift. In Western Illinois, the East Peoria Festival of Lights (Nov. 24 – Dec. 31) kicks off with the Parade of Lights, featuring 40 illuminated floats and an enchanting fireworks show.
Southern Illinois boasts an array of holiday events, including DuQuoin’s Holiday Lights Fair (Nov. 23 – Dec. 30). Visitors can drive the two-mile lights display at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds to delight in brightly lit animations and twinkling trees. Belleville’s renowned Way of Lights celebration at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Nov. 15 – Jan. 6) offers a mile and a half of electro-art sculptures and life-size figures depicting the Christmas story (Southwest).
IBOT offers additional information on winter festivals, events and attractions through its travel counselors at 1-800-2CONNECT or at www.enjoyillinois.com.