Here at IBOT, we often talk about the rich variety and diversity of our state's destinations and regions, but this point really hit home when we toured Illinois during our annual Road Show. The 2009 Illinois Road Show took place June 8-11 and included six press events in markets located throughout the state. 2008 visitor and economic impact numbers were announced, as well as a review of marketing campaign highlights.

Thank you to all of our hosts and participants, not only at the press events, but also the attractions that we had the opportunity to visit en route. There's nothing like seeing them first-hand to better appreciate all of the great Illinois destinations we are so proud to promote.

We kicked off the Road Show at the new Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago and continued our journey with press events at the Holiday Inn Carbondale Conference Center, the new Alton Amphitheater, Springfield's Dana-Thomas House, the John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline and the recently opened Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie. We also traveled to such unique destinations as the Firefly Grille & Restaurant in Effingham, which uses fresh local ingredients (many from their own garden) in fare that's not only delicious, but sustainable.

We were proud to spotlight a number of marketing programs including two key anniversaries: the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and President Lincoln's 200th birthday, which we will continue to commemorate throughout the summer.  This latter occasion, along with the election of President Obama dovetailed perfectly into the Presidential Trails Getaways, which allow travelers to follow in the footsteps of President Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Obama, who all called Illinois home.

The Getaway Match campaign, designed to fit travelers with their ideal Illinois getaway, was the focus of our latest advertising campaign, which JWT's Brendan Riley addressed in detail.  Through television, radio, online and print ads, the Getaway Match campaign incorporated the message that underlined the theme for this year's Road Show: "There's a getaway for that." 

IBOT's Jan Kemmerling revealed our latest economic impact numbers, which despite the challenges in our economy, yielded some positive results. In 2008, domestic and international travel expenditures in Illinois increased by three percent - our record highest level - to nearly $30.8 billion. State and local tax revenues generated by travel spending in Illinois also reached record high levels, providing an additional $33 million.  Domestic visitor volume remained steady at nearly 88 million, while overseas visitors increased by 21 percent ranking Illinois sixth in the U.S.

U.S. Travel Association's International Pow Wow, May 2009

This is the travel industry's premier international marketplace and the largest generator of Visit USA travel. In three days of pre-scheduled business appointments, more than 1,000 U.S. travel organizations, and nearly 1,500 international and domestic buyers and journalists from more than 70 countries conducted business negotiations that resulted in the generation of more than $3.5 billion in future Visit USA travel. 

The Illinois Bureau of Tourism coordinated an "Illinois Aisle," with 22 companies and representatives from the UK, Germany and China representing the State of Illinois with a cohesive "Simply Magnificent" branded look.

IBOT partnered with the Chicago Office of Tourism (COT) and the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau during the Media Marketplace on Monday, May 19.  IBOT focused on Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland, but did assist COT with other journalists from the non-target markets, as well as several domestic journalists.  More than 38 media contacts were made during the week as President Obama and the 2016 Olympic bid continued to capture the media's interest.

China Program
Over the past several years, China has become a bustling market for outbound tourism. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Chinese travel to the United States increased by 112 percent from 2007 to 2008, with visitors spending an average of more than $6,000 per person. With this level of spending, it's no surprise that shopping is a favorite activity among Chinese travelers, who are often tasked by family and friends to procure specific brands and gifts during their travels.

This proved true for the Chinese media group who visited in early May. The group of seven included lifestyle, travel and business media, a photographer and a pair from World Traveler TV. Working with several partners across the city, the visiting journalists were able to experience Millennium Park, The Field Museum, The Art Institute, Hyde Park, Navy Pier, John Hancock Observatory, Giordano's, Garrett's Popcorn, the Chicago Architecture Foundation river cruise, Chinatown, Chicago's Essex Inn, The Drake Hotel and more. But perhaps the most successful venture was a trip to Chelsea Premium Outlets in Aurora, where the group spent the day completing shopping lists and getting a taste of Illinois' great value.

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New Contracts Awarded

Last month, JWT Chicago, IBOT's advertising agency of record, was awarded with the renewal of their contract. For the past five years, JWT has assisted IBOT in positioning Illinois as a premier tourism destination, through the successful branding efforts of the "Mile After Magnificent Mile" campaign. Past highlights include the Offbeat Illinois posters campaign, Lincoln's Bicentennial commemoration, as well as numerous award-winning online and traditional media efforts.  

Tazewell County Resource Center (TCRC) has been named as a new fulfillment center for DCEO/IBOT through a three-year contract awarded this June. This contract will provide jobs for approximately 150 individuals in central Illinois who participate in services taught at TCRC. TCRC is an organization which provides the developmentally challenged and visually impaired with programs like job training and placement, goal-oriented therapy, day programs, residential programs, and low-vision services.

 
Historic Sites Reopened
In April, Governor Pat Quinn announced 11 of the state historic sites that closed late last year are now reopened to the public. The reopenings came just in time for summer travel when residents and tourists will once again have the opportunity to visit these extraordinary sites and experience some of Illinois' most fascinating historical landmarks.
                   
"As our children prepare for the future, it is important to teach them about the past," said Governor Quinn. "By visiting our historic sites, families can learn about the Land of Lincoln's rich history and support our local economies."

The following 11 sites were reopened, and most of them have resumed a convenient five-day-per-week schedule:

• Apple River Fort, Elizabeth
• Bishop Hill
• Hauberg Indian Museum at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island
• Cahokia Courthouse, Cahokia
• Carl Sandburg, Galesburg
• Dana-Thomas House, Springfield
• Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher
• Fort Kaskaskia, Ellis Grove
• Pierre Menard Home, Ellis Grove
• Jubilee College, Brimfield
• Lincoln Log Cabin, near Charleston

2009 Traveloution Summit Update: 10 Hottest Online Travel Trends

San Jose Wins PCC Award
The San Jose Group recently won a Golden Trumpet Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago for its Hispanic public relations work on behalf of IBOT.  The award was given for the agency's development of a custom Web site for Hispanic travelers, disfrutallinois.com, which welcomes online visitors with an interactive home page. The Publicity Club of Chicago's Golden Trumpet Awards is one of the most prestigious industry awards programs in the Midwest, honoring distinguished achievement in public relations and communications.  

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