Bureau Bits

Illinois Tourism Conference

The tourism industry is a thriving source of Illinois’ economy. Every year, the industry comes together to learn from tourism experts and to take advantage of the latest information, products and services that enhance Illinois travel. The 2009 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism will be held March 4-6, 2009 at The Fairmont Chicago. A Schedule of Events is now available. Register before January 23 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

2009 DuPage Visitors Guide Deadlines:

ASAP: Renew your DuPage CVB Membership to make sure your listing gets included in the Guide.

February 20, 2009: Reserve your ad space to advertise in the Guide. Ad rates have remained level for three years! With print distribution and unlimited potential viewers through an online version, your visibility will be greater than ever. Contact Sally Winkelman for more information.

February 13, 2009: Printing/Design member companies who wish to bid on the design/layout or printing of our 2009 Visitors Guide--please submit your bid to Nanette Traetow.

March 1, 2009: Submit your new images! The DuPage CVB is looking for fresh, updated images of our member facilities for possible inclusion in the 2009 Visitors Guide. Please send your high resolution images to Tori Goodheart.

Social Networking Initiatives

Coming soon... watch for the new Social Media toolbar in the upper right corner of every page on www.discoverdupage.com.

Sales Team Spotlight

In December, our Sales Team put corporate meeting planners to the test with an online DuPage Crossword Challenge. The promotion was highly successful, drawing responses (and interest in DuPage) from 23 meeting planners! Of those who responded, eight represented new clients, and one requested an immediate site inspection to accommodate an event in 2010 with 1,100 room nights!

DuPage CVB Sales staff will be represented at the RCMA show January 26-30 in Grand Rapids, MI, and at the ISAE show January 27-29 in Springfield. On January 31, Lisa Landers, Director of Sales, will be presenting on behalf of Sports Illinois at the Illinois Park & Recreation Association Conference in Chicago. Her presentation will include an overview of how planners can make the most of their relationship with their CVB, as well as helpful hints on incorporating outside sports tournaments into local schedules.

The quarterly DuPage CVB Hotel Committee meeting for Directors of Sales and Hotel General Managers is scheduled for Thursday January 22 at 3:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Glen Ellyn-Lombard. Ted Mandigo will present his trend report for the hospitality industry. In addition, a demonstration of the new CVB Hot Rates program will be provided. Plan to stay for the networking reception immediately following the meeting.  Please RSVP to Shawne Washington.

Tourism Tidbit

Washington, D.C.-based Travel Industry Association is forecasting that nationwide business travel will decline 2.7 percent in 2009 and leisure travel will drop 1.3 percent. Experts indicate that, traditionally, those who advertise during hard times are the most likely to weather an economic downturn. After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Florida increased its ad spending by $21 million to get people traveling and spending again. Later studies showed that infusion brought in $63 million in new tax revenue, according to Visit Florida, the state's tourism arm.

Featured Members

New Members

• Western Golf Association/BMW Championship
• Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, Downers Grove
• Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, Aurora (opening soon!)

Member Highlights & Updates

The Naperville Heritage Society, administrator of Naper Settlement, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since its incorporation in 1969, the Naperville Heritage Society has relocated, reconstructed or adapted 28 historic structures at Naper Settlement. Original to the site are the Victorian-era Martin Mitchell Mansion and Carriage House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, visitors to Naper Settlement who were born in 1969 will receive free admission (exclusive of special events) and a souvenir Conestoga Wagon pin.

Member Events & Special Offers

The Lombard Historical Society and the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library will be hosting a program that examines Abraham Lincoln through the eyes of the camera lens at 2 pm on Sunday, January 18, in the auditorium of the Plum Library. This free program features art historian Mark Pohlad and will trace the images of Lincoln and his circle while describing the nature and challenges of photography in the mid-nineteenth century.

A Birth of New Freedom" inspired by Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is Barack Obama's official inauguration theme. To honor both of these great Illinois leaders on Inauguration Day, January 20, Harry Caray's will be recreating Lincoln's first inaugural luncheon which was held at the Willard Hotel in 1861. The menu consisted of Mock Turtle Soup, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Parsley Potatoes, Blackberry Pie and Coffee. Historians believe that the simple nature of the menu reflected Lincoln's frugal character. Harry's will be offering the historic menu for $16.44, commemorating both the 16th and 44th Presidents. It will be available at both lunch and dinner. Televisions will be placed in the dining room during the inauguration so that guests can watch history in the making while dining on this historic meal.

Be ready for a bombardment of the senses as the high-octane fiddlers of Barrage bring an all new show, High Strung, to the Paramount Theatre stage January 25-26. The show, which delivers amazing energy and musical virtuosity that will take your breath away, fuses cultures, musical styles and incredible vocals with dazzling choreography. It’s like STOMP with violins!

Scottish Jewelry from the Lizzadro Collection will be on exhibit at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Elmhurst January 27 through May 10. The exhibit will feature antique pieces made of silver and gemstones uniquely Scottish in design.

Naperville Park District is holding a Valentine American Girl® Doll program on February 6. Kids between the ages of 3 and 12 will enjoy decorating a special Valentine outfit along with adorable red, pink and white jewelry for their American Girl Doll.  To finish this special look, each girl will receive cute little clips to decorate their doll's hair.  Registration required.

Downtown Downers Grove will be host the 2009 National Ice Carving Championship Competition, taking place February 6-8 along Burlington Avenue and Mochel Drive. Over 50 decorative ice sculptures will line the streets. Free trolley rides will be offered to view all sculptures. Celebrate this year’s festival theme, BON MARDI GRAS! Don your masks, feathers and beads at Downers Grove's very own Carnival. Parade through the French Quarter (Downtown) and enjoy the merriment of Mardi Gras themed ice sculptures.

As the entire nation celebrates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth in February, Naper Settlement will be holding their own festivities with a special "Thinkin’ Lincoln” exhibit and weekend devoted to Lincoln. Come out and learn about our nation’s 16th president!

Visit the DuPage CVB Events Calendar for a more complete list of exciting events in and around DuPage.