CSCVB Holiday Reception

October 2013
CVB Hires New Marketing
Manager
The CVB recently hired
Danielle Sparavalo as the
new Marketing Manager. She
will report to Kim Kislowski,
Director of Marketing &
Administration. In this
position, Danielle will utilize
social media and e-marketing
platforms in conjunction with other media to market
the Chicago Southland as a unique, convenient and
affordable destination. She will also plan and execute a
variety of CVB special events and activities.
CSCVB
Holiday
Reception
Mark Your Calendars
for December 4th!
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip
Register at VisitChicagoSouthland.com/Holiday
Nine Travel Journalists Visit Chicago Southland
The CVB brought nine travel journalists that represent
over a dozen outlets throughout the Chicago Southland
on a familiarization tour. The journalists visited the
Historic Pullman District, Pullman Historic State Site,
Homewood Railroad Platform & Park and Richard Haas
Murals, Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, Park
Forest Railfan Park, The Pickwick Society Tea Room,
Gifts & Antiques and Historic Downtown Frankfort.
The journalists were generously hosted by the Hilton
Chicago/Oak Lawn & Conference Center and ended
their day by visiting Toyota Park for a Chicago Fire
Soccer Club match. The CVB is constantly reaching to
increase exposure of the region to the traveling public
and working with these nine travel journalists is a
tremendous avenue for positive exposure.
Travel writers pose with officials from the Chicago Fire
Soccer Club and the Illinois State Soccer Association before
the start of the game.
Illinois Tourism Director and #MiniAbe Tour Region
IL Director of Tourism Jen Hoelzle toured the
Chicago Southland to preform some of the
“Bucket List” items that will be featured in
the 2014 Visitors Guide. Mini Abe also tagged
along and took several photos that were sent
out by the Illinois Tourism twitter account. In
one week, Abe’s adventures in the Chicago
Southland generated more than 356,000
impressions for Chicago Southland attractions.
Left: IL Director of Tourism Jen Hoelzle, right, stands
with Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Executive
Director Geoff Bates in the Bodark Arc sculpture.
Right: Mini Abe hangs out at Balmoral Park
CSCVB Celebrates Stars of the Tourism Industry
200 People Fill Ballroom at Holiday Inn Matteson
The Chicago Southland Convention
& Visitors Bureau recognized its
members, municipalities and
organizations for their outstanding
service in the hospitality and tourism
industries during the past fiscal year
at its Annual Meeting & Luncheon
Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at
the Holiday Inn Chicago Matteson
Conference Center.
Jen Hoelzle, Deputy Director of
the Illinois Department of Commerce
and Economic Opportunity, Office of
Tourism spoke about how continued
engagement of potential visitors
Executive Housekeeper Anabel Gonzalez of the Clarion Inn – South
through social media will bring more
Holland reacts after being announced as the Chicago Southland CVB’s
visitors not only to the region, but the 2013 Housekeeping Employee of the Year.
state of Illinois on the whole.
The annual “Stars of the Industry” Awards honor the work of exceptional regional hotel employees
and were presented to winners by Chicago Southland CVB President/CEO Jim Garrett, Chicago Southland
CVB Chairman Roy Patel and Deputy Director Jen Hoelzle.
“Our winners today understand the value of tourism
as an economic driver in the Chicago Southland and they
are continuing to help make the region an important visitor
destination,” said Chicago Southland CVB President/CEO Jim
Garrett. “These awards highlight the best service in our region
and are presented to the individuals and organizations that make
a difference in the hospitality and tourism industries.”
Deputy Director Jen Hoelzle gives her
keynote during the CVB’s Annual Meeting.
See All of Our Winners
on Pages 2-3!
VisitChicagoSouthland.com
2013 Chicago Southland Stars of the Industry Winners
2013 Annual Award Winners
Administrative Employee of the Year
Sue Carroll, Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn & Conference Center
Food & Beverage Employee of the Year
James Borum, DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip
Tourism Award of Merit
Johanns Williams pictured with President/CEO Jim Garrett
Linda Morgan Award for Volunteerism
JoEllyn Kelly, Owner, J.J. Kelley’s
Guest Services Employee of the Year
Rodney Brown, Sleep Inn – Lansing
Housekeeping Employee of the Year
Anabel Gonzalez, Clarion Inn – South Holland
Member of the Year
The Pickwick Society Tea Room Gifts & Antiques
Cindy Vassell
Aldo DeAngelis Leadership Award
Midlothian Park District
Executive Director Evelyn Gleason
Congratulations To All
of Our Winners!
All winners appear with CVB President/CEO Jim
Garrett, Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism
Jen Hoelzle and CVB Chairperson Roy Patel unless
otherwise noted.
Maintenance Employee of the Year
Juan Ortega, BEST WESTERN PLUS Chicago Southland &
Wingate by Wyndham - Tinley Park
Manager of the Year
Sandra Miller, DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip
Patricia Chase Magon Municipal Leadership Award
Village of Frankfort
Mayor Jim Holland