Tourism Marketing Information

Tourism Marketing Information
Vol. 1 Issue 4 November 2015
Chicago Southland CVB Holds Annual Meeting & Luncheon
T
he
Chicago
Southland
Convention
& Visitors
Bureau
recognized
its members,
municipalities and organizations
for their
outstanding service in the tourism
industry during Fiscal Year 2015.
The awards were presented at the
CVB’s Annual Meeting and Awards
Luncheon Wednesday, October
7, 2015, at the Hilton Chicago /
Oak Lawn & Conference Center.
CVB President / CEO Jim Garrett
focused on the Chicago Southland’s
Monumental Year in tourism.
“The good news is the Chicago
Southland hospitality industry is
healthy, strong and doing very well.
This year, Chicago Southland hotel
occupancy hit an all time record
high of 77.4 percent,” said Jim
Garrett. “We had a monumental
year and the only way to remain
competitive is if the state of Illinois
continues to fund the economic
engine of tourism.” Special guest
speaker Governor Bruce Rauner,
addressed the audience on his time
as Chairman of Choose Chicago
saying “tourism industry and the
meetings and convention industry is
our core to our economic growth.”
Keynote speaker Cory Jobe,
Director of the Illinois Office of
Tourism spoke on the economic
impact of tourism on the state and
local levels. “I’m very proud of our
economic impact figures and the
work we’ve done to stimulate travel
in Illinois,” said Cory Jobe, Director
for the Illinois Office of Tourism.
“The [Chicago Southland] region
generated over 1.3 million hotel/
motel overnight stays and tourism
spending directly supported more
than 12 thousand jobs.”
The luncheon commenced with
the Annual Stars of the Industry
Awards honoring the work of
exceptional regional hotel employees
on the frontlines for their continued
strive for excellence. The Chicago
Southland CVB also presented
five awards highlighting the
contributions of its members and
partners to the tourism and industry
in the Chicago Southland.
And the Winner Is ...
2015 Food & Beverage
Employee of the Year
2015 Housekeeping
Employee of the Year
2015 Guest Service
Employee of the Year
Betsy Nowakowski of the
Country Inn & Suites Tinley Park
Maria Castenada of the
Baymont Inn & Suites - Alsip
Luanne Tarvid of the
DoubleTree by Hilton
2015 Manager of the Year
2015 Maintenance
Employee of the Year
Award of Merit
Heather Stevens of the Hilton
Chicago / Oak Lawn
Juan Madrigal of the Holiday Inn
Express Chicago South - Lansing
Drivin’ the Dixie
Award of Merit
Illinois Toll Authority
Member of the Year
Linda Morgan Award
for Volunteerism
JoAnne Alexander of the
Village of Glenwood
Patricia Chase Magon
Municipal Leadership Award
Sandra Bury, Mayor of the
Village of Oak Lawn
Senator Aldo DeAngelis
Leadership Award
2015 Annual Report
Mike Shymanski,
Pullman National Monument
2
Claude Gendreau, Owner of
La Banque Hotel
For a digital copy of our
Annual Report, go to
VisitChicagoSouthland.com/AnnualReport
Congratulations to our CFO of the Year!
staff of the Daily Herald Business
Ledger.
The keynote speech was given
by James Kranjc, communications
tax practice leader and principalin-charge of the Chicago offices
of tax consulting firm Ryan
LLC. “Ultimately, integrity and
S
ally Schlesinger, CPA, CDME,
Executive Vice President for the
Chicago Southland Convention &
Visitors Bureau was honored for
her accomplishments as a Chief
Financial Officer at the fourth annual
Daily Herald Business Ledger’s CFO
of the Year Awards on July 23rd at
Bollingbrook Golf Club.
The Daily Herald Business
Ledger gave consideration to CFO’s
contributions to their organization’s
overall growth, commitment to
good ethics, effective reporting and
involvement in the community. The
honorees were nominated by their
peers and reviewed by the editorial
trustworthiness are your greatest
assets,” Kranjc said. “We have to be
ethical, we have to be trustworthy,
and people have to believe in what
you say.”
In 1991, Schlesinger was tasked
with aiding in an audit on the parent
company of the Chicago Southland
CVB. Soon after the audit was over,
the Chicago Southland CVB had an
immediate need for someone to take
over the financial responsibilities
and state grant obligations. The
next 24 years saw Schlesinger grow
into a pivotal role with the Bureau,
helping double the budget and add
14 municipalities through thoughtful
and innovative means. “We are truly
lucky to have Sally on our staff,” said
Jim Garrett, CDME, President / CEO
for the Chicago Southland CVB.
