IBOT Engages in Social Media
The Illinois Bureau of Tourism has long been touting the advantages of social media and how the Illinois tourism industry can benefit from being at the forefront of this sweeping trend. In that spirit, IBOT is currently active on Flickr and Twitter.  

Flickr is an image and video hosting site and will be used to collect and showcase photos taken around the state. The micro-blogging site, Twitter, provides timely updates about events, attractions, and activities around the state. It also serves as a valuable platform for interactive discussions.  Additionally, plans are underway and content is being developed for an IBOT YouTube channel, Facebook page and the official Enjoy Illinois blog.

Overall, the Bureau aims to make its mark and join other states having success with social media.

ESTO Updates
IBOT is very proud to have been honored at TIA's ESTO (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations) conference with two 2008 Mercury Awards for best overall advertising campaign and best in broadcast. Thanks to IBOT's advertising agency, JWT, who helped make this success possible.

There were many enlightening speakers at ESTO.  One in particular, Bruce Turkel, CEO of a brand management company called TURKEL, outlined "Seven Points of Successful Marketing," which are:

1. It's all about the consumer - how does it impact them and how will they feel?
2. Hearts then minds - make an emotional connection first, then they will care about the
    information
3. Make it simple
4. Make it quick
5. Make it yours - what can you own that no other destination owns?
6. Appeal to all five senses
7. Repeat, repeat and repeat - reinforce your message in creative ways

For other ESTO highlights, visit tia.org.

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• Feb. 11: Illinois students will gather for a reenactment of the farewell speech President-Elect Lincoln gave 148 years ago, just before departing Springfield for Washington, D.C. Through Feb. 14, a uniformed ranger will be on site at the historic Lincoln Home from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. to discuss the history of Lincoln's former home.
  
  
• Feb. 12: On Lincoln's official birthday, a number of activities and events will take place throughout Illinois: a program highlighting Lincoln's family life will take place at the Lincoln Home; the winning designs from a statewide envelope design contest will be announced and limited-edition envelopes will be on sale; the U.S. Postal Service will offer a special Bicentennial at the Old State Capitol; the Veterans of Foreign Wars will lay their annual wreath on Lincoln's tomb at 10:30 a.m.; and a special naturalization ceremony will be performed in honor of Lincoln at the Old State Capital at 3 p.m.
  
  
• Feb. 13: The Lincoln and Leadership Program will be held at the Lincoln Home at 9 a.m. The Lincoln Douglas Debate for the United States Senate, which propelled Abraham Lincoln onto the national stage, will be reenacted in three parts - the first of which starts at 2 p.m.
  
  
• Feb. 14: The Lincoln Douglas Debates will continue with parts two and three beginning at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. The Lincoln Home Visitor Center will also host a special performance of "Abraham Lincoln: A Biography in Words and Music."
  

Looking for Your Lincoln Hero - A My Hero Contest
My Hero is a California-based nonprofit that aims to inspire people of all ages with an ever-growing Internet archive of hero stories from all around the world. The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition is joining forces with My Hero to sponsor an essay contest celebrating everyday people who emanate one of history's brightest stars. The contest encourages people to reflect on the qualities that made Abraham Lincoln a hero and to find someone in their life who embodies those Lincoln-esque qualities. The judging will be performed by Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life hero of "Hotel Rwanda," and Dr. Daniel Stowell of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln Project at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Entries are due by Dec. 1, 2008, and winners will be announced in February 2009.
 

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