The Results Are In: Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards Announced!

Posted on February 20th, 2010 by

As the 2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism winds down today, attendees learned the results of this year’s Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Founded in 1986, the awards are put together in order to reward “…the creativity [partners] have put together to convey to the rest of us what’s beautiful about Illinois,” said emcee Julian Crews, an assignment and feature reporter with WGN News.

Drumroll, please:

BEST LEISURE PROMOTION
Div A: Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, Green Getaway Guide
Div. B: Quincy Convention Bureau, 50 Things to See & Do

BEST SALES PROMOTION
A: Springfield, IL Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2009 SCVB Planning Guide
B: Kankakee Convention & Visitors Bureau, Barn Quilt Tour Guide

BEST VISITORS GUIDE
A: Springfield, IL Convention & Visitors Bureau
B: City of Joliet – Visitors Bureau

BEST OVERALL TOURISM MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Chicago Office of Tourism, ExploreChicago – Take a Neighborhood Vacation Summer 2009

BEST EVENT OR FESTIVAL
Chicago Office of Tourism, Great Performers of Illinois 2009

BEST CREATIVE COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP/SPONSORSHIP
Chicago Office of Tourism, ExploreChicago.org Airport
Technology Lounges Marketing Initiative

BEST TOURISM WEBSITE
A: Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Tour Co., ChicagoTrolley.com
B: Streater Tourism, Streater.org

BEST ELECTRONIC MARKETING
A: Alton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, Destination All Around Alton—Group Sales DVD
B: City of Joliet Visitors Bureau, 2009 Joliet Play Campaign Television Commercials

BEST SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (@GoRockford on Twitter)

BEST BRAND DEVELOPMENT CAMPAIGN
City of Joliet Visitors Bureau, 2009 Play Campaign

BEST MEDIA RELATIONS INITIATIVE
Fleishman-Hillard, Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower Dares Visitors to Stand Out on the Ledge Campaign

BEST OF SHOW
Chicago Office of Tourism

Thank You Very Much!

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The New Reality of the 2010 U.S. Digital Traveler

Posted on February 19th, 2010 by

Research travel analyst and Vice President of Forrester Research, Henry Harteveldt, knows a thing or two about trending markets in the industry.

“I’ve been in the travel industry my whole life,” Harteveldt told the Imperial Ballroom at Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel, “I have great empathy for what you all go through…the challenges you all face. Whether you’re big or small, it’s a new reality. Imposed on top of all of that is this ever-changing thing called technology.”

Those difficulties shouldn’t be daunting to local business. “Anyone in this room can be successful in online travel,” Harteveldt said. “You don’t have to be Expedia, a big hotel or travel company. What you have to be is smart, astute and creative.”

Things are beginning to look up, but if companies aren’t hiring, people don’t feel confident. What does that mean for the tourism and travel industries? “We, as travel business professionals, must be ready to adapt. (more…)

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What a Sweet Conference!

Posted on February 19th, 2010 by

Wine, chocolate and cheese are flowing at the 2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism during this evening’s Illinois Tourism Marketplace Networking Reception.

Sponsored by The Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association (IGGVA) and The French Pastry School, it’s a segment of the conference where all that’s required is good conversation, tasty food and wine, and a willingness to make tourism in Illinois a top priority.

The intense chocolate sculpture you see here is an example of the kind of display work The French Pastry School can do to enhance and event, as well as supplying more edible chocolates.

As far as the vino provided by IGGVA, give it a taste and prepare to look at this state in a whole new light: “We use French-American hybrids in Illinois,” said Tim Collver of Collver Family Winery in Barry, IL. “Our state’s winemakers are producing world-class wines without heading to California or France. I have to say, it’s hard to find a bad Illinois wine.”

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Exhibitor Profile: Bannerville USA

Posted on February 19th, 2010 by

2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism EXHIBITOR PROFILE

Steve Ravenna: Bannerville USA

Talks about what his business does in Chicago:

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Illinois Governor’s Conference Silent Auction

Posted on February 19th, 2010 by

The 2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism Silent Auction is up and running full force.

Items range from celebrity dinners with top Chicago chefs like Tony Priolo of Piccolo Sogno (@PiccoloSogno) and even Jan Kostner, Deputy Director of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, who’ll be creating a famous family meal for the winning bidder.

Other items: Broadway in Chicago (@BroadwayChicago) tickets; an advertisement in “O” magazine (Oprah!); Dinner for Two at Italian Village Restaurants; Six Flags Great America Tickets; trips and perks in locations all around Illinois–from Alton to Rockford (Fun-in-the-Sun Getaway).

There are a plethora of items in various price ranges, so there’s something available no matter the budget (think: Lead Crystal Clock by Crystal Clear, $25; then think $4,100 for that ad in “O” Oprah Magazine) and something for every taste–from original art to Illinois memorabilia, or the decorative glassware shown on the right.

Auction Hours: Bidding stops at 7 p.m. tonight. Tomorrow, Fri., Feb. 19, bidding lasts 7:30-10:30 a.m.

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Marketing in the New Reality

Posted on February 18th, 2010 by

Erin Clark, Group Management Director at JWT, began an afternoon breakout session at the 2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism with a Chinese proverb: “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.” It might seem simple, but it might be what saves your business in this “new reality.”

“There’s a much broader competitive set, now,” said Clark when we spoke before the session, called Marketing in the New Reality.

Visitors’ decisions about time and money are changing, explained Ann Mack, Director of Trendspotting at JWT. People aren’t deciding between getaways—they’re deciding between a getaway and a new washer and dryer. “You have to be very smart and get people to see why they should be spending their time and money with you,” said Clark. (more…)

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Exhibitor Profile: DePaul University School of Hospitality Leadership

Posted on February 18th, 2010 by

2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism EXHIBITOR PROFILE

Katy Casserly: Assistant Director of Student Development at DePaul University

Speaking about her organization and why they attended the conference:

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“Moving Beyond The Meltdown” with Jim Carroll

Posted on February 18th, 2010 by

How is the tourism business impacted by a world where information is passed feverishly around the globe? Immediately and directly; that’s how, says Jim Carroll (Futurist and Trends & Innovation Expert!), today’s lunch-time speaker at the 2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

“The future happens faster than you think,” said Carroll. “The likelihood is that seven out of ten kindergartners today will work in jobs that don’t exist today.

“[It's also] estimated that half of what college students learn in their first year is obsolete by the time you graduate,” he continued. “The typical digital camera today has a shelf life of three to four months before it’s behind current technology.”

How can a company or a government entity make that change happen? Look for experienced people that know what they’re doing; i.e. build experiential capital and stay nimble. (more…)

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Exhibitor Profile: Resourceful Bag & Tag

Posted on February 18th, 2010 by

2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism EXHIBITOR PROFILE

Sean Haverty: Resourceful Bag & Tag

Discusses what they make and why they’re interested in Chicago

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Adapt or Perish, How to Survive the New Reality of 2010

Posted on February 18th, 2010 by


Troy Thompson, Director of Interactive Marketing and Web Operations at VISIT DENVER (@iknowdenver) and Mo Sherifdeen, Interactive Marketing Manager for Travel Oregon (@TravelOregon), both understand a basic truth for tourism: Content is King.

“Consumers do not plan trips around brands, they plan based on content. Our goal is to be the most comprehensive, trusted source for information,” says Sherifdeen of Travel Oregon.

Thompson and Sherifdeen prevent sticking to small points along the way: “By looking at a 12-month cycle and what our stories are, then focus on what the story is,” says Thompson, of VISIT DENVER. “We plan our content. It’s such a difference between ourselves and Travelocity or whoever you think your competitor is.”

More than simply observing the social media community, these experts advise engagement. “We have a staff that monitors conversations on Trip Advisor and Facebook and, if it’s relevant for us, we comment on the activity,” Thompson said, before adding, “But not always.”

How to pick and choose among so much conversational traffic from millions upon millions of online users worldwide? “There’s a lot of noise out there in social media. You just have to put up with that and target the key-influence section,” relayed Thompson. “And one of the biggest [things we embrace] right now is the travel writing community.”

At the end of the day, the decision rests with the travelers. Providing those consumers with real value (incentives, exclusive content, deals, deals, deals) is the goal.

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