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 in Illinois Tourism

Posted on February 18th, 2010 by

The 2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism is underway, now officially kicked off with the “State of the State of Tourism Address: The New Reality.”

Speaking were Warren Ribley, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and Jan Kostner, Deputy Director of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism (IBOT).

Kostner got right to the point, saying Illinois needs to take a quantum leap ahead to compete for travel industry dollars. “This is our time to be brave and build toward the future,” she told a packed ballroom in the Fairmont Hotel earlier today.

After discussing the past year’s marketing highlights, she went on to unveil the state’s new spring/summer ad campaign, centered around this concept: Where Magnificence Isn’t Limited to A Mile in Illinois. The ads will speak to various demographics while relating the full breadth of interests, activities and possibilities across the state.

The search for new, profitable endeavors is a tough road to travel, but Illinois Tourism has the momentum and power to move forward in 2010, related Kostner, adding that there are many positive economic indicators at play right now. “Consumer confidence has [made gains] for the past three months.”

Speaking of consumers, Kostner related that IBOT is working with their PR agency, Edelman to develop a good purpose program titled Meaningful Miles, a “…study of consumer attitudes toward social responsibility and through it, creating powerful and own-able social purpose platforms,” said Kostner. (more…)

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2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism

Posted on February 8th, 2010 by

Members of the Illinois travel industry are set to come together Feb. 17-19 for the 2010 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism—the largest such annual gathering in the state.

Held at The Fairmont Chicago, the conference will highlight recent accomplishments and exciting new initiatives. This year’s theme, “The New Reality,” focuses on finding opportunities—even in an ever-changing business climate—to utilize cutting edge trends and technologies.

Hear from top speakers like Roger Dow, President & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association; Warren Ribley, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity; Jan Kostner, Deputy Director of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism; Henry Harteveldt, Vice President of  Forrester Research; and many more!

The Chicago Hospitality Insider has teamed up with the Illinois Bureau of Tourism (IBOT) to bring you live coverage of the conference–so even if you can’t make it to that speaker or that breakout session, you can find insider profiles, videos and photos, and conference coverage on our blog, by following @CHI_Blog on Twitter, or on the Chicago Hospitality Insider Facebook fan page.

Check back for new posts on top speakers and sessions, updates on how to stay in the know on the go, and much more. Haven’t registered yet? You can register online now! View the full schedule and special events on the conference website.

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