“Her dedication and commitment
shine on a daily basis and she is
looked upon as a financial leader
throughout the Illinois tourism
industry and was an integral part of
helping the bureau evolve to where it
is today.”
“The respect and love for
accounting that I have, along with
the fulfillment I receive through my
passion for tourism, bring great joy
to my life,” said Sally Schlesinger,
CPA, CDME, Executive Vice
President for the Chicago Southland
CVB. “I have the best job in the
world … tourism’s economic value
and its impact on the quality of life
for many people give my career real
meaning.”
Cory Jobe Tours Chicago Southland
W
ith the successful wrap-up of the 2015 Annual Meeting &
Awards Luncheon, staff of the Chicago Southland CVB had
the honor of touring Cory Jobe, Director for the Illinois Office
of Tourism around the region. Scheduled stops included historic
downtown Frankfort, Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center,
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, La Banque Hotel and La Voûte
restaurant, Standard Bank Stadium in the village of Crestwood and
the Tinley Park Convention Center. “I believe Cory gained a better
understanding of what the Chicago Southland offers to meetings
and events planners, group tour operators and sports planners,” said
Mary Patchin, Director of Sales for the Chicago Southland CVB. “He
was thoroughly impressed with all of our attractions, sports facilities
and the Tinley Park Convention Center.”
Windy City ThunderBolts Mike Lucas and Bill
Waliewski, Director Cory Jobe with Chicago
Southland CVB Sales Director Mary Patchin,
Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta and Standard Bank
Representative Laura Shallow
3
The Chicago Southland CVB Recently Awarded Grants
Illinois Nurses Association, INA Membership
Assembly in Alsip, Village of Alsip - $1,839 –
Pictured left to right; Mary Patchin, Director
of Sales for the Chicago Southland CVB, Staci
Moore, Associate Director for the Illinois Nurses
Association and Jim Garrett, President / CEO for
the Chicago Southland CVB.
Village of Orland Park, Taste of Orland Park $1,550.00 – Pictured left to right; Jim Garrett,
President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB,
Patricia Gira, Trustee for the Village of Orland
Park and Kim Kislowski, Director of Marketing
for the Chicago Southland CVB.
Thorn Creek Trail Opening
T
Arnold Randall, Jim Garrett and Steve
Buchtel pose for a picture during the Thorn
Creek Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Jim Garrett and Pam Sielski cut the ribbon
which officially opens the
Thorn Creek Trail
he Chicago Southland is one step closer to the opening of the Southland Century, a 100-mile loop with the
completion of the Thorn Creek Trail in Chicago Heights. On Sunday, November 1, 2015, the Forest Preserves of
Cook County celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. “Having a trail system that showcases
the beauty of the Chicago Southland is fantastic,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland
CVB. “Visitors will be able to get a view of the Chicago Southland they can’t get by car or train.”
4
Georgios Undergoes
Renovations and Name Change
G
eorgios Banquets, Quality Inn & Suites Conference
Centre (formerly the Comfort Inn & Conference
Centre & Georgios Banquets) of Orland Hills recently
underwent a 2 million dollar renovation which included
guest rooms, common areas and the ballrooms.
“While it’s a new look and name, they are providing
the same outstanding quality service” said Jim Garrett,
President / CEO for the Chicago Southland CVB.
For more information, please visit www.Georgios.com
The CSCVB releases Fall &
Winter 2015 -2016 Festivals &
Events Guide
W
ith winter fast approaching, it is easy to fall into the
same mundane routine. Shake things up with the
Chicago Southland Fall & Winter 2015 - 2016 Festivals &
Events Guide. The Guide contains all the information you
will need to have fun at any of the 306 festivals and events
in the Chicago Southland’s 62 communities.
For a free copy of the Festivals & Events Guide,
call or email the Chicago Southland Convention
& Visitors Bureau today at 708-895-8200 or info@
VisitChicagoSouthland.com. For the most up-todate listings of festivals and events, visit the Chicago
Southland Festivals & Events Calendar online at
VisitChicagoSouthland.com/Events.
CSCVB Welcomes
New Board Members
Charlie Shirk
Keri Hall
John Watson
General Manager
Operations Manager Director of Economic
Hilton Chicago / Oak Super 8 - Bridgeview
Development
Lawn & Conference
Village of South
Center
Holland
Getting Social at the
CSCVB Office!
T
he Chicago Southland CVB recently hosted a social
media seminar at its offices in Lansing on September
24th. “Social media marketing is constantly evolving
and it is our goal to empower our restaurants, hotels,
municipalities and venues to keep up with the changes to
better promote the Chicago Southland and our facillities,”
said Kristen Bonk, Social Media & Events Manager.
5
Chicago Southland CVB Marketing Department Wins Award
While at the conference, the Chicago Southland
CVB marketing department promoted various activities
and attractions throughout the region. “Travel writers
seemed to really enjoy everything we had to offer,”
said Juston Teach, Communications Manager for the
Chicago Southland CVB. “Whether it was TOYOTA
T
he Chicago Southland Convention & Visitor Bureau
won the Journalists Choice Award during the
closing ceremony at Travel Media Showcase, held in
Bloomington, IN.
Travel Media Showcase connects destinations from
all over North America with various travel writers,
bloggers and photographers. The conference was held
August 11th –14th in Bloomington, IN and featured
over 60 exhibitors and 50 journalists with the intention
of establishing working relationships that give the
destination media coverage and the journalists new and
exciting content.
During the final day of the conference, journalists
voted on the best exhibitor using criteria such as; best
utilization of time, most entertaining, enthusiasm,
knowledge of destination and overall media pitch.
PARK, Pullman National Monument or the Pickwick
Society Tea Room Gifts & Antiques, everyone was quite
impressed with the Chicago Southland.”
“It’s wonderful that travel writers from all over the
country are recognizing the passion we have about the
Chicago Southland,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO
for the Chicago Southland CVB. “We made wonderful
connections to some great writers and we look forward
to bringing them to the Chicago Southland and
showcasing all the great things that make up the region.”
Be Sure to Check Out the Chicago Southland CVB on Social Media
The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau wants to hear from you! Be sure to like,
comment and share our posts and remember to use the hashtag
#ChicagoSouthland when posting content of your own.
ChicagoSouthland
6
CSCVB
VisitSouthland
ChicagoSouthlandCVB
VisitSouthland
The Chicago Southland says
Kon’nichiwa to a
Japanese Travel Writer
O
n August 27, 2015, the Chicago Southland CVB
hosted Reiko Yamamoto, a Japanese travel writer.
Reiko Yamamoto writes for a premier travel guide in
Japan and spent the afternoon touring TOYOTA PARK,
eating a fantastic meal at Mama Luigi’s and taking in a
Chicago Fire Soccer Club match. “It’s wonderful that
international audiences have the Chicago Southland on
their radar,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the
Chicago Southland CVB.
The CSCVB Completes
Successful Front Line Training!
T
he Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors
Bureau recently completed another successful
Front Line Training! With over 17 people in
attendance at the La Banque Hotel in Homewood on
October, 22nd, the seminar aimed to create stronger
employees armed with information about the Chicago
Southland and customer service tips. Future training
opportunities are in the works.
The CSCVB Wins Economic Impact Award!
S
ports Destination Management recently recognized the Chicago Southland CVB for their Economic Impact
in Sports Tourism for the American Taekwondo Association Class “A” Tournament, held in Lynwood at the
Southland Center, a Ho Chunk Enterprise.
“Nominations were from an enormous variety of sports — from team to individual, across all disciplines and
all levels of play,” said Publisher, Fonda Johnson. The most outstanding of those received were recognized and
presented with event details in a special awards feature published in the November / December 2015 issue of Sports
Destination Management.
“It’s fantastic that a great event like the American Taekwondo Association Class “A” Tournament was recognized
for its economic impact in the Chicago Southland,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland
CVB. “Over 900 competitors and their families from 24 states experienced the best the Chicago Southland had to
offer and we are excited to bring them back next March!”
7
PRESORT STANDARD
AUTO
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LANSING, IL
PERMIT NO. 170
2304 173rd Street
Lansing, IL 60438
VisitChicagoSouthland.com
The Chicago Southland CVB Welcomes New Members
847 Hutchinson Road
Flossmoor, IL
815-277-1083
ArtistsWalkTheatre.org
1514 Joliet Street, Suite C
Dyer, IN
219-322-6650
HoosierSportsOfAmerica.com
18036 Gottschalk Avenue
Homewood, IL
708-960-2986
WellMedicalCenter.com
Larry Burrows Photography
741 Burns Avenue
Flossmoor, IL
708-308-6583
BurrowsPhotography.